Tryin' to Tell a Stranger 'Bout Rock and Roll: Selected Writings 1966-2016: Real-time observations and reflections on music and popular culture, from one of the nation’s first rock critics

What separates the hipsters from the hepsters? Precisely zero-point-seven inches of prime bookshelf space where mere hipsters file their Bangs, Tosches & Meltzer compendiums. After decades of [im]patiently waiting, hepsters’ luck has finally stumbled into station, because zero-point-seven perfectly accommodates the long-overdue anthologized treatment of Gene Sculatti’s written works.Spanning half a century from 1966 through 2016, these collected works cover a hell of a lot of ground, sometimes disparate but always insightful, entertaining and informative. And immensely readable, even if you don’t give a flying one about some of his chosen subject matters. Whether enthusiastically shouting about his passions, or joyously reveling in the sheer badness of his non-passions, not once does Sculatti make the slightest effort to put himself across as being cooler than his subject matter. Roll on, Volume II: 2016-2066.Tell a stranger ‘bout Tryin’ To Tell A Stranger ‘Bout. They’ll be beholden.

The author's writing is humorous and filled with the insight of one who lived and studied R & R for decades. I really enjoyed reading his takes on the sixties groups in particular, and have gone to youtube to listen to music I forgot about or never heard at the time. Highly recommended.

Sculatti's writing is entertaining and thought provoking. I learned some things and was surprised at his position on others. Highly recommended!!!

Great trip through th RandR history through the eyes of someone who lived it

For those who like their music reading even handed, enthusiastic, friendly and yet incisive, this volume walks us through the decades with a firm amicable grip and the kind of swagger they rarely put on page anymore. To make an analogy, I'd say it was like listening to a beloved Dion recording. Sculatti knows rock and roll from its' threatening roots to it's LSD inspired fantasies and mainstream craft evolution. One can tell he's lived and breathed the potion! What you'll experience here is an interesting overview and journey through his experiences and career, and you'll walk away with envy.Then, you'll be reaching for sounds you're interest has been refreshed in.Then, you'll read it again!! Cheers!

Mr. Sculatti is one of the original bad daddies of rock journalism, and this collection of criticism, interviews (including a gasser with John Lennon), and think pieces leaves many of his contemporaries in the dust. He has one very important weapon in his arsenal: an excellent sense of humor, which he employs with precision. He also has taste. Check this action out.

Geen Sculatti was arguably the best writer of the first ever rock critics, the equal of Greg Shaw, Paul Williams, and Richard Metzler. Unfortunately Sculatti needed an anthology on the marketplace to prove his worth to young 'uns and it has taken ages for this to hit the public realm. Dig his earliest writings first and then read his marvellous bout with John Lennon. No wonder Warner Bros snatched him up to be an executive and in-house hep cat.