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Rifftide: The Life and Opinions of Papa Jo Jones

November 15, 2011 by Josh Jackson  
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WBGO’s Josh Jackson talks to Paul Devlin, editor of Rifftide: The Life and Opinions of Papa Jo Jones (University of Minnesota Press).

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3 Responses to “Rifftide: The Life and Opinions of Papa Jo Jones”
  1. joycedoris says:
    November 26, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Hi Paul

    I really enjoyed the book congratulaltions.

    Firstly great title.I looked up riff in the dictionary as I thought it was just a catchy title at first so I obviously do nto know a great deal about jazz.

    The book was a journey throught the early part of the 20th century in the States and it was an entertaining history of an exciting wild time that produced colourful characters.

    I found Papa Jo very likeable and infectious – there was an honesty about him. When I read the afterword I was taken a back to learn some men couldn’t stand him for any length of time – when I thought about it ‘larger than life’ people can be a ‘bit much’. One of the disadvantages of an autobiography is one is not as open to criticism from others. On the other hand the tapes provided a flow which produced the momentum – I couldn’t leave the book down until I had finished it. The very tapes had rhythm.

    I must say on looking over the book I saw a man who was an intellectual, a great reader with a thirst for knowlege. I can see how the second reading will show a deeper side to the character of Papa Jo.

    Paul your quotes convey the personality of the man as well as the facts: he told more about his own generous spirit when he talked about others.

    Finally the book provided an education about jazz – I loved the the illustrations: the one with the whirling drumstick really stuck out as it demonstrated the flow of the music.

    There was great camaderie in the book and Papa Jo obviously trusted and loved Albert Murray: Papa Jo would have loved this book – so Paul when is your next one coming out?

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  2. Interview with Josh Jackson on WBGO | Paul Devlin says:
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