Author:Joe Banks
Peter Hammill’s career now stretches back over almost sixty long years, during which he has made over twenty albums with VDGG and more than thirty solo records. This weighty volume, clocking it at over five hundred pages, takes an in depth look at the work of this visionary musician, providing an intimate portrait of both the artist and the man himself. In this assiduous examination, the author dissects the work of this maverick who very rarely repeats himself, delving into the underlying inspiration for the music as well as the end results on record. The book focuses primarily on his years on the Charisma label in the 70s, but does include a brief look at the following years, along with many previously unseen photographs. It’s certainly an impressive and immersive read, with plenty of interviews with collaborators and contemporaries, and the fact that the whole thing is beautifully presented on top quality glossy paper is the icing on the cake. This thoughtful study, very detailed and yet still highly readable, is a fitting tribute to this imaginative far sighted artist, a true musical pioneer and iconoclast, and provides a thorough and nuanced critical appreciation of his work.
Length of Read:Long
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
With its great combination of biography and deep dive critical analysis, this book makes a super accompaniment to the recently released career spanning box set.
One thing you’ve learned
The anorak level of detail on show here means that fans of the man and his music will need to own this.
Already on my Christmas list. I can’t claim to love absolutely everything he’s put out over the years (er…he is, as you know, hugely prolific!) but the majority of his records send a shiver down the spine. His voice, lyrics and the overall urge to push the boundaries of what ‘rock’ music can achieve are all outstanding. I note in a recent interview that, although Bowie was a fan, he was also slightly wary and competitive (informing his management company to send him all of Hammill’s new recordings) and, in this light- even though I love most of the Dame’s stuff too- it’s tempting to see Hammill as the experimental wing of Bowie but without the impulse to chase a tune. And a hit of course…
Interesting comment on Hammill’s relationship with Bowie. I’ve read on here (and elsewhere) that Hammill was guilty of copying Bowie – a cursory look at the timelines would suggest that it was the other way round (although I’m not suggesting, etc).
I bought the book – let’s face it, no one was going to buy me it for Christmas – but I haven’t started it yet. Book of the Year for me, I think…
The Bowie thing emerged in a recent Word in your Attic podcast with Heppy and Ellen. It’s on You Tube but pardon my technical crapness at not being able to post a link as I’m typing this on my phone!
Ta, I’ll seek it out.
Seek no longer….
Huzzah! Thanks, Bargey!