Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Book Nerd Time

I don't tend to have much free time at work (or anytime for that matter), but with the little spare time that I do have I always make time to check out Moistworks. The contributors to the blog are all writers and their posts always tie in music.

A frequent contributor to the site is author, music critic and New Yorker editor - Ben Greenman. I just picked up his latest book yesterday, Please Step Back, which Booksmith describes as "a swirling Sixties saga of the rise and fall of Rock Foxx, whose unprecedented mixed-race/mixed gender band makes socially conscious music that takes him to the height of worldwide rock stardom. But then his music begins to darken and disappear amidst rumors of sexual debauchery and drugs and violence, even as the culture itself explodes into assassinations and riots until people ask themselves: Whatever happened to Rock Foxx?"



OOOO - I can't wait to delve into this book tonight. Greenman will also be in the city tomorrow and Friday to discuss the novel. Now I can add to my Booksmith author card collection. Sorry Georgie. You won't be flying solo any longer.

4/30: The Booksmith, San Francisco (in conversation with Oscar Villalon)
5/1: Books Inc., San Francisco (in conversation with Joel Selvin)


The Rock Foxx character in Please Step Back is fictional, but also factual, based on such stars as Sly Stone, Bobby Womack, and Curtis Mayfield.

Greenman claims the novel is supposed to come with a special bonus song with lyrics he's penned and music written by the funk legend Swamp Dogg, who also performs the track. I opened the book and to my dismay there was no Swamp Dogg track. What gives?!

Maybe at the event the author will perform the song? Just to tide ya'll over, here's one of my all-time favorite Swamp Dogg jams - The Baby Is Mine. Enjoy and I'll see you tomorrow at The Booksmith!

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