The Next Elvis. Sun Records

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Written by: Barbara Barnes Sims
Narrated by: Lee Ann Howlett
Length: 6 hrs and 41 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-29-15
Publisher: University Press Audiobooks
An American institution, Sun Records has a history with many chapters: its Memphis origins with visionary Sam Phillips, the breakthrough recordings of Elvis Presley, and the studio's immense influence on the sound of popular music. But behind the company's chart toppers and legendary musicians there exists another story, told by Barbara Barnes Sims. In the male-dominated workforce of the 1950s, 24-year-old Sims found herself thriving in the demanding roles of publicist and sales promotion coordinator at Sun Records. Sims's job placed her in the studio with Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Carl Perkins, and other Sun entertainers, as well as the unforgettable Phillips, whose work made the music that defined an era. Her disarming narrative ranges from descriptions of a disgraced Jerry Lee Lewis to the remarkable impact and tragic fall of DJ Daddy-O Dewey to the frenzied Memphis homecoming of Elvis after his military service. Collectively, these vignettes offer a rare and intimate look at the people, the city, and the studio that permanently shifted the trajectory of rock 'n' roll. ©2014 Barbara Barnes Sims (P)2015 Redwood Audiobooks
Review
A woman working at an influential level in the music business, Sun Records no less, and in the 50s! Just the seeing names of the stars was enough to attract me to this book. Sadly though, what could have been an exciting read turned out to be a tad disappointing.
All the information I wanted is there, but it reads like a rather boring history, which is great if that's all you want. I didn't get any sense of the vibe of those times, I had wanted to live it through the authors retelling, but that just didn't happen for me.
To summarise: Excellent source of historical detail but a very dry account of an interesting time in the popular music industry. Disappointing.
Narrator
Lee Ann Howlett did a darned good job considering the somewhat emotionless and dry story she had to relate, I doubt anyone's ability to make this sound interesting. Good job Lee Ann!
This audiobook was provided by the narrator. In return, this is my honest review

Harley Rushes In: A Blue Suede Memphis Mystery 2

Friday, 3 April 2015

Written by: Virginia Brown
Narrated by Karen Commins Drew Commins
Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Series: Blue Suede Memphis Mysteries, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:29/12/2012

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books

Available from Audible.com

4 STARS

PUBLISHER SUMMARY

Harley Jean must be on the right track if someone wants to kidnap her....

Memphis tour guide and amateur crime-solver Harley Jean Davidson is up to her handlebars in mystery again. Last time, she was almost whacked by jewel thieves. Now her Aunt Darcy, an interior designer, needs Harley's help catching a smuggler of prized artifacts. When Harley finds Aunt Darcy's suspicious business partner hanging off her shop's elk antlers, Harley can't help but wonder if Aunt Darcy murdered him. Soon Harley's already quirky life spins way off the Normal Meter again, with another corpse in the mix, an assault by cranky farm animals, a kidnapping attempt, and surprise assistance from a temperamental Siamese cat. Add hunky detective Mike Morgan to the trouble, plus the usual collection of Elvis impersonators, psychics, and unpredictable relatives.

The city of the blues, the King and the mighty Mississippi, is about to get steamy. The jailhouse will rock, someone may get caught in a trap, and Harley's in the middle of it all - taking care of business.

Virginia Brown is the author of more than 50 novels, most recently the best-selling Dixie Diva Mysteries and the acclaimed mystery/drama Dark River Road.

My Review

Those who have read Book 1, Hound dog Blues, will know that Harley hails from a somewhat unconventional family, Her hippy parents, Diva and Yogi, are ageing not so gracefully. For the last few years though they have lived in a real house with proper toilets and everything! They don't give in to conventionality that easily though, as Diva continues to dispense her cleansing herbal teas and enigmatic predictions, and Yogi continues to grow his, er, "herbs" amongst the tomato plants. Oh, and he is also an Elvis impersonator who adores his crazy dog named King.

Harley truly appreciated the move to a more conventional life, but as time goes by, Harley herself becomes a little more unconventional, giving up her steady but boring job in a bank, she gets herself a job as a tour guide. She is a part time biker and recently, albeit inadvertently, has found herself working as a part time amateur sleuth. Her first foray into sleuthing was actually pretty successful and must have lit a fire in her belly, as no sooner was her first adventure over than her Aunt Darcy sought her help.

Once again Harley just can't say no! The offer of money helped her decide, and so starts her second adventure.

Harley begins her investigation with her usual single mindedness, heedlessly ignoring all advice from her friends and her very new boyfriend, undercover cop Mike Morgan. Harley (yes, again) finds herself in many a parlours circumstance! Mike and Harley must be very much in lust with each other as despite all his efforts to forbid her meddling, and all her hard headed stubbornness, (and the cat) they somehow keep the lust levels high

This story is peppered with comic yet dangerous scenarios, most of which Harley brings upon herself because, well, she is always right! Yet with the luck that accompanies many a "cozy" heroine, our Harley wins through, albeit body and dignity battered and bruised, and usually with the loss of a mobile phone.

