Carey

Genesis of the Song

By: Cary Raditz

Narrated by: Cary Wingfield Raditz

Cary Raditz’s book Carey: Genesis of the Song, is not just an intimate and surprising portrait of Joni Mitchell at the very point she became famous—it is a front-line account of a time, place and attitude that have passed into legend. This is the story of a man who found himself trapped in a song, and the extraordinary events that led up to it.

©2023 Cary W Raditz (P)2025 Cary W Raditz

A Deep Storytelling and Narrative Insight

This story unfolds as a vivid and deeply human account of Cary’s own journey, a man whose life, long before and far beyond a song, has been defined by curiosity, courage, and a refusal to live within the ordinary.

In this beautifully written and spoken reflection, Raditz traces the winding paths that led him from the structured world of early ambition to the wild, uncharted landscapes of Crete, India, and beyond. His words carry the cadence of a traveler who has seen not just places, but people, who has listened to the world as if it were an instrument of its own making. Each chapter feels like a note in a greater composition of self-discovery and belonging.

What makes this story so captivating isn’t fame by proximity, but the honesty of a man who wandered without knowing why, only to find that the journey itself was the destination. Through humor, humility, and lyrical reflection, Raditz reminds us that the richest lives are not planned, but lived, that if you want to get somewhere, any road will take you.

“Carey: Genesis of the Song” is not simply a companion to a musical legend; it is a standalone testament to the power of experience, the grace of chance, and the rare beauty of a life fully embraced.

Wow! So much adventure!

I loved this book! It was way more than just about Carey’s interaction with Joni Mitchell. The book felt like a time capsule and intimate (very intimate!) look inside the counter culture adventures of the late 60’s/early 70’s….back when one could travel by hitchhiking, sleep in a cave and live on $5 a day plus your wits in Kabul! It was a time of rebellion, rambling, spiritual and personal breakthroughs for Carey and I was sorry it ended before I found out how the hell he eventually became an international banker, for chrissakes! Yes, being a fan of Joni Mitchell, I was curious about her creative process and their relationship certainly adds a lot of interesting detail and depth to his life. Through her he crossed paths with several eventual rock icons, but this tale is truly about him and how he listened to his heart, trusted his soul and let his instincts guide him to each new swashbuckling sojourn. Of course, you may be jealous that you didn’t do “all that” as a kid and take more risks – I know I am! His voice with its soft North Carolina accent settles into a meditation at times as his vivid descriptions keep you engaged and curious. Curious. That is the word that probably describes him best here. If some producer or director doesn’t snap this book up for a movie, they’re seriously missing out!

Listening to Carey read by Cary Raditz.

Listening to Carey

In a previous review, I wrote “occasionally, not often enough, a book comes along that disrupts your daily routine” by making you spend time reading instead of doing what you should be doing. Carey is one of those books.

Now, I am listening to Carey, the book on Audible.

Why would I listen to an audiobook I have already read?

Well, it is the difference between listening to Joni Mitchell sing her song “Carey” from her Blue album and simply reading her lyrics.

Take William Faulkner, for example. Faulkner is difficult to read. His “stream of consciousness” writing, often using long sentences where the subject is dislocated from the verb, Faulkner can be tough to read.

But listening to a Faulkner novel read by Grover Gardner is an entirely different experience than reading it.

By listening to “Carey” you pick up more insight into the author and the story.

Listening to Cary Raditz read his own writing, by hearing his voice inflections, his degree of emotion, adds to the experience.

The book “Carey”is not just about Joni Mitchell, it is that - but also the early 1970’s and what it was like to backpack across the United States and Europe.

It is an odyssey, a personal journey of discovery, indulgence and changing perceptions by reflection, a descriptive book, a real account not only of things that happened, but more importantly, how Cary thinks about what is happening to him.

Cary is frank, honest, at times costly to himself, by being honest in one’s artistic expression.

It is this quality that makes it a compelling
listen.

What a captivating saga

When the book Carey Genesis of the Song first became available last year on Amazon-i couldn’t wait to read it, I was pulled in by the very first chapter. Cary Raditz’s has written such a captivating story following his journey and wild adventures as a young vagabond traveler in the ‘70’s often with only pennies in his pocket. Cary allows you to peek into his personal world and his surprising meeting & relationship with singer Joni Mitchell- but there is oh so much more than just that part of his story to entertain the reader (or listener) and keep you intrigued and always eager to get to the next page. Now that it is available through Audible it is really a treat to be able to hear Cary tell his story in his own voice allowing the listener to live vicariously through his often humorous, wild and highly entertaining adventures.

A Wonderful Moving Trip Back to the 60's 70's

I absolutely loved this book. I was transfixed once I began listening. You can tell it is Cary's story. There is a definite connection that you can feel as he reads his words. And the story is a captivating series of events from North Carolina to San Francisco to Greece and other places. It was road trip to end all road trips -- with plenty of sex and drugs and rock and roll. But it is not just that. There are ups and downs -- but mostly wonderful adventures, some of which could have ended badly but didn't. And of course the mixture of celebrity appearences makes these trips even more appealing to read. You know who some of the characters are. One of the most touching moments comes towards the end with Cary's grandmother. I had never listened to an audio book before this and was wondering if I would like it. I DID!!!!! The only thing I didn't like was the it cost me some sleep. I could not turn it off. Steve Futterman