John – Page 3 – Lemuria Books

Author: John (Page 3 of 19)

We Juke Up in Here!

On October 25, 2012

About eight years ago I started going to Clarksdale to hear as much music as possible. On my first trip north I found Roger Stolle’s fine store Cat Head. Cat Head is my favorite store in Mississippi. It is funky in a 100% blues way and Roger shares his knowledge freely which makes a visit to Cat Head a 100 percent blues learning experience. Roger’s inventory is about blues books, blues music, blues arts with live blues inside or outside. This institution is about 10 years old. I caught Roger’s attention because I became a good customer and avid spokesman on his behalf of his work. If you haven’t been to Roger’s store, treat yourself. Go and support his efforts with your purchases.

Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art, Inc.

I also found Red’s Lounge run by Red Peden. Big Jack Johnson was playing his marvelous blues in this blues mecca and I was baptized into Red’s style of Jukin’.

Language of the Blues by Debra DeSalvo explains the origins of the word juke:

“A juke or juke joint is a funky little bar (and sometimes brothel) that provides dance music whether from a piano player, a band, or a juke box. The word juke has been traced to the Gullah (Georgia Sea Islands) word joog, meaning disorderly. Joog has been traced in turn to the Bambara tribe’s word dzugu, which means ‘wicked.’ There’s also the Wolof word dzug which means to misbehave or lead a wild life, and the Bantu juka, which means to rise up and do your own thing. In From Juba to Jive: A Dictionary of African-American Slang, Clarence Major wrote that ‘jook’ is an ‘African word meaning to jab or poke–as in sexual intercourse, and was also used in the Caribbean.”

For me, a white guy, jook means good music and lots of fun.

As my friendship with Clarksdale and Roger developed I met Jeff Konkel and began stocking Jeff’s fine broke and hungry recordings. Roger and Jeff’s new collaboration is We Juke Up in Here! The DVD is the story of Red, his lounge and the shape of the Delta Jukin’ in the present. Viewing this fine work is a Delta Blues fan’s must.

As my son Austin and his pal Richard became fans of Clarksdale, they also realized the specialness of Roger’s Cat Head Store and its efforts. Austin and Richard were driven to launch their dreams of creating the first legal distillery in Mississippi. They believe in live music and wanted to donate part of their proceeds in support of musician causes. They were tumbling around name brands and took their business proposal to Roger to get his take. Roger was taken back but gave the idea a chance. After a while, Roger graced their project by voicing no objection and Cathead Vodka was born.

Lemuria is very happy to be a part of the Jackson area “We Juke Up in Here” release party.

Jackson’s screening will be held at Cathead Vodka Distillery.

Everyone is welcome!

Join filmmakers Damien Blaylock, Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle for a screening of their latest film “We Juke Up in Here” at the Cathead Vodka Distillery in Gluckstadt, Mississippi.

Friday, October 26

Food & Drink at 7:00

Screening of “We Juke Up in Here” at 8:00

644 Church Rd Suite 1, Madison, Mississippi 39110

Click here for a map on the Facebook Event Page.

“We Juke Up in Here” is available in a deluxe two-disc collection (DVD with CD soundtrack) at Lemuria. You can purchase in store or order on our website for $29.99 + shipping.

Roger Stolle will also be at Lemuria to sign his book Hidden History of the Mississippi Blues at 5:00. Click here for more info.

John Grisham: Master of the Weekend Entertainment Novel

By John

On October 23, 2012

In Fiction, First Editions Club

rack-e-teer: one who obtains money illegally, as by fraud, extortion, etc.

This summer I read and enjoyed John’s baseball novel, Calico Joe (Check out my blog). I haven’t read one of John’s legal thrillers in awhile, so I planned to read his new one as soon as I got my hands on it.

Sunday afternoon, October 21st, I finished John’s very fine, new book. It’s a true reading pleasure. I wish I could have started reading Friday after work and finished by Monday morning, but I didn’t get to it; my schedule wouldn’t allow such a wonderful reading experience. However, I’m giving you a heads up: I would choose to read it just that way.

