Stars of David: Rock'N'Roll's Jewish Stories

Rating:
Summary: One of the fluffiest books ever written.
Review: The author likely put a lot of time into writing this book and not really wanting to disparage his efforts and trying my best to be fair, I unfortunately would not recommend this book to anyone who is looking for anything other than a bit of fluff typical of a rock and roll fanzine. Almost every 3 to 5 page chapter follows an identical formula, example; the subject attended synagogue, didn't attend synagogue, Bubbe played music at home, Zayde worked as mattress maker, and all these rock & rollers always followed the golden rule of Judaism. Surely there must be more information, insight or dare I say original research available on these people being profiled? As my company's Editor-In-Chief often said, "news is a surprise", "tell me something I don't already know", which this book doesn't even attempt to do. Buy it if you must, put it in reading rack next to the Loo and enjoy yourself for the few pages you'll be able to tolerate everytime you need a short reading diversion.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book; Deceptive Subtitle
Review: This is a very interesting, at times spiritually moving book, although it is ill-served by its deceptive subtitle "Rock'n'Roll's Jewish Stories." This book is NOT an overview of Jews or the Jewish influence in rock or in popular music. Those expecting discussions of Alan Freed or the Chess Brothers will be disappointed. Instead this book features over 50 profiles (mainly interviews) with a wide variety of musicians, all of whom are Jewish by one definition or another, several of whom are rock n rollers only by the loosest definition. (Peter Yarrow?)
Among those profiled are Bob Dylan, Mike Bloomfield, Janis Ian, Kinky Friedman, Stan Lynch of the Heartbreakers, Max Weinberg, Barry Goldberg, Peter Himmelman and Johnny Clegg. With the exception of Dylan, living artists are interviewed. (Dylan fans will find little new here.)Interviews were conducted with family members of those who have passed on (Bloomfield, Marc Bolan, Randy California.)
Because the questions focus on spirituality and Jewish identity (or lack thereof) these interviews are not typical of what you'd read in the regular media. Many of the musicians' responses are passionate, heart-felt, thoughtful and often provocative. Because the criteria for inclusion was Jewish identity of some sort, rather than record sales, many fine musicians who do not receive the media attention they deserve are included. For me, it was worth the price of the book to read the moving interviews with the wonderful and under-appreciated Genya Ravan and Marcella Detroit/Marcy Levy.
What makes this book a 4 star rather than 5 star book is the somewhat arbitrary choice of profiles. There is no explanation given as to why certain Jewish artists are profiled and why others are barely mentioned or ignored. It seems to be based purely on the author's whim or personal preference but this isn't clear. It can't be because certain artists refused to participate because there's no interview or indication of participation from Dylan. So the question becomes, why Bob Dylan and not Paul Simon? Melissa Manchester but not Bette Midler? Leiber and Stoller but not the wonderful Doc Pomus? Why profiles of the Blues Project but not of the J. Geils Band, another group with heavy Jewish concentration?
That said, if you are interested in any of these musicians, in discussions of Jewish identity or of spirituality in general, this is a worthwhile, interesting book.

Rating:
Summary: Good Book; Deceptive Subtitle
Review: This is a very interesting, at times spiritually moving book, although it is ill-served by its deceptive subtitle "Rock'n'Roll's Jewish Stories." This book is NOT an overview of Jews or the Jewish influence in rock or in popular music. Those expecting discussions of Alan Freed or the Chess Brothers will be disappointed. Instead this book features over 50 profiles (mainly interviews) with a wide variety of musicians, all of whom are Jewish by one definition or another, several of whom are rock n rollers only by the loosest definition. (Peter Yarrow?)
Among those profiled are Bob Dylan, Mike Bloomfield, Janis Ian, Kinky Friedman, Stan Lynch of the Heartbreakers, Max Weinberg, Barry Goldberg, Peter Himmelman and Johnny Clegg. With the exception of Dylan, living artists are interviewed. (Dylan fans will find little new here.)Interviews were conducted with family members of those who have passed on (Bloomfield, Marc Bolan, Randy California.)
Because the questions focus on spirituality and Jewish identity (or lack thereof) these interviews are not typical of what you'd read in the regular media. Many of the musicians' responses are passionate, heart-felt, thoughtful and often provocative. Because the criteria for inclusion was Jewish identity of some sort, rather than record sales, many fine musicians who do not receive the media attention they deserve are included. For me, it was worth the price of the book to read the moving interviews with the wonderful and under-appreciated Genya Ravan and Marcella Detroit/Marcy Levy.
What makes this book a 4 star rather than 5 star book is the somewhat arbitrary choice of profiles. There is no explanation given as to why certain Jewish artists are profiled and why others are barely mentioned or ignored. It seems to be based purely on the author's whim or personal preference but this isn't clear. It can't be because certain artists refused to participate because there's no interview or indication of participation from Dylan. So the question becomes, why Bob Dylan and not Paul Simon? Melissa Manchester but not Bette Midler? Leiber and Stoller but not the wonderful Doc Pomus? Why profiles of the Blues Project but not of the J. Geils Band, another group with heavy Jewish concentration?
That said, if you are interested in any of these musicians, in discussions of Jewish identity or of spirituality in general, this is a worthwhile, interesting book.