A Southern Missive

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, Scribner Publishing, 2007

A Short Review by Rickey E. Pittman

Sometime ago–it was either on Fresh Air or on NPR News–I heard Steve Martin discussing his memoir, Born Standing Up. The interview revealed a new and intriguing side of Martin I had not known about, so I ordered the book, which I have now just got around to reading. The book is worth reading if you have any interest at all in Steve Martin, in New York Times Best Sellers, or in stand-up comedy. Here you will discover the brutal life of a comedian when on the road and learn many techniques and the vocabulary of comedy.

Let me tell you why I think I liked the book. I often encounter students who I think will have a knack and interest in comedy performance, and I nudge them to study comedy writing, to study comedians, to collect jokes and bits and try them out in public settings. Perhaps one of them one day will find a career in stand-up.  This study of comedy and comedians forces them to analyze words and speech with all its complex rhythms, cadence, tones, syntax and diction. The writing of a comedy routine builds memory and organizational skills. I know there are some comedians on a genius level who are truly and only extemporaneous, but the truth of it is that most working comedians have to create, refine, practice, and experiment.

My respect for Steve Martin greatly increased.  He is a man who has paid his dues to life and to comedy.  I think of this book not as a tell-all confession, but an introspective and existential look back at his life. Through hard work and dedication to his craft, he has earned the money and fame that came his way. This memoir analyzes Martin’s comedic career and his transition from stand-up comedy into movies.  This book is the story of why he did stand-up and why he walked away. The back cover says: Born Standing Up is a superb testament to the sheer tenacity, focus, and daring of one of the greatest and most iconoclastic comedians of all time.”

The Last Time They Met by Anita Shreve, read by Blair Brown:
A Short Review by Rickey E. Pittman

I was pleasantly surprised with Anita Shreve’s  novel, The Last Time They Met. It is another audio book in five CDs, read by award-winning actress Blair Brown.  This a novel that will make you think about the nature and intensity of love and the inner and outer world of writers. Though there are several reviews on the Web, I prefer to not read the reviews of others until I’ve posted my own, so I guess I’ll get them later.  Shreve is also the author of The Pilot’s Wife and The Weight of Water, which I’ve previously reviewed on my blog, A Southern Missive. She has several other novels in print and I intend to read them all. When an author can rattle me with two good books, it is likely that anything she wrote is worth reading. Shreve has a fine website. You can find it here:

Here is a summary of The Last Time They Met from the CD jacket:
Linda Fallon encounters her former love, Thomas Janes at a literary festival where both have been invited to give readings from their work.  It has been years since their paths cross and in that time Thomas has become a kind of literary legend.  His renown is enhanced by his elusiveness; for most of the past decade, he has remained in seclusion following a devastating loss.

From the moment they speak, The Last Time They met unfolds the story of Linda and Thomas in an extraordinary way; it travels back into their past, bypassing layers of memory and interpretation to present their earlier encounters with unshakable immediacy.  The novel recreates love at its exhilarating pinnacle–the kind of intense connections that becomes the true north against which all relationships are measured.  Moving backward through time, The Last Time They Met traces the shocking resonance a single choice, even a single word, can have over the course of a lifetime.”

The technique impressed me as it is a story written in reverse chronology that leads you to the very surprising and sad ending.  There are many good quotes I could suggest, but I’ll close with the last lines describing Thomas who takes his own life, but not before he has “known  the unforgiving light of the equator, a love that exist only in his imagination, and the enduring struggle to capture in words the endless possibilities of a life not lived.”

A Special Performance at Caffeine Addicts

7819 Nashville Street

Ringgold GA 30736

Email: jankayhen@yahoo.com

Date: Sat. Feb 6, 6:30PM to 09:00PM

Price: $5 donation

Phone: (706) 935-3355

Jed Marum and Rickey Pittman present Confederate American history through song and story. In their presentation, Pittman’s narrative story and Marum’s songs retell tales and reveal experiences from memoirs, diaries and histories – in a light and color that is personal, meaningful and true. They bring to life the heroes of the time, and pass on their message to a modern age. Celtic and Folk/Bluegrass performer Jed Marum in concert with guest speaker, author/historian Rickey Pittman. The music is from and about the period of the War Between the States and includes songs that Jed has recorded for licensed to TV and film projects (PBS, Playboy Channel and independent theater releases).

This is a chance to meet Pittman and Marum up close and personal. Time will be allowed for questions and answers – and for mingling. Fine food and soft beverages will be available.

If you are a collector, historian, or just interested in the War Between the States, you can also see Pittman and Marum at:

The 14th Annual Chickamauga Civil War Show

Times: Sat, Feb 6 and Sun Feb 07.Sat 9am to 5pm Sun 9am to 3pm

Admission Price: $10

Event Address: Northwest Georgia Trade Center

2211 Dug Gap Battle Road

Dalton GA 30720-3863

For more information on this show, email mlkshows@yahoo.com

Or call 770-267-0989

Cell: 770-630-7296

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:

JED MARUM

Jed Marum is widely known in the world of Celtic and Folk/Bluegrass music as a compelling performer and gifted songwriter. His music plays on the radio airwaves around the globe and in soundtracks for internationally released films, and for television series shown on PBS and HBO/Playboy Channel. He performs over 150 shows every year at festivals and concerts throughout the USA. To date Marum has released 9 albums on Boston Road Records.

Jed Marum ‘s album, CROSS OVER THE RIVER; A Confederate Collection recently won the 2009 JP Folk Album of the Year Award. From the over 42,000 albums published in 2009 and distributed around the world by big record labels, solo artists and indie labels alike, JP Folk selected CROSS OVER THE RIVER; A Confederate Collection as Album of the Year – in the Traditional/Folk category. The album was also was nominated for the 2009 Southern Heritage Award. Visit the performer’s websites for more information:

www.myspace.com/musicofthecivilwar

www.cdbaby.com/cd/jedmarum6

RICKEY E. PITTMAN

Rickey E. Pittman, storyteller, author, and guitarist/singer was the Grand Prize Winner of the 1998 Ernest Hemingway Short Story Competition, and is originally from Dallas, Texas. Pittman presents his stories, music and programs at schools, libraries, organizations, Civil War Reenactments, and Scottish, Irish, and Celtic festivals throughout the South. He is a certified Secondary Gifted English teacher and currently teaches freshman composition for Louisiana Delta Community College, the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Virginia College Online. His books include: Jim Limber Davis: A Black Orphan in the Confederate White House, Stonewall Jackson’s Black Sunday School, Stories of the Confederate South, and The Scottish Alphabet, all with Pelican Publishing. You can learn more about this award-winning author at his website: http://rickeypittman.com/