I declare John Grisham: the Master of the Weekend Entertainment Novel.

The Racketeer is excellent. Vintage John at his best. I’m reminded of the intrigue of The Partner, woven into the jailhouse lifestyle of The Chamber, though not as dark. But mostly, I reflect on the fun I had while reading his Pelican Brief, which was stunning when it landed in 1992. The new form of fiction John created with A Time to Kill and The Firm, became a readers’ habit, and was later copied by so many less natural writers, is alive again in The Racketeer.

The Racketeer, Malcolm Bannister aka Max, is in jail. He’s not guilty, yet his life has been ruined. John is at his clever best, as Malcolm/Max strikes out on a plot of revenge. The Racketeer is John’s Count of Monte Cristo, the all time classic novel of revenge. Move over Count, Max is playing your game.

I’m not going to go into the plot, read for yourself. If you like John, but haven’t read him in awhile, read this one. If you want to escape with a fun-filled weekend, The Racketeer is for you.

You might just finish by revisiting your Grisham bookshelf. See if there is one you haven’t read yet, or we might see you at Lemuria, searching for those Grisham’s you’ve missed. The Racketeer is so good, it makes you want to go back and reread a favorite.

In The Racketeer, John Grisham is at the top of his game. What’s next?

Signed copies of The Racketeer by John Grisham, Doubleday, October 23, 2012, $28.95

The Racketeer is our October First Editions Club Pick along with Three Day Affair by Michael Kardos.

Wilderness by Lance Weller: The Story behind the Pick

By John

On August 28, 2012

In Fiction, First Editions Club

Wilderness by Lance Weller is Lemuria’s September First Editions Club choice. In April Wilderness caught my attention when my pal Jeffrey Lent sent me an e-mail proclamation about this novel.

It was many years ago when Jeff became a Lemurian. Over the years Lemuria has chosen three of his titles as First Edition Club selections. Jeffrey was our first reader to suggest two other authors for us to read which then became First Edtions choices: Edward P. Jones and David Anthony Durham.

Jeffrey has traveled to Dixie, stayed with me, and we have talked books over much beverage while sharing our joys of reading. Jeff has not been shy about offering reading suggestions. Over the years he has shared many of his favorites with Lemuria.

Jeff, our fine author and friend, has another trait he likes to help other writers he admires. He is a champion in trying to get authors a bookstore home. He understands the sense of bookstore place and what that means. He can match tastes so well. I cannot figure out how he evaded becoming a bookseller.

With all that said, you can see why I took note when I received an e-mail about Lance Weller’s Wilderness. When I got my advance reading copy with his quotation on the front–“Magnificent!”–that meant something to me.

I agree Wilderness is an astonishing first novel with a large scope, conveying fictional reality. By large, I mean this beautifully written novel is set in 1965, 1899 and during the Civil War. Expert writing keeps the reader from being jerked by time.

I’m not really interested in talking about the fine plot or the journey of this story. However, I will mention the humanity of these characters, about how well they seem to convey something hidden about life. Wilderness lets the substance of man unfold. An evolution of the human core is expressed as souls travel through physical action. The reader experiences relationships in hard, trying times. Somehow Lance lets Abel, the main character, and others convey a heart essence of living experiences while experiencing turmoil and extremes.

Lance captures the human side of brutality without giving into the neurosis of fear and revenge. Writing with softness, Lance lets the reader thrive within his characters’ actions and especially their feelings. However, this writing is not emotionally driven and somehow the reader fills in the gaps with their own emotions.

Heminway’s old standard of looking between the lines for what is not said doesn’t fit for me, but it’s real close and different. Wilderness does not offer up what the characters are feeling so the reader must dig deeper. For me, this writer’s skill and touch makes Wilderness unique and extraordinary.

