Praise for ‘F ’n’ A! My Crazy Life in Rock and Blues’ in Holland

Praise for ‘F ’n’ A! My Crazy Life in Rock and Blues’ in Holland

Herbert Noord’s review of F ’n’ A! My Crazy Life in Rock and Blues by Rick Allen begins by stressing the uniqueness of an autobiography by an American blues and rock musician. The title is an eye-catching reference to Allen’s favorite keys on the organ, as well as street slang for, “Hell yes!”

In the review, Noord (from Holland) provides background information about the history of blues/rock/jazz music and the distinctions between these genres in the US and the Netherlands. This backstory is crucial to the reader’s understanding of the review of Rick’s book.

Mr. Noord then segues into a list of some of the encounters Allen has had with other musicians, specifically, “Baby Face” Willette, and the reviewer briefly contemplates the disappearance of this “legend” into obscurity.

Noord ends the review by broadly highlighting some of F ’n’ A! My Crazy Life in Rock and Blues’ strengths and most memorable moments, stating, “There is much to say about this book, such as the hilarious story of how Dr. John will only arrange songs he likes, or how performing with Eartha Kitt was not a pleasant experience.” He finally concludes that, though the book is written in English, Allen’s language is direct enough to be easily accessible to non-native speakers. Noord says, “It’s not like you have to grab a dictionary for every two words you read.” In the last sentence, he expresses his appreciation of the book, and says it has given him “a lot of fun and information.”

F ’n’ A! My Crazy Life in Rock and Blues has transcended language barriers — appealing to a wide audience of both English and non-English speakers — and achieved international acclaim. The fact that a reader in Holland is able to appreciate an autobiography — written in English — about an American blues musician and write such a glowing review is a testament to the book’s universality, and Rick Allen’s ability to weave an honest and wholly human story.

You can purchase Rick Allen’s F ’n’ A! My Crazy Life in Rock and Blues here on Amazon.