Solva Blues - An Autobiography by Meic Stevens: The Autobiography of Meic Stevens

An English version of the colourful autobiography of Meic Stevens, a singer and composer who contributed immensely to Welsh popular music during the last 40 years of the 20th century, comprising his honest and bold opinions on music and musicians, and the highs and lows of both his public and private life. 30 black-and-white photographs.

Table of Contents:
1. 'Bet' 2. The Foreshore 3. Early School Days 4. Guitar 5. Art and Jazz 6. Characters 7. Jazz 8. Folk Music and Stuff 9. 'Folk you' 10. Manchester 11. Return Journey (Back to Solva) 12. 'Take Something With You' 13. Caerforiog 14. 'Outlander': Into the Big Time 15. Carol-Ann and Schizophrenia 16. Low 17. The End of the Sixties 18. Balanced in the Hands of Time 19. Domesticity 20. Saved

Review :
Meic Stevens's autobiography gives a detailed and fascinating insight into his early life in Wales and his later years as a widely travelled musician within the jazz and blues scene during the late 1950s and through the 60s and 70s. It also covers his periodic returns to Wales and his eventual departure for France. His story follows his childhood in the coastal Welsh village of Solva. He describes life in old Solva with fondness and interesting detail where family life and his roaming in the landscape intermingle beautifully. A turning point is the acquisition of his first guitar, which takes him into an exciting and colourful world and to Art school in Cardiff, to meet a vast array of bohemians and jazz and blues musicians. His world opens up more when he reaches the London music scene and explores the Soho jazz clubs which were thriving at the time. He gives us great insights into the lifestyle and heady days of this milieu. It is particularly interesting to read of the musicians who were not yet well known. There is an easy and straightforward quality to Stevens's writing. His prose is anecdotal, humorous and yet he captures the ups and downs of the lifestyle, the sad and happy times for him, his wife, family and friends. He takes us on a journey of discovery on a personal and professional level. The atmosphere of the jazz and blues clubs is captured well, there is a carefree mood, and yet we feel the dedication of the musicians and get a real sense of the hard work involved so that others can gain from their creativity. This is a genuine, heartfelt account of Meic Stevens's musical and personal life and of the friends around him -- a thoroughly enjoyable read. Clare Maynard It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgement should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatad Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council