This is disc 2 of volume iv of the unreleased art pepper series. Art pepper 1925 1982 was described as the greatest altosexophonist of the postcharlie parker. Art pepper s straight life may be the rawest autobiography anyone ever needs to read, drenched in drugs, sex, suicides, cult fiends, prison, mom issues, spousal abuse and rape, with a dash of jazz history. Why art peppers straight life is still the most harrowing. This is however a book about a man who continually bounced back from personal crisis. Thats how much of an impact straight life made on me. Called the greatest alto saxophonist of the postparker generation. I still have no sense at all how good the new book is, but a flat out advertisement encouraging one to read straight life could not have been more persuasive. Played with benny carter, stan kenton, shelly manne. This is however a book about a man who continually read more. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. But that book is about a pop star in one of the most successful groups of all time. But if the matter boils down to only owning one, the choice is easy.
Straight life is tellall, but only about peppers life. Kym bonython, and its inscribed to kym by art pepper. Pepper refuses to tiptoe round many of the unpalatable episodes of a life that involved alcoholism, heroin. Why i stuck with a junkie jazzman by laurie pepper by c. Like his book, pepper is selfdeprecating, hence the brutal honesty i speak of. If it had, theres a good chance that no nightclub would book art pepper, nor any record label sign him to a deal. The book was a collaboration between art and his wife, laurie, who shaped and structured hours of taped conversations while preserving arts singular perspective. But the 1979 publication of straight life and accompanying press had revived arts career. Straight life has been praised by critics, including terry castle, who called it one of the greatest, saddest autobiographies ever written. Peppers autobiography straight life written with his wife is a brutally honest book that details his sometimes horrifying life. During his career alto saxophonist art pepper cut many records, and every jazzfriendly collection should own at least a few.
And the author of straight life, the selfportrait that manages to put the pieces of this life together. So here is the complete list of artists, songs, and cds mentioned in michaels novels. More information about this seller contact this seller 4. Together, they wrote his autobiography, straight life.
Art pepper died of a cerebral hemorrhage on june 15, 1982 at the age of 56. Laurie pepper a world famous saxophonist tells the story of his successful career as a jazz musician, his problems with drug addiction, and the time he spent in hospitals, prisons, and drug rehabilitation centers. Jacket comment by dan wakefield and ornette coleman. Straight life the story of art pepper by art and laurie pepper by c. Ironically, given the notoriously stark, shocking honesty of the book, its an unusually and atypically mellow album, rather less intense than was usual for the late period of peppers career. Art told me his story, i wrote it down, and i fell in love with and married that complex and inspiring man. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Synopsis art pepper 19251982 was called the greatest alto saxophonist of the postcharlie parker generation. Whats surprising is that the music he managed to make during irregular bursts of freedom was enthralling, too. The story of art pepper is the autobiography of jazz saxophonist art pepper, cowritten with his wife, laurie pepper. This book is a great window into a tortured soul who decided to go out on his own terms.
Not only is there a superior version of peppers famous title cut but very emotional and explorative renditions of september song and nature boy. Straight life the story of art pepper by art and laurie. The story of art pepper by art pepper 19790503 jan 1, 1810. And the author of straight life, the selfportrait that.
Signed copies of this book here signed around time of publication are very. The life story of the american jazz saxaphonist art pepper, the man who could never live the straight life, always on the run, a heroin addict. Art pepper was born in gardena, california, on september 1, 1925. Why i stuck with a junkie jazzman which covers some of the same ground, but with an entirely different perspective. It features the troubled yet outstanding young hornman in cahoots with. I think knowing his life was nearing the end he felt this was the time to get this on paper. In art, laurie has plenty to say about george cables, arts favorite pianist, and has a lot of stuff about longtime pepper sideman milcho leviev. Both were violent alcoholics, and when art was still quite young he was sent to live with his paternal grandmother. The story of art pepper from the worlds largest community of readers. Art peppers straight life goes straight to youtube art pepper was a selftaught jazz legend. Peppers longtime heroin addiction is the focus here, with all the pathetic, harrowing, strangely selfcongratulatory tales of degradation that one has come to expect in addict.
Art pepper is a gifted, muchrecorded alto saxophonist hes played with benny carter, stan kenton, buddy rich, and in smaller groups, but the musical interest in this long, dank memoir is barely incidental. But straight life is much more than a jazz book it is oneof the most explosive, yet one of the most lyrical, of all autobiographies, narrated on tape to his wife laurie. Straight life at amazon published in 1979, straight life was the story of art pepper. Straight life was released to coincide with the launch of peppers identicallytitled autobiography. Art pepper pulls no punches or has any regrets for the life he led. Signed copies of this book here signed around time of publication are very scarce on the market. Art peppers straight life is one of the seminal jazz autobiographies, essential for its portrait of the postwar west coast scene and its pitiless portrayal of the addicts lifestyle. The story of art pepper by art pepper, laurie pepper. Art pepper 19251982 was called the greatest alto saxophonist of the postcharlie parker generation. The story of art, one of the most famous and popular books on art ever written, has been a world bestseller for over four decades.
Theres some sniping about sidemen playing ballads in doubletime, which particularly peeved pepper or, a rare gem, a little story about vibist. He played with miles davis and was hailed as one of the greatest alto players to follow in the. Michael bailey, published on june, 2014 at all about jazz. Michael bailey, published on may 29, 2014 at all about jazz. Michael connelly often gets asked about the music that he mentions in his books. Attracted by the simplicity and clarity of his writing, readers of all ages and backgrounds have found in. Straight life by art pepper overdrive rakuten overdrive. He was a deeply troubled, madly gifted artist, an addict. Art pepper best of straight life, youd be so nice to come home to and more hits. All this history makes a pretty gripping story as its told by art with his wife laurie pepper in their book, straight life dacapo. Straight life is pretty definitive and serves as a perfect introduction to peppers second and most rewarding period. Inscribed to charley dig this i know youll identify art pepper 980. Watch the video for straight life from art peppers art pepper meets the rhythm section for free, and see the artwork, lyrics and similar artists.
This book is an honest account of a life which was anything but straight. Altoist art pepper recorded many albums for the galaxy label during 19791982. Jazz is what has kept me from completely losing my marbles. Why i stuck with a junkie jazzman by laurie pepper. His recordings for contemporary and galaxy rank with the greatest work of his career. The art history project, arts life story told in music, being offered as a three disc set, sums up the intensity of feeling, the wit, rage, sensuality and darking, the moans of pain and shouts of celebration of the life art shared with us in his book, straight life, and always in his music. In this film, art pepper speaks of his love for his daughter, patricia, for whom he wrote a beautiful song, and her rejection of him. Why art peppers straight life is still the most harrowing jazz. He expressed early musical interest and talent, and he was given lessons. Art pepper succeeded in becoming one of the finest alto saxophonists of all time despite.
Art peppers straight life goes straight to youtube. Art pepper died june 15, 1982 of a cerebral hemorrhage. Art pepper 1925 1982 was described as the greatest altosexophonist of the postcharlie parker generation. Art pepper 1925 1982 was described as the greatest altosaxophonist of the postcharlie parker generation.
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