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The Ark of the Oven Mitt
A reporter for a Canadian music magazine is asked to do a 'where-are-they-now' story about 'Miles and Myles', a popular band int he '80s.
Maddie Myles, the charismatic lead singer, leaves her partner and the band at the height of its fame, and disappears. Her ex, Miles Gerber, has been touring the bar circuit for 20 years with his own group "Miles Gerber and The Shit Disturbers." As the audience declines, Miles says each night that they are 'searching for the end of the music business.' Miles is unwilling to be interviewed, so the reporter gives an old tape recorder to the group's drummer, who gives us a rolling report on the slow decline of the band, and the music business in general.
One day, in their beat-up touring van, they pick up a dynamic young woman at the side of the road, who starts them on a new journey: not an ending, but a new direction that leads to revival, and lots of self-discovery for Miles. Along the way they learn the value of community, and the power of stories.
[from the back cover]
Maddie Myles, the charismatic lead singer, leaves her partner and the band at the height of its fame, and disappears. Her ex, Miles Gerber, has been touring the bar circuit for 20 years with his own group "Miles Gerber and The Shit Disturbers." As the audience declines, Miles says each night that they are 'searching for the end of the music business.' Miles is unwilling to be interviewed, so the reporter gives an old tape recorder to the group's drummer, who gives us a rolling report on the slow decline of the band, and the music business in general.
One day, in their beat-up touring van, they pick up a dynamic young woman at the side of the road, who starts them on a new journey: not an ending, but a new direction that leads to revival, and lots of self-discovery for Miles. Along the way they learn the value of community, and the power of stories.
[from the back cover]
295 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 20, 2022
The Ark of the Oven Mitt is a unique book. It is a novel with a relatable protagonist, an interesting cast of characters, and a story-line with a few twists. Lots of humour; warning, much of it corny with plenty of puns. But, it also has touching scenes that can bring a tear to your eye.
More than just a novel, it is also part documentary, painting a picture of life on the road as a professional musician and the changing landscape of the music business from the late decades of the twentieth century, into the industry turmoil of technological change in beginning of the twenty-fist century.
It is also an album, with 36 songs, all but one written by the author, 17 of which were written specifically for this book.
In a way, the book is also a bit auto-biographical. James Gordon has spent a lifetime as a singer/songwriter/activist, and his persona shines through on every page, and in every song.
The book is distinctly Canadian, and very authentic.
Finally, the novel and the songs tell stories that have messages for us to ponder. “Food for thought”. If a book makes you think, and perhaps be a little bit of a better person, that is good for me.
I recommend this book, whether on paper or on audio (narrated by James Gordon).
More than just a novel, it is also part documentary, painting a picture of life on the road as a professional musician and the changing landscape of the music business from the late decades of the twentieth century, into the industry turmoil of technological change in beginning of the twenty-fist century.
It is also an album, with 36 songs, all but one written by the author, 17 of which were written specifically for this book.
In a way, the book is also a bit auto-biographical. James Gordon has spent a lifetime as a singer/songwriter/activist, and his persona shines through on every page, and in every song.
The book is distinctly Canadian, and very authentic.
Finally, the novel and the songs tell stories that have messages for us to ponder. “Food for thought”. If a book makes you think, and perhaps be a little bit of a better person, that is good for me.
I recommend this book, whether on paper or on audio (narrated by James Gordon).
December 29, 2021
I found this book enjoyable on multiple levels. It gives an insider's view of the Canadian folk/singer-songwriter music circuit. It is a snapshot of this moment in time (well, pre-pandemic) and the challenges we face. It is a hopeful manifesto of a way forward. Mostly it is a book about stories and community. And since that's exactly my jam, it was my kind of book. The printed book comes with a downloadable soundtrack that is integrally part of the story. (It originally came out as an audiobook with the songs included.) Though the lyrics are in the book, you will definitely miss half the story if you don't also listen to the soundtrack.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews