Bangkok Beat, by Kevin Cummings
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Bangkok Beat, by Kevin Cummings
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"Bangkok Beat is a celebration of a movement, a group of irregulars who have taken a different path." Christopher G. Moore, International Crime Authors Reality Check "Bangkok Beat is a flashlight in the dark." The Sunday Nation "[T]his is a fun read, told in a warm and humble voice devoid of literary pretensions or highfalutin prose, reminding readers of one of Bangkok's chief virtues: It's teeming with all sorts of eccentric expat characters endowed with hugely entertaining backstories." Jim Algie, Bangkok 101 Magazine "Cummings pools interviews with well-known brilliant creative individuals and ties that in with his own Californian childhood memories and his love of jazz. Read now or refer to later to find insights into some iconic expats who reside in a kind of Asian Montparnaisse district." Chad Evans, author of Vincent Calvino's World "Then there is Gop; a fictional frog who Kevin has interviewing a fictional detective, a truly surreal moment that, for me, personifies the surrealness that relocating to SE Asia can often produce." Iain Donnelly, Editor of The Weekly Phnom Penh Bangkok Beat is a compilation of short stories, interviews, literature reviews and author profiles, plus the previously unpublished history and pictures of the iconic Bangkok cabaret nightclub, Checkinn99 located on Sukhumvit Road. In reading Bangkok Beat you will get up close with many well-known and not so well-known expats and characters staying in Thailand and Southeast Asia. You'll also find a section of noir poems by John Gartland, in which the author depicts life in the city's dark zone. Between the covers of Bangkok Beat you will get to know: champion male and female Muay Thai boxers, a surfing historian, a legendary mamasan, Chris Coles - noted expressionist artist of the Bangkok night, and a gold chain snatching ladyboy. You'll also encounter the inside of Baccara Bar on Soi Cowboy, an Australian front man for a Khmer band, a smiling waitress named Mook, a spirit house for a Hollywood screenwriter and producer, and the biographer for Jim Morrison and Elvis Presley. Plus world class musicians including Jason Mraz and a saxophone playing psychologist. In addition you'll find interviews and profiles of many well known novelists living in and writing about Thailand and Southeast Asia and one magician. This book of non-fiction is ably assisted with an introduction by Bangkok pulp fiction author, James A. Newman, a short story by T Hunt Locke titled The Beauty of Isaan and a chapter of noir verse written by the poet noir, John Gartland. Many of the 54 black and white photographs found in Bangkok Beat were taken by professional photographers Eric Nelson, Alasdair McLeod, and Jonathan van Smit.
Bangkok Beat, by Kevin Cummings- Amazon Sales Rank: #1302113 in Books
- Published on: 2015-06-08
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 9.00" h x .68" w x 6.00" l, .89 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 300 pages
Review "If your interest includes a roundup of the expat artistic side of Bangkok, you'll want to read the interviews and articles found in Bangkok Beat. "--Christopher G. Moore, International Crime Authors Reality Check, and author of Crackdown "This is a fun read, told in a warm and humble voice devoid of literary pretensions or highfalutin prose, reminding readers of one of Bangkok's chief virtues: It's teeming with all sorts of eccentric expat characters endowed with hugely entertaining backstories."--Jim Algie, Bangkok 101 Magazine"Cummings has also accomplished what another published writer tells him, that a writer can't be "true" (as Hemingway would put it) without injecting something of his own personality into the telling. "Bangkok Beat" is whole-hearted, and all the warmer for its frequent glimpses of the author's irrepressible spirit."-- Paul Dorsey, book critic for The Nation newspaper, Sunday Leisure section"Bangkok Beat doesn't sugar coat things, it tells you how it is. But not all ... it provides you the merest glimpse of what there is out there in Bangkok. It lights a fire under you to find out how deep the rabbit hole goes no matter how dark that hole may get. It does what any good media does - it leaves you wanting more." --Simon Skey, United Kingdom Book Reviewer "Bangkok Beat is witty, engaging and very well written." -- Matt Carrell, author of Thai Kiss"Bangkok Beat is thoroughly entertaining, full of wonderful characters and talented individuals. A must read." --Trevor Bide, The Life Design Detective at Engaging Thailand"I lived in Bangkok for tenyears and really enjoyed this look at a part of the 'foreign experience' that you don't often hear about." --Niamh Griffin, Journalist from Ireland and writer at Inspiring Sports Women"Cummings writes squarely and details the Bangkok ex-patriot artist community well, both between and within the lines - inviting us to join in the scene."-- Culture writer Schoodles - Seattle, Washington
From the Author Bangkok Beat is dedicated to the two best teachers I ever had during Act 1 of life, Tom Barry and Chic Wallgren.