Nature plays a huge role in Wilderness. It’s almost like a character. Man’s fate interweaves the human heart with the soul of nature. Nature seems to offer a God-likeness for life, within life and when life no longer exists.

Complexities within the simple, bigness and smallness all at once. Cosmically, Abel’s story weaved with a universal essence inside the reader’s mind. What’s amazing to me is that Lance achieves all these elements without becoming mythologically influenced or overly symbolized.

Wilderness is a beautiful novel, harsh and loving. A “magnificent” reading experience there is no doubt to quote Lent. I’ve been moved by many writers who have touched my spirit and help guide my path. Wilderness is now a guide so to stand with those other fine works who have touched me the most.

I also want to mention Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain and Kent Haruf’s Plainsong, both First Edition Club choices, as they have a similar essence. Wilderness is no less of an accomplishment.

Please consider reading this book. With that said, I acknowledge so many fine contributions members of our First Editions Club have been able to enjoy, collect and talk about with other readers.

Study our past selections, if you like our choices, join our club and don’t miss the future. We have our choices. These books are chosen with reason and judgement and we work hard selecting our prize titles.

Lance Weller will be signing and reading at Lemuria on Wednesday, September 5th at 5:00 and 5:30.

Wilderness is published by Bloomsbury and is available at Lemuria for $25.

rrrrrr

Finding Mood and Mystery in The Dog Stars

By John

On August 20, 2012

In Fiction, First Editions Club

“When Will I Be Home?”

When will I be home? I don’t know.

In the mountains, in the rainy night,

The autumn lake is flooded.

Someday we will be together again.

We will sit in the candlelight by the west window.

And I will tell you how I remember you

Tonight on the stormy mountain.

by Li Shang-Yin

Hig is the main character in The Dog Stars by Peter Heller and “When Will I Be Home?” is his favorite poem.

Li Shang-Yin (c. 813 to 858) is considered the last great poet of the Tang Dynasty. Li’s work was a departure from previous Chinese poetry because of his interest and the mood of his poems. Romance began to appear in the poetry of Tu Mu and Li Ho; however, with Li Shang-Yin romance became a central theme, especially in his experimental poetry. Li influenced Tz’u, a new poetry form, with romance and eroticism being the principle concerns.

With his second innovation, Li believed a poem should embody mysteries. Poetry should comprise a consciousness blended with the inner patterns of the cosmos, a primal vitality. Li wanted his poems to create mood and move atmosphere, rather than focusing on clarity and statement. His poems are so elusive and mysterious that when I first read his work in May 2009, I found his poems hard to understand and enjoy. Many readers feel this elusiveness is his poetry’s great strength. For his time, Li pushed experimentation to its limits.

Li’s poems are symbols and they create mysterious worlds which I also found to be an interesting association with The Dog Stars. Li Shang-Yin and Peter Heller concentrate on humanity and both are experimental. Both writers are mysterious and are influenced by the inner patterns of human beings and the primal mentality of the cosmos.

Peter Heller’s odd stream of consciousness style created inner reflection and a mysterious mood, hypnotizing me, his reader, to become a part of his postapocalyptic world. I found reading Dog Stars to be an experience filled with transcendentalism, a collection of bizarre human relationships held together by nature.

The Dog Stars prompted me to read Li and I feel more comfortable now going back to his work. And so I found a favorite of Li’s poetic lines from The Brocade Ch’in:

(Ch’in is a musical instrument associated with romance and love.)

“Moonlight on vast seas–it’s a pearl’s tear”

* * *

For Dog Star readers who want to explore Li Shang-Yin, I suggest Classical Chinese Poetry: An Anthology edited and translated by David Hinton.

The Dog Stars is published by Knopf and is available as a signed first edition at Lemuria for $24.95. The Dog Stars is our August pick for First Editions Club.

Knowing Miss Welty

By John

On August 1, 2012

In Staff Blog

For me relationships are the most rewarding aspect of bookselling. A bookseller develops relationships with their books and their readers; both are rewarding. Perhaps the most special relationship is one of bookseller with author. The author writes and loves the books they share with their readers. Also, the author reads the books that enhance her life and work.

