Looking to Get Lost: Adventures in Music and Writing

by Peter Guralnick

By the bestselling author of  Sam The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll  and Last Train the The Rise of Elvis Presley , this dazzling new book of profiles is a culmination of Peter Guralnick’s remarkable work, which from the start has encompassed the full sweep of blues, gospel, country, and rock 'n' roll.

It covers old ground from new perspectives, offering deeply felt, masterful, and strikingly personal portraits of creative artists, both musicians and writers, at the height of their powers.

“You put the book down feeling that its sweep is vast, that you have read of giants who walked among us,” rock critic Lester Bangs wrote of Guralnick’s earlier work in words that could just as easily be applied to this new one. And yet, for all of the encomiums that Guralnick’s books have earned for their remarkable insights and depth of feeling,  Looking to Get Lost is his most personal book yet. For readers who have grown up on Guralnick’s unique vision of the vast sweep of the American musical landscape, who have imbibed his loving and lively portraits and biographies of such titanic figures as Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, and Sam Phillips, there are multiple surprises and delights here, carrying on and extending all the themes, fascinations, and passions of his groundbreaking earlier work.

One of NPR’s Best Books of 2020
One of Kirkus Review/Rolling Stone ’s Top Music Books of 2020
One of No Depression ’s Best Books of 2020

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Essays, Writing

576 pages, Hardcover

Published October 27, 2020

About the author

Peter Guralnick is an acclaimed American music critic, author, and screenwriter best known for his deeply researched works on the history of rock and roll. He earned a master’s degree in creative writing from Boston University and soon began writing about blues, country, soul, and early rock music. His two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love, is considered a definitive account of the singer’s life. Guralnick also authored landmark biographies of Sam Cooke and Sam Phillips, earning praise from critics and musicians alike. He has written liner notes for legends like Jerry Lee Lewis and Charlie Rich, winning a Grammy for his notes on Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club. His documentary scripts include Sam Cooke – Legend and Feel Like Going Home, directed by Martin Scorsese. Guralnick’s writing stands apart for its straightforward, unembellished style, earning him a reputation as one of rock’s most respected storytellers. He has taught at Vanderbilt University since 2005 and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2010. His recent works include Looking to Get Lost and a forthcoming biography of Colonel Tom Parker. Guralnick lives with his wife, Alexandra, and their family. His extensive archive is housed at the University of North Carolina’s Wilson Library.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book. At times I found this book rather tedious, but I don't think it was entirely the books fault. I'm not a full on fan of country, but other parts in this were really fascinating and well done. Especially since I enjoy music and wanted to learn more about it and the evolution.

Disclaimer: Won this through a goodreads givewaway; that did not influence my review in any way.

[Jim Willse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vintage profiles and reflections on a variety of mostly blues, R and B, and country artists by a guy who's spent his whole life writing about them.

[Billdorsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads giveaway.
I've read about half of it. The short pieces cover a lot of ground from Robert Johnson to Eric Clapton, looking at influences of the artist and the author's interactions with some of the modern musicians. Some of the pieces are more interesting than others; I found the piece about Colonel Tom Parker pretty funny.
As a musician, I found some of the pieces offered new insight into their history and artistic process. If you are a fan of old blues and country music, and the origins and evolution of the music, you would probably enjoy much of this book.

[Camryn Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am resolutely convinced that Peter Guralnick is one of the most brilliant, and talented, and evocative, and monumentous writers I have ever read. This book was expansive and inspiring on so many levels, and while it was certainly informative about musicians and writers I have since grown to admire, I put it down with, more than anything, a greater appreciation for life and a life’s work. Peter’s passion for his vocation as a writer and even more so for the human connections his writing has allowed him — this passion is so affirming as a fellow writer and person. Looking to Get Lost (and every other work by Guralnick I have read) makes me want to lean in, more, to the calling I believe we share. It also makes me wish I could practice his interviewing strategies in a conversation with him. Maybe someday!

My favorite chapters:
Dick Curless: The Return of the Tumbleweed Kid
Lee Smith: Telling Tales
The Song of Solomon: A Triptych
Howlin’ Wolf: What is the Soul of Man?

…Among others!

