Mo' Meta Blues by Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson

[amybo82]

It took me about three months (an unusually long time for me) to finish this book. I think this was for two reasons. First, there were parts I just loved, and I didn't want those parts to end, so I wanted to delay finishing the book. Second, the storytelling got really thick in some parts--heavy thoughts and emotions with sort of unwieldy writing. Now that I am done with it, I would give it a solid four out of five stars.

If you’re looking for a chronological account of a poor, young boy’s struggle and hardship to rise to unmatched fame, you’ve picked up the wrong book. However, if you’re looking for a fun, kind of scattered, part-memoir, part-ultimate playlist, part-odd, heady conversation, and part-music-super-fandom, ‘Mo Meta Blues is the book for you! Ahmir “Questlove”/”?uestlove” Thomspon poetically jumps between the albums that shaped him and his experience of growing up. And, he kind of explains the question mark. Reading the book, you get an inside view of the music industry, and you get a look at an innovative musician.

If you’ve ever taken an album (vinyl, tape, CD, any format works, really), put it on, played it from beginning to end, and actually listened to the whole thing, you’re going to love this book. Even though it’s not like your typical memoir (this is what happened when I was five then six then seventeen…), it provides a complete picture of the artist’s life. As you read, you come to understand a little more about his inspiration, his drive, his genius. It’s like a 1000 piece puzzle with a killer soundtrack. On the back of the book, there’s a quote from comedian Fred Armisen about how the book is like having a conversation with the ?uest. I laughed when I first read it, but as I was reading the book, I found myself feeling the same way. I would think any library would want to have a copy of this in their collection. I also think it’s appropriate for any age reader. When I was younger, I was obsessed with Prince. (Ok, so I still am.) I would’ve devoured this book in fifth or sixth grade! I would’ve loved it in high school or college, and having read it as an adult, I can really understand it now. This book is for people interested in music, growth, and life! The best fit is probably Young Adults, but I think people of any age can appreciate it.

“It was a war of attrition, and the only one who won was Prince.” -?uestlove