It’s All Good: A John Sinclair Reader
by John Sinclair

From revolutionary to curator of the blues in 44 steps

In his various guises as founder of the Detroit Artists Workshop, manager of the MC5, Chairman of the White Panther Party, director of the Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival and Detroit Jazz Centre, poet, journalist, broadcaster and all-round cultural and political activist, the tireless John Sinclair has amassed a uniquely colourful history. The spirit of his CV is writ large all over the pages of this anthology of miscellaneous writings previously published across a number of sources, including music magazines, underground newspapers, album sleevenotes and poetry collections.

There are 44 selections (one for each of Sinclair’s years as a journalist and poet) covering a multitude of subjects. These include Sinclair’s imprisonment for possessing two joints of marijuana, founding the Detroit Artists Workshop, the Motor City’s volatile history during the 60s and 70s, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, North Mississippi Hill Country Blues and the Mardi Gras Indians Of New Orleans. There are also articles on, and interviews with, the likes of MC5, Iggy Pop, Sun Ra, The Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Jack Kerouac, Irma Thomas and Dr John. On top of the reading matter there’s also a 13-track CD of Sinclair’s assorted poetry readings featuring a variety of accompanists, including Wayne Kramer.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

ISBN 9781900486682, 298 pages

Reviewed by Grahame Bent
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