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Peter Guralnick returns to his roots and sheds new light on the Southern Rhythms and Blues. He reminds us that art is fueled by culture. The true lover of Blues will enjoy this biographical story of the music, artist, and culture that surrounds it. A must-read for true blues fans.

[Jim Eggensperger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on many levels. Good insights and stories about music and musicians.but also tremendous insights into the writing life.

[David Holoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several worthwhile features of this book. It is a wealth of information on the early days of recorded American popular music generally sourced from the Black and/or country traditions. Sam Phillips of Sun records is frequently represented; there are fascinating accounts of days and talks with Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Colonel Tom Parker, and others. There is more evidence of the remarkable foresight of Ahmet Ertugan and Jerry Wexlur of Atlantic Records. And there is a pile of reporting about lesser-known luminaries and many folks you likely have never heard of, all finely and articulately reported.

The book is also a wealth of information on the early days of the blues, or at least of their recording. For myself the blues never got a foothold. On Guralnick's accounts of the sublime meanings and deliveries of the various acts, I poked them up on Spotify. I am afraid we must agree to disagree on this topic, or say rather that whatever grabbed him at a young age about the blues, and admirably drove his life's work, has not grabbed me. However he does say that it is not entirely the music but the full experience of the music that moves him, and here I think is the root truth.

The very best thing about the work, though, is this very passion. This book is a wonderful success story about a kid who wanted to write, and found out he loved the blues, and ended up writing about that, and related topics in the recording and music industries, that led ultimately to a very fine career with many fine books and countless (or a lot, anyway) articles, of which this book is largely composed. I picked it up because of the title, and at that moment that is precisely what was on my mind. I did find the book instructive and at times inspirational.

There are some parts I might have done differently, notably, that a book that is largely a compendium of previously published articles should contain an appendix of where and when the article appeared (seems like this would be a sort of legal requirement as well). What is included is a listener's guide, which, per above, I did not find a lot of use for. I might also have been a little more rigorous with the "what to leave out" pile. The book is 500 pages, and I challenge anyone (apart from Ms. Curless) to say that 73 pages on Dick Curless is a good idea.

But I am definitey retaining this book and hope to check back in on it from time to time for the observations about the essence of life, and of music, and of a life well-lived.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guralnick is a very good writer of profiles. He wrote an excellent two volume history of Elvis and a three collections of profiles that I read many moons ago. I have heard his biographies of Sam Cooke and Sam Phillips are also wonderful. All of these pieces demonstrate his talent for the biographical sketch with an eye toward the human depth under a musical artist’s work.

This collection unfortunately isn’t quite consistent. Part of the problem is that it is a collection of random pieces. Unlike Feel Like Going Home on blues and early rock, Lost Highway on country and blues, and Sweet Soul Music on soul music which are all also collections of profiles, this volume doesn’t have the same narrative thread tying the pieces together.

So what you have are a bunch of magazine article length pieces (and one short book length piece on Dick Curless). Guralnnick says this is a biography of creativity, but not really. He is looking to get lost and we do between these pieces.

That said, there were some real gems here. I loved the pieces on Ray Charles, Doc Pomus, Colonel Tom Parker, Howlin’ Wolf, and on Malaco Records. But most of what is here was a little interesting but forgettable. Too bad.

[Ben Ricketts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I read this book slowly (essay-by-essay) between reading more linear, involved books.

This book not only opened my eyes to musicians I was totally unfamiliar with (like Dick Curless) and inspired me in my own musical creations (admittedly nothing like any of the artists profiled within), but it also made me see these artists through truly enthusiastic and excited eyes. Peter Guralnick loves music the way his subjects love music. He loves music the way we all do when we first discover those artists that blow our minds as children. And Guralnick gives me faith that I’ll never hit the bottom of that well; there is always something else to discover. Guralnick’s profiles are moving and compelling, and the final two chapters will leave you feeling all kinds of ways.

I recommend this book to fans of music, biography, or just good and passionate writing. This book was a gift, and I’m very glad to have received it.

[A.L. Bellettiere · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looking to Get Lost by Peter Guralnick promises to delve into the lives and minds of music legends, but for me, it fell short. The first chapter on Robert Johnson—a figure whose mystique and musical genius are the stuff of legend—left me feeling disconnected and underwhelmed. Guralnick’s writing, while thoughtful and detailed, lacked the visceral energy I look for in books about music and creativity.

