Rank The Disco Books!!!!

[markydefad]

I'm curious as to how you kidz would rank these 5 Disco books, in terms of 1) readabilty; 2) overall importance; 3) packed with valuable information.......

The contenders:

TURN THE BEAT AROUND: THE SECRET HISTORY OF DISCO - Peter Shapiro (2005)
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

LOVE DAVES THE DAY: A HISTORY OF AMERICAN DANCE MUSIC CULTURE, 1970-1979- Tim Lawrence (2003)
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE: THE HISTORY OF THE DISC JOCKEY - Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton (1999/2000)
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

MY LIFE AND THE PARADISE GARAGE : KEEP ON DANCIN' - Mel Cheren as told to Gabriel Rotello (1999/2000)
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

SATURDAY NIGHT FOREVER : THE STORY OF DISCO - Alan Jones & Jussi Kantonen (1999/2000)
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

Which are required reading? Which are--don't bother?

Rank on a scale of * (poor) to ***** (excellent) stars

I am curious marky.

[discodjinn]

I wouldn't rank these-- writing being such a relative thing. All are worthwhile for their particular takes. Saturday Night Forever gives a good sense of European disco trends and tastes. Cheren's book gives an industry-insider look for years before, during, and after the disco era (even if it is written by-- as someone on this forum put it-- a man with a colossal ego). It is, after all, a memoir rather than a studious piece.

Last Night isn't about disco per se, but it does contain two chapters that embed it in a larger musical history. This book is a particularly well-written one, regardless of genre. The authors make complicated histories understandable and they have an exceptional way with words. It is, far and away, the writing standard by which these other disco books will have to be compared.

Lawrence's book had a lot of research and interview material from DJs, club-owners, recording acts, etc. He was affiliated with the "Decade of Saturday Nights" museum show. The book is a curious combination of academic piece and gossipy turn when it comes to the drugs-and-sex antics of the DJs.

Turn The Beat Around gets my vote for most well-rounded history of disco. As the newest of the list, it doesn't cover much new ground. It does synthesize the information in a digestible way and Shapiro is the author best able to convey what disco was like for the dancers, not just the DJs or record producers. This is the book that supplants Albert Goldman's *Disco* from the 70s as go-to reference and history book.

[K-Bee]

Both "Saturday Night Forever" and "Love Saves The Day" are essential reading if you ask me. I was only a child during the disco era and these books are even more important if you're a fan and didn't have the pleasure of being there yourself.
I haven't read the other books but you mentioning them Marky will definetely make me try to get a hold of them.

[thommy2458]

I've read 4,so here goes;
1)Love Saves the Day-close
to perfection
2)last night a DJ-good overall history of club music
3)My life at Paradise-a more
personel account
4)Turn the Beat Around-highly opinionated.infuriating
at times,but still some good info
I haven't read the other one
listed-should I?
Thom

[markydefad]

thommy,

I have referred to (our very own) Jussik & Alan Jones' book more than any of those other titles. I have a few quibbles with a couple of his assertions--Thelma Houston is not Cissy Houston's sister; D.C LaRue's "Cathedrals" was a very GAY tune--not an indictment of the straight singles scene...but it's chock full of very-EURO influenced factual coverage...he knows that scene extremely well and connects most of the dots from producers to artists...I love his book!!! As you know from his posts here, he writes in a very florid, old Hollywood-Technicolor melodramatic filtered though a modern Euro sensibility style --which is always entertaining. Jussi writes kinda like watching a Pedro Almodovar film--I see bright colors, flashy cars, great clothes and Lana Turner killing her lover in a Fifties Douglas Sirk film and getting away with it--if that makes any sense.

You should have it. :D :D :D :D

(Jussi--if you read this--that was supposed to be a compliment--don't know if I expressed myself that well..) :roll: :oops: :roll:

I have all those books but have to admit while I have skimmed them--I haven't actually READ any of them from cover to cover---I was curious which were the most rewarding. Everyone seems to place Love Will Save The Day on a pedestal.

[thommy2458]

Thankyou Marky-I am very
familiar with Jussik's posts
and had no idea he was the
writer.I just got a gift certificate from Amazon from
one of my older brothers,so
it's perfect timing-I'll order
it today!
Thom

[QUINNY]

Marky: Just out of interest, what makes DC Larue - Cathedrals a purely Gay record?
Had it been made post AIDS I would wholeheartedly agree with you, but so far as I can see the lyrics were relevant to both Gay and straight scenes. As to whether or not Mr. Larue sounds camp, was Gay etc, I'll leave for others to decide/divulge, but that alone wouldn't necessarily make it a purely Gay record, would it?

