[.ca] MY LIFE IN THE PARADISE GARAGE-C (ISBN 0967899400)

Mixed feelings. (Please read the *whole* review!):
I must admit that I have very mixed feelings about this book. While reading it, I never thought it was that great a read, and still now I feel the writing style is a bit simple, and also that there are a few anecdotes too many where the author pats his own back. No doubt has Mel Cheren had quite a bit of an impact on the disco/dance scene, but he should have left the praising of his persona to other people... On the other hand, I feel there are some VERY IMPORTANT points and topics in this book, in some cases maybe requiring a bit of reading between the lines: The rise and fall of Disco - the music, the clubs, etc. - I'm a DJ myself, and I can clearly see parallels happening in todays' (2001) Dance Music scene. "It's all just a little bit of history repeating..." The other big thing that hit me like a hammer was all the tragedies described that happened because of AIDS. Apart from being about parties, clubbing, drugs and so on - this book to me was also an important contribution towards my awareness of AIDS. I don't think I've ever been as aware of the issue as after reading this book. I think that in a way this publication also is a good description of the Yin/Yang principle: in every bad thing there is something good, and in every good thing there is something bad. For all the fantastic drug- and sex-parties the people in this book have experienced, they did pay a very high price. The ones who died and also the ones who survived.

Keeping it Real:
As a birthday gift to myself I invested in the book My Life and the Paradise Garage: Keep on Dancing-as a summer read, along with some club classics. What a gift! The book was informative, educational, and sure enough enlightening from the first, to the last page. All of the ole Loft/Paradise Garage heads should have a copy. This book simply explored the pure essence of the disco-happy people era. I could not have invested in the book and not any of the music. I also made an investment in some of David Mancuso- Loft classics Volume 1&2, and Larry Levan hits from the Garage. While reading this book and listening to those fabulous sounds I was totally blown away! These items were the best gifts I could have given to myself. The book helped me to realize I was apart of history, a free spirit dance era that will never exist again. This music will allow me to keep on dancing while most of the great underground clubs have closed their doors. High accolades are due to Mel Cheren for putting history on paper and for his never ending pursuit toward helping others. Mel is indeed the Godfather of Disco and a crusader for humanity. Thanks to David Mancuso for sharing his space at 99 Prince Street, and the rebirth of his great sounds. Much respect to the spirit of Larry Levan the master of the turntables. Larry must must be spinning the wheels of steel, for the angels in glory. This birthday was really great! I was not dancing at the Paradise Garage, theme beach party or dusting my dancing shoes in the baby powder on the floors at the Loft. I was dancing up a storm and a sweat at home to the fierce sounds and energy of the better days. Thanks to everyone, including Amazon.com, who thought it was worth putting these products on the market. I think all bona fide party heads should have a copy of this book, and the sounds of club music which has been tucked away too long. Thank you all for keeping it real!

I really liked this book ...:
I thought this book was great. I live in Boston and have spent a considerable time going back and forth to New York over the years. I think I spent most weekends there in the mid-80's. Anyway, I moved in a different crowd form Mel's Boston crew, but I knew some of them casually. His appendix held a few surprises for me as to what happened to some of them. The book is a great gay history of that period in New York. It brought back many memories of both happy and sad times. Earlier sections were before my "era", so I found them very interesting. I felt like I knew many of the people Mel talks about and remember watching and listening as the club music scene grew. There are many interesting stories about this phase of the music industry. My only reservation: Mel did do some great things, but Mel knows it. So we know it. A lot. Just a tad too much back-patting. Otherwise a great read about New York Gay life and the rise of club music.

I couldn't have said it better!:
okay,I was really waiting to write this review,because it deserves a HIGH PRAISE and I really wanted to say it the RIGHT way.After I've read the review by KJG as well as Frankie C.,Tony Higgins...oh well actually ALL given reviews so far,I have to say that I couldn't have said it better. I am 26 years old and grew up in Frankfurt/Germany-far away from the Garage and New York-BUT thanks to my 8-year-older brother I grew up being introduced to House Music from the very early beginings on in the 80's since he listened to "the ultimate feeling of music"-MY MUSIC! This is the book I've waited for all my life! It gave me answers to so many questions I wanted to know about-how did this get started?who were the people behind it?what were their dreams?isn't this what we're all looking for? no second doubt-BET THE BOOK! *Mwah* Vonnie =)

Best book on disco ever written:
What a book! I couldn't put it down until I read every word. This is the best book ever written on the history of disco. Not only is Mel's personal life interesting but the way he inter-twined it with all his disco information is truly genius. I recommend this book to every dance music dj, disco historian, and anyone who ever wanted to know anything about how life was back in the good old days of disco. Get it. Read it. You won't be sorry.