Just A Few Seconds: A Story from the Hidden World of Music and Beyond

Nemo James
Derek Newark Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9780956798602
Reviewed by Joseph Yurt for Reader Views (5/11)

 

“We all have patterns in our lives that repeat themselves constantly.” Nemo James

His teacher knew it. The carefree, young boy named Derek Newark, who would later in life become many things, including Nemo James, who recently penned his quirky autobiography, “Just A Few Seconds,” was a most impetuous five-year-old. When it was his turn to share with the class what his parents had told him of their wedding day, he jumped up from his desk and blurted out “My mom and dad were married in Italy. It was very hot. The priest needed a shave. The church was very big and my mum wore a parachute. After the wedding a policeman took my dad to prison.” Impetuousness, and all of its side effects, has most definitely been a repetitious pattern in the life of Nemo James.

Who is Nemo James? No one you know. Or, then again, perhaps you know of him. Most of us can certainly relate to him, or parts of him. As well as his aforementioned impetuousness, James has followed his dreams with a passion. When he does finally manage to take his dreams to new heights, someone or something is there to push them right off the edge. Sound a bit like you and me?

While the relateability and humor of “Just A Few Seconds” made the book an enjoyable read for me, it was the author’s quirkiness, coupled with what I call the “autobiography blog/social media memoir” approach to these genres that made this book a surprise. But make no mistake, this book is as serious as it is humorous and James is as intelligent as he is childlike.

James’ life, in a word, has been a mishmash.  His story spans the more than thirty years he spent pursuing his passionate dream of becoming a professional musician. All along the way, his struggle to stay afloat financially continually sidetracked his musical pursuit, resulting in a patchwork quilt of twisting, turning life lessons and often unbelievable endings and new beginnings. James is open, almost eager, in his willingness to “tell all,” amusingly and respectfully, about his own shortcomings and those of the people who have mattered in both his personal and professional life. He is an engaging story teller, and his writing skillfully blends humor and pathos.

A repeating pattern that appears throughout “Just A Few Seconds” is created by the seemingly endless episodes of impetuous behavior that have characterized the life of Nemo James. Reading “Just A Few Seconds” was like having drinks with a carefree, old friend who never grew up, and catching up on his latest dreams and schemes. I wish I could have that conversation, although I would feel obligated to pick up the tab just in case he was a little short at the moment. But then, when he hit it big, I would have my own Nemo James story to tell. I know I would love that conversation because I loved the book.

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