Saved by a Song

Although I never met Mary Gauthier, I ate many meals at her Boston restaurant Dixie Kitchen. Then, years after I’d moved away from Boston, I learned she had become a songwriter and I became a big fan of her Mercy Now release. Months ago, I happened to find her doing a livestream performance. I sent a note that I still missed my favorite meal, and she knew all the sides which came as part of it. Fun.

Those were my reasons for reading her memoir, and the chapters which discussed that period of her life and how songs which I knew were written were my favorite parts of the book. I hadn’t realized she’d had such a tough life, but she seems to have overcome her troubled past and addictions well. Good for those seeking inspiration, both for songwriting and dealing with personal issues.

Thanks to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

As a music lover, I thought I'd long known the power of music and how it can affect one's life. it turns out that I had no idea how truly powerful music is until I read this book. Stunningly good.

I was not expecting this book. As a songwriter, I was looking for maybe some tips on writing and process. What I got was a memoir from a songwriter about how songs saved her both before and after she started writing them. Mary Gauthier was a successful chef/restauranteur when she entered recovery from addiction and found release in songwriting. Her journey is told through the songs she wrote and the songs she loved, and she inspired my songwriting more than any of the how to books have.

I've been a fan of Mary Gauthier's music for many years, and have been lucky to see her perform many times in small, intimate clubs throughout New England. Now I'm a fan of her prose. Like "Bird By Bird" by Anne Lamott, "Saved by a Song" is as much a guide to life as it is a guide to writing. Part memoir, part breakdown of the songwriting process, and part example of how to live honestly and fully, this was a powerful and moving book. Especially inspiring was her discussion of her recent work with Songwriting With Soldiers, a program that pairs veterans and their families with songwriters during weekend retreats to produce songs about their experience. She is steadfast in her belief that songs can transform both the songwriter and the listener, and if you'll give her a listen she'll make a believer out of you as well.

This book was received as an ARC from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Out of all of the books I got a chance to review, no book has ever impacted me the hardest as Saved by a Song. All of us know the power of music and how it has the ability to heal and shape our lives and future and for Mary it definitely was a journey she will never forget. I did recognize some of the songs she mentioned in the book but the one that stood out to me and brought back so many good memories was Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls. Reading the chapter and playing the song in my head just brought a smile to my face and I could not believe how much happier it made me and because of that, I know I will have a much better day. No matter the struggle and no matter the hardship, songs will always help ease the process.

We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Saved By A Song
The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting
by: Mary Gauthier
reviewer: Jennifer S. Smith

Acclaimed musical artist and singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier has written a powerfully poignant memoir about her personal journeys through both life and the process of songwriting. As a lover of music, I was immediately captured in her prologue, as she simply, yet eloquently and profoundly described what songwriting means to her. Her honesty in revealing details about herself was quickly apparent as she mentioned that she did not finish high or college, and that she was not a student of music. I could see, however, that she was profoundly passionate about her craft and wanted to share it through intimate stories about songwriting, performing and pivotal times in her life. Her music could be described as Folk or Americana, but whatever the label, her songs are filled with truth, hurt, honesty, and redemption. Mary always writes about subjects that matter to her, covering topics such as Aids and diversity.
The book is divided into thirteen units, each beginning with lyrics to songs written by Mary, her songwriting partners, or those who have influenced her, such as John Prine. After each song, Mary then ties each one in to time periods in her life and career, many of which along the way were filled with turmoil, confusion, and doubt. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, she was adopted from an orphanage as an infant. Just as her songs are real and raw, so are her descriptions of family life, arrest, addiction, rehab, recovery, the search for her birth mother, and research about adoption. Her life story touches on her early career in the food industry and her early appearances at open mics in coffee houses as she began writing songs, performing, and making connections with other songwriters. Her accomplished career eventually led her to make connections with wounded warriors, through projects pairing them with songwriters, thus showing firsthand the transformational effect of songs on lives.
Mary's insight and descriptions of the power of lyrics, words, and songs make this a five-star book for me. I appreciated her truthfulness in telling her life stories. She pushed through life's challenges until she found her voice. Now she shares and gives back through teaching and encouraging. Music lovers, as well as songwriters and musical artists of all genres will find inspiration and support through Mary's writing, and in her belief that songs truly can heal, repair, and save us.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Essentials for the Advanced Reader Copy of this insightful memoir by Mary Gauthier.
#NetGalley

SAVED BY A SONG is a gritty, raw, honest account of one women’s quest to let art heal her. This is both memoir and how-to, with real examples of different versions her songs went through as she wrestled to make them as simple and clear as they needed to be. She keeps the story going at breakneck pace, and you can feel the urgency coming off the page. I’ve never read a book quite like this before. This is a story of someone fighting to live in absolute truth, even when she wasn’t always sure what that was.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In Saved by a Song, the author shares the songs and the stories behind them. A memoir of her life with tips on writing songs and making them the best they can be. I enjoyed reading her stories and her processes. The layout was fabulous.