Moment's Notice: Jazz in Poetry & Prose

Rating:
Summary: More than a Moment with this book
Review: Moment's Notice performs a necessary service for the world of poetry and music. By providing an anthology that shows the influence of jazz on poetry and fiction, readers can look to other things that influence writing. But not for a while, because the reader will want to spend some quality time reading this particular book. For the jazz fan, this book is a must read. For the poetry fan, this book is also a must read.

Every writer you would hope for or expect is represented here. James Baldwin with Sonny's Blues, Jack Kerouac with a selection from The Subterraneans, Larry Neal's "Don't Say Goodbye to the Porkpie Hat," and so many more. Langston Hughes' "Be-Bop Boys" is a stunning and masterful revelation for those people who only know him from "The Weary Blues" or "Dream Deferred." Look for David Meltzer's description of a conversation with Thelonius Monk and David Hilton's poem about Chet Baker. Both are wonderful highlights of this collection of prose and poetry.

The only time where this book falls short is that like so many other American literary anthologies, only a few women are represented. However, I am certain this is a product of the subject at hand rather than the editors choices, for the writings of Jayne Cortez, Wanda Coleman, and Jessica Hadgedorn are included. I see the small showing of female voices to be a very minor detail and one that does not hinder the wonderful work which is included in the anthology.

Rating:
Summary: More than a Moment with this book
Review: Moment's Notice performs a necessary service for the world of poetry and music. By providing an anthology that shows the influence of jazz on poetry and fiction, readers can look to other things that influence writing. But not for a while, because the reader will want to spend some quality time reading this particular book. For the jazz fan, this book is a must read. For the poetry fan, this book is also a must read.

Every writer you would hope for or expect is represented here. James Baldwin with Sonny's Blues, Jack Kerouac with a selection from The Subterraneans, Larry Neal's "Don't Say Goodbye to the Porkpie Hat," and so many more. Langston Hughes' "Be-Bop Boys" is a stunning and masterful revelation for those people who only know him from "The Weary Blues" or "Dream Deferred." Look for David Meltzer's description of a conversation with Thelonius Monk and David Hilton's poem about Chet Baker. Both are wonderful highlights of this collection of prose and poetry.

The only time where this book falls short is that like so many other American literary anthologies, only a few women are represented. However, I am certain this is a product of the subject at hand rather than the editors choices, for the writings of Jayne Cortez, Wanda Coleman, and Jessica Hadgedorn are included. I see the small showing of female voices to be a very minor detail and one that does not hinder the wonderful work which is included in the anthology.