However, more importantly, the author chooses their bookstore to browse. They buy books and share reading experiences with their booksellers, creating a relationship built around reading and sharing the joy of experiencing the physical book.

Without question, of all the authors that have shared their gifts of reading and writing, the foremost friend of Lemuria and its booksellers was Jackson’s wonderful Eudora Welty.

As a young bookseller, I had no clue how special a reading/writing relationship could be. I could not have anticipated what a deep friendship could be developed over the sharing of books. Miss Welty taught me this specialness.

As her bookstore, I was in a rare place to get to know Miss Welty. She loved to browse Lemuria and listen to reading suggestions, especially from a young Lemurian bookseller, Valerie Walley. Valerie had studied literature at Belhaven College. Belhaven was across the street from Welty’s writing windows.

Miss Welty loved mysteries and shared her love of reading Ross MacDonald with me. She pegged me instantly and I read all his books. I even visited Ross’s hometown, Santa Barbara, and stayed at the motel she stayed when visiting Ross. I read Ross’s books overlooking the ocean he tried to keep clean and the land he loved. I visited Ross’s bookseller Ralph Sipper of Joseph the Provider Books, and we became bookselling pals of sort. Ralph was a specialist and I, well you know, just a Lemurian. When Ralph eventually visited Lemuria, he shared as a gift a remarkable photo of Eudora on her last trip to see Ross. (see above photo)

My love for Miss Welty and the grace she shared with Lemuria can never be expressed in words. I just smile when she comes to mind.

As a last word, in 37 years of bookselling, my relationship with Miss Welty has given me the meaningful and complete experience a bookseller can hope to have with the books she read, the books she wrote and the readers that loved her and her work.

Left: Miss Welty at Lemuria in the old Highland Village location.

This was her first public signing for the publication of The Collected Stories, November 7, 1980.

With this blog I celebrate my remembrance of this special lady and her beautiful soul.

We’ll be sharing more stories of Eudora Welty in honor of Carolyn Brown’s new biography, A Daring Life, from University Press of Mississippi.

wwwwww

The iPhone Turns 5

By John

On July 21, 2012

In Business/Economy

Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple’s Success

Portfolio/Penguin (April 2012)

The iPhone has turned five. As Ken Segall finished writing Insanely Simple, he felt that the iBrand and the Apple brand were equally strong. He probably finished his final edit a year or so ago. As I read his enlightening book, I feel the iBrand is now stronger than its parent Apple.

Ken Segall played a key role in Apple’s resurrection. He worked closely with Jobs in the creation of the company’s most critical and memorable marketing campaigns, including Think Different. He laid the foundation for Apple’s product naming framework by naming the iMac. Of all the interesting aspects of Apple and facts discussed, this iProcess was my favorite.

Apple’s deep, almost religious, belief in the power of simplicity is what sets Apple apart from other tech companies. For Jobs, simplicity equals power. The strength to keep things simple, and to protect them from becoming complex, was a Jobs’ driving force. Becoming skilled at simplicity isn’t simple. You have to work toward automatic and straightforward business interactions.

Steve Jobs told you what was on his mind and didn’t really care about your feelings or being nice. He had an honest quality and strove to be that way all the time. Simplicity gives work integrity. Simplicity with business honesty keeps you from having to defend issues you don’t believe in. By keeping information simple and compartmentalized you are in the position to make correct business decisions with proper focus.

I wonder what working with Jobs was like, but a challenge I’m sure of. I’m not sure I would have liked him personally, however, Ido respect his work ethic. We are all astonished by his creative drive, and simplicity was the root of his process.

Jobs believe his every product was a manifestation of the Apple brand. The goal of the brand to make things easier for his customers. Simplicity, in its most powerful form, connects directly to our humanity. A tone of common sense allows people to feel they understand you which leads to brand trust and more authenticity.

