Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Makings of a Soul Diva, December 2, 2002
By A Customer
Oh, just picked up the paperback to seeing her on an old 'Jeffersons' rerun (remember that). Loved this book! Gladys has always been a favorite of mine- that rich, flawless delivery underlined with down to earth truth and conviction- she is among the leading voices that brought soul music to the mainstream America in the 1960's.
I was mist intrigued by her honesty throughout the book, especially in speaking of her parenting of her children. I commended her for that. Her gambling addiction was another testament of how she overcame adversity and came out a winner, which was another source of inspiration for myself. I also really appreciated her honesty in relation to her tenure with Motown and the treatment they received while on the legendary label.
And then there was the dirt! What is the deal between she and Aretha? I always perceived that they would be good friends, especially since both encompass such mesmarizing, soulful voices.... I love Dionne, and I could not see her acting the way Patti portrayed her.
This is a inspirational, well written piece of work. I would recommend this purchase and much love and success to Ms. Knight for decades to come.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed this very candid and inspirational book., October 6, 1999
By A Customer
Gladys Knight did an exceptional job of revealing her life of pain and glory. She had me bumping into walls as I left work each day because I couldn't wait to get home to continue reading. I know that she is a gifted performer, but I now know that she is a gifted writer as well. This is a must read.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
SNOOOOOOOOOZE...Wake Me, Shake Me When It's Over, December 5, 2005
Of a certainty, Gladys Knight is one of the top r&b vocalists of hers or any time. The girl can sing. Of all of her contemporaries Gladys still sounds the best. She out sings, Aretha, is more consistent than Patti, her career is more on track than Diana's, more lucid and controlled than Chaka and is still singing in the same keys, unlike Dionne Warwick. Today is her day. She has a great show in Vegas.
Gladys Knight's account of her life reads as a cleaned up version of the truth. She glosses over the gambling addiction in her life and never explains the truly difficult marriage she must have had with Barry Hankerson. I want to know why her son was sooo fat at such an early age. What emotional need or demon was not being fed? Ms. Knight's discretion due to concern about her children rings false. The ladies she dissed all have children. Cut the comedy, please.
Gladys threw in the obligatory gossipy tales about Aretha, Diana and a slight dis to Patti; old and tired tactics to sell a book. Do yourself a favor and find this sleeping pill in the library and look up the comments about other female artists and leave the book there.
Jealousy is an ugly thing. It was ugly when Miss Ross had Gladys and the Pips removed from a tour and it is just as ugly years later when she refers to Diana as "Miss Cute". Gladys was an innocent country church girl who got kinda gaught up in the whole show biz thang.....Suuuure, honey. We all believe you.
Motown was the best thing that ever happened to Gladys and her group. Motown gave them a number 2 hit and many other chances at success. The second class treatment is a allegation made by all but the Temptations and the Supremes. Everyone else drowned in the wave that was Diana Ross. Oh, I'm so bored with this old song! Add Gladys' name to the long list of Motown ladies who blame one woman for their inability to be everything she became.
Move over Mary, Martha, and so many others to make room for Gladys. It was her group's sucess at Motown that gave them the platform to go to Buddah and eventually shine as they did. It was just a matter of time. Didn't Gladys learn in Sunday School that everything has a season? When Gladys and her family group arrived at Motown she had uneven teeth that pushed her lip out on one side and a eye that wandered. Old pictures don't lie. Some good Motown money helped her get it together in the looks department. She should thank Motown. She refused to participate in the Motown 25. Motown helped make you a household name. From the chitlin' circuit to "good clubs" and television on the heels of "Miss Cute" and others at Motown. Shut up.
Let's tell the truth, shall we? Everyone in the "Business of Show" has enormous egos or they wouldn't be there. Some people have folk in their lives who keep them grounded more than some others. Most have internal barometers that help keep their souls in check. I have a hard time believing that any of these divas are as unassuming and humble as they want their fans to believe.
For stories that come across as more authentic read; Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner or Darlene Love and a few others who paint a more balanced and honest picture of themselves.
Trivia Question: Gladys Knight made a movie in the 70's in which she was the featured actress. What was the name of it? Find out and view it then tell me if you think Berry Gordy's inordinate attention to the level one stars that ruined Gladys' chance at greater success.
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