Little Pretties Raise Their Hands?

Not at the NYT, which pans the new -- and surprisingly bestselling book -- by Clarence Clemons, the "Big Man" of the song and book title. It's an entertaining review at least which blames the as-told-to author.

I met Clarence 38 years ago this coming Monday when Peter Knobler and I of Crawdaddy attended the E Street Band's first real gig -- at Sing Sing prison. Peter and I were the only rock journos to show up for this promo run, before Greetings from Asbury Park came out. We were so knocked out we soon published a 10,000 word piece on Bruce--the very first national magazine piece about him that helped launch his career. Clarence was a good guy, knew him for years (Peter even managed him for a spell), always warm, although he pretty much kept to himself back home. Good times.