Heads up for my fellow Jack Bruce Fans

pedro · #1 05-06-2010, 10:27 AM

I’ve been a fan since 1966 and just wanted to let any fellow fans know that his new biography ‘Jack Bruce: Composing Himself’ is a terrific read. Highly recommended.

hdracer · #2 05-06-2010, 10:31 AM

That is good to hear, I have that book in my Amazon wish list but was sort of waiting to hear something about it.

pedro · #3 05-06-2010, 10:50 AM

Well written. Lots of details that I never knew about Jack. A real peek into a very talented and restless artist.

dougjwray · #4 05-06-2010, 11:03 AM

I'm really looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the heads up!
(I'm such a Jack Bruce fan that the other day I even called up the Google satellite shot of Harmony Row in Glasgow, just to look at the street.)

pedro · #5 05-06-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougjwray

I'm really looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the heads up!
(I'm such a Jack Bruce fan that the other day I even called up the Google satellite shot of Harmony Row in Glasgow, just to look at the street.)

Wow I never thought to do that. Nifty.

Anyhoo, you'll love the book. I was turned on to it by my keys player who is a composer of classical music. We couldn't think of anybody from the rock world that brought the same skills to the table. A multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/composer who could not only do the rock thing but also play with the likes of Tony Williams. Someone who could 'sight-sing' a jazz opera. I honestly can't think of anyone else that could cover that much ground so well.

JimK · #6 05-06-2010, 03:36 PM

Thanks, Pedro...I am definietly a fan of that early era of Rock. Hopefully, there's some pre-Cream stuff in the book.

BTW, I jst recently picked up Bruce's acoustic Jazz album w/ McLaughlin from the '60s...whoa, crazy stuff from Bruce that I totally missed out on until last month.

pedro · #7 05-06-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Thanks, Pedro...I am definietly a fan of that early era of Rock. Hopefully, there's some pre-Cream stuff in the book.

BTW, I jst recently picked up Bruce's acoustic Jazz album w/ McLaughlin from the '60s...whoa, crazy stuff from Bruce that I totally missed out on until last month.

There's plenty of stuff before and after Cream. I think that Cream really only takes up 1-2 chapters. Starts w/ Jack as a kid, thru his move to Canada, back to Scotland, etc. Everything from Manfred Man to Tony Williams. Don't miss it.

jerry · #8 05-06-2010, 04:11 PM

I have the book but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, I'm looking forward to it though. Ginger Baker just released his book too.

pedro · #9 05-06-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

I have the book but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, I'm looking forward to it though. Ginger Baker just released his book too.

Yea I heard Baker came out with his. Would be interesting to read it and compare their respective views of each other.

becker4567 · #10 05-06-2010, 04:24 PM

Going to the bookstore today! Thanks for the heads up. My first bass was (and is, I still have it) a cherry red Gibson EB3. After seeing Jack and Cream on TV in 1966, it remains my idea of what a true rock bass is.

Passinwind · #11 05-06-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

I’ve been a fan since 1966 and just wanted to let any fellow fans know that his new biography ‘Jack Bruce: Composing Himself’ is a terrific read. Highly recommended.

Thanks man. I've been a fan since back then too.

I was lucky enough to meet Jack once at a show where he was opening for the band a buddy of mine was tech'ing for in the early 80s, and he was really unassuming and down to earth. In fact, I just about keeled over when he approached me and I realized who he was -- I had just waltzed into the venue looking for my friend during setup and had no idea that there even was an opening band.

jerry · #12 05-06-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

Yea I heard Baker came out with his. Would be interesting to read it and compare their respective views of each other.

I'll get Ginger's book after I read Jack's, I been saving the Bruce book for a flight next week because it's a soft cover.

pedro · #13 05-06-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Thanks man. I've been a fan since back then too.

I was lucky enough to meet Jack once at a show where he was opening for the band a buddy of mine was tech'ing for in the early 80s, and he was really unassuming and down to earth. In fact, I just about keeled over when he approached me and I realized who he was -- I had just waltzed into the venue looking for my friend during setup and had no idea that there even was an opening band.

I'm totally envious. I've seen him play 3 times (November 1968 GoodBye Tour, Ringo All Stars and Cream reunion MSG) but have never met him in person. Some years back I did get to ask him a couple of questions on a online interview he did.

Anyway, read the book I think you'll love it.

pedro · #14 05-06-2010, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

I'll get Ginger's book after I read Jack's, I been saving the Bruce book for a flight next week because it's a soft cover.

I read it last week when we were on vacation in Boston. Couldn't put it down.

JTE · #15 05-06-2010, 05:42 PM

'bro- Thanks for the alerts!

John

bassvi · #16 05-06-2010, 06:30 PM

Thanks Pedro, that book is a must-have for me. I have been a huge fan since I was a kid, even flew from Iowa to NYC to see the Cream reunion.

pedro · #17 05-06-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassvi

Thanks Pedro, that book is a must-have for me. I have been a huge fan since I was a kid, even flew from Iowa to NYC to see the Cream reunion.

I went too.

dougjwray · #18 05-07-2010, 07:19 AM

Me too.
I also saw him with Ringo in 2000, with his "How's Tricks?" band around 1976 or so (he was playing a Fender Telecaster Bass!), and with the Cobham/Clemson/Sancious lineup a couple of years after that.

I was just thinking... imagine if he and Ginger were on simultaneous book-signing tours and found themselves scheduled for the same day at some Barnes & Noble or Borders. Mayhem would ensue!

pedro · #19 05-07-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougjwray

Me too.
I also saw him with Ringo in 2000, with his "How's Tricks?" band around 1976 or so (he was playing a Fender Telecaster Bass!), and with the Cobham/Clemson/Sancious lineup a couple of years after that.

I was just thinking... imagine if he and Ginger were on simultaneous book-signing tours and found themselves scheduled for the same day at some Barnes & Noble or Borders. Mayhem would ensue!

HAHHAHHAHAHAH!!!

dougjwray · #20 05-07-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

Wow I never thought to do that. Nifty.

Anyhoo, you'll love the book. I was turned on to it by my keys player who is a composer of classical music. We couldn't think of anybody from the rock world that brought the same skills to the table. A multi-instrumentalist/vocalist/composer who could not only do the rock thing but also play with the likes of Tony Williams. Someone who could 'sight-sing' a jazz opera. I honestly can't think of anyone else that could cover that much ground so well.

+100
He's absolutely unique.
How many other people:
1) are godfathers of "heavy rock" (the "Sunshine of Your Love" riff; West, Bruce and Laing, etc.)
AND
2) subbed for Percy Heath in the Modern Jazz Quartet
AND
3) could probably be a professor of composition at Juilliard
AND
4) sang a duet with Linda Ronstadt on Carla Bley's "Escalator Over the Hill"
I mean, it's just ridiculous...