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Searching for the Sound is a new rockography written by
Grateful Dead
bassist Phil Lesh. It’s an in-depth account of the band’s history, as
told by one of its founding members. Lesh’s attention to detail shines through as, page
after page, he treats his readers to thorough descriptions of the processes inherent in
making music—from the writing of songs like “Uncle John’s Band” right down to the
invention of many then-new technologies, such as the “wall of sound.”
It
might be easy to presume that this book would be tedious and sterile—as many books
dealing with music theory can be—but that’s not the case here. In fact, the opposite is
true. The details of the musical process only add to the overall impressiveness and
excitement of the book. Lesh is to be credited for foraging where many rock biographers
either won’t or simply can’t go—into the deep wells of music creativity. And rather than
deconstruct the songs as some critics might, relying on practiced methods for evaluating
a musician’s purpose, he builds upon them by taking his readers by the arm and guiding
them on a similar journey, allowing those who have never written a song to experience
what it’s like to live inside this process.
Searching for the Sound
is also extremely well-written. While it may not be in the same league as books written
by Hemingway, Salinger, or Ginsberg, it avoids the pitfalls of other rock ‘n’ roll bios
(which are often overwrought with that feeling of falling hopelessly toward certain
destruction and doom). Instead, he delivers a kind of tenderness and a real appreciation
for having been able to live a life filled with musical
experience.
Although Lesh tends to focus far more attention on the music
itself—sometimes missing the opportunity to expand on certain legendary personalities,
such as Janis Joplin or Keith Richards—he makes his readers feel as though they’re
actually there behind the scenes at events like Woodstock and Altamont because he reveals
his private thoughts and opinions as the book progresses. He even shares personal
details about his feelings towards his father’s passing and, of course, his devastation
at the deaths of some of his fellow band mates, including rock legend Jerry
Garcia.
Whether you’re a Deadhead or a music enthusiast—or if you’re
simply interested in reading a really solid book that spans the decades from the fifties
to the nineties—Searching for the Sound delivers a poignant, soulful look at life
through the eyes of a rock star.
