Mister Satan's Apprentice Audiobook By Adam Gussow cover art

Mister Satan's Apprentice

A Blues Memoir

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Mister Satan's Apprentice

By: Adam Gussow
Narrated by: Adam Gussow
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How does a white kid from the New York suburbs, harmonica in hand, end up earning himself a busker's spot on the Harlem sidewalks next to Mr. Satan, a Mississippi-born legend? How did an interracial blues duo fare on the streets of New York during a turbulent, fractious time marked by racially-motivated murders in Howard Beach, Bensonhurst, and Crown Heights? And how did that unlikely pair, as "Satan and Adam", conquer the American blues world, beginning with a cameo appearance in U2's Rattle and Hum (1988) and continuing through their W. C. Handy Award-nominated 1991 debut, Harlem Blues?

©1998 Adam Gussow (P)2014 Adam Gussow African American Studies Americas Black & African American Cultural & Regional Entertainment & Celebrities Music Social Sciences Specific Demographics United States Celebrity Memoir New York
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Would you consider the audio edition of Mister Satan's Apprentice to be better than the print version?

LOVED the audio version. Loved knowing that Adam Gussow was reading his own work. (That's always preferable IMO.) And his voice is so pleasant and easy to listen to! But he made the book even more interesting by using voices for the other people, especially for Mr. Satan. His voice for him wasn't a caricature or overdone but instead well done which allowed us listeners to understand Mr. Satan's enthusiasm, irritation, passion, etc.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mister Satan's Apprentice?

The scene where Adam was in Harlem, playing with Mr. Satan, aware of his whiteness and the recent racial tensions as a result of recent killings of African-Americans by the New York police. A couple of very very angry black men approached him. Adam was very sensitive to their complaints and carefully de-escalated the tension. It might have turned out so differently if he hadn't been so sensitive and intelligent and well respected by Mr. Satan and the others who regularly came to watch them play.

Have you listened to any of Adam Gussow’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. I wish he had others. I've looked!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end did. I teared up because I was so sad that I'd come to the end. Luckily I can listen to it again.

Any additional comments?

Fascinating and enlightening discussion of the blues!!

So sad I finished it!!

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This is my second go around at this book; the first time I read it on paper. Definitely worth listening too if you've already read the book. Cool to hear the book the way the author wants you to hear it!

Awesome Listening to Adam read this Memoir.

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Great story, interspersed with some harmonica riffs and song clips. An especially worthwhile follow-up if you’ve already seen the Netflix special/movie about the life of Satan and Adam.

Great Audiobook

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Adam Gussow is a legend. His duo with Mr Satan is historical. Worth every minute and every penny spent.

Awesome book about awesome people.

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Adam Gussow’s memoir read in his own voice is easily one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year. His pain, joy and fear is palpable in every story as he tells of the years he spent playing on the streets of Harlem with Sterling Magee and his many adventures around the world.

Mr. Gussow does not hold back on any detail even when it doesn’t paint him in the best light or is potentially embarrassing to discuss all these years later; and although the book is now more than 20 years past its first edition, it could’ve been written last week. I strongly recommend this book to any fan of the blues or street music culture.

Probably the best book I’ve read all year.

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A real life story that tugs at your heart strings. Happy and sad, this is one of the best books I’ve every listened to.

Amazing and down right bluesy.

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what else can I say. I'm an aspiring blues man myself and this was an amazing memoir. always liked adams stuff. i watch his you tube channel to this day. best harmonica teacher out there in my mind. couldn't be more satisfied with this book

satan and adam....

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I've been following Adam Gussow on YouTube for years. I've purchased a few of his lessons, and I feel like I've learned a ton of nuances on playing the harmonica from him. This book documents his roots in playing blues harmonica in the streets of Harlem with Mr. Satan, but also bounces throughout his lifetime from his early years in school to his time on the road. Narrated by the author, it chronicles the grit it takes to make it as a musician and the dues he and others paid with love, loss, and hard work to be specifically bona fide blues musicians. That's great stuff, Mr. Gussow... really great stuff! Thank you.

Excellent story... a must-read for blues fans

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Too bad music autobiographiws have to be full if fiktív! Tge story would otherwise be great. Sending it back!

Dissappointed

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