[markydefad]

Well, I don't have the book with me--but I think my actual objection [maybe I misstated, it's been awhile] was that the book stated that LaRue wrote the song after a nasty breakup with his "GIRLFRIEND"--a "girlfriend" named "BRUCE," no doubt. :P Take a look at the photos on the back of the LP. D.C. in various gay-looking-getups lurking in various NYC doorways--just the place to pick up "Pussy." :o :-? :x :lol:

da-da-da
da-da-da
cruisin' the streets.....

The "gals" really like the back alley f*uck, don't they? :P

[dvdjamm]

this list of books looks great....i just wish i had the time to read them all,lol...


http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/



anybody read the last party?

[JussiK]

I have a few quibbles with a couple of his assertions--Thelma Houston is not Cissy Houston's sister; D.C LaRue's "Cathedrals" was a very GAY tune--not an indictment of the straight singles scene....

Thanks for your nice mini-review Marky and I'm really glad you like the book - which was basically a fan project most of us could have written, something that got presented to a publisher exactly in the right moment some time back in 1999. The whole thing was never meant to be an actual history of disco, it was just a series of personal memories and bits of information aimed at those who thought the music is all about Abba, Bee Gees and Madonna. Personally, I would have preferred it to have been all about the euro side of things, as that's what I grew up with. It's like, what did either of us the writers know about the US club scene? I was in the USA for a couple of summers during the disco era and invaded all sorts of places there, from Studio 54 to s/m dungeons of San Francisco, that was it for me, while Alan strutted around with Angie Bowie -sans David- at the Studio. It was really the euro fluff we were into even then, just throw us a Dalida track and we're in 8th heaven. - The book by the way is yet again out in England as a sort of yet another remixed edition, with a new cover and some new texts thrown in ( covering more of Ennio Morricone, Cerrone, Amanda Lear, Nico Fidenco etc ), but with NO pictures inside whatsoever! Gone are the images of Joan Collins as The Bitch - just what kind of Disco Book does not have a picture of her as Fontaine Khaled?! But anyway, the incorrect pieces of info you list above were written by the other author, not by yours truly...:-)

[disco-disc]

Hi, Here's my two cents:

Love saves the day *****
Turn the beat around ****
Saturday night ***
Paradise garage - as Disco *** / ( as a read ****) -(specific)

Everybody dance Chic ***(specific)

[repavl]

Try Joel Whitburns Top Dance Records. Its a charts history of disco/dance from Billboard.
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

[discorecordplayer]

Im thinking about buying a copy of the new book, "The Fabulous Sylvester". I wanted a copy of this fabulous book for Christmas but didnt get it! Does anyone have an opinion on this book? (before I go and spend money on it)

[discorecordplayer]

actually, I just noticed that someone else starte a thread on that subject
http://www.discomusic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14032

[Jeff H]

I just (finally) read Turn the Beat Around: The Secret History of Disco
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

while on vacation last week. I think author Peter Shapiro does a good job of showing how various economic and social circumstances may have contributed to the origins of disco music as we know it, and its rise from the subculture, but much of his evidence is more like speculation and far from concrete--although it's still very interesting reading. Also, his book traces the roots of disco almost solely to New York City, which I'm sure a lot of people would debate.

Other theories that are interesting but open to debate are that society's emasculation of the black male paved the way for diva-centric disco hits (I'm condensing and paraphrasing) and--one of my favorite theories for its audacity--that Giorgio Moroder "pissed on the concept of biology" (a direct quote!) with "I Feel Love" by casting Donna Summer as "a Teutonic ice queen with a machine heart singing about biology's most fundamental act while surrounded by the most synthetic textures ever heard on a record"--a de-sexing of sex that somehow was designed to further gay liberation. Huh??! Isn't it more likely that Giorgio and Donna were merely trying to make a hit record?

Speaking of Donna, I was HIGHLY annoyed :evil: :evil: :evil: by Shapiro's assertion that she could not sing, and citing her vocals on "Could It be Magic" as proof! (He even suggests that Grace Jones is a better singer!!!) We all know that at this early point in Donna's career, Giorgio was pulling the strings and didn't want her to use her full vocal range. He also is pretty critical of the "big strings" sound that so many of us here enjoy (Constandinos and such) and has a clear bias toward the early Philly Soul sound (pre-emasculation ).

