Ali Smith
The Ballad of Speedball Baby: A Memoir
Blackstone Edition
April 29, 2024
You'd be forgiven if you don't remember Speedball Baby. Briefly signed to MCA in the major label frenzy that was the mid-90s, the New York band known for their unusual sound and shared billing with Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Speedball Baby never long time as he would like. Ali Smith was the band's bassist and The Ballad of Speedball Baby it's her story.
Despite the relatively unknown nature of her band, Smith's memoir is engaging in a way that few typical rock 'n' roll stories are. Of course, The Ballad of Speedball Baby it's not just a rock memoir. Certainly, Smith details her time in the band, and the anecdotes she shares are often crazy and incredible stories of a rock 'n' roll life filled with a hard-fought search for meaning and truth. But what her book delves into the most is the story of a girl who grew up with a dream, suffered hardships, and ended up in the unlikeliest of places. Written in compelling prose that bounces back and forth between Smith's formative years and her time in the band touring both the United States and abroad, The Ballad of Speedball Baby will keep you excited throughout. It's a wonderful rollercoaster of a read. You might not know about Speedball Baby, but you definitely should know about Smith's book. (www.blackstonepublishing.com) (www.alismith.com)
Author Rating: 7.5/10
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