Conversational tone of both Turner's memoirs is not an accident - tailored after series of interviews, they are results of what co-authors probably recorded and later re-arranged into "books" but where in 1986. Kurt Loder peppered his text with other witnesses testimonies, this time Deborah Davis and Dominik Wichmann (both curiously absent from the book cover) decided to quote lady herself exclusively - this gives the book a certain charm and authenticity but in a way it also means that the format of conversation keeps everything mainly lightweight. Fans and readers familiar with 1986. "I, Tina" will find lots of things repeated, while second part of the book - which is supposed to be update of what was going on after 1986. - focuses on Turner's lifestyle, clothes, favourite fashion designers and her many houses. Back in 1980s Turner herself mentioned that she would love to one day write a sequel with her take on serious issues, wisdom and spirituality but we get none of it here - curiously, there is almost nothing about the music, collaborations or even how or why specific material was selected but we get chapters about her wedding, bridesmaids and such. Giorgio Armani and Sophia Loren. Surely, she had worked hard and deserves all the luxury, her delight in house arranging and exquisite furniture is all very nice but honestly there isn't a thing here that could not be found in glossy magazines that cover lifestyles of jet set. We know she hangs out with millionaires on yachts, goes for dinners and fashion shows. Fine.
Reminiscences about Ike Turner were not so earth-shattering as we knew this from before - no matter how far she removed herself (and she moved to Europe basically to make sure they will never meet again) scars are deep and unforgettable. Interestingly, it seems she never forgave her mother - "She was a spoiled little girl who grew up to be a spoiled adult." The relationship with sons is glossed over - she is very much adored by millions of fans who would rather not stop and think what kind of person leaves her sons behind and moves to another part of the world with a new lover. Sure, they were financially taken care of but from a distance. You might say they were all grown ups and deserved their own path in life, however if you read between the lines there is a certain firmness that she inherited from Zelma and maybe its not coincidental. It even occurred to me that Turner is more similar to her mother than she cares to admit.
Later in the book come the serious health issues and this is interesting part because Turner was always such a strong presence that it seems almost impossible that age will finally catch up with her and the moment she retires, her body falls apart. Could it be that all these years of punishing tours actually keep her healthy? Perhaps strong self-discipline and determination pulled her trough the decades of performing but once she hang out her dancing shoes, there was one life threatening health scare after another - interestingly, she managed to keep it private until this book was published. I genuinely like her and feel a strange kinship with her (perhaps the only celebrity that strikes me as real person) but I also understand that public clamour for "just one more tour" is unrealistic since she is obviously a frail old lady now and pictures taken during recent Broadway opening show that she was constantly gently supported by people around her.
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