The book becomes far less interesting ater disco "dies" in 1979, and his info on house, garage, Italo, etc. is perfunctory.

I spotted a few factual errors; one that I recall now is that the author states that Jacques Morali (whom Shaprio has nothing good to say about!) produced Gloria Gaynor's "I am What I Am."

The book was mostly enjoyable and historically valuable--and I guess we should be pleased whenever anyone takes the time to put this much work into a book about our favorite genre of music--but for entertainment value (as well as a more overall positive vibe about disco), I'd recommend Jussi's book.
Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France

PS to Discorecordplayer: I highly recommend the Sylvester book. Lots of info (and dirt) about his career and great backgrond on the gay scene in SF in the '70s (if you're interested in that.)

[disco-disc]

Good review Jeff H...
I am 3/4 of the way thro' this book and whilst he tells us a lot of info. and background- I too found that when he starts giving his views on records/producers etc.. it is total B*llocks...
I am unsure at the moment if he actually likes disco or not, what with the Pinball machine and the Disco Sucks badges as end covers (surely he could have portrayed REAL disco in a more positive light) ... that said it is a good read, even if it is all over the place chronologically and editorally (is that a word?)
As far as books on disco go this IS a very good book with nuggets of info. but wish he could have spent more effort on concentrating on what he meant to do (rather than he/they editing to meet publisher targets ??)

[Giovanni]

just finished the Shapiro book.....

well, I most agree with other reviewers here. Sometimes boring when trying to discover secret philosophies, but probably the only one in the list trying to define disco as a musical genre. The birth of the disco beat, the bassline etc are well described in the book (I found a better definition of the disco beat only at the Disco Show held last year at the Lincoln Center in NY)

I would also suggest you EVERYBODY DANCE. CHIC & THE POLITICS OF DISCO by Daryl Easley

[WolverSyr]

Nice suggestions.

I have Saturday Night Forever, which was alright. I thought it was a good intro for someone who had a little knowledge of the genre but wanted something a little deeper.

I really liked The Last Party, although it's been quite a while since I've read it. I never paid attention to Studio 54 after the big fall. I didn't realize so much happened afterwards.

I also have something called Studio 54: The Legend, which is essentially a book of photos. Not really worth the time.

[Salsoul1975]

I'm wont to read any current-day books about disco's heyday. Finding articles published during that period offers a much different perspective.

As for Shapiro's views on Summer and Moroder, I'm not surprised. Actually, prior to "Love To Love You Baby", Summer sang in her regular voice (listen to "The Hostage" and "Lady Of The Night"). It was only when "Love To Love You" became a hit that in order for her to stay fresh, she had to be sex kitten until she could get the green light to revert to her regular voice once she had established herself (Think "Once Upon A Time").

[neonlights]

Haven't read the others yet, but I realised a little while ago that the public library here recently put Shapiro's book in circulation.. I'll probably just be echoing previous sentiments, but so far I'm almost finished it and for the most part it's been a great read.. Even though I caught some of those factual errors and I definitely didn't agree with some of his opinions (his bias against Eurodisco particularly stands out), overall it was very interesting.. For one thing, I really appreciated how he explored the sociological context of disco. So far, I have yet to read a more detailed history and analysis anywhere else..

Speaking of Donna, I was HIGHLY annoyed :evil: :evil: :evil: by Shapiro's assertion that she could not sing, and citing her vocals on "Could It be Magic" as proof! (He even suggests that Grace Jones is a better singer!!!) We all know that at this early point in Donna's career, Giorgio was pulling the strings and didn't want her to use her full vocal range. He also is pretty critical of the "big strings" sound that so many of us here enjoy (Constandinos and such) and has a clear bias toward the early Philly Soul sound (pre-emasculation ).I spotted a few factual errors; one that I recall now is that the author states that Jacques Morali (whom Shaprio has nothing good to say about!) produced Gloria Gaynor's "I am What I Am."

I couldn't believe he said that either.. He obviously wasn't too familiar with her body of work, unless (to paraphrase Sylvester) his ear must have been in his foot for him to say that.. I can understand him not caring for her voice, but to say she couldn't sing was a little much..

