I'm reading a sort-of biography of Marvin Gaye called "Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves & Demons of Marvin Gaye" by Michael Eric Dyson. I call it a sort-of biography because the writer says it's only a critical analysis of his life and works, but it's got a lot of biographical content.
"I'm for it so we can put Nuclear power plants up there, and then beam the power back to earth on a laser beam." ~ Whidden
Sounds great. I love Marvin Gaye's music, but such a short life. Does it mention his family life/father at all or does it have a more a musical bias?
x
It does mention his family quite a bit, that's why I say it is an autobiography, unlike what the author claims. The first chapter talks about his childhoood: singing in his father's church, being told not to make friends, him copping the worse of the beatings in his families; then moves onto his short stint in the airforce, where he had a tendancy to disobey orders and got honorably discharged... then moves onto talk more about his early music (the failure of the track 'Wyatt Earp' by the Marquees), and how he met Harvey Fuqua and, eventually, Berry Gordy.
Yeah, I'm only on the first chapter from what I've read, the author does look upon Marvin Gaye as a musical genius (as many of us do), but doesn't try and skip over any of his faults (it is, after all, partly titled "The DEMONS of Marvin Gaye..."). I guess you could say it's somewhat bias in that the author is a fan and looks over Gaye's faults, but I do too, so I won't complain.
"I'm for it so we can put Nuclear power plants up there, and then beam the power back to earth on a laser beam." ~ Whidden
Cool, sounds like something I'd definitely like to have a look at. The great thing about bio's is you can dip in and out of them over time, so if you get bored at one point, you can re-discover them later. I've been reading Kenneth Williams diaries for months - I just grab it when I fancy a bit of camp humour!
x
Hi all,
So, back to the topic of discussion. What are we currently reading? I have finished Brokeback Mountain & other stories & have started The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. Anyone read? I'd heard about it through a few people before picking it up. Thoughts anyone? But don't spoil anything for me. I have only just started!
x
08-22-2006 10:49 AM
from what I've read, the author does look upon Marvin Gaye as a musical genius (as many of us do), but doesn't try and skip over any of his faults (it is, after all, partly titled "The DEMONS of Marvin Gaye..."). I guess you could say it's somewhat bias in that the author is a fan and looks over Gaye's faults, but I do too, so I won't complain.