She also makes a new trusty friend, a rescued Siamese cat, they are an ill matched pair as Harley hates cats and the cat hates people, yet begrudgingly, they quite like each other. The cat moves in.

The author gives us a peek into the world of Memphis, we get to discover famous "Elvis" landmarks, the Elvis anniversaries, and of how the death of the King eventuates in a huge tourism business. This is Harleys' world and I'm looking forward to her next adventure.

I highly recommend reading the books in order.

NARRATOR

This is a dual narration by Karen Commins and her husband Drew Commins. I do still have issues with dual narration, nothing to do with talent or ability, but to do with the listening experience. There is a definite feel of the male voice being slotted in as it were. The transition between the two somehow needs to be smoother, I guess there must be reasons for recording them separately and then editing. Maybe the recording booth isn't big enough?

Apart from my little prejudice, I've always loved Karens' narrating, she just brings everything to life, both Drew and Karen have the wonderful sense of comic timing necessary for narrating the humourous cozy.

this audiobook was an unconditional gift from the narrator Karen Commins.

Hound Dog Blues

Saturday, 21 February 2015

Hound Dog Blues

Written by: Virginia Brown
Narrated by: Karen Commins, Drew Commins
Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- SeriesBlue Suede Memphis Mysteries: book 1
Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:10-03-12

Publisher: Debra Dixon

Audible.com

Publisher's Summary

She's named after a motorcycle. Her dad's an Elvis impersonator. Her mom talks to spirit guides....

Someone's kidnapped the family dog - named King, in Elvis' honor. There's a ransom note....

And then things really get weird.

Memphis tour guide Harley Jean Davidson is about to enjoy a rare day off when her parents call with news that King, their border collie, has been dognapped. Harley Jean's mom insists the culprit is Bruno Jett, their next door neighbor. Harley Jean would rather run over her own foot with a motorcycle than talk to him. He's drop-dead gorgeous - with a dangerous attitude she'd like to avoid.

But King has to be rescued, so she sets off to find him. Harley Jean gets more than she bargains for when she finds a body, as well. Bruno Jett is definitely involved, but how?

The Memphis P.D. wants to pin the murder on Harley Jean's dad. Now it's up to her to clear his name...and avoid becoming the killer's next victim.

Virginia Brown is the author of more than 50 novels, including the bestselling Dixie Diva mystery series.

My Review

Who but a hippy, bike lovin' Elvis fan would name his girl child Harley Jean Davidson? Well, that would be daddy, Yogi, now Yogi also has a dog, King, he loves this dog and feels a great spiritual attachment to him. The dog doesn't care much about all that stuff, as time after time he gets loose and causes chaos in the neighbourhood.

Harley, now a tour guide, gets the call. Find King. A simple enough request you may think, but wait! There's more ....... King hasn't simply gone missing, he has been dog napped! There's even a ransom note, very odd, thinks Harley, as everyone know Yogi and Diva barely make a living selling hippy stuff.
Harley immediately has a suspect in mind, Mrs. Trimble. King had taken to visiting her in the past, and they had developed a very unfortunate relationship. Mrs. Trimble also had no love for Yogi either, and so begins Harleys' outrageous adventure!
There is a body, there are missing jewels, and there is a missing Yogi and Diva who have now become prime suspects in a dreadful crime. It's all left to Harley to put right.

Meanwhile she gets her fashion advice from her coworker Tootsie, who also works part time as a drag artist, he knows everything a girl would want to know about hair and make up. She annoys the heck out of certain officers of the law, takes advantage of friends' homes ... and eats a lot of bean burritos.
This story takes the reader on a rollicking adventure with Harley, naturally, she solves the mysteries providing us with plenty of fun along the way. I enjoyed the characters and I'm hoping to get to know them better. I also enjoyed my visit to Memphis.

Narrator

I must admit, I was a bit concerned, as this book has both a male and female narrators, Karen Commins and Drew Commins. Following a few less than satisfactory experiences I wouldn't normally choose to listen to a book with more than one narrator, I knew Karen would be good, she's always good, but what about this Drew fella? Well, actually he too is very good, excellent distinct characterisation, no overacting, good timing, pleasant listening.
However, there is a big difference in the listening experience when there is more than one narrator, and I'm still not sure I care for it. There always the feeling that one of them is speaking from another room, or as if we are listening to them on speakerphone, and, for some reason, it's always the male voice. I've noticed this on all my audiobooks that have more than one narrator.
I think it's just a matter of preference though, I do know other listeners love to hear both male and female readers, so, maybe I should just get over it!