Barry Mazor

A book to contain CDs to accompany/illustrate Mazor's biography of Ralph Peer (Ralph Peer and the making of popular roots music); in most respects these are oversize record/CD liner notes with photographs and (limited; poorly copyedited) text. The music's excellent; good thing I didn't buy it for the book.

Before reading this book, I was aware of Ralph Peer as the man who fist recorded and sold what we call roots music today, the man who recorded Jimmie Rodgers and the original Carter Family, among others. I did not realize what a peripatetic life he led or the catholicity of his musical taste. He made Okeh Records a success, published popular and classical music in multiple genres, and founded the first music publishing company with a global reach.Then there is his personal life...

This is a fascinating and insightful book that shows the great innovations of Ralph Peer in the music industry. It covers many areas I was unfamiliar with in a concise, informative and clear manner. Well written and with high production values, I highly recommend it.

I found this unreadable. I will be interested in the other review & I got it out of the library based on a good review. But it just goes on, in excruciating detail, about Rodgers' influence on other performers. I hate to give up on it but it is overdue & I am just not reading it.