Jancee Dunn “But Enough About Me…” Review
Typically I try to shy away from such adages as those who can’t, teach, if for no other reason than such sayings are fairly offensive to teachers. Not to say I’ve historically been a proponent of teachers, but in general I have a warm feeling of genuineness when I think of the profession – for the most part, I imagine teachers’ hearts to be in the right place (at least during the beginning of their careers). Enough about that though, as my focus here is to describe this unique memoir – that of one time Rolling Stone journalist Jancee Dunn. So here goes: those who can’t do, teach (sorry teachers), and somewhat accordingly – those who can’t rock, write about rock stars. While Dunn proposes late in her story that “being hip was a full-time job, and I was only a part-timer” she neglects to touch on the flip side of such a coin; her writing (no matter her un-rock and/or hip the inner-Jancee is) oozes charm and seduces the reader into believing that they’re just catching up with an old friend as the chapters pass by.
So few people have the ability to live their dreams, and Enough About Me is wholeheartidly refreshing in that it doesn’t leave a residue of jealousy after reading it. Rather, a feeling of relief, something along the lines of “I’m glad that worked out.” In between recollections ranging from Scott Weiland teasing her with heroin to Loretta Lynn doing the same with homemade fudge Dunn maintains her composure and ability to expand on her experiences without losing sight of her subjects as actual human being (even Rosie O’Donnell).
A Jersey native, Dunn found her position in the big city at Rolling Stone through through a chance encounter – and by her own account took advantage of every opportunity that approached her. Lucky enough to have crafted her abilities while working for Rolling Stone to a point where she could transition her career into another medium Dunn was ready when MTV2 came knocking, VJ hunting for their new channel. The “I’m glad that worked out” feeling doesn’t come from relief that finally – someone who works hard got somewhere!, but rather the honesty that’s expressed throughout her story.
Dunn’s family, like most people’s families, is expressed as being a nagging source of adolescent grief throughout her youth. Can I empathize with that? Who can’t? But as she grew older, maturing, so too did her relationship with her parents – maturing into, well, an actual relationship. Rocky romances, surreal jobs and fascinating stories aside, But Enough About Me works because it shows the genuine growth of someone who was in a position where she didn’t have to grow. A rock & roll lifestyle is, after all, a seductive thing to pass up.
Amuse me again if you will: those who can’t (explicitly) teach write books, and surprisingly Dunn’s memoir is a session of timeless stories of celebrity self realization that succeeds in that it makes things feel like life is working out. Or at least until you turn the news back on.
