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SMART ASSThe Music Journalism of Joel Selvin
By Joel Selvin Forward by Greil Marcus
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San Francisco Chronicle pop music critic Joel Selvin started covering rock shows for the paper shortly after the end of the Civil War. His writing has appeared in a surprising number of other publications that you would think should have known better. People all over the world are still pissed off about pieces in this collection.
My opinion? San Francisco is the greatest town for live music, hands down. Why, because the audience is curious, enthusiastic, and smart. And relaxed. Sounds a lot like Joel, now, doesn't it? Joel is a San Francisco Music-writing man — 40 years on the job — and that's another thing San Francisco and Joel Selvin have in common: it's a union shop, all the way! Joel is not no show business industry town mouthpiece, you dig? What's that make him, the last of the real music writers? You be the judge.
— Ry Cooder
Push the book into the 8 track slot in the back of your head and Sly Stone begins to play LOUD! Try on Ralph Gleason's raincoat; Phil Spector's purple shades and enter the Fillmore. You will perspire and be slapped around as fascinating arcane details about the eccentric and bizarre world of music are poured into your ear: blood tests, pimps in hair salons, guns on the console, 21 year old millionaires, jail terms, and pit bulls in wedding chapels. Selvin stitches the myth to the truth 'cos that's music too!
— Tom Waits
Erudite King Selvin remains unchallenged. Having pounded out a long list of dutiful accounts, from the audience, backstage, the studios, the labels, the clubs, by telephone, and the streets, Joel, with his courage and honesty, has been a friend to artists and listeners alike.
— Booker T. Jones
I had to pick myself up off the floor laughing. This is going to be a great read whether you love or hate the Beach Boys!
— Al Jardine of the Beach Boys
Love him or hate him, he was there – read ‘em and weep.
— Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead
Joel really understands where the music, the musicians and the fans are coming from. He just gets it. He's hip, incisive and writes with a lot of style and a clear point of view.
— Bonnie Raitt
Joe Silvein, What a hack he did everything he could to make me a star and failed miserably Fuck him and the Examner.
— Steve Miller
For much of the last 4 decades Joel Selvin has been one of the most revered (and feared) music journalists and critics in North America. His insights and purity of artistic standards put him in a class by himself. But Joel was unique in a way that set him aside from all other journalists. He had an innate ability to actually insert himself into the lives of many of his subjects — counseling, advising and actually playing a pivotal role in the success of many legends. Incredibly, he played this role while maintaining his objectivity in evaluating the work of the people he befriended, and he had no hesitation in lambasting these artists when he didn't like what he saw and heard. The articles in “Smartass” are an invaluable collection that is a rare chronicle of modern pop culture.
— Joan Jett
There never was an artist that didn’t need a critic like you.
— Bono
The Mickey Spillane of rock journalism.
— Sam Andrew, Big Brother & the Holding Co.
I don’t even know about Joel Selvin.
— Sly Stone
AN INTERVIEW WITH BARBARA FLASKA
$19.95 trade paper, 416 pages
ISBN 978-0943389-42-2
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