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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

LIFE by Keith Richards

I'm currently reading "LIFE" the auto-biography of Keith Richards, guitarist for the Rolling Stones. I'm perhaps two thirds of the way through the book and honestly I'm not really sure how I feel about it.

The subject matter, Non-fiction, biography, music/The Stones all seemed to fit my bill, all sounded like something I would enjoy. It also got rave reviews and spent a couple weeks a top the new York Times Best seller List for Non-Fiction. Soother folks seemed to enjoy it and at times I have too. But there is something about it that is....unsettled.

And it's not the repeated reference to drugs and drug use, shit I was expecting that. No it was something else. If anyone out there is familiar w/Richards and specifically the way he speaks, then they can imagine what I'm referring too here. He writes in the same hap-hazard, stutter/mumble, stoner/drunkard voice with which he speaks. once I realized that, all I did when I read the book was imagine he was speaking it to me and it seemed less unsettling.

The narrative is straight forward and very frank. I figure there are certain key figures here like Mick Jagger for example that are less then pleased with his opinions but that is why I've always liked the guy: he is nothing but honest, brutally so. And that includes information about himself, he holds nothing back and that is why, in the end i have to say I recommend this read.

If your a fan of the Stones, of music or just a good auto-biography give it a try, chances are it will grow on you as it has on me....

2 comments:

  1. I am finally finnishing Neal Peart's Ghost Rider ... I believe on a recommendation from you :o)

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  2. One of my favorite books...very informative as well as interesting, he is someone I have come to really respect.

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