I Want to Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly and the Family Stone (Book) Review

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(More customer reviews)Given the impact Sly Stone had on pop music in the 1960s and after, it's amazing more books haven't been written on the life and times of America's first master of funk. Jeff Kaliss takes a comprehensive look at the man - and the group - that gave us 'Stand,' 'Hot Fun in the Summertime,' 'Everyday People,' 'Thank You (Falettineme Be Mice Elf Agin' and other pop classics. Kaliss has done a marvelous job of researching his subject and I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER is a must-read for all Sly Stone/Sixties rock music fans.

No Sixties group could touch Sly and the Family Stone for catchy, infectious songs that jumped off the vinyl and got their listeners up and shaking their tailfeathers. Yet Sly's songs weren't just empty-headed dance tunes for, wrapped up in those funky beats, were sincere, heartfelt calls for brotherhood and understanding. Tragically, the joy and magic and fun generated by the Family Stone's creation and initial success fell victim to drugs. Original group members left and Sly launched into a roller-coaster, drug-fueled ride that turned this tremendous talent into a reclusive Howard Hughes clone.

I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER is a fairly slim volume - only 210 pages long - but Kaliss' in-depth research, which included interviews with original group members and even the man himself(!) produced an insightful, informative tale. While Kaliss doesn't shy away from warts-and-all exposure, his tone is even-handed and sympathetic.

The book's emphasis is on Sly and Company. After all, its sub-title is 'The Life and Times of Sly and the Family Stone.' So, while Kaliss discusses the group's musical output, he doesn't devote a great deal of space to that. Personally I would have liked a bit more on the music. And I would have loved it if Kaliss had dropped his laidback sensibilities and thrown in a "This song is Bitchin!!!!!" comment or two when discussing the songs!

Reading I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER leaves one with mixed emotions. The music of Sly and the Family Stone touched so many people then and now, it's sad to read of the behind-the-scene turmoil and the toll drugs took on the man and his friends. They certainly took us higher for a time and, for that, we can be grateful. And grateful to for Jeff Kaliss' wonderful book. Highly recommended.

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Not Fade Away: A Backstage Pass to 20 Years of Rock & Roll Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book after seeing Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous".That was an exceptional movie and I thought I would relive the era through Ben fong-Torres, who was featured in the movie.
The book is really a reprint of many of his stories in Rolling Stone which the reviews probably stated and I didn't focus on.I would have preferred his story of being close to the Rock and Roll scene.Reading some of the articles that were over 20 years old became somewhat boring and outdated.I did learn quite a bit in some of the stories and Fong-Torres does provide some narrative on each story although it is limited.Overall though, I'd take a pass on this one and look for another if you are looking for a good book about rock in the 70's and 80's.

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