2024 the best of phyllis hyman review

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The story of singer Phyllis Hyman is brought to light in the powerful new biography Strength Of A Woman: The Phyllis Hyman Story by Jason A. Michael. Hyman's 20-year career, which included the release of eight albums as well as a Tony nomination and Theater World Award for her Broadway turn in Sophisticated Ladies, was brought to a tragic end by her suicide June 30, 1995, just hours before she was due to take the stage at the legendary Apollo Theatre. In the spotlight, Hyman's breathtaking voice and stunning beauty shone brightly. But off stage, after the applause and the laughter produced by her bawdy humor had faded, Hyman spent her days and nights engaged in an exhausting battle against bipolar disorder. Complicating its crippling effects was Hyman's addiction to drugs and alcohol, which she tried repeatedly to kick, and the demands and constraints of being a female African-American entrepreneur in an industry controlled by white men. But though she ultimately chose to extricate herself from the pain, she did so not before leaving a legacy of beautiful music that will last and live on forever as a true testament to the 'strength of a woman.'

Publisher ‏ : ‎ JAM Books, LLC; 3rd Edition (October 15, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0979489016
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0979489013
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.24 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.96 x 9 inches
Reviewer: S.Nicole
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: An incredibly vivid, entertaining, & honest portrayal of one of the best singers in the world - EVER
Review: Before reading Strength of a Woman, I read the memoir of one of the best-selling music artist of all time. As incredible as their talent and life story is, the book itself fell flat because it was told in one-dimension. For more than 50 years, this particular artist painted themself as a victim in personal and professional situations without any admittance of their own faults, guilts, or weaknesses (at least not expressed in their book.) That alone was quite disappointing considering how countless episodes of personal and professional drama overshadowed their immense talent. I started with this to say that it takes more than an interesting life to make a great story on paper. It takes a great writer.Strength of a Woman, the story of music great Phyllis Hyman, is exactly what a biography should be: open, honest, entertaining, multi-layered, well rounded, vivid, and emotional. It is an astounding read! This book did an impressive job with chronologically displaying a plethora of events from Phyllis Hyman’s short yet eventful life! This book seemed to touch on everything regarding her full existence: bullying childhood and frayed relationship with family; first foray into the business world, interactions with various bandmates, lovers, employees, family, friends, fans, and enemies; behind the scenes auditions and business matters; lonely home life; extroverted social life; addiction dependences with multiple rehab stays; many behind the scenes antics; and one’s quest for control and acceptance at any cost.From the beginning , Phyllis’s life story grabbed a hold of me and I was completely hooked! Each account of her life just oozed out of the pages and converted into a full movie in my mind. Author Jason Michael masterfully weaved Phyllis’s life together by connecting memories and insights from those who knew her. Through obvious meticulous research, he expertly compiled and sorted archived interviews, news articles, and video footage to create one linear yet solid story. It felt like he captured her entire life. As he admitted in the Notes & Sources section in his book, creating this *magnum opus* (my words, not his) was a tall order. Yet, he near perfectly put together the hundreds of pieces of the complicated puzzle that was Phyllis’s life. This story was so captivating that when I got to the end where Phyllis took her own life, I felt her departure from the book.Phyllis was the protagonist and antagonist in her own story. She was just something else: I was rooting for Phyllis; I was proud of Phyllis; I was mad at Phyllis; I laughed at Phyllis; I felt sorry for Phyllis; I didn’t feel sorry for Phyllis…Kudos to Jason Michael for showing the many sides of Phyllis in front of the camera and in private. His multi-layered brush painted Ms. Hyman as: a gifted, musical genius who was lauded by many great artist and fans; a business woman who self-sabotaged many opportunities and big breaks; a loving, fun friend who invited many fans into her circle and would give the “shirt off her back"; a destructive woman with a heavy dependency on people and substances; an emotional, immature woman who lambasted others due to her own inadequacies; a six-foot stunner with supermodel good looks whom often proclaimed that she couldn’t get a man (likely confusing "get" with “keep”); a confused woman who lived with memories of childhood embarrassment and subsequent guilt that likely became the impetus of her mental illness.Whether she believed it or not, Phyllis was really viewed by her peers in the industry and fan base (at the time) as a living legend. Her musical intelligence, high quality material, exceptional live performances, and effortless, flexible vocal abilities left most in awe! In turn, she was often given passes for her bad behavior. Right or wrong, Phyllis’s refusal to conform and subsequent bitterness derailed important opportunities in her career. Though, as Jason Michael smartly pointed out, some music legends (esp. from Phyllis’s era and before) didn’t have consecutive number 1s or platinum selling albums. Their prestigious talent stood on its own and was highly regarded and protected. Still, Phyllis felt as if she was getting the short end of the stick, and though she was right, she too gave herself the short ends.There were only two things missing from this book (IMHO): 1. a solid mention of Phyllis’s grand wardrobe transformation in the mid-80s. Cassandra McShepard’s royalty inspired designs perfectly framed Phyllis's statuesque figure. Her clothing switch at the start of the “Living All Alone” era definitely aided in more visibility. (I had read that Phyllis was told that she must distinguish herself from the crowd, so she hired the young Ms. McShepard as her fashion designer - clever decision btw!) 2. thorough proof-reading. The writing was spectacular and the book was definitely proofread and edited. However, it could have been cleaned up a tad more. Besides what’s missing in the book, I found the cover photo to be unflattering and doesn’t do this statuesque Queen with runway looks much justice. Phyllis took some stunning photos in her time and was naturally photogenic, so I scratched my head at why that particular picture was chosen. Still, these small infractions are hardly distractions and shouldn’t deter anyone from reading this book and supporting the author.Mr. Michael did justice to Phyllis by not painting her as a saint or a sinner without reason. He simply told a vivid story of an immensely talented woman struggling with her mental health. I wish Phyllis received more freedom and respect from her record labels. I wish Phyllis had learned to love herself and respect others (especially her staff.) I wish Phyllis would have maintained long-term treatment. It’s sad that she couldn’t understand her full potential. (I guess it just came too easy for her.) It’s even sadder that she doesn’t hold a rightful place amongst the music greats. Phyllis should have won multiple Grammys (or at least given a Lifetime Grammy) and other top tier music awards AND she should have won that Tony! I hope one day soon she will receive a proper tribute on a music awards show like BET. (She showed the Network a lot of love during its Video Soul heyday.) If there is ever a biopic on Ms. Hyman I would be the first to watch!

