Author:Ron Geesin
Subtitled ‘The Making of Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother’, this is the long awaited large format paperback edition of this book which originally appeared in hardback form way back in 2013.
As the title suggests, it deals with the creation of the Floyd piece Atom Heart Mother, on which the author closely collaborated with the band. Sadly, there’s no input from the band members themselves other than a brief wry foreword by the ever obliging Nick Mason, but Geesin tells the story very well by himself, and this edition adds a post Covid closing chapter dealing with current and upcoming performances of the piece. Having worked with Roger Waters on The Body project, Geesin was a natural choice when the band wanted to add something different, namely orchestration and a choir, to the piece then known as The Amazing Pudding, which they’d already been honing for a few months in their live shows. There follows a very interesting and comprehensive technical and musical breakdown of the track and the recording process, accompanied by lots of well reproduced and rare photos of the sessions – indeed the whole book is printed on glossy high quality paper and is a really nice thing to own. The story then moves forward thirty years to look at more recent performances of this music, particularly the 2008 show featuring David Gilmour. Throughout, the author recounts his vivid memories of the time in a witty style that is still very detailed and informative, and gives the ultimate and definitive chapter and verse on the recording of this epic track. The music may not have aged too well to some ears (including the band’s it seems), but it’s still one of my favourites from that very early seventies era of the Floyd repertoire. A first class read for fans of the band that has been beautifully and lovingly put together by the author, to whom this music obviously still means great deal.
Length of Read:Short
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
Pink Floyd’s music.
One thing you’ve learned
The book deals with only side one of the album as Geesin wasn’t involved in the songs on the second side – if you’re not familiar with it, have a listen as there’s some classic Floyd on there, including Summer ’68, If and Fat Old Sun.
Moose the Mooche says
First live performance was, I think, at Hull University.
The three (real) songs on side two are magnificent – Floyd at their absolute best.
fitterstoke says
Under-rated overall, I think – maybe it loses out in comparison with Meddle (similar format) but, on its own terms…
It has a kind of pastoral wistfulness or melancholy – I don’t know whether the band’s memory of the recording difficulties have coloured their view of the piece, but I’ve always loved it (I even like APB!).
Moose the Mooche says
The orchestra are not properly synched with PF and once you know that I don’t think you can properly enjoy it.
Mind you….
Late 1993 I’m on a bus pulling out of Nottingham Victoria station and I’m listening to AHM for the first time, having taken it out of the leisure library of the city, which was the Pirate Bay of its day.
When the mighty organ of Rick Wright penetrated (hurr) I thought, I fkin looooove Pink Floyd.
Pessoa says
This is my ‘guilty pleasure’ of PF albums: side one is preposterous, but I do enjoy the Geesin input.
fitterstoke says
Nothing guilty about it, I’m sure…
retropath2 says
Love it. Side 1 is my fave Flyd. Then Echoes.
garyt says
I watched an interesting YouTube reaction video of a composer whose only exposure to PF went back as far as DSOTM, listening to the title track. To say he was taken aback would be an understatement.
Leffe Gin says
I do enjoy the Daily Doug, and this was one of his best yet.
Moose the Mooche says
Shouldn’t it be the Daily (Funky) Dung?
Vince Black says
32:20 well spent! I love that track and watching him hear it for the first time was entertaining as well as informative
Twang says
I think it’s a brilliant album. Not bothered about the book but I rebought it on 180g vinyl last year so I’ll be giving that a spin.
Moose the Mooche says
It is. Play it loud.
Best bacon sounds in a rock’n’roll context ever.
fitterstoke says
Marmalade, I like marmalade…
Rigid Digit says
I like Bread
fitterstoke says
It don’t matter to me…