Jews Who Rock

Rating:
Summary: dreadful book riddled with errors
Review: a fun topic for a gift book, sure to bring a few chuckles... but poorly researched and very thin on biographical information. As one reviewer has already noted, the book is a total toss-off, no great effort went into its compilation. no informaion is provided abut parentage (i.e. Phil Och's father was Jewish, his mother's family was Scottish), there is absolutely no attempt to speculate how a Jewish background has impacted the artist's work, and there are quite a few 'heroes' missing, i.e. Peter Perrett of The Only Ones. Also, the Wilson sisters are Jewish on their father's side???

Rating:
Summary: dreadful book riddled with errors
Review: a fun topic for a gift book, sure to bring a few chuckles... but poorly researched and very thin on biographical information. As one reviewer has already noted, the book is a total toss-off, no great effort went into its compilation. no informaion is provided abut parentage (i.e. Phil Och's father was Jewish, his mother's family was Scottish), there is absolutely no attempt to speculate how a Jewish background has impacted the artist's work, and there are quite a few 'heroes' missing, i.e. Peter Perrett of The Only Ones. Also, the Wilson sisters are Jewish on their father's side???

Rating:
Summary: Ahem, what about 50% of Phish?
Review: A great idea, and a fun coffee table (bathroom) book. I am, however, disturbed by the omission of Phish's rhythm section. Michael Gordon and Jon Fishman are undoubtedly more talented than half the people in this book. It would also have been nice to explain the true heritage of the many musicians listed in the book...

Rating:
Summary: Mixed-Up Confusion!
Review: After having received this book as a gift, one wonders how much griping is allowable. Nonetheless, after having skimmed through the book and after having read the entry on Bob Dylan, it gave me good pause. Since there were multiple errors on Dylan's one page, it naturally made me ask the question, "How many other errors might abound?" I am not proposing that the book should be error-free (no book is), but after having read some of the reviews, it's clear that someone should take the responsibility (Guy Oseary? or maybe his editor or researcher? or maybe the publisher?) for the many errors that fill its pages.

I'll simply point out the errors on the Dylan page. The singer did not graduate from the University of Minnesota in 1959 (nor any other university). He graduated from his high school, Hibbing High, in 1959, and then merely attended the Univ. of Minn. for a few semesters. And Dylan's second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" didn't come out in 1962 (it was 1963). Additionally, to say Dylan's songs "extolled the use of certain drugs" and to use "Rainy Day Women #12&35" as an example ("everybody must get stoned"), oversimplifies things; the lyrics to this song are actually quite rich (despite them being made almost cliche because of radio overplay and overplay in concert) but Dylan has denied--on more than one occasion--writing "drug songs." In one interview he mentioned it was hard enough to write songs without making it harder [through drugs].

After referencing the 1966 era, we're then told that Dylan "toured and recorded tirelessly" for the next 30 years. Really? Most fans will vividly recall when Dylan did not embark on a single tour from 1967-1973; he also abstained from touring in 1977, 1982-1983 and 1985.

And the "Never-Ending Tour" is listed as "1988-1996" which is odd. Dylan's touring didn't stop in 1996 (this book was published in 2001), it has continued to this day, i.e., "1988-2002."

As for the book's statement that "Bob took his adopted name from poet Dylan Thomas," this too isn't factual. Dylan has denied this on a number of occasions and others close to Dylan have corroborated his denial although the exact origins of the name are not entirely clear (typical Dylan).

We are also informed that Dylan was involved with the Lubavitch movement in Jerusalem in 1984. But this is the wrong location, and year. He studied with the Lubavitchers in Brooklyn in 1983.

And then there's the matter-of-fact statement that Dylan "explored various religions outside of Judaism, to which he ultimately returned." In 1979-1981, Dylan did more than "explore" Jesus (and he still sings about Jesus, for whatever reason, to this day). He also has never announced his departure from or return to Judaism. In typical contrarion fashion, Dylan quoted a biblical passage from the Hebrew Scriptures on his 1980 album, "Saved." And then in 1984, the year after he studied with the Lubavitchers, Dylan was asked if he thought the Old and New Testaments were equally valid. He replied, "To me." (Rolling Stone interview with Kurt Loder). Dylan has participated in the Lubavitchers' Chabad telethons (1986, 1989 & 1991) but has also continued to sing songs from the "Slow Train/Saved."

Even with all the religion hububb aside, it seems that for all I've pointed out it could've been a case of my having scoured through a full-length book...but it was, again, only a one-page entry on Dylan! And there were many errors, so buyer beware.

Maybe one day we'll have an updated, mostly corrected edition and some quotes from the artists on the significance of their rich cultural heritage.

