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vacantbones's review against another edition
3.0
Shine Bright is, undoubtedly, a love letter to the Black women whose contributions to music as we know it have largely been buried under white artists, white producers, and white audiences. Also serving as the author's memoir, this is, like the cover states, a book that is very, very personal. There were so many lines in this one that threatened to take my breath away with how Smith is able to intertwine musical history with her own experiences.
As much as I feel like I learned from this book, the format didn't entirely work for me. The author's life story is interesting, and the history of Black women in pop that she presents us with is fascinating, but the two didn't flow together in book format as well as they did in the lines that I mentioned above. The writing style wasn't always up my alley, either. With that being said, it was still a read with super important information and will undoubtedly resonate with so many readers.
As much as I feel like I learned from this book, the format didn't entirely work for me. The author's life story is interesting, and the history of Black women in pop that she presents us with is fascinating, but the two didn't flow together in book format as well as they did in the lines that I mentioned above. The writing style wasn't always up my alley, either. With that being said, it was still a read with super important information and will undoubtedly resonate with so many readers.
rhemajoy's review against another edition
3.0
fascinating journalist who clearly knows her music history. but the structure was not compatible with my adhd brain :( i hope to revisit one day.
stina_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book — memories of an incredibly accomplished music journalist chronologically and thematically guide the reader through a history of Black women in pop music. Danyel Smith is a national treasure and I’m glad to know who she is.
tangodiva's review against another edition
3.0
Still catching up on my reviews from this Spring...
Danyel Smith had me at the description - that this would explore many undersung Black female pop stars, such as Marilyn McCoo, Jodi Watley and Deniece Williams - all huge favorites.
However, I did not realize it would also be an extended essay on Smith herself, and how she grew up and became a professional in the music business (writer/editor). This is not a criticism - it would be if the telling were uninteresting, but it was solid.
Where I see eye to eye with Smith is in her experience as a young girl/woman who experienced abuse for a male alcoholic father figure in her life, and how music was one of her only refuges. I do indeed understand THAT circumstance. But I would have liked even more written on the subjects she sheds light upon. Their stories are what I came for, and I just felt a little underwhelmed by what was presented - some of it personal interviews from her magazine writing past, but a lot of it just anecdotal quotes with footnotes.
The writing is interesting, she has a great voice and I certainly read it quickly. And I don't expect to agree with everything a music critic writes. While I concur that the O'Jays' "Use ta Be My Girl" IS a perfect song, I was a bit taken aback by her rather abrupt dismissal of Dusty Springfield. Different strokes, I guess.
Danyel Smith had me at the description - that this would explore many undersung Black female pop stars, such as Marilyn McCoo, Jodi Watley and Deniece Williams - all huge favorites.
However, I did not realize it would also be an extended essay on Smith herself, and how she grew up and became a professional in the music business (writer/editor). This is not a criticism - it would be if the telling were uninteresting, but it was solid.
Where I see eye to eye with Smith is in her experience as a young girl/woman who experienced abuse for a male alcoholic father figure in her life, and how music was one of her only refuges. I do indeed understand THAT circumstance. But I would have liked even more written on the subjects she sheds light upon. Their stories are what I came for, and I just felt a little underwhelmed by what was presented - some of it personal interviews from her magazine writing past, but a lot of it just anecdotal quotes with footnotes.
The writing is interesting, she has a great voice and I certainly read it quickly. And I don't expect to agree with everything a music critic writes. While I concur that the O'Jays' "Use ta Be My Girl" IS a perfect song, I was a bit taken aback by her rather abrupt dismissal of Dusty Springfield. Different strokes, I guess.
magnesen's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
oliviahewitt's review against another edition
5.0
Danyel Smith somehow wrote a beautiful memoir and a historic tribute to the Black women that gave way to pop music as we know it today all in one. Highly recommend reading with the music of whomever she’s talking about in each chapter in the background :)
thechanelmuse's review against another edition
5.0
In her interview with The Atlantic, veteran music journalist, Danyel Smith, said: "To just shine bright on behalf of myself is new." A number of our musical greats never experienced that lasting impression in the end on a timeless centerstage or their light was dimmed in exchange for their obstacles being elevated instead. This book presents them their vibrant bouquet as a start.
Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women In Pop is the music biography I’ve always longed to see as a book pay homage to our stapled Black American female powerhouses — from girl groups to solo acts — who head their own chapters in this book, with many of the other iconic songbirds weaved throughout to create a beautiful tapestry that holds each other’s imprints at some point in their own musical journey.
Danyel manages to tie in her own story as well, shaping this into an unconventional, fitting read. We see the pivotal stages of her blossoming into a young music enthusiast leading to her coming-of-age and veteran career in music journalism. Peeling back the layers of our highlighted vocalists that experienced pivotal highs and dipped lows, Danyel never shies away from their lasting impact and the beauty of their humanity and incomparable craft. She also unveils many intimate moments of her own journey where our legends are taken along for the ride, playing a part in her life that's highly relatable in so many ways because haven't we all done it? The song that got us through dark times? Takes us back to a nostalgic moment?
In the concluding chapter, she affirms a stance that is undeniable:
We must take the lead in upholding our stories, especially those that are the history of our lineage, to sustain our presence for future generations even after we've passed on. A firm platform with an endless spotlight. Shine Bright is a celebratory playlist that I will cherish in my collection. Thank you, Danyel. Now if only this can be turned into a documentary as well. *cough cough*
Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women In Pop is the music biography I’ve always longed to see as a book pay homage to our stapled Black American female powerhouses — from girl groups to solo acts — who head their own chapters in this book, with many of the other iconic songbirds weaved throughout to create a beautiful tapestry that holds each other’s imprints at some point in their own musical journey.
Danyel manages to tie in her own story as well, shaping this into an unconventional, fitting read. We see the pivotal stages of her blossoming into a young music enthusiast leading to her coming-of-age and veteran career in music journalism. Peeling back the layers of our highlighted vocalists that experienced pivotal highs and dipped lows, Danyel never shies away from their lasting impact and the beauty of their humanity and incomparable craft. She also unveils many intimate moments of her own journey where our legends are taken along for the ride, playing a part in her life that's highly relatable in so many ways because haven't we all done it? The song that got us through dark times? Takes us back to a nostalgic moment?
In the concluding chapter, she affirms a stance that is undeniable:
“There is this deep fear of stopping. Of resting in the rests. [...] Because if we stop, we will be forgotten. That is the fear. And it’s not an irrational fear, because so many Black women and so much of Black women’s work is undervalued and strategically un-remembered. We cannot sit quietly while everyone dresses like us and sings like us and writes like us and just kind of steals us from ourselves. That’s the part that makes us tired. But what’s even more heartbreaking than that is the thought that people may not truly know us, or the details of our lives. What if no one ever gets us right? What if our spirits and stories are never truly known? It could so easily be that we—except for our songs, our art, our children—were never here at all.”
We must take the lead in upholding our stories, especially those that are the history of our lineage, to sustain our presence for future generations even after we've passed on. A firm platform with an endless spotlight. Shine Bright is a celebratory playlist that I will cherish in my collection. Thank you, Danyel. Now if only this can be turned into a documentary as well. *cough cough*
erickaonpaper's review against another edition
i got nearly halfway through and felt like i still wasn't understanding a big part of the memoir... i understand danyel's work is important and needed, just couldn't get into it!