“Don’t let the noise of others opinions drown out your inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” -Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs believed simplicity itself was the greatest business weapon of our time. He believed that when you make mistakes you should admit them quickly and get on with your other ideas.

Ken’s study of Apple is easy to read, insightful while challenging you to address your own brand and marketing.

July First Editions Club: Why we felt The One was the one for Lemuria

By John

On July 11, 2012

In First Editions Club

Some of our blog readers, First Editions Club members and those who might be considering joining our club may be confused as to why The One is our choice for First Editions Club July 2012. Now I believe is a good time to share our club’s purpose and to discuss how we make a concentrated and serious effort to do our best work in choosing these books. With our First Editions Club choice our bookstore expresses its individuality. With this choice Lemuria shows its commitment to real books and author visits all for our community of readers.

Our choices for First Editions Club represent what we perceive to be the most outstanding work that we have the opportunity to work on each month. We try to find first novels or books by undiscovered authors, old Lemuria favorites and what we consider to be the best books published. We balance our choices considering our ability to attract the author or publisher to present this book to highlight in our local community.

Since August 1993, with our first selection of Willie Morris’s New York Days, we’ve been committed to excellence.

The other four books that first season were by William Styron, James Dickey, Elmore Leonard and Lawrence Block. This is a hell of a banner to live up to and we have tried to live up to that precedent of quality. Above Left: Willie Morris signing Homecomings with Bill Dunlap.

Our first criteria is a Lemuria bookseller must believe in the importance of the book. Even at times, the bookseller must sell other booksellers on the reason why this choice is important to our community. The choice is not always easy because travel and author tour plans are decided in advance of the release date.

Our second requirement is that the physical author must visit our physical bookstore to sign and read from the physical book. Publishers are always wanting us to pick for you previously signed copies but so far we have held fast. We believe that for Lemuria to choose an author and their book our local community deserves the respect of an appearance by the physical author. By the author reading at Lemuria, the experience of making your reading selection a more human experience. Pictured Left: William Styron signing Sophie’s Choice at Lemuria in the Highland Village location.

Back to James Brown, in January I started reading The One. I went to work to bring R. J. Smith to Jackson for this literary biography. The publisher was unresponsive. Out of the blue, a phone call came from R. J. stating “I’m coming to Lemuria if I have to pay my own way.” Of course the unresponsive publisher had already distributed first editions and later printings were all they had available. So we hustled about and found enough firsts to go to work for R. J.

By our choice of R. J.’s The One you may ask, “I thought this was a literary club?” It is and this is a literary book. The One is built upon extensive research through a literary presentation. Simply, R. J. got it right and shared his work to us his readers. And that is the same criteria we look for in our fiction choices. You can’t ignore quality in any form of presentation. And quality is what our First Editions Club is all about.

One other thing, Lemuria always tries to pick books that will go into later printings. As printings grow, so does the readership demand. As the book becomes successful so does the demand for that signed first edition. Usually more demand and success lead to increased purchase value. I predict The One will be on many best of 2012 lists at year’s end. Pictured Right: Lee King, who worked for James Brown from the age of 17, gives one of the most convincing endorsements for a book I’ve heard in a long time!

My hope is that this blog represents the seriousness in choosing our First Editions Club books. We also want our readers to consider how much James Brown has influenced our contemporary culture. His impact on music is paramount. Brown bridged the gap from the Chitlin’ Circuit to soul music to funk and I believe rap. Smith’s book opens the door to those who think this master musician is a radio relic. The One gives the reader a clearer understanding of how modern music became what it is today.

Zita is shipping out The One this week and in-store pick-ups are ready to go!

If you’re not already a member of our First Editions Club, you can read a little more about it on our website and see the history of the club since 1993. If you have any questions, please call us! 800/601.366.7619

The One: The Life and Music of James Brown

By John

On June 28, 2012

In Music

For James Brown the magic of the One was a trade secret. The One had mystique and that was good for business. The One was the way to find yourself in music. In Africa, the One was means for drummers to come together. For James Brown, the powerful One was his heart, soul and strength. The One was up beat, putting him in touch with his past and then who he became. Also, it put him in charge of a culture for which he was king.

