Book Reviews: Two by Rev. Keith A. Gordon
Today I present a special Saturday blog post. — bk
And I thought I was prolific! One of the leading lights among my music journo brethren has released yet another – actually, two – book in his ongoing series of criticism/review collections. With astounding regularity, in recent years the Right Reverend Keith A Gordon has been churning out compendia. The two latest are Boogie Chillun and Fossils.
Subtitled The Reverend’s Archives, Volume 4, and the thicker of the two new books, Boogie Chillun is another collection of Gordon’s albm reviews. Like some (but not all) of the earlier volumes, its focus extends far beyond blues to include artists like the Hoodoo Gurus, Gentle Giant, Midnight Oil, Material and the Moody Blues. In other words, it’s widely encompassing and eclectic. For this volume, the Rev also includes a clutch of “shorts,” reviews that are a kind of cousin to my own hundred word reviews. As always, Gordon’s keen with and deep knowledge shines through. 
If occasionally it seems that the Rev likes everything, one need only be reminded of the (possibly apocryphal) exchange actor Raymond Burr had with a Perry Mason fan who wondered how he won all his cases. “But Madam,” Burr is said to have replied, “You only see the cases I try on Saturdays!”
A much quicker read, Fossils is a colleciton of promotional slicks, ads and the like, with contemporary comment and reminiscing form Gordon. For anyone who read the rock magazines of the 1970s, it will be a fun stroll down memory lane, one that reminds the reader of the hip and clever (though not always so) manner in which popular music was once mass-marketed to consumers.
Both books are recommended to those who appreciate rock-crit writing, which – one would hope – includes readers of this blog. It’s a safe bet that Reverend Gordon will be back with additional volumes in both series.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.