Reviews
Early 'record shark' and music hustler, Morris Levy, probably best known for his ownership of the Roulette and Tico record labels (among a host of others in the 1950s and beyond) along with running New York City's popular Hell's Kitchen-based nightclub Birdland (that he co-founded as a teenager) and his well-known Genovese family Mafia connections, gets the 'just-the-facts-ma'am,' even-handed, well researched treatment in this compelling biography, by Richard Carlin, of one of the most notorious figures in popular music history. Ever., Richard Carlin has written an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes study of jazz and popular music through the fascinating (and checkered) career of Morris Levy. Digging deep into a variety of sources, Carlin has added fascinating, often highly personal, details to the history of popular music during the latter half of the twentieth century. This is a messy and revealing story, with an assortment of criminal types and sprinkled with many interesting photos.Ronald D. Cohen, editor of Alan Lomax, Assistant in Charge: The Library of Congress Letters, 19351945 (University Press of Mississippi), The FBI always figured Morris Levy was the front man for the syndicate in the record business. This beloved, feared music man finally gets the epic biography he deserves in Richard Carlin's fascinating Godfather of the Music Business ., The FBI always figured Morris Levy was the front man for the syndicate in the record business. This beloved, feared music man finally gets the epic biography he deserves in Richard Carlins fascinating Godfather of the Music Business .Joel Selvin, author of Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues, "The FBI always figured Morris Levy was the front man for the syndicate in the record business. This beloved, feared music man finally gets the epic biography he deserves in Richard Carlin's fascinating Godfather of the Music Business ." Joel Selvin, author of Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues, "Richard Carlin has written an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes study of jazz and popular music through the fascinating (and checkered) career of Morris Levy. Digging deep into a variety of sources, Carlin has added fascinating, often highly personal, details to the history of popular music during the latter half of the twentieth century. This is a messy and revealing story, with an assortment of criminal types and sprinkled with many interesting photos." ―Ronald D. Cohen, editor of Alan Lomax, Assistant in Charge: The Library of Congress Letters, 1935-1945 (University Press of Mississippi), "The FBI always figured Morris Levy was the front man for the syndicate in the record business. This beloved, feared music man finally gets the epic biography he deserves in Richard Carlin's fascinating Godfather of the Music Business ." ―Joel Selvin, author of Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues, "Richard Carlin has written an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes study of jazz and popular music through the fascinating (and checkered) career of Morris Levy. Digging deep into a variety of sources, Carlin has added fascinating, often highly personal, details to the history of popular music during the latter half of the twentieth century. This is a messy and revealing story, with an assortment of criminal types and sprinkled with many interesting photos." Ronald D. Cohen, editor of Alan Lomax, Assistant in Charge: The Library of Congress Letters, 1935-1945 (University Press of Mississippi), Richard Carlin has written an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes study of jazz and popular music through the fascinating (and checkered) career of Morris Levy. Digging deep into a variety of sources, Carlin has added fascinating, often highly personal, details to the history of popular music during the latter half of the twentieth century. This is a messy and revealing story, with an assortment of criminal types and sprinkled with many interesting photos., With Godfather of the Music Business: Morris Levy by Richard Carlin we have, at last, the book that couldn't be written. The work is thorough and well researched. It is also even-handed in that Levy's accomplishments are well delineated in addition to his associations and scams. Carlin makes it very clear that Levy's reputation rested on the fact that his word was his bond. . . . Carlin has done an exceptional job in telling Levy's story. Highly recommended., Carlin's book shines a light on [Levy's] misdeeds but also celebrates the great music he issued on Roulette., "Richard Carlin has written an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes study of jazz and popular music through the fascinating (and checkered) career of Morris Levy. Digging deep into a variety of sources, Carlin has added fascinating, often highly personal, details to the history of popular music during the latter half of the twentieth century. This is a messy and revealing story, with an assortment of criminal types, and sprinkled with many interesting photos." ―Ronald D. Cohen, editor of Alan Lomax, Assistant in Charge: The Library of Congress Letters, 1935-1945 (University Press of Mississippi)
