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Mojo
'Near-definitive'
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'This book is a great gossipy read that all fans will love' UNCUT 'Hard for fans to resist' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'I approached this book with the same attitude I would the new Jackie Collins: it was to be devoured beside the swimming pool like a box of soft centres. I wasn't disappointed' Julie Burchill, GUARDIAN
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book tries to be the 'Easy Riders Raging Bulls' of the New York mid-70s to mid-80s music scene. It shares with that title a strange, matter-of-fact style, making fairly outre statements and presenting them as if they were obvious facts. But if you can take the attitude, it's a fascinating read, marking out the Talking Heads story as a battle of wills between singer/lyricist/guitarist David Byrne and bassist Tina Weymouth. Essentially, this is an excuse to be very gossipy about a wide variety of very interesting people, from Twyla Tharp through Toni Basil, Brian Eno, Madonna, David Bowie and Chris Blackwell. Indeed, there are many stories here which you won't have heard before even if you've read lots of music books, surely a recommendation in itself. As the late Tony Wilson said, when in doubt whether to print the myth or the truth, always go for the myth, something David Bowman has clearly taken to heart. It may be true to say that he isn't always very interested in the Heads as a musical force - indeed, he makes a few irritating errors when discussing David Byrne's compositions - but he sure knows what makes the reader tick. The same themes emerge again and again as the group's popularity increases; jealousy, money worries, writer's block, authorship, artistic 'credibility'...
One wonders whether Byrne or Weymouth are still on speaking terms with Bowman or each other after this, but in a weird way there's no higher recommendation than that.
One wonders whether Byrne or Weymouth are still on speaking terms with Bowman or each other after this, but in a weird way there's no higher recommendation than that.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Bowman's book maps the early years, the huge worldwide success and eventual breakup of this talented band Talking Heads. Book One deals with Byrne and Weymouth's early years (Byrne's first band was called Revelation) and how the band came together. They began as New Wave art rockers who understood soul music. This part also covers the scene at the famous New York clubs CBGB's and Max's Kansas City, including interactions with other famous musicians like Patti Smith and John Cale - for example an interesting account of a John Cale gig at Lower Manhattan's Ocean Club. Book Two includes the account of the recording of More Songs About Buildings And Food with Brian Eno at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, discussions of the albums Fear Of Music and Remain In Light, a quote from the respected rock critic Lester Bangs on the song The Big Country, the involvement of Adrian Belew with the band, Twyla Tharp as choreographer, Byrne and Eno's influential album My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts, Weymouth an Frantz's solo project Tom Tom Club and much more. Book Three deals with Little Creatures, True Stories and the conflict between Byrne and Weymouth that led to the demise of the band and concludes with a bibliography and notes, a discography, filmography and index. Black and white photographs enliven the text. Bowman's book is filled with incidents, rock personalities and musical insights and reads like a novel. Highly recommended to all who still enjoy the music of this unique band.
Format:Paperback
if you hate the Tom Tom Club and think Tina was the worst think about the 'Heads then read this book. Bowman has a weird misogynistic vendetta against Tina.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
And that's being generous...
Quite simply this is the worst book on American music I've ever read. Avoid it and spend your money on the upcoming remastered CD/DVDs.
Published on 13 Jan 2006 by Amie's_Bar
Desperately disappointing
Talking Heads need a proper biographer. I was once a crazed fan, and still own two previous efforts - David Gans' picture-heavy quickie job, which looked great but had been... Read more
Published on 11 May 2004 by lexo1941
Hmmm...
...well he doesn't like Tina Weymouth much. I'm never sure about rock biographies. They're usually poorly written and this is no exception (Scottish readers will be interested to... Read more
Published on 26 Dec 2003
A music bio from someone who doesn't like music
David Bowman would clearly prefer not to write about a rock band. He is much more keen on comparing Talking Heads to artists, dancers, filmakers and writers and their involvement... Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2002 by "emccusker"
ok not great commentry on a band
fa fa fa is the story of the talking heads - a deserving subject for a biography ? perhaps perhaps not . Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2001 by alwaystwirling@aol.com
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