Author: Rich Cohen
Publisher: Atlas / W.W. Norton
Year Published: 2005
Type: Non-Fiction
Format / Pages: / 197 pages
Review: Rich Cohen has given us a fine, honest look at the contributions of the Chess brothers to rock and roll. The Record Men is a straight-forward, realistic account of the music industry which should find many readers and a wide reading audience.
The Chess brothers helped format elements to produce Chicago blues, and the feel of Chicago's streets and its is captured in vivid detail. It is amazing to discover the many people who were in the Chess music catalog, among them such interesting individuals as Etta James, Joe Hill Louis, Memphis Slim, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Rogers, and many others.
Leonard Chess was a mover when it came to promotion, and the history of Chess Records is legendary. Congratulations to Rich Cohen for giving us a remarkable document, and his writing is topnotch.
Rich Cohen is a well-known and respected writer. He lives in New York City. His other books include Lake Effect, The Avengers, and Tough Jews. Suggested Listening and Sources sections of the book add to its high worth as a reference text for readers. Chapter two, "Jew Street," and Chapter five, "The Kids Dig It, But the Kids are Sick," are brilliantly written and present much information that will startle, and surprise. Cohen successfully captures the pathos, humor, joy, glory, sadness, and grit of this musical time, and its participants.
THE RECORD MEN will hold the reader spellbound with its factual approach and sharp writing. It is a book to savor for its accuracy and to enjoy for its story. There are some photographs with the text such as the one found on page 173 showing John Lennon and Chuck Barry performing together on The Mike Douglas Show during 1971.
Additional Information: Check it out @ Amazon.com
ISBN: 0393327507
Reviewed by: Lee Prosser
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