“I surprised myself when it was the middle of the night and I was gripped by Barry Finnerty's memoir of hard times in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen and the challenges of the music sub-culture. There were scenes where I felt I was right there with the author, and his ability to draw the reader in was truly striking. In addition to articulating the struggle of the jazz musician life, there were also marvelous "laugh out loud" moments of outrageous humor. I would have liked to have learned more about the woman who loved him and also found myself wanting to know more about Barry's times with the legendary jazz musician Miles Davis. Perhaps there will be a sequel? I hope so and strongly recommend this unique work.”

“This book is a very entertaining read and the audio book version is even better. The author manages to keep his sardonic, cynical and sarcastic sense of humor as he plows through the grind of the NYC jazz music world. His descriptions of the characters that inhabit his life, from drug dealers and musicians to hookers, to Miles Davis and even NYC deli owners really ring true for anyone familiar with New York City. The book flows nicely and is a real journey for the reader through nightclubs, concert halls, catering halls and recording studios, a landscape unfamiliar to those of us who are not professional musicians. The book also highlights the differences between those musicians who create their music just for money, just to survive and support themselves and treat it as a job and an occupation. Barry contrasts that to the musicians (like himself) who are truly artists and creators and play their music to express themselves and take people where they may not have gone before. A great read for anyone interested in the music business, jazz and living in New York City!”