Book Review: Loud by Tana Douglas

“…music had become my talisman. It was the only constant in my life, and never beyond my reach. My escape from my mother would come at night. Once alone and in my bed, head under the covers, I could turn up my little radio, listen through my earpiece and be carried away by whichever story the singer was telling.”

Tana Douglas, Loud

Review:

I’m always up for a book that brings me into the 1970s (and the overlapping years). This one achieved this and then some. As someone who listens to a lot of music from this era, it was exciting to read about some of the things behind the scenes, especially from the perspective of a female Roadie — something unheard of at the time Tana Douglas got her start.

The book is engaging and reflective, touching upon the author’s career more than personal life. There is some backstory, but most of the facts going forward are left vague. I had mixed feelings about this because while I respect the decision to keep things private, there was enough information divulged throughout the book that leaves the reader hanging. At the same time, I liked that the focus was on the industry and not just the individual. I never realized all that goes into a concert, especially before today’s technology.

From AC/DC to Iggy Pop to Elton John to The Police, several bands and performers are mentioned in this memoir. While the recognition of so many artists is full of nostalgia (even speaking as someone who wasn’t around for the height of their fame), the heart of the book is Tana Douglas’ journey from runaway to a pioneer for women in the music industry.

A huge thanks to HarperCollins/Harper360 for sending me a free ARC to read and review!

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• Learning about the technical aspect of putting on a concert.
• Being immersed in the music scene of this time.
• A glimpse at the different musicians off-stage.

What I didn’t like:

• Thoughts were scattered at times.
• As I previously mentioned, the vagueness of some of the more personal tidbits often dropped off. Most of them could have been omitted from the book completely without affecting the main story.
• The book ended abruptly.

Afterthoughts:

This was a fun read despite some of the more challenging subjects here and there. Tana Douglas’ writing was animated and witty making for an enjoyable read.

There’s a playlist at the back of the book which was a fun bonus! For anyone interested, I put the songs together on Spotify:

Where to buy the book: