Rythm Oil

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A disjointed but ultimately interesting collection of essays, most of which previously appeared in various publications, Rythm Oil (the title comes from a potion sold in Memphis) is less a journey than a series of snapshots covering 70 years of Southern and Southern-influenced music and performers. Beginning with a dramatized version of bluesman Robert Johnson's infamous encounter with the Devil--``the embodiment of Faustian legend''--Booth ( The True Adventures of the Rolling Stones ) also chronicles his own meetings with such musicians as B. B. King, Furry Lewis, Otis Redding, Keith Richards and a host of others. The book explores, through interview and observation, who influenced and was influenced by these performers. In an introduction to a Rolling Stone article included here about Janis Joplin, Booth writes: ``I slowly awoke to the realization that I was describing the progress of something, a kind of sexy, subversive music,'' which is about as close to stating a central theme as he comes. There is a raucous quality to Booth's style that is in keeping with the lives and music of his subjects. Photos. (Mar.)

Booknews

Collects pieces previously published in Saturday evening post, Esquire, Village voice, and other publications about the roots of blues and soul music and encounters with some legendary figures. Rythm [sic] Oil is the name of a potion sold on Beale Street. Originally published in Great Britain by Jonathan Cape, London, in 1991. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)