THE SEEKERS BY JOHN DENSMORE : CHRISTINE TRZYNA BOOK REVIEW

 

Yes, in case you're wondering, I was once in the same very small room as John Densmore, who was making an appearance for no pay. I can't remember what year it was and I didn't exactly meet him. If I said two words to him, I would tell you. 

Lately I'm on a Doors reading jag and this is one of the books I've read by a musician who was in the Doors or someone considered to be a person accomplished when it comes to writing music bios. I'm so impressed with this book because Densmore weaves personal experience and some of his history and Doors history with profiling some of the musicians who have impressed him. George Harrison; Densmore was in the room with him.  Ravi Shankar - ditto. Patti Smith - the same. It's a short but sweet read but impactful just the same.

Densmore also writes about the creative process and spirituality, how that influenced him or was a factor in developing his art and a philosophy of life.  That I think would be of interest to any creator.

Now I'm not sure if I will review the other books that crisscross the story of the Doors or not. I will say that so far these books are so much more worth the time reading than some of the other music memoirs I've reviewed here which I've criticized because the writer(s) seemed to have no  introspection.

C 2026 Christine Trzyna All Rights Reserved

ALL THINGS MUST PASS : GEORGE HARRISON

WHAT IS IT ALL BUT LUMINOUS : NOTES FROM AN UNDERGROUND MAN by ART GARFUNKEL : CHRISTINE TRZYNA BOOK REVIEW

Picked this one up at the library new book shelf on a whim as I was heading out the door and wish I had the time to deeply read rather than dip in and out. 

It's a poetical book, many stanzas between scenarios with George Harrison and the Beatles, with James Taylor, as well as, of course,his long time associate, sometimes partner, Paul Simon.  Entwined with music legends as he himself became,  born and bar mitzvah'ed Jewish but a Buddhist just the same.  And lists ; the books and the songs and the accomplishments but which leads no doubt that his wife and son and grandchild are the epitome of his life.  He has had a long time writing habit.

A song  is a poem is a song.

I liked this one page 140 of this small hardback.

I was her love pest.
Like aphids in her garden.
Mold on her bloom.
I was fungus underneath her nail.
Crust in her eyelashes.
Trust in the atmosphere.
Dust on the pictures of places we've been.
I'm her old bed linen.
The thrust of the argument.
Honey for the tea in a bear.
There in the X-rays.
I'm the horn in her side
cornucopia.
I am her underwear.
Solder and weld.
Fused in our children.
    Behold and beheld.


Even if you don't know who he is, the poetry is worth it.

C 2019  Christine Trzyna  Book Review All Rights reserved.