Rating:
Summary: Mixed-Up Confusion!
Review: After having received this book as a gift, one wonders how much griping is allowable. Nonetheless, after having skimmed through the book and after having read the entry on Bob Dylan, it gave me good pause. Since there were multiple errors on Dylan's one page, it naturally made me ask the question, "How many other errors might abound?" I am not proposing that the book should be error-free (no book is), but after having read some of the reviews, it's clear that someone should take the responsibility (Guy Oseary? or maybe his editor or researcher? or maybe the publisher?) for the many errors that fill its pages.

I'll simply point out the errors on the Dylan page. The singer did not graduate from the University of Minnesota in 1959 (nor any other university). He graduated from his high school, Hibbing High, in 1959, and then merely attended the Univ. of Minn. for a few semesters. And Dylan's second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" didn't come out in 1962 (it was 1963). Additionally, to say Dylan's songs "extolled the use of certain drugs" and to use "Rainy Day Women #12&35" as an example ("everybody must get stoned"), oversimplifies things; the lyrics to this song are actually quite rich (despite them being made almost cliche because of radio overplay and overplay in concert) but Dylan has denied--on more than one occasion--writing "drug songs." In one interview he mentioned it was hard enough to write songs without making it harder [through drugs].

After referencing the 1966 era, we're then told that Dylan "toured and recorded tirelessly" for the next 30 years. Really? Most fans will vividly recall when Dylan did not embark on a single tour from 1967-1973; he also abstained from touring in 1977, 1982-1983 and 1985.

And the "Never-Ending Tour" is listed as "1988-1996" which is odd. Dylan's touring didn't stop in 1996 (this book was published in 2001), it has continued to this day, i.e., "1988-2002."

As for the book's statement that "Bob took his adopted name from poet Dylan Thomas," this too isn't factual. Dylan has denied this on a number of occasions and others close to Dylan have corroborated his denial although the exact origins of the name are not entirely clear (typical Dylan).

We are also informed that Dylan was involved with the Lubavitch movement in Jerusalem in 1984. But this is the wrong location, and year. He studied with the Lubavitchers in Brooklyn in 1983.

And then there's the matter-of-fact statement that Dylan "explored various religions outside of Judaism, to which he ultimately returned." In 1979-1981, Dylan did more than "explore" Jesus (and he still sings about Jesus, for whatever reason, to this day). He also has never announced his departure from or return to Judaism. In typical contrarion fashion, Dylan quoted a biblical passage from the Hebrew Scriptures on his 1980 album, "Saved." And then in 1984, the year after he studied with the Lubavitchers, Dylan was asked if he thought the Old and New Testaments were equally valid. He replied, "To me." (Rolling Stone interview with Kurt Loder). Dylan has participated in the Lubavitchers' Chabad telethons (1986, 1989 & 1991) but has also continued to sing songs from the "Slow Train/Saved."

Even with all the religion hububb aside, it seems that for all I've pointed out it could've been a case of my having scoured through a full-length book...but it was, again, only a one-page entry on Dylan! And there were many errors, so buyer beware.

Maybe one day we'll have an updated, mostly corrected edition and some quotes from the artists on the significance of their rich cultural heritage.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Idea, But Could Have Been Better
Review: After reading a book about Jewish Sports Heroes (no it is not that slim), the Israeli born music exec and Madonna Maverick partner, Guy Oseary, got the idea to compile a book of 100 top Jewish rockers, or rockers with some Jewish parentage or heritage. The forward by Ben Stiller and the afterward by Perry (Peretz) Farrell (Bernstein) are interesting, and I wish the rest of the book followed their formats. Stiller talks of his Bar Mitzvah and how his band played at the after party. Stiller played on a drumset that he got for xmas (hmmm). They played "Hey Jude" (Jew'd). Farrell writes about the Biblical musicians, such as David. My complaint with this book is that it lists the artists, one per page, giving some bio info, such as birthdate, birthplace, and discography, but there are no interviews with the rockers. It left me hanging. I wondered, how is Warren Zevon Jewish? How did the Beastie Boys bnai Mitzvot affect their work? How did Saul Hudson go from Saul to Slash? I was hoping for something akin to the webzine PLOTZ, which actually interviewed Beck and other Jewish rockers about their Jewish heritages. But this book just lists some basic facts. I am sure it will make a good gift for other Jewish rockers and trivia specialists. It includes no brainers, like barry Manilow, Gene Simmons, Randy Newman, Mark Knopfler, Paul Simon, Lisa Loeb, Billy Joel, Dylan, Carole King, Kenny G (Gorelick), The Beastie Boys, and Phranc; but I wish it had given more data on Herb Alpert, Malcolm McLaren, and Zevon. The rockers out there will be excited to read about the Jewish members of The Doors, Foo Fighters, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Yo La Tengo, Matchbox 20, Elastica, Wang Chung, Blue Oyster Cult, Counting Crows, Janes Addiction, The Mamas and the Pappas, and Megadeth.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent... that is, for the people who are actually Jewish
Review: Being Jewish myself, "Jews Who Rock" by Guy Oseary is an excellent idea, and it would entertain everyone who thought that "Jew" and "rock and roll" don't go together. That is, if it could be entirely trusted.

