Between Rock And A Home Place

by Chuck Leavell, J. Marshall Craig

Book by Leavell, Chuck, Craig, J. Marshall

Genres: Memoir, Autobiography, Music

355 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2004

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chuck Leavell is one of the best keyboardists ever - but he should stick to music and tree-saving. The book is so dull and boring that I kept falling asleep trying to read it. For someone who has been in the rock world for 40 years, his version of his story has no sex and drug tales, other than to say there were some. For a man who toured with the Allmans, Clapton and 20 + years with the Rolling Stones, that doesn't tell the story! AND...the editing is terrible. There were typos, grammatical errors and misspelled names (different from typos which were here and there - the misspellings occurred consistently. Save your energy and time for LISTENING to Chuck rather than reading him.

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuck Leavell, after playing rock and roll and blues around Alabama moved to Macon, Georgia and joined the scene around Capricorn Records. After gigging and studio work and tours with Alex Taylor and Dr. John, he got his major break with The Allman Brothers Band which launched him into a different level. After they had one of their many breakups and he'd played in another band called Sea Level, he got the coveted position of keyboard player for The Rolling Stones, which he's held ever since. In his memoir he talks about the long ride and his day job, being the owner of a tree farm and wildlife preserve, where he lectures about forest conservation. He also talks about the high profile session work he's done since with everyone from Eric Clapton to George Harrison. An extremely interesting memoir of widely talented man. - BH.

[Robert Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a keyboard guy myself, I've always loved Chuck Leavell's piano work. Unfortunately, his memoir is entirely "ok" and kind of reads like a humble brag all the way through. I petered out about 3/4 through.

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need to give a disclaimer to this review. I grew up in the South in the 70's when the whole Southern Rock phenomenon was happening. It truly was a magical time with some absolutely remarkable music and musicians. I had the chance to see Chuck Leavell's band, Sea Level, once in Athens, Georgia, and the Allman Brothers Band on several occasions (unfortunately, minus Chuck Leavell). Also, I had the chance to see several of the bands referred to in this book, so I somewhat identify with many of the people Chuck Leavell writes about. Also, I have always been (and still am) a huge Rolling Stones fan. Their remarkable body of work speaks for itself. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys rock 'n roll music and blues music as much as I do!

[Carlotta Ungaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, Chuck is much more gifted with a keyboard than a pen but I still enjoyed this book very much. He shares his struggles and successes and I for one am glad to read a story about an extremely successful musician without all the high drama of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Isn't it drama enough that the family business was in jeopardy? Wasn't it exciting enough to play with two of the biggest bands of our time? Isn't it inspiring that he is a leader in not one but two industries that are quite disparate? For those of you that don't know, Chuck was named tree farmer of the year for Georgia and he lobbies on property rights and other issues affecting the industry.

[Ron · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, who is this "Ian Stuart" fellow? There was a great piano player and original Rolling Stone by the name of Ian Stewart. So that didn't start things off well, seeing it spelt that way on the back jacket, and in the book.

Mildly interesting from Chuck who played with the Allmans and the Stones. Fine player, but this autobiography is mostly a lot of name dropping and glad handing. If you want something juicier check out Don Felder's book.

[Gwenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

One would probably have to be sitting on a porch in georgia, in unseasonably warm weather, to want to read this book. It would help if there were a copy already lying around. the man is sooooo happy! he's lived his dream all his life! and it's not over yet! am I the only one in the world who didn't know there were black people in the allman brothers?! that's what I learned from this book.