Author:Richard Butterworth, Alan Draper, Robert Day-Webb
I’m still very fond of The Pretenders, especially the first five albums which is the era covered by this very readable potted history of the band. Their 1980 debut still stands up today and subsequent records were all of a high standard, if not perhaps quite attaining the same level of sexy sassy swagger. As is well documented, the band was to suffer some tragic losses, but carried on regardless and continued to make some great music. These essential albums are delved into song by song with plenty of in depth analysis alongside the story of what was happening in the ranks, which is precisely what you want from a book like this. A very well put together effort compiled by a serious and knowledgeable fan.
Original Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips is a name that perhaps isn’t that well known to those outside his circle of fans. Having departed after the Trespass album, he eventually embarked on a prolific solo career of mostly instrumental music, often working as something of a cottage industry. working at his own pace in his own time. Nevertheless, he managed to produce no fewer than 15 albums in the period covered by this book, plus a further three that were recorded but not released until much later in his career – and even that phenomenal work rate still only takes us to 1990, 35 years ago! The Geese and The Ghost, his debut recording, is still perhaps the most well loved of his albums, but there have been others well worth investigating, including his most successful effort Slow Dance from 1990 and the ongoing Private Parts and Pieces series. In more recent times, he’s been the subject of a very good reissue campaign with expanded versions of his albums appearing at regular intervals from his huge and varied back catalogue, covering not just his more rock oriented work, but also his music for TV and films, with a range of styles from pop to electronica to pastoral folk. If you’re a fan, then you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained in this well put together deep dive into his extensive body of work, and who knows we may one day get a second volume bringing the story up to date.
Iggy & The Stooges is the first title in a new series of shorter On Track books aimed at artists with smaller outputs. This one covers the five albums that were released over the band’s storied career, the three most essential titles of course being the ones released in the late sixties and early seventies. A near three decade hiatus followed before the band eventually reconvened in the early 2000’s, with two more records appearing – a case of the band’s absence from the scene enhancing their legacy and influence. The passing of Ron Asheton in 2009 and then his brother Scott in 2014 led to the final cessation of the band’s activities. This is a brief but captivating read that covers in depth the early output and the comeback albums of this seminal band whose enduring legacy still continues to influence countless other bands.
Length of Read:Short
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
The work of these artists.
One thing you’ve learned
There’s always more to discover!
Thanks for that, I’ll be getting the Pretenders one. Their gig at the Palladium last year was unexpectedly outstanding – James Walbourne in particular is a worthy heir to the great Jimmy Honeyman-Scott.
I’ll have every one of those Anthony Phillips albums covered. There is a part of me that is intrigued by what can be said about the many instrumental snippets scattered over the Private Parts and Pieces albums. I think I gave up having a clue about all the track names around PP&P4. Nonetheless, he’s an artist that is like comfort food to me; I return again and again.
A point I meant to make in the review was that it can’t be easy to write about instrumental after instrumental and to try and capture their sound and feel in words on a page.
As regards titles, I usually disregard them as I find it impossible to keep track and just focus on enjoying the music.