Customer Reviews

Stand and Be Counted: A Revealing History of Our Times Through the Eyes of the Artists Who Helped Change Our World

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Stand and Be Counted by David Crosby and David Bender has become my favorite book. It is about how music has influenced and changed the world. Including views from many popular artists from the 1960's and 70's to the present day. It tells about how musical activists effected major events in history, such as the civil rights movement, and the antiwar movement, and the efforts that are continuing today. It is also about how anyone, and everyone, can make a difference, even if they are not huge political figures. It is about normal, everyday people expressing what they believe in, and not giving into injustice, because "that's just the way things are". It is about the people making the world a better and more peaceful place to live, and how music helps tie it all together. Everyone relates to music. It has this way of making people aware of issues, and gaining attention to those issues.

This book has helped inspire me not to sit back and watch the world go by. I know that I too have a voice, even if it's not a singing one, I can help make the world just a little happier. I can not stand for injustice, and people not excepting difference. I would recommend this book to anyone who truly love music, and what it is about. I would recommend it to anyone who believes, or wants to believe that there is good in every person.

I guess life is treating folks in Arlington a little harshly based on the review posted by a "reader" from Arlington, VA. Capitol Hill cynic, perhaps? I've worked on benefit concerts and public events for 15 years and this book was a terrific look inside the hearts and minds of musicians and activists who have made a commitment to Stand and Be Counted. I hope dear "Reader" returned the book to you so that it could end up in the hands of someone who appreciates the issues and the personal portraits presented by David Crosby. A great slice of musical history . . .

The big problem with this book is that you can't hear the music he describes, so it comes off a little like the old Chris Farley Show segment from Saturday Night Live. "Do you remember when Mick Jagger sang with Tina Turner? That was awesome!"

There are some fun and interesting anecdotes, but not nearly enough of them. Too much of the book is just a listing of singers and songs, dates and concerts.

He spends an unusual amount of time savaging a former drummer, Dallas Taylor, who sued him for back royalties and won an out-of-court settlement. It didn't really fit with the rest of the book, and was rather jarring.

The topic was interesting, but would have been much better suited to television or radio- a medium where you could actually hear what he's talking about.

Given his subject matter and his position within Pop Culture, there was no way David Crosby could have avoided a certain amount of name-dropping. For that reason, I would cut him some slack but, frankly, some of it just seemed gratuitous.

That said, I recommend this book to anyone who lived through the Sixties, no matter what your musical, political, or philosophical bent was at the time. You will understand your experiences of that time in a new and fresh way.

For younger folks, this book will give you insight into the '60s timeframe. If your philosophy has not yet been fixed, this book will help you reason through the important decisions of your life. Even if you lean to the right and ultimately vote that way, you will understand the true nature of Compassion, not the sound-bite version popularized by the Bush Administration.

The spirit of the Sixties is alive and well, and Crosby shows us how we can still contribute to a better nation.

This book was little more than a list of concerts and playlists. The book repeats itself and becomes a drudgery by the halfway point. I think the real point to the book was so David Crosby could pat his friends on the back and take cheap shots at his enemies.

Gives coverage from backstage on major benefit concerts ..by rock legends. See new bio on trio: "Crosby,Stlls,& nash' with photos by Diltz who's coverage- docu on Woodstock'69 is superlative

How does music affect people and how is it used to gather people for social and political causes? David Crosby offers his viewpoint, an intense perspective of peace marches, benefits and political causes enhanced by high profile performers and their music. He covers the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, United Farm Workers, Kent State, and Saving the Whale, just to mention a few. Performers capture the essence of human courage by creating lyrics. songs and music matching the political movements. Author David Crosby "sees" this as a major phenomena sweeping the land; an artistic revolution of sorts. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner to match another revolution a long time ago. His song was a call to freedom. David Crosby seems to be asking the reader to remember that kind of power inherent in a well written lyric or song.

David Crosby and co-writer David Bender want us to believe that commitment to just causes is worth the effort; it may not change things immediately, but there may be a knock on or ripple effect. "We can all change the world in ways we never realize," Pete Seeger once wrote and these authors echo that belief. The writing is uneven, however, and sometimes in downright bad taste. The Vietnam War was not simply a "f***ing meatgrinder", it was an act of horror during which some 80 million tonnes of bombs were dropped on a peasant nation. Crosby decries political agendas but if we perpetuate a system that is rotten to the core, good intentions will not be enough. In part this book is the authors' efforts to pat their friends, who happen to be big stars, on the back. Having said this, I am glad the book was published and I hope it inspires people to get involved and change the world.

Gives statistics on attendance--some over 100,000, Peace/Anti-Nuc rallies & Bill Graham presents...Dylan & other Popicons donated their time..& Crosby's recent donation made cover of Rolling Stone. END

It is a voice inside the heart that never stops singing....and there will be times when you must stand up for injustice, your environment and others that are being mistreated. "You Must Stand and be Counted"

Thank You David Crosby for sharing your vision - We can all learn a great deal from this wonderful documentary.

Jeff & Kathy Smith - Back Porch Benefit Foundation -