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. GET READY FOR GETZ-GOLDMAN
Music legend, Jane Getz, and the bad boy of journalism, Stuart Goldman, are embarking on a tour of back-to-back readings from their respective new books. Goldman's book, "Adventures In Manic Depression," has been out only a little over a month and is selling like hotcakes. Getz' new book—"Runnin' With The Big Dogs," is due to be released this week. "Big Dogs" depicts the jazz virtiouso's early years on the New York jazz scene, where she shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the jazz word, like Charles Mingus, Pony Poindexter, and Stan ("no relation") Getz. Getz' book includes a chapter depicting the time she gave jazz piano lessons to Jimi Hendrix. Goldman and Getz have been friends since 1990, when they co-produced Getz' jazz CD, "No Relation," which featured some of the hottest jazz studio players in L.A. Getz is about to release two new CD's. "Dot On The Map," which is on sale now—is strictly a jazz affair (with Getz singing one pop song.) Coming soon after will be Getz first solo album in many years, in which she shows off both her vocal talents and country/blues/gospel songwriting abilities. "People always pegged me as a jazzer," says Getz, who has worked as a sideman on albums by John Lennon, Billy Joel, and Ringo Starr. "I love all of it, " she says, "and I'm anxious to get a chance to put out a record which doesn't strictly feature my jazz chops." Goldman calls Getz "the best musician on the planet." (Goldman had a former career as a musician, playing pedal steel guitar with many top-name recording artists including Doug Kershaw, Tanya Tucker, and John Stewart). It was Goldman who suggested to Getz that she write a book. "I knew the girl had a gift with words," he says. "Her writing reminds me of early John Fante." Oddly, Goldman is also often compared to both Fante, as well as the legendary J.D. Salinger. "I think that doing these back-to-back readings is a great idea," says Goldman. "But I'll have to wait to judge until we do our first one." That reading will be this taking place on July 2—Goldman's birthday. The reading is not open to the public. "We were both a bit nervous," Goldman says, "so we just wanted to read in from of our friends. But we'll be embarking on a tour of indie bookstores and coffee houses starting next month." Anyone interested in booking Getz-Goldman may contact them at info@stuartgoldmanadventures. com or 2janiac@sbcglobal.net. Goldman has just booked a new solo reading for Sept 25 at the Calabasas Public Library. The library is located at 200 Civic Center Way, Calabasas, CA, 91372. A second reading has just been added at the Canoga Park Public LIbrary on August 18 at 6:00 p.m. The library is located at 20939 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA. 91303. All readings will include a Q&A session directly following the reading and a book signing after that. All establishments wishing to book Mr. Goldmanf or a book reading please write to info@stuartgoldmanadventures.com 
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Shaker Square Press
PO Box 8268 Calabasas, CA 91372 info@shakersquarepress.com website: www. stuartgoldmanadventures.com Twitter: Stuart Goldman @Shtuman Stuart is currently writing
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5.0 out of 5 stars GOB SMACKING!, February 28, 2014 By Ozmatoo - See all my reviews Verified Purchase(What's this?) This review is from: Adventures In Manic Depression: Tales In Fine Madness (Kindle Edition) I am "gob smacked" by "Adventures in Manic Depression – Tales of Fine Madness", by the author Stuart Goldman. A friend just showed me her copy, I when I saw the surrealistic cover imagery, I dove right in. To be brutally honest, I had to be reassured first that it was not a book about some bipolar person whining. (Hey, no offense! I'm part of that crowd). Thankfully "Adventures..." is a "crazy quilt" – no pun intended- of different types of "stories". Subject matter ranges from the sublime to the gritty, and you may have a distinct love/hate experience with some of the work. But there's no apathy here, and no generic quality either, for which I'm grateful.
One of the best short stories I've EVER read is in this collection, called "The Dry Bones". Everyone loves a story successfully trashing Kaiser Hospital!! But it's not simply an HMO put-down, because the words make you cringe, cry, laugh uncontrollably, and indignant. It's not a pity party, it's just an anecdote which generates powerful imagery of an experience everyone fears. Oh yeah, there's a load of Manic here!
With the journalism pieces, I'd paraphrase the writer's title and call them "Fine Adventures", because they didn't appear to be conceived in madness. In the journalist mode, Mr. Goldman has too firm a grip on his style, subject, and observations. Still, you can often sense a genuine rapport between this writer and his "subjects". And he does focus on the "gritty" world. This guy looked in the shadows for inspiration, and introduces you to people you've probably never thought about. I, for one, am glad of that. There's no manic in the re-printed columns here, but there's no reticence either.
Consider this a book of tales "from the Dark side", because the author might have been in a darkly manic state when he wrote, or because he has written about many things we've relegated to a distant, dark place. I won't lie and say it was all positive, because I definitely blew off a few stories I found disagreeable. Fortunately, most of what you read is kind of haunting because the author seems to be a haunted person. Reading this book is like watching a Cohen Brothers film, (like the classic "Big Lebowski"). You sit down and let some really peculiar people and places into your mind, and despite some initial cringing, you usually end up laughing, then appreciating, until you finally end up loving the sum of the parts. -Ozmatoo
One of the best short stories I've EVER read is in this collection, called "The Dry Bones". Everyone loves a story successfully trashing Kaiser Hospital!! But it's not simply an HMO put-down, because the words make you cringe, cry, laugh uncontrollably, and indignant. It's not a pity party, it's just an anecdote which generates powerful imagery of an experience everyone fears. Oh yeah, there's a load of Manic here!