From the Inside Flap "A fascinating collection of interviews, literature reviews and stories from Thailand and the region. Kevin focuses on one of his favorite expat nightlife venues -- Bangkok's Check Inn 99 -- with accounts about musicians, poets, authors and other night owls."Melissa Ray, 4 Time Muay Ying Champion in Thailand and blogger at Muay Thai on the Brain "Checkinn99 has been awarded one of Trip Advisor's Top Twenty Hidden Gems in the World for two years running." TripAdvisor.com
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Very Entertaining Read By Trevor Bide I usually have a fair idea about whether I'm going to enjoy a book after reading the introduction. My assumption on this is not always correct, but quite often it is. I knew that after the terrific introduction by author James Newman that I could relax, nestle into the couch and say.... That sounds great.... Bring it on." Develop an interest in life as you see it, the people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself. " Henry MillerKevin Cummings the author of '' Bangkok Beat '' is a big fan of the above quote and In my opinion this quote is the essence of the book as the author goes in search and finds interesting people, things, literature and music by the score.Bangkok Beat to me is like a who's who of Bangkok's wonderful characters and talent that are brought to life by a combination short stories, interviews, profiles, literature reviews, poems and terrific photographs.The author leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit to track down and interview some of Bangkok's finest. He meets authors, artists, musicians, poets, Thai Boxers, photographers and takes in large helpings of jazz, other live music and even musical productions.A lot of the interviews seemed to be centred around Check Inn 99 which is located at the lower end of Sukhumvit road and the home of the jazz, other live music and musical productions that I was talking about. You quickly learn there is a reason for that and it's not just because it's one of the authors favourite entertainment venue's.Check Inn 99 has a very rich history and " Bangkok Beat " devotes a full two chapters of 10,000 words and superb photos in telling the many colourful stories behind Bangkok's oldest bar and cabaret nightclub. That history even includes a murder that occurred around 1978 in the famous Check Inn 99 tunnel. The Check Inn 99 story is a good one relaying all the trials and tribulations over the years, right up to and including the astonishing achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of the present day owners.I love Bangkok and have always found it a very inspiring, soul searching and mind freeing location to escape to. Bangkok just teems with life, characters and talented individuals. I'm not sure how he's done it, but author Kevin Cummings has managed to capture that Bangkok life, find those talented individuals and include those characters all in one book. A book that I thoroughly enjoyed and would whole heartedly recommend.It's hard work selecting favourite parts as I sincerely enjoyed the whole book. I do have a soft spot for a story though and in particular a story with a nice touch.I particularly enjoyed '' Never go to Thailand and the reasons I love it.'' The story is about why the author loves Thailand, warts and all. Reading about Mook the $8 dollar a day earning, smiling waitress at the restaurant was refreshing. As the author say's, '' the likes of Mook are everywhere in Thailand.'' I have always found that it's a joy to make their acquaintance. You just have to talk to them.Another of my favourites is '' Bangkok Taxi Drivers. '' It's once again a story with a nice touch about the author's favourite taxi driver in Bangkok. I can relate to this story having also had a long, established and trustworthy taxi driver for trips all over Thailand for many years. It starts as a business relationship and of course on one level always remains that way. However, in the story a friendship and trust develop over the years and a sad and final farewell is complete with a deep respect.Another lovely story is '' Raining Jane and Jason Mraz where the author talks of his pride for his family and their achievements. I enjoyed this.Other favourites were '' A Spirit House for Stirling Silliphant.'' A tribute to the American screenwriter and producer and how he spent the final third of his life living in Bangkok, Thailand." I came to Thailand to die. I needed to be surprised. I wanted to be shocked. Bangkok is unpredictable and it delivers if you give it a chance. Even the small adventures are memorable." - Stirling SilliphantThe things placed in the imaginary spirit house for Stirling Silliphant by the author was also a very nice touch.On the interview front '' Jerry Hopkins - Blue Suede Shoes '' is one to look out for. He's published best selling biographies of Jim Morrison, Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix and if that's not enough then try adding David Bowie and Yoko Ono. It doesn't stop there. This is a colourful interview about an incredibly intriguing character." When in Bangkok, do what your mama told you never to do. Talk