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Rating: 
Summary: Superb Analysis
Review: Although most fans will be content with the 'Electric Gypsy' bio (which is equally good), "Crosstown Traffic" is more than a mere biography, and as such, invaluable for all Jimi fanatics.The book is 1/4 bio, 1/4 Jimi's influences (as well as those subsequently influenced by him), 1/4 comparisons between peers and other black artists, and 1/4 conjecture based on his final days. They've included a list of bootlegs (obviously out of date, but still pretty comprehensive) as well as all legitimate Hendrix material, and a guide to Jimiphiles on what artists to check out that might catch their interest.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Analysis
Review: Although most fans will be content with the 'Electric Gypsy' bio (which is equally good), "Crosstown Traffic" is more than a mere biography, and as such, invaluable for all Jimi fanatics. The book is 1/4 bio, 1/4 Jimi's influences (as well as those subsequently influenced by him), 1/4 comparisons between peers and other black artists, and 1/4 conjecture based on his final days. They've included a list of bootlegs (obviously out of date, but still pretty comprehensive) as well as all legitimate Hendrix material, and a guide to Jimiphiles on what artists to check out that might catch their interest.
Rating:
Summary: Life R&R and the whole damn thing
Review: Perhaps the best book written on rock music.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: This is my favorite book about not only Jimi Hendrix, but Robert Johnson and Charlie Christian too. Occasionally Charles Shaar Murray gets a little carried away during his wordy descriptions, but it doesn't matter. If you want to learn about the evolution of African American guitarists, this is the place to start.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book
Review: This is my favorite book about not only Jimi Hendrix, but Robert Johnson and Charlie Christian too. Occasionally Charles Shaar Murray gets a little carried away during his wordy descriptions, but it doesn't matter. If you want to learn about the evolution of African American guitarists, this is the place to start.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Insightful On Jimi Thus Far
Review: Unlike the usual gossip-laden rock bios (which I sometimes relish too, I'll admit), Murray's book is a serious piece of work. I've yet to come across a rock author as capable as Murray in analyzing the most important aspect of our Jimi-worship-- the MUSIC. Murray's book delves into the sociocultural groundwork of Jimi's musical style, and makes very astute leaps in connecting Jimi's music to various influences. Murray is perhaps the most intelligent rock biographer I've ever read (and I've read most of the major ones). At certain times, it's as though Murray's descriptive skill nearly matches his subject's musical genius. In any event, this book certainly does Jimi justice. Murray's descriptions of some of Jimi's well-known material are awesome. He describes an instance of Jimi's tight playing as (sorry if I slightly misquote) a "propulsive ball of rhythm, densely packed with ideas," and so forth. Murray is singularly able to verbally express what we deeply feel about Jimi's music, but have a hard time explaining to others. You know how tough it is to convince non-believers why you KNOW that Jimi is a genius, when they think that he was merely a hyped-up, noisy, wildman-clown, right? Well, read Charles Murray's book. I think it'll sooth your soul, and you'll come away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of his subject. Hats off to Murray!
Rating:
Summary: The Most Insightful On Jimi Thus Far
Review: Unlike the usual gossip-laden rock bios (which I sometimes relish too, I'll admit), Murray's book is a serious piece of work. I've yet to come across a rock author as capable as Murray in analyzing the most important aspect of our Jimi-worship-- the MUSIC. Murray's book delves into the sociocultural groundwork of Jimi's musical style, and makes very astute leaps in connecting Jimi's music to various influences. Murray is perhaps the most intelligent rock biographer I've ever read (and I've read most of the major ones). At certain times, it's as though Murray's descriptive skill nearly matches his subject's musical genius. In any event, this book certainly does Jimi justice. Murray's descriptions of some of Jimi's well-known material are awesome. He describes an instance of Jimi's tight playing as (sorry if I slightly misquote) a "propulsive ball of rhythm, densely packed with ideas," and so forth. Murray is singularly able to verbally express what we deeply feel about Jimi's music, but have a hard time explaining to others. You know how tough it is to convince non-believers why you KNOW that Jimi is a genius, when they think that he was merely a hyped-up, noisy, wildman-clown, right? Well, read Charles Murray's book. I think it'll sooth your soul, and you'll come away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of his subject. Hats off to Murray!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read - about Jimi and everything else
Review: What an excellent book! Although there is ample info on Jimi, this book really shines in its discussions of Hendrix' music within the social/political context of the 60's. I feel like I gained lots of great insight into how the era really was, and it all makes more sense now. Racism, sexism, mythology, the blues, jazz, and soul, and influences/influencees are all discussed in depth. Very pertinent to understanding today's issues as well. An example: There's an excellent chapter which discusses the varying views of success among different socio-economic groups. In it, there is a description of a meeting between the Beatles and the Supremes, and their different attitudes towards fame. The Beatles are laying around smoking dope, expecting these wild ladies to show up and anticipating the ensuing orgy. The Supremes show up with a chaperon, dressed immaculately with elbow length gloves, and are horrified by these English slobs. This anecdote goes a long way towards explaining grunge apathy from spoiled trust-fund kids vs. flamboyant stage shows from the likes of Ricky Martin,etc. To youth who have eveything, success is disdained; to those who had nothing, success is relished. Every chapter is well-written and packed full of social insights like this. Murray does not under-estimate the intelligence of his readers when he tosses off an early chapter containing just the documented facts about Jimi Hendrix. We all know the basic facts, they've already been repeated endlessly in hundreds of books and magazines. This book goes much further.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent read - about Jimi and everything else
Review: What an excellent book! Although there is ample info on Jimi, this book really shines in its discussions of Hendrix' music within the social/political context of the 60's. I feel like I gained lots of great insight into how the era really was, and it all makes more sense now. Racism, sexism, mythology, the blues, jazz, and soul, and influences/influencees are all discussed in depth. Very pertinent to understanding today's issues as well. An example: There's an excellent chapter which discusses the varying views of success among different socio-economic groups. In it, there is a description of a meeting between the Beatles and the Supremes, and their different attitudes towards fame. The Beatles are laying around smoking dope, expecting these wild ladies to show up and anticipating the ensuing orgy. The Supremes show up with a chaperon, dressed immaculately with elbow length gloves, and are horrified by these English slobs. This anecdote goes a long way towards explaining grunge apathy from spoiled trust-fund kids vs. flamboyant stage shows from the likes of Ricky Martin,etc. To youth who have eveything, success is disdained; to those who had nothing, success is relished. Every chapter is well-written and packed full of social insights like this. Murray does not under-estimate the intelligence of his readers when he tosses off an early chapter containing just the documented facts about Jimi Hendrix. We all know the basic facts, they've already been repeated endlessly in hundreds of books and magazines. This book goes much further.
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