Under The Ivy: The Life and Music of Kate Bush
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Product Description
Review
...an exhaustive and engaging account of Bush's career. --Metro
Thomson's descriptive language is gorgeous. --The Word
Thomson's book sheds a light on the women behind the inspiration of many a modern-day chanteuse. --Nme
[A] compelling examination of her music... --Mojo
Thomson's book sheds a light on the women behind the inspiration of many a modern-day chanteuse. --Nme
Thomson's descriptive language is gorgeous. --The Word
Thomson's book sheds a light on the women behind the inspiration of many a modern-day chanteuse. --Nme
[A] compelling examination of her music... --Mojo
Thomson's book sheds a light on the women behind the inspiration of many a modern-day chanteuse. --Nme
Product Description
This is the first ever in-depth study of Kate Bush's life and career. "Under the Ivy" features over 70 unique and revealing new interviews with those who have viewed from up close both the public artist and the private woman: old school friends, early band mates, long-term studio collaborators, former managers, producers, musicians, video directors, dance instructors and record company executives. "Under the Ivy" undertakes a full analysis of Bush's art. From her pre-teen forays into poetry, through scores of unreleased songs. Every crucial aspect of her music is discussed from her ground-breaking series of albums to her solo live tour. Her pioneering forays into dance, video, film and performance. Combining a wealth of new research with rigorous critical scrutiny, "Under the Ivy" offers a string of fresh insights and perspectives on her unusual upbringing in South London, the blossoming of her talent, her enduring influences and unique working methods, her rejection of live performance, her pioneering use of the studio, her key relationships and her gradual retreat into a semi-mythical privacy.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I loved this book.
Graeme Thomson deserves a huge amount of credit for not only conducting some (useful and insightful) research and interviews with key people, but for sculpting his work into a biography that is immensely readable, well-crafted, and genuinely engrossing. It's a biography that goes pleasingly in depth about Kate Bush's life and career without mining for needless gossip or tabloid tittle-tattle; instead, it's a respectful yet objective look at one of our most fascinating, original, and talented creative artists - a fine line difficult to navigate, but one Thomson pulls off remarkably well.
Anyone with a genuine knowledge of Kate Bush will already know that the tabloid reports of a strange, reclusive, "witchy" character are laughably inaccurate and that the truth is more that she acts just as any normal person would - she does her job, and then she lives her life in private. It just happens to be that her 'job' is making music, which of course leads to publicity, naturally. After reading the book, you really get a sense of Kate Bush the person - warm, genuine, determined, normal, but not without the odd endearing eccentricity - alongside Kate Bush the artist - hard-working, experimental, committed. Thomson's insights are well-judged and more than once I felt he was articulating exactly how I felt about her and her music but hadn't been able to properly express. His writing style is accessible but sophisticated, lending the book the air of a proper critical analysis as opposed to some previous biographies, which felt like extended magazine articles.
The book is excellent throughout but a few episodes are memorable, such as the new interviews with old schoolfriends of Bush from the 1970s shedding some light on her childhood. The information about the album sessions and recording processes is fascinating, and even the most ardent Kate Bush fan would acknowledge that the book reveals some interesting insights that perhaps they did not know before. The list of interviewees is impressive - producers, record company men, musicians, dancers, friends - and it seems the only people who did not grant new interviews were Kate's family and her longest collaborator, Del Palmer, perhaps understandably. Even so, without the input of the closest in her circle, the book feels deep, rich, and well-rounded. This is the biography that someone of Kate Bush's stature deserved, and it more than delivers. There will not be a better one. Quite possibly the best rock biography I have read to date - a triumph.
Graeme Thomson deserves a huge amount of credit for not only conducting some (useful and insightful) research and interviews with key people, but for sculpting his work into a biography that is immensely readable, well-crafted, and genuinely engrossing. It's a biography that goes pleasingly in depth about Kate Bush's life and career without mining for needless gossip or tabloid tittle-tattle; instead, it's a respectful yet objective look at one of our most fascinating, original, and talented creative artists - a fine line difficult to navigate, but one Thomson pulls off remarkably well.