The upbeat is rich and powerful, and the downbeat weak. By stepping up proud and becoming The One, you didn’t follow the passive. Power was the music as it was in life, the One.

R. J. Smith has given Soul Brothers and Funksters a fascinating look into the Godfather’s Life. James Brown’s amazing story is one through his trials, abuse and at times a celebration. The One is a masterful story of the most important musician during my growing up. R. J.’s book has given me a clearer understanding of Brown’s life which is the tool to understand the music in full and grasp to some degree how it was created.

The One is so well researched and expertly written the reader feels how close this book and JB became a part of R. J.’s inner being. A book that seems composed and driven not just by the subjects powerful force but one guided b y an inner spirit, a passion. R. J.’s passion is rewarded. It’s a wonderful biography where James Brown’s mystique is brought forth into reality. Hey, I’m glowing about The One. This book is born from will power and fire and smoke it is not.

Personally, my James Brown attraction began in my mid-teens. Driven by the great AM radion station WOKJ, my love for Soul Brother #1 grew. The recently built Jackson coliseum became my fortress for the southern post-chiltlin acts, largely out of Memphis. At fourteen, before I could drive, I maneuvered myself to a tag-a-long to catch Mr. What I Say Ray Charles and the Rayletts. During the Soul hey-day, Jackson exploded with black music. The likes of Sam and Dave, Joe Tex, Bobby Blue Bland, Jackie Wilson, Otis Redding and others. This was the era when white audience began to really open up to to black music. However, without question, the king pen appearances I experienced were of The One.

I believe it was the summer of 67 and 68 that the Godfather blessed his children. Both shows were marvelous and there was a time for cold sweat and we received the blessing. I welcome any comments or memories of these concert times. Give me a shout out if you attended either.

Lemuria is having a James Brown throw back as we celebrate R. J.’s The One. Please join us at 5:00 on Friday. Bring your stories and memorbilia. R. J. will share his take on our king as we spin vinyl and add our localism to honor Soul Brother #1.

Funk and Soul Covers

By John

On June 27, 2012

In Music

Soon after I started reading The One, R. J. Smith’s fine new biography of “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown, I realized I didn’t know many of his funk albums. I didn’t even know what made an album funky or soul except by listening to the beats. I grew up on soul music, but as funk goes, I was inclined to spend my hard earned on World, Jazz and Blues. Growing up with the soul sounds of black music that baptized me in my junior high and high school years. And for me, the Godfather was my Soul King.

As I journeyed through The One, I became more curious about Brown’s funk period on vinyl, of which I own none but have listened to extensively since the CD era. While reading The One, I have enjoyed to its fullest Joaquim Paulo’s fine and extensive study, Funk & Soul Covers. I even found a few vinyl gems in my collection that are among the main stays of my musical listening experience.

In 1969, when I was forced to go to summer school to beat the draft, I was late and cut a must-be attended class that must be passed or go to 1A. (For you youngsters, 1A was a quick ticket to Vietnam.) The reason for being late was Issac Hayes Hot Buttered Soul in full album (both sides) was being played on the radio and I heard for the first time his version of Walk on By. Long songs made this record and I couldn’t stop listening. Hot Buttered Soul soon became part of my record collection. I flunked that class but squeaked by the second semester and did not have to visit the jungle.

In 1979, We Are Family by Sister Sledge played constantly in Lemuria as the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates wives danced on top of the dugout at Three Rivers Stadium.

In 1974, my second most influential Soul and Funk Album is Oluntunji’s Soul Makossa, my first Baba Olatunji discovery. I found this gem in a small record shop in Washington, D.C. Before the Internet, young folks, record hunting was truly like prospecting.