I thought he was a bit too hard on Jacques Morali too, though I did get a few chuckles out of that section.. The lyrics to "I Love America" are particularly ridiculous, even if that is part of it's charm, I guess. :lol:

[EricHG23]

I have read and loved Saturday Night Forever (didn't know the authors were here--awesome ) but though I also wish it went a bit deeper, but it's mor eof an intro. It helps that my love is for, basically, Eurodisco first so I think my tastes correspond to the authors' (now knowing that the one author claimed Summer couldn't sing in Could it Be Magic, a fave of mine, I think I won't even bother reading that haha)

Here's a question--howabout novels that get a good feel for the scene? I just finished Dancer from the Dance and wasn't sure if the disco songs (which were grante dmeant to be obscure) mentioned were legit or not as I didn't know any of them I'm ashamed to admit...

[pipecock]

im currently re-reading "love saves the day", and its really an awesome book. if anything, its TOO detail oriented at times. which is really a good thing, IMO.

"last night a deejay saved my life" should be read 5 times by anyone who wants to "be a deejay". it should be read 10 times by anyone who IS a deejay.

i havent read the others, but the mel cheren book had really amateur writing when i leafed through it once.

also reccomended for those into it: Techno Rebels by Dan Sicko which chronicles the birth of detroit techno.....

[all*that*glitters*]

[quote=markydefad;83975]I'm curious as to how you kidz would rank these 5 Disco books, in terms of 1) readabilty; 2) overall importance; 3) packed with valuable information.......

***** the revised and updated version of LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE: THE HISTORY OF THE DISC JOCKEY by Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton (1999/2006) just came out. With new chapters on Acid House, UK garage, d&b, Techno,Balearic, Belgian Popcorn and the European scene plus 100 new interviews and charts. This book is essential reading for anybody interested in the history of dancemusic and the DJ in general. The only minor point is that some styles are underexposed while others like NY Disco or Chicago House are well researched and extremely well documented. My favourite one

*****LOVE DAVES THE DAY: A HISTORY OF AMERICAN DANCE MUSIC CULTURE, 1970-1979 by Tim Lawrence (2003)
is an unique document that shows a deep insight and great love for the subject and absolutely one of the best books ever written

***SATURDAY NIGHT FOREVER : THE STORY OF DISCO - Alan Jones & Jussi Kantonen (1999/2000)

***MY LIFE AND THE PARADISE GARAGE : KEEP ON DANCIN' - Mel Cheren (1999/2000)

**TURN THE BEAT AROUND: THE SECRET HISTORY OF DISCO - Peter Shapiro (2005)

I'd like to add a few more that are essential IMO *****

YOU BETTER WORK!; underground dance music in NYC by Kai Fikentscher (2000) - Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.
not an easy task to read as the author delves deep into the matter but the contemporary underground dance scene of NYC and the art of mixing and techniques of DJ-ing have never been portrayed better than in this book.

THE FABULOUS SYLVESTER; the legend, the music, the seventies in San Fransisco by Joshua Gamson (2005) - Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K.

[jj6ms]

last night a dj saved my life - best book i've read about dance music. really enjoyed it from start to finish. my only small criticism is that it was a bit dismissive of the london scene during the disco era, like it was all shouty personality DJs, fancy dress and silly dances. Not strictly true, especially in the 74 to 78 period. If the record lists in this book (and love saves the day) are anything to go by, the London clubs had a blacker and funkier take on disco than their US equivalents.

love saves the day - really enjoyed some parts of it, but got a bit bored with others.

saturday night forever - good fun. I really enjoyed the intro bits which left you in no doubt the authors were passionate about their disco. I could obviously identify more with the London references in this book as well, but i often found myself thinking 'No! surely you don't like that!'... and 'Beguine the bloody Beguine' instead of 'Gone Gone Gone'! Never!! :D

Haven't read the others mentioned, but hope to.

It's brilliant that these days we can actually have the likes of Bill and Jussi on here talking to us all about their books and other stuff.

JJ

[Nano]

Hi fellas... I've just spent ten days in Vienna (my first trip to Europe!) and of course visited some record and book stores in the city. I was looking for Jussi's book but all I could find was a pocket edition of LAST NIGHT A DJ SAVED MY LIFE (the one with the new chapters), it looks massive at around 600 pages. Hope I will find some time to read it. Be sure I will share my thoughts when I do.

I saw many rock and jazz books but very few ones about the black/dance scene, basically the same as always: James Brown's and Aretha's self-biographies, the Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye biographies... However I noticed some Viennese bookstores order the 'hip' material (beat poetry, comics, Henry Rollins books, etc.) under the name 'Funky' (?).

BTW, the book FUNK by Rickey Vincent has a whole chapter on disco, covering KC, Chic and everything in between. Of course for Vincent disco is guilty of putting funk outta business, but still it has some good info.