Genre: Music
Essay
Description:
“(Almost) Almost Famous is a collection of stories, essays and
memories showcasing Red Dirt, Americana, roots rock and independent country
music through the eyes and notes of journalist Josh Crutchmer. The author says:
These are tales from my days in the wings, behind the scenes, and in the crowd.
We’ll dodge an Oklahoma summer storm with Wyatt Flores and stumble upon the
news of last year’s Cross Canadian Ragweed reunion in the most random way
possible. I’ll tell you about how an act of professionalism with Turnpike
Troubadours changed everything for me. We’ll assess the bandwagon of Kaitlin
Butts and smoke weed with Margo Price. Vandoliers and Jenni Rose will tug at
your heartstrings, and we’ll walk through a new record with Ryan Bingham. We’ll
go catfish noodling with Koe Wetzel and into the studio with Whiskey Myers.
We’ll ride Charley Crockett’s bus after the Houston Rodeo, and we’ll learn how
to navigate independent music from American Aquarium. (We may have a word for
those who don’t exactly enjoy our work, too). There will be exceptions: The
book turns serious by including the final interview given by the late Todd
Snider. It also features a catch-up with the iconic Robert Earl Keen at age 70.”
Author:
Josh Crutchmer is the print planning editor for The New York Times as
well as writing for them along with Rolling Stone and write for several other
newspapers in the past. He has a long history in music journalism, mostly
focused on the Red Dirt music scene of his native Oklahoma. This is his fifth
book, all of them focused on roots music, most on various aspects of the red
dirt music scene.
For more, check out his website.
Appraisal:
Near the end of this book the author says “Whatever you call this, it
was not a memoir.” Okay. Amazon lists it in a couple genres involving music
history and music essays. Hmm. Well, if a memoir and a musical history had a
baby … you’d get something like this. I’ve read all of Josh Crutchmer’s books,
but this is my favorite one, at least so far. All of them talk about music acts
from the music scenes Josh focuses on, and while a music journalist, Josh is
also a fan. That comes through and as a fan of the kind of music he focuses on,
both the stories of the artists and the experience from a fan’s point of view
made the read that much better. That I was on my way halfway across the country
to see a concert with multiple acts that get mentioned in this book as I was
reading the last part of it just amped things up that much more. While that
addition is unique to me, I guarantee that readers who are fans of the music
from the Red Dirt and Texas music scenes will love the new insights this book
will give them.
Buy now
from: Amazon US Amazon UK
FYI:
Some adult language.
Format/Typo
Issues:
No significant issues.
Rating: *****
Five Star
Reviewed
by: BigAl
Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words