If you enjoy a more scholarly, intellectual approach to music history, this might work for you. But if, like me, you seek writing that captures the pulse and vitality of the art itself, this book may leave you wanting more. I decided to let it go, trusting that my time is better spent on works that truly ignite my curiosity and passion. Not every book connects with every reader, and that’s perfectly fine.

Here’s to finding the next book that sparks joy.

[Phil Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating assembly of essays and interviews from the past fifty years of a writing life. I have every published book by Peter Guralnick (even the novel) and love them all, partly because our musical tastes overlap so much. If you like classic blues, country and soul you are on safe ground here. A departure from the usual range of subjects is the focus on two authors, both new to me: Lee Smith and Henry Green, whose works I shall investigate in the future. Rich in detail, these portraits stimulate interest in the subjects and hopefully propel readers toward the recorded works of these great singers and musicians. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, but then I am a fan of fifty years standing.

[Jamie McLendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a big fan of Peter Guralnick for many, many years and have several of his books on my shelf. As another reviewer pointed out, the problem with this collection is the lack of a unifying thread. Instead, it's more of a clean-up, odds n' sods compilation of articles that he's written over the years. Some are stellar (I will never get enough of his profiles on Howlin' Wolf), but some are tedious. I felt a sense of obligation to read the sections that I had little interest in, but I would suggest that anyone else just stick to the stuff you know you like. I enjoyed the pieces on Doc Pomus, Colonel Tom Parker, the Wolf, and Malaco Records the best.

[Greg]

I am thrilled that I was sent this book as a giveaway. I was unfamiliar with the author and though have only skimmed the contents quickly-- reading parts of chapters though out the book-- the author's abilities as a writer provide insights and history in a personal and objective and unsentimental manner. If one is looking for tabloid like insights and quick little vignettes of popular musical artists or music personnel, then look elsewhere. Neither is this a book of music scholarship per say, but an anthology by a thoughtful and intelligent historian and essayist.

[David Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

These profiles of musicians are often illuminating about their art or what makes them tick, with standouts including Jerry Lee Lewis and Howlin' Wolf. Others are overly reverent or elevate the artist beyond their value to the rest of us. But they're always interesting. And I won't soon forget his eyewitness account of Solomon Burke, seated across the table from him, telling someone by phone that he was being served Chateaubriand at the Plaza hotel, when he was really eating cold french fries at a Holiday Inn.

[Garrett Headley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection of short vignettes on a variety of influential musicians over the last 100 years or so, through direct interviews and interviews with family members and friends (there is an extensive section of source notes at the end). There were several musicians I was pleasantly surprised to learn more about and others I had never heard of. Peter is an excellent writer and looking forward to picking up some of his other books.

[William Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take your time

Exactly that, Guaralnik as in all of his writtings goes into minute details on his subjects which at times can make for a bit of heavy going, but always rewards the reader with some remarkable insights. The other thing that comes across in spades, is Guralnik is a genuine fan of the subjects, so it is not just a cold blooded list of facts and anecdotes, but a warm appreciation.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious, insightful, poignant. Might not be the ideal starting place, but if you love Guralnick's writing (as I do), you'll be very much at home. All of his books are essential, this one no less than the others.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous, fabulous book from an author who respects the art (and self-regulated ethical boundaries) of both music and literature.

Not easily found these days, so please pardon my standing ovation.

Many thanks, Peter Guralnick.

[Christopher Renberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would probably read anything the author had to say about music. This does not disappoint! I found something to like in each of the individual essays and came away knowing a little bit more about a variety of subjects. Well done!

[Ian Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t really quantify this collection of essays; they’re all unmistakably Guralnick, and each is written with genuine passage, delicacy, and ethnological brilliance…even the ones that get tedious or explore boring subjects (ahem, Eric Clapton)!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just rented a year-long streaming service for my stereo. Reading this book is a wonderful introduction to many of the great country music performers of the past century. Combined with my Qobuz, I should be able to enjoy lots of missed music.

[Ryan Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Guralnick’s Elvis books. I didn’t love these essays. DNF.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the first 150 pages or so realized it would work better being read more episodically than straight through.

[Ronn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent walk through nearly 50 years of writing about music and literature.