Reviewer: Mr. J
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Wowwww
Review: All I can say is WOWWWWwwwww. This book blew my away. I am a Phyllis Hyman die hard fan. Lucky to be born in an era to witness the greatness of this woman. After reading the book, I was enlightened to another side of her that I was unaware of. At some point in the book, she actually pissed me off, but I still love her just the same. This is truly a fascinating story of Phyllis that exposes her dark side as well as demonstrating her uncompromising integrity as an artist and person. Just might have to read this book again. It really reads like a never ending story. Wish she was still here. Wish Marvin was still here. Wish Teddy was still here. Her and Teddy would have created a masterpiece of a duet. Check her out on YouTube with Grover Washington, Jr. - Sacred Kind of Love...………… Get this book, enjoy it.

Reviewer: Lynnette215
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Strength of a woman book review
Review: I love Phyllis Hyman I love her music I met her in person she's was even more beautiful.I told her so..this book gives real insight on the legendary charismatic singer and actress. This book digs deep into her life how she became a singer and her battles with bipolar,food and drug addiction. Her highs and lows. She was so amazing she should've been as big as Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston. I was heart broken when she took her life. I admire her because she fought for what she wanted.Clive Davis didn't want her to do sophisticated ladies but she did any way she was great in that Broadway show she was nominated for a Tony award.there will never be any one like her

Reviewer: Yvette
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Well written book
Review: I had been waiting to purchase this book for a very long time. Everytime I would be ready to buy it the price would get higher because it was out of print. Needless to say it was finally brought back into print by Amazon and I was able to purchase it at a very reasonable price. I read it over a weekend and it was a good read. Very well written and researched. I was able to finally see what Phyllis Hyman was really like-warts and all. I liked that it took us through every single one of her albums and what it was like as she was recording them. The only thing that is a drawback is that some of her personal life is not delved into enough. The book does go into detail about her relationships with her siblings, relationships with men, and her team. However, we do not get an indepth report about these including her relationships with women. One relationship with a woman is detailed but it is still lacking details as to if Phyllis was a lesbian or if she just had the one relationship with this woman and-if so-why her? Other than that once you finish reading the book you are more knowledgeable about her than you would have been otherwise. It is a great glimpse into the 80s R&B scene also. Thank God for this book because it is the only in depth reporting of her life you will get- at least at this time. I'm even thinking of getting it is a gift for family members who may want a copy because we all loved Phyllis' unique voice/sound growing up and are great fans of hers. While we all know how the book will end it is still fascinating to still get to know the woman behind the music.

Reviewer: W. Deason
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: It's Hard to Put Down
Review: I'm loving this book. I've always been a huge fan of Phyllis Hyman's and this book has answered a lot of questions. I appreciate the honesty. We are all flawed beings and sometimes those close to the people being written about want to protect the legacy or the reputation of their loved ones but I don't think anything divulged in this book will tarnish Phyllis' legacy. She was an undeniable talent and beauty. I think this biography will serve as a catalyst to something greater for those of us that love Phyllis. A movie should be made about her life. Too many people don't know who she was and it's time that we change that. She needs to be recognized.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Excellent
Review: The author is a great writer. I was hooked from beginning to end. A beautiful tribute to an amazing artist.

Reviewer: Craig Cudworth
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A beautiful book about the late song stylist Phyllis Hyman who won a legion of fans with her captivating voice. She recorded on Buddah, Arista and PIR records and left us way too soon tragically to suicide. I am sure fans and music lovers will thoroughly appreciate this book.

Reviewer: C. Austin
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Was very fortunate to see Phyllis perform in London in the 80s. A fantastic voice and talent that left us too soon. The book is a most for any fan. A troubled life that unfortunately had an inevitable end. RIP Phyllis Hyman.

Reviewer: Mr. S. Bush
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Reprinted after being unavailable for many years this excellent 'warts and all' biography is essential reading, not just for Phyllis Hyman fans but for anyone interested in the stresses and strains of the music industry and how not to deal with these when suffering from a mental illness. Hyman was - in my opinion - the finest singer ever to grace the world of contemporary music. Jazz, soul, blues, R'n'B, pop, she excelled in every way. Fortunately she left behind a tremendous body of music for us to enjoy. The manner of her passing was sad, but clearly predictable given her fragile mental state and the difficulties this caused her and those around her. Jason A. Michael's book is far from hagiographic, and some may find the story of her decline rather harrowing, but it is very well told with much detail and many revealing insights from family, friends and colleagues. Highly recommended.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I always wanted to. Know the facts about this great lady this book covers all aspects of her life I would recommend you buy this book