Without question, my favorite, most listened to, most partied to, most drummed with, and a record that says it all about my choice of funk is the brilliant 1974 Wild Magnolias with the New Orleans Project which includes the great New Orleans hand drummer Alfred “Uganda” Roberts. Occasionally a record can change lives and for me and my pals, this masterpiece did just that.

Back to James Brown. Funk and Soul includes three James Brown covers. One is Mother Popcorn featured above. The other two featured are Get on the Good Foot and Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud. I ‘m not sure I have ever seen or listened to these albums.

If you have either of these three records bring them to share at our James Brown party Friday June 29 at 5:00 for a couple of beers. It’s vinyl time for James Brown as we celebrate R. J. Smith’s fine biography The One: The Life and Music of James Brown.

From Funk and Soul Covers, I have many CDs of the included, from which I have enjoyed countless hours of listening pleasure. However, many of the albums just passed me by. I don’t know if these are any good except for their cover art.

However, one album cover caught my eye and it has no accompanying description. I feel certain I would have bought it based just on the cover alone. In 1974, I guess I didn’t flip it by while I was browsing: Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky by O’Donel Levy. If you own this one, you would most likely remember the album art. It’s outrageous!

If anyone knows this record, please burn me a disc, bring it Friday night and I will give you a beer. If you have never seen this cover, check it out in Funk and Soul Covers.

The One: The Life and Music of James Brown

By John

On June 26, 2012

In Music

It’s time to pull out your old vinyl (78s, 45s or 33s) and bring them to Lemuria.

Lemuria is very excited to celebrate James Brown Friday, June 29th at 5:00 at our Dot Com Building. We want to encourage all fans and especially James Brown friends to attend. We welcome any stories or tall tales you want to share.

R. J. Smith has written the definitive biography of James Brown, and we want to celebrate The One. I have been working for six months against ridiculous odds to bring R. J. to Jackson. I’ve never met R. J. but for an author to write such a good book, he must be fun. Here’s a little insight into his journey while writing The One:

“During the three years of researching and writing this book, I crawled around a South Carolina cemetery as it sank into the swamps, reading tombstones in the dark with my hands. I got run off the road by an eighteen wheeler near Macon, caught pneumonia twice, and lost my job.”

-R. J. Smith

R. J.’s research is extensive and his work is presented with great care and insight.

Lemuria is taking this opportunity to put together an afternoon of God Father celebration. We want to hear your stories as we hear R. J.’s and we want to see your old vinyl. I’ve gone through my collection and found a few.

And of course bring your old vinyl and receive free beer.

Not only would it be fun to share records but we’d also love to hear your stories. We know a few folks in Jackson who have known James Brown personally and we can’t wait to hear your tales of encounter. We welcome any personalizations and autographs, old photos with the King of Soul or just anything you want to throw in the pot for fun.

It’s rumored that Lee “of Jackson Royalty” King will show up with his first hand accounts and his own style of soul. Lee is welcome to be the evening’s MC and DJ.

Darden, of BeBop Fame, won the prize with his “Bobby Keys event” collection, at Bobby’s party. I wonder what spins Darden will bring? The oldest record gets two beers.

Is there a James Brown impersonator out there that’s willing to show up? We welcome all ideas for fun. Tell your friends and I suggest reading The One in advance if you can.

Dig out your old vinyl, start listening to your King again and plan to show up for a fun Friday afternoon for James Brown with R. J. Smith.

The One: The Life and Music of James Brown by R. J. Smith

(Gotham Books, March 2012)

The One is also our First Editions Club Pick for July.

Author: John (Page 3 of 19)

We Juke Up in Here!

John Grisham: Master of the Weekend Entertainment Novel

Wilderness by Lance Weller: The Story behind the Pick

Finding Mood and Mystery in The Dog Stars

Knowing Miss Welty

The iPhone Turns 5

July First Editions Club: Why we felt The One was the one for Lemuria

The One: The Life and Music of James Brown

Funk and Soul Covers

The One: The Life and Music of James Brown

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