to a stranger. " - Bangkok Babylon by Jerry HopkinsThere are characters and talented individuals throughout the book, but the final interview left me wondering who the hell I'd just come across. Talk about an interesting life. Whatever you do read the interview about a magician going by the name of Dr Penquin.... Quality. I liked the quote about the interview from the author, who said; '' I didn't need a pen and paper that day. What I needed was a film crew. '' Brilliant stuff.It's the type of book that suits me down to the ground in the sense that I could read chapters and receive instant gratification and an outcome at the end of each chapter. Normally with a book like this I would read the chapters that appeared most interesting to me first. It's the nature of the beast I'm afraid. However, with Bangkok Beat, I did not. The book flows so well from cover to cover that I didn't want to ruin that flow. It turned out to be a riveting read from start to finish.For those of you who know Bangkok then it's an essential addition to your library. For those of you who are thinking of going to Bangkok then buy a copy before you leave and read it on the flight over. That will give you a real feeling for the place.However, it's certainly not just about Bangkok as were treated to stories from the north east of Thailand, Mountain View, California and Cambodia. To be honest many places from around the world come into play including Paris, London and Chicago.Furthermore, the book contains a multitude of subjects and there is something for everyone. Opinions on writing, thoughts, observations and reflections on life, words of wisdom and even how - to knowledge contained within the interviews.In my opinion the author has done a marvellous job in bringing the artists and characters of Bangkok to life and I highly recommend the book. It's a very entertaining and informative read.If there's one criticism it would be that there's no mention from the author as to when Bangkok Beat 2 will be available.The final words here as in the book must go to Voltaire." Life is too short, time too valuable , to spend it in telling what is useless." - VoltaireFear not for the author has spent his time wisely.I am sure if Henry Miller were still around today he'd be holding a copy of '' Bangkok Beat '' whilst uttering the word Très bien.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Kevin is not a writer but... By Steven W Palmer Kevin Cummings is not a writer. I know this because Kevin tells us this fact repeatedly throughout Bangkok Beat. The only problem is; I as a reader do not agree with his self-diagnosis. While Kevin may not be writing fiction and taking us on escapist adventures to far off lands, what he is doing is being a chronicler of an entire sub-genre of literary work. Over the course of Bangkok Beat (a progression from his blogging) Kevin introduces the reader to most of the players in the Asia-Noir scene. Some of them are familiar, some of them new (at least to me) and thus worth investigating on Kevin's recommendation alone. You then add to the mix Kevin's observations of life; whether it is living in Thailand or his childhood days in California (he knew Jed Clampett!!) as well as the thoughts of other writers, or reminiscences of ye olde days of Checkinn99 (formerly the Copa) and chats with the musical genius that is Christopher Minko of Krom. Then there is Gop; a fictional frog who Kevin has interviewing a fictional detective, a truly surreal moment that, for me, personifies the surrealness that relocating to SE Asia can often produce.In some ways you could describe Kevin as a Samuel Johnson of the Asia-Noir and expat scenes. He chronicles and critiques some of the best authors and books in the genre, as well as making wry observations on life in this wonderful, crazy, chaotic region.If you have an interest in the genre, or even just in life in crazy old Krung Thep, then this is a must read book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Literally enjoyable cover to cover By John Fengler I've been coming to Thailand since the early 80's. That makes me an expert in nothing at all except the ability to navigate change in a land that relentlessly shifts under foot.Bangkok Beat is the map that helped me navigate the creative landscape of where Bangkok is now and how it got there, primarily through witty and insightful interviews of the writers, poets and visionaries who all, like Mr Cummings, have their finger on the pulse of Bangkok. That pulse doesn't miss a beat.I at once felt like an observer and a participant.Kevin writes about people I know, about people I thought I knew, people I want to know more.He wrote about 'me', a world I live in and understand less and less, yet more and more every day.Kevin has an unflinchingly benevolent view, shedding great light onto a dark city.He brought the characters of his life to life.Generally when I'm into a good book I'm torn between hurriedly finishing it, and dragging it out as long as possible, to continue the friendship. With Bangkok Beat I feel like I made new friends and deepened the friendships I already have.
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