The sections about the personalities who actually are Jewish are very good, with some great quotes and interesting facts (who knew that Paul Stanley once worked in a kosher deli?), however, we are let down with the mistakes and omissions.

However, there are some major errors. John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas and Walter Becker of Steely Dan are listed. They do have a Jewish band member (Mamas Cass Elliott and Donald Fagen, respectively), but these people are not Jewish and need more research. Judah Bauer, the guitarist for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, is not Jewish either, and I'm not too sure about drummer Russell Simins.

It does not have any information about parentage. Twisted Sister's Dee Snider is listed without any information on parentage, and so are Carly Simon, Robbie Robertson (The Band), Mark Volman (The Turtles) and Warren Zevon. All are Jewish on their father's side.

There are also some prominent omissions - Scott Walker (The Walker Brothers), Phoebe Snow, Paula Abdul, Tiny Tim, The Tokens, Keith Reid (Procol Harum), Jay Black (Jay and the Americans), Country Joe and the Fish, Marianne Faithfull, Mick Hucknall (Simply Red), Graham Gouldman (10cc), Chris & Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), Jay Kay (Jamiroquai), Natalie & Nicole Appleton and Mel Blatt (All Saints), Rachel Stevens (S Club 7) - I could go on. I will excuse the last five since they are not household names in the US.

It also touches upon some mebers of a particular band and not others; these include the J. Geils Band, only mentioning Peter Wolf and Seth Justman, when in fact, all the members are Jewish except for J. Geils. This is also the case with the Blues Project and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Well, it is an interesting book; it *is* worth a read - as I have stated before, the people who actually are Jewish are interesting.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent... that is, for the people who are actually Jewish
Review: Being Jewish myself, "Jews Who Rock" by Guy Oseary is an excellent idea, and it would entertain everyone who thought that "Jew" and "rock and roll" don't go together. That is, if it could be entirely trusted.

The sections about the personalities who actually are Jewish are very good, with some great quotes and interesting facts (who knew that Paul Stanley once worked in a kosher deli?), however, we are let down with the mistakes and omissions.

However, there are some major errors. John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas and Walter Becker of Steely Dan are listed. They do have a Jewish band member (Mamas Cass Elliott and Donald Fagen, respectively), but these people are not Jewish and need more research. Judah Bauer, the guitarist for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, is not Jewish either, and I'm not too sure about drummer Russell Simins.

It does not have any information about parentage. Twisted Sister's Dee Snider is listed without any information on parentage, and so are Carly Simon, Robbie Robertson (The Band), Mark Volman (The Turtles) and Warren Zevon. All are Jewish on their father's side.

There are also some prominent omissions - Scott Walker (The Walker Brothers), Phoebe Snow, Paula Abdul, Tiny Tim, The Tokens, Keith Reid (Procol Harum), Jay Black (Jay and the Americans), Country Joe and the Fish, Marianne Faithfull, Mick Hucknall (Simply Red), Graham Gouldman (10cc), Chris & Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), Jay Kay (Jamiroquai), Natalie & Nicole Appleton and Mel Blatt (All Saints), Rachel Stevens (S Club 7) - I could go on. I will excuse the last five since they are not household names in the US.

It also touches upon some mebers of a particular band and not others; these include the J. Geils Band, only mentioning Peter Wolf and Seth Justman, when in fact, all the members are Jewish except for J. Geils. This is also the case with the Blues Project and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Well, it is an interesting book; it *is* worth a read - as I have stated before, the people who actually are Jewish are interesting.

Rating:
Summary: Jews Who Rock Rocks!
Review: Everything you've ever wanted to know about the history of Jewish Rockers -- ok -- not everything but a whole heck of a lot! You'll be surprised at how many of rock's most important musicians, songwriters and even dj's are Jewish.

Rating:
Summary: Great Topic, Lazy Book
Review: For those interested in all things Judaic and rock n' roll, "Jews who Rock" seemed like a most welcome book, but the actual product is purely tossed-off. Most of the inclusions are obvious, and despite a few surprises, highly dubious (Robbie Robertson, who has acknowledged his Native American roots through his music and in many interviews, is Jewish? And John Phillips? How?) Or simply untrue -- Lenny Kravitz may have a Jewish father, but he is an avowed Christian, and hence not a Jew who Rocks. Moreover, the "did you know" factoids are bland,oft-reported,and generally reveal nothing about the artist's relationship to Judaism. Why didn't Oseary bother to ask any of the artists about how they personally relate to Judaism, or how Judaism informs their music? Only Perry Farrell's typically cosmic, but reverant, essay suggests the book that might have been with greater research and insight. Hardly the definitive book on an otherwise fascinating subject.