Disco by Albert Goldman...

[rhessel]

Hi:

Is there anyone here who can tell me information about the book "Disco" written by Albert Goldman.

I have tried to buy an used one but all copies were very expensive.

BTW for those who can't live without this book it is available at

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/re...rniesdiscomusi


the cheapest copy is available at US$ 110,00 . I can live without it...

Cheers,

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: rhessel on 2002-06-15 14:35 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bernie on 2002-06-15 21:03 ]</font>

[markydefad]

I've seen this book mentioned and I am most curious. Albert Goldman wrote a bio of someone that was controversial--I'm blanking--was it John Lennon? Elvis? Dylan?

But anyway what's the deal with the "Disco" book? WHY is it so rare and what the hell is in it?

Anyone own a copy?

[markydefad]

OK, I went to google and got some basic info. Goldman died in 1994 and wrote bios of John Lennon, Elvis and Lenny Bruce.

The "Disco" book was published in 1978. It was preceded by a Life magazine article titled "The Delirium Of Disco" in Nov. 1978.

I ended up in some Baptist anti-dancing site on the Life magazine article. "The DEVIL is making them take their clothes off and dance, Maude" I kid you not.

I found an A-Z disco site that said the book sells for 200-250 dollars--BUT maybe that was from a while ago.

Hmmm, NOW I'm curious why no one has republished this book, if it's in such demand.

Anyone own it or read it? A review, please....

[JussiK]

The Goldman book is fascinating because it was written during the height of the disco boom. The text will live up to expectations despite the fact that the first half of it focuses on pre-disco days. The expected Interview magazine / Studio 54 / celebrity-centered media whore mentality that was prominent in the Haden-Quest book is there of course plus chronicles on the aerodynamics of Travolta's ass but you do get info on less crassly commercial venues as well. There are chapters on Meco Monardo, Tom Moulton, Grace Jones etc, all expertly written. Goldman does not list too many artists but surprisingly does mention the rare French album "Chase!" by MBT Soul. The book does not challenge assumptions of race, class or education or comment on any grassroots turntable activism but works well in most other areas. The original jacket sleeve of the book with a girl on skates is priceless.

[Giovanni]

I bought my copy in 1979 and sometimes found myself reading it again.
Jussi will agree that the 4 pages with the photos of the NY disco doors are somewhat fascinating nowdays.
Rare pictures included are those of Francis Grasso, Tom Savarese, Bobby DJ Guttadaro and Tom Moulton
This is the main source from what all the other texts about disco are born.

[JussiK]

There was one interesting large paperback book before the Goldman one called DANCING MADNESS, by the company who puts out the Rolling Stone magazine. The Mag originally published a report on the blossoming scene and decided to expand it into a book. I've never seen this book in any 2nd hand stores anywhere since I bought mine in Helsinki, could be extremely rare now. But it's like like that Wally McDonald mix of Follow Me, one has to buy it no matter how much it costs.

[martya11]

Speaking of a Wally McDonald mix .. did you ever hear the one he did with me called Step-by-Step by Silver Convention's Romona Wolfe? The guy is a genius. Truly one of the best Djs to ever come out of Toronto. I used the song as a theme song on my tv show for about nine episodes. That one is extremely rare. I am not sure now many copies were ever released. I have it streamed if you'd like to hear it. Please send me an email. Marty - Disco Step-by-Step (tm)

[rhessel]

Hi:

Going back to the basic topic. I started it wishing that one of us having the book in hands were able to transcribe its contents to us.

I am still waiting that one of us do it...

Cheers,

[Nano]

I knew about Goldman and his "hate-bios" but not about this book. Anyway, someone mentioned Rolling Stone and I wonder if you read Tom Smucker's piece on Disco for The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of R'N'R book. It's quite brilliant for a rock point of view.
Also I'd like to ask if any of you have the original so-called Nik Cohn's story that supposedly was the basis of the Saturday Night Fever script. I looked for that one for years.

[JussiK]

On 2002-06-28 18:41, rhessel wrote:
Hi:

Going back to the basic topic. I started it wishing that one of us having the book in hands were able to transcribe its contents to us.

I am still waiting that one of us do it...

Cheers,

I'll try. Here goes. First of all, think Interview magazine. Goldman's style of writing is just that, with an exclusively "in-crowd" viewpoint - the crowd in question being the drugged liza minnellis, moneyed baroness and baron von bösendorff's and the literary truman capotes - not the people who made disco happen or made it hot. The book first presents a very well colored intro as the author reaches the Studio 54 doors in a stretch limo with 2 girls and a vial of coke. Inside, Grace Jones is performing and you get a vivid description of the disco apocalypse as the 40-60-somethings that populated Studio 54 understood it. After all the chapters about the birth of dance music, Albert does take you to more important places like Paradise Garage and Crisco Disco, though, and there are excellent pictures from these too. Then it's back to the Studio and the tuxedos and evening elegance. There are chapters on Meco, Giorgio, the MFSB players etc but he does not really sink his teeth in the music or describe it as it was experienced by us dancers. Then there's plenty on Travolta and as a finale, Albert lists his not his favourite hangouts or tracks but his favourite "beautiful people". The pics are great, the style easy to read and informative when it wants to be so, and despite heavy emphasis on glitz and middle aged glamour, it's an essential read.