Customer Reviews

Treat It Gentle: An Autobiography (A Da Capo paperback)

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New Orleans born clarinet and sax player Sidney Bechet was one of the all time great jazz musicians. Duke Ellington said "Bechet to me was the very epitome of jazz...he was the most unique man ever to be in this music". Lil Hardin Armstrong (Louis Armstrong's wife) said that Bechet deserved to be as famous as Louis Armstrong, as he was just as talented. Bechet finally achieved the fame and fortune he deserved in his last decade of life, living in France.

"Treat It Gentle" is Bechet's autobiography. It reveals him to be a wonderfull story teller. He begins with facinating family tales of his musician grandfather born in slavery, tells about growing up in New Orleans as jazz was first being formed, and continues through his colorful life story.

I recomend this book to any fan of Bechet's wonderful music, or those interested in early jazz or African-American history. I also recomend that you follow up "Treat It Gentle" by reading John Chilton's book "Sidney Bechet The Wizard of Jazz" which gets to the story behind Bechet's story and tells more about Bechet's facinating life. You'll find that, Yes, Sidney Bechet does deserve two books about him.

-- DCM "Froggy"

Sicney Bechet was one of the few geniuses jazz has produced. His authobioraphy is the best book anyone has published about the roots, development and meaning of jazz. His accounts of racial struggles, his travels, and most of all. his opinions about music and musicians provide more and more unique insights than any other volume I have ever read. Introduced by Rudi Blesh who has written two excellent books himself, this work is a necessary addition for anyone interested in Black history, American history, jazz history, music, and the experience of a great man in those contexts.

Whether you're a musician, especially if you are, read this! Sidney Bechet is not an educated writer, thank goodness, but his spare language is as powerful and moving as his music. He goes straight to the heart of the matter, his own soul, for the truth in jazz which he says belongs to everyone. If you're a "musicianer" or a listener and you improvise, you'll find a brother here. You'll forget whether you're black or white. Or blue, for that matter.