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5.0 out of 5 stars
Support the Cincinnati Sound, January 13, 2009
This review is from: The Cincinnati Sound (Images of America: Ohio) (Paperback)
If it weren't for this book, I would not have undertaken my own Arcadia book, COLUMBUS, THE MUSICAL CROSSROADS. While I grew up in Columbus, the music of the Queen City was an unavoidable part of my life owing to my mother's regular viewership of the Midwestern Hayride, the Ruth Lyons 50-50 Club, and the Paul Dixon Show. Although it was "my parents' music," I did develop a grudging appreciation for it. Then, when I attended Miami University in the `sixties, I was exposed to more of "the Cincinnati Sound" courtesy of the many bands from that area that regularly played Oxford. (Whatever happened to Love Train, anyway? I heard a rumor the lead vocalist had to choose between being a rock star and a school teacher.)
To fully appreciate what Randy had done, you almost have to write one of these books yourself. I spent more than 25 years gathering materials for my book on Columbus music and still had to scramble to come up with enough of the "right" photographs. If you are wondering why Randy left out a certain musician or group, the answer is probably that he did not have an image he could use. On the other hand, I have accumulated information on thousands of local musicians, much more than I could possibly cram into a 128 page book or several books, and, unlike Cincinnati, Columbus was never a major music scene. I, regrettably, had to leave people out, and the task confronting Randy was, I assume, even more daunting. (Of course, if enough people buy my first book, Arcadia will be encouraged to let me do a second one.)
Musicians never feel they get enough credit or recognition. So when someone attempts to do something about it (like Randy has), he should be supported, both by buying his book, and also by contributing materials when he requests them. I can't tell you how many times someone has promised to give me a copy of a photograph and I never heard from him/her again. That's the sort of person who doesn't get his/her picture in the book.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Overview of the Local Music Scene, September 1, 2007
This review is from: The Cincinnati Sound (Images of America: Ohio) (Paperback)
Why a book about popular music in Cincinnati? Because the city has an extensive involvement in the evolution of pop and country music. Rock, soul, country, R&B, blues, and bluegrass have always been well-represented by musicians and singers in the region, many of whom went on to national fame. Among the more notable of these are singers like Doris Day, Andy Williams, and Rosemary Clooney in the 1940s, continuing through the 1950s and 1960s with the likes of the McGuire Sisters, the Isley Brothers, guitarist Lonnie Mack, the Lemon Pipers (remember "Green Tambourine?"), the Casinos, Billy Joe Royal, and more.
During the period covered by this book (1940 - 1970, a classic period in popular music) Cincinnati was a way-station for even more big names. Upwardly-mobile performers such as Grandpa Jones, Chet Atkins, and Merle Travis put in time at WLW, then moved on to bigger things. Some legends buzzed into town to record, among them Hank Williams. Bobby Bare, and James Brown.
But those two paragraphs don't begin to summarize Cincinnati's popular music heritage. Chronicling even three decades has to have been a tough job, but newspaperman and historian Randy McNutt willingly took it on. The result is The Cincinnati Sound.
Randy McNutt is no stranger to the popular music, having been a record producer. He's also written (among other titles) four histories that cover rock, rockabilly, small recording studios, and record labels. The Cincinnati Sound naturally benefits from the research for his earlier books, but it's clear that a lot of dedicated effort went into researching this volume.
Being a part of the Arcadia Press "Images of America" series, the book adheres to a tight format that calls for two images on most pages, with around 90 words attached to each image. (A few pages have just one image, and there's one two-page spread showing James Brown and the Famous Flames in action.) This is restrictive, but McNutt manages to pack a lot of information into every cut line. And it's clear that he did quite a bit of research into the history of each entertainer. (Readers who are familiar with the Cincinnati scene may note the absence of this group or that singer. This is due to the limitations imposed by the book's format and size. But what's in the book makes up for the forced omissions.)
The photos (there are over 200) are treasures, and many have never been published. Some come from the artists themselves, and McNutt dipped into his own collection for still more. Though some of the photos were originally snapshots, McNutt and the publisher's production people managed to turn them into quality images. Rare posters, record labels, and other ephemerae highlight the book's pages.
It may sound cliched, but The Cincinnati Sound is a must-have for Cincinnati history buffs, as well as rock, soul, and country music fans. I think it would make a good gift for anyone who lives in or is from the Cincinnati area, as well.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Took me back to my Youth, January 11, 2008
This review is from: The Cincinnati Sound (Images of America: Ohio) (Paperback)
I have recently purchased Randy McNutt's book "The Cincinnati Sound"and find myself going back to like a good habit.Cincinnati was a big radio city with WLW,at one time 500,000 watts,and by virtue of this attracted the top musicians and singers from all over the country.And speaking of country thats were pop music and rock and roll had their birth.I was surprised to read just how many country musicians had their careers kicked into gear in the"Queen City".People like Hank Williams,Homer and Jethro,Kenny Price,and Chet Atkins can all thank Cincy.Homer and Jethro used to say that WLW stood for "worlds lowest wages". Sadly, they were right-I was employed there while I was in College.Having worked with a lot of people that appear in the book,it took reading it to really see how important they were,I was working with pioneers. I had no idea that Zeke Turner had played guitar on Hank Williams' records recorded in the city or that Bonnie Lou actually had a hit record. Ruth Lyons wrote hits for Johnny Mathis.
The book follows music's progression to rock and roll.There's no shortage of talent here either.Everyone from the fifties'Carl Dobkins Jr.,to the sixties'Lemon Pipers, Casinos and Lonnie Mack,to the seventies'Heywoods.
Pop music, not to be forgotten includes Bob Braun,Rosemary Clooney,and Ruth Lyons-a fantastic songwriter.
We find out that,where there was talent record companies and recording studios would soon follow,or is it the other way around? It dosen't matter Cincinnati had both.None was more famous than "King Records" and recording studios-the home of James Brown.
But the real wealth of this book is its treasure of photos.Many of them obscure,all accompanied by mini histories.
In the end this is not simply the story of one cities music scene but that of the whole music industry. A snapshot of a moment in time where a singer or musician from anywhere just needed talent and a good break.A time that is no more but can be relived again through the pages of this book.Thank you Randy McNutt.
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