With the journalism pieces, I'd paraphrase the writer's title and call them "Fine Adventures", because they didn't appear to be conceived in madness. In the journalist mode, Mr. Goldman has too firm a grip on his style, subject, and observations. Still, you can often sense a genuine rapport between this writer and his "subjects". And he does focus on the "gritty" world. This guy looked in the shadows for inspiration, and introduces you to people you've probably never thought about. I, for one, am glad of that. There's no manic in the re-printed columns here, but there's no reticence either.
Consider this a book of tales "from the Dark side", because the author might have been in a darkly manic state when he wrote, or because he has written about many things we've relegated to a distant, dark place. I won't lie and say it was all positive, because I definitely blew off a few stories I found disagreeable. Fortunately, most of what you read is kind of haunting because the author seems to be a haunted person. Reading this book is like watching a Cohen Brothers film, (like the classic "Big Lebowski"). You sit down and let some really peculiar people and places into your mind, and despite some initial cringing, you usually end up laughing, then appreciating, until you finally end up loving the sum of the parts. -Ozmatoo
GOODREADS REVIEW OF “ADVENTURES IN MANIC DEPRESSION”
Althea Pachulski's review
Jun 02, 14 · edit
5 of 5 stars
Read in June, 2014
Be clear about this: It's not an account of being Bi-Polar, but an eccentric collection of haunting tales and newspaper columns as seen through the thoughts of a manic depressive person. We meet a writer with clarity and brilliance, who seems to observe life from a distance. Like Dickens, the ability to deliver social ridicule simultaneous to the tragic. The author has been described as belonging in a genre with Fante, Bukowski, Thompson, etc., by others, but I'm guessing he's an admirer, because his style is unique.
It's not all admirable: some of the pieces are offensive, or violent. Yet it's one of the best works of short story writing I've read in a while. In fact, I normally don't approach this genre, but was pushed toward this book by a friend.
Impressions of author, Stuart Goldman's, stories and reprinted columns: Stunning. Sinister. A gut punch. Haunting. Stinkin' funny. Honest. Dark. Hateful. Engrossing. Introspective. Bittersweet. Scary. Surreal. Mean-spirited. Sympathetic. Offensive. Unafraid. Touching. Egotistical. Painful.
The journalism doesn't elicit the same emotions. But - shocking or not - it's a "take no prisoners", honest, audacious, but sometimes brutal style of writing. On the other hand, the biographical aspect of some stories and articles is often quite touching.
You won't love everything you read. Some stories needed to be brought up to date. But mainly, this book delivers a series of right hooks to the limbic system. One is "struck by" the various impacts of the different voices (or different versions of the same voice) which take us through many levels of the obsessive mind.
Tales whisper obscenities, shout out in pain or wallow in violence, ridicule people's actions (yet sympathize). Yet some memories of the love felt for family, friends, or romantic interests are tear evoking. Memories are familiar to us, hence empathetic. Other emotions are so raw, we can't relate. The author seems both intolerant of - yet in a constant state of wonder at- peoples' behaviors. (It's probably not different from what anyone else has thought at times.)
In short, we're taken on a strange journey through "fine madness". Maybe madness isn't such a bad word.
Althea Pachulski's review
Jun 02, 14 · edit
5 of 5 stars
Read in June, 2014
Be clear about this: It's not an account of being Bi-Polar, but an eccentric collection of haunting tales and newspaper columns as seen through the thoughts of a manic depressive person. We meet a writer with clarity and brilliance, who seems to observe life from a distance. Like Dickens, the ability to deliver social ridicule simultaneous to the tragic. The author has been described as belonging in a genre with Fante, Bukowski, Thompson, etc., by others, but I'm guessing he's an admirer, because his style is unique.
It's not all admirable: some of the pieces are offensive, or violent. Yet it's one of the best works of short story writing I've read in a while. In fact, I normally don't approach this genre, but was pushed toward this book by a friend.
Impressions of author, Stuart Goldman's, stories and reprinted columns: Stunning. Sinister. A gut punch. Haunting. Stinkin' funny. Honest. Dark. Hateful. Engrossing. Introspective. Bittersweet. Scary. Surreal. Mean-spirited. Sympathetic. Offensive. Unafraid. Touching. Egotistical. Painful.
The journalism doesn't elicit the same emotions. But - shocking or not - it's a "take no prisoners", honest, audacious, but sometimes brutal style of writing. On the other hand, the biographical aspect of some stories and articles is often quite touching.
You won't love everything you read. Some stories needed to be brought up to date. But mainly, this book delivers a series of right hooks to the limbic system. One is "struck by" the various impacts of the different voices (or different versions of the same voice) which take us through many levels of the obsessive mind.
Tales whisper obscenities, shout out in pain or wallow in violence, ridicule people's actions (yet sympathize). Yet some memories of the love felt for family, friends, or romantic interests are tear evoking. Memories are familiar to us, hence empathetic. Other emotions are so raw, we can't relate. The author seems both intolerant of - yet in a constant state of wonder at- peoples' behaviors. (It's probably not different from what anyone else has thought at times.)
In short, we're taken on a strange journey through "fine madness". Maybe madness isn't such a bad word.