Anyone with a genuine knowledge of Kate Bush will already know that the tabloid reports of a strange, reclusive, "witchy" character are laughably inaccurate and that the truth is more that she acts just as any normal person would - she does her job, and then she lives her life in private. It just happens to be that her 'job' is making music, which of course leads to publicity, naturally. After reading the book, you really get a sense of Kate Bush the person - warm, genuine, determined, normal, but not without the odd endearing eccentricity - alongside Kate Bush the artist - hard-working, experimental, committed. Thomson's insights are well-judged and more than once I felt he was articulating exactly how I felt about her and her music but hadn't been able to properly express. His writing style is accessible but sophisticated, lending the book the air of a proper critical analysis as opposed to some previous biographies, which felt like extended magazine articles.
The book is excellent throughout but a few episodes are memorable, such as the new interviews with old schoolfriends of Bush from the 1970s shedding some light on her childhood. The information about the album sessions and recording processes is fascinating, and even the most ardent Kate Bush fan would acknowledge that the book reveals some interesting insights that perhaps they did not know before. The list of interviewees is impressive - producers, record company men, musicians, dancers, friends - and it seems the only people who did not grant new interviews were Kate's family and her longest collaborator, Del Palmer, perhaps understandably. Even so, without the input of the closest in her circle, the book feels deep, rich, and well-rounded. This is the biography that someone of Kate Bush's stature deserved, and it more than delivers. There will not be a better one. Quite possibly the best rock biography I have read to date - a triumph.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is far and away the best book I have read about Kate Bush. There are a few out there but none have come close to this excellent biography.
Graeme Thomson has really attempted to unearth just what makes this unique artist tick and by and large he has succeeded. It comes as no surprise that Kate herself had no input whatsoever with this book but there are many recent interviews with old schoolfriends and several people that have worked with her. At times it is a totally engrossing read and it had me hooked from the very first page.
One of the best chapter's is about the 'Tour Of Life' that Kate undertook and it is here particularly that the author excelled with his research and he gives a deep understanding as to why she has never toured again. If there was one tour from history that I wish I had seen it was this one and reading this made me really want to turn back the clock and buy my ticket! But I was a lot younger way back then and I wasn't into Kate quite as much as I was a year later or so and this book has awoken my interest in this marvellous artist and I have found myself playing her albums constantly.
It is a struggle for Graeme Thomson to fill in the gaps from 1994 onwards but he does the very best he can and it must have been difficult without any input from Kate or those closest to her. He isn't afraid to be critical about some of her work and that is fair enough. Even the most ardent of Kate's fans have to admit that at times her music is maybe a touch too personal or experimental. I didn't agree with some of his verdicts but by and large he hits the mark.
'Kate Bush: Under The Ivy' is the best book you could buy about Kate, it is as simple as that. It makes you appreciate just what a unique, talented, focused and at times frustrating artist she is. As a fan, it makes me yearn for so much more from her and the fact that three people in their twenties I spoke to had never even heard of her is ridiculous when you consider how truly fantastic she could still be.
Graeme Thomson has really attempted to unearth just what makes this unique artist tick and by and large he has succeeded. It comes as no surprise that Kate herself had no input whatsoever with this book but there are many recent interviews with old schoolfriends and several people that have worked with her. At times it is a totally engrossing read and it had me hooked from the very first page.
One of the best chapter's is about the 'Tour Of Life' that Kate undertook and it is here particularly that the author excelled with his research and he gives a deep understanding as to why she has never toured again. If there was one tour from history that I wish I had seen it was this one and reading this made me really want to turn back the clock and buy my ticket! But I was a lot younger way back then and I wasn't into Kate quite as much as I was a year later or so and this book has awoken my interest in this marvellous artist and I have found myself playing her albums constantly.
It is a struggle for Graeme Thomson to fill in the gaps from 1994 onwards but he does the very best he can and it must have been difficult without any input from Kate or those closest to her. He isn't afraid to be critical about some of her work and that is fair enough. Even the most ardent of Kate's fans have to admit that at times her music is maybe a touch too personal or experimental. I didn't agree with some of his verdicts but by and large he hits the mark.
'Kate Bush: Under The Ivy' is the best book you could buy about Kate, it is as simple as that. It makes you appreciate just what a unique, talented, focused and at times frustrating artist she is. As a fan, it makes me yearn for so much more from her and the fact that three people in their twenties I spoke to had never even heard of her is ridiculous when you consider how truly fantastic she could still be.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Having enjoyed Graeme's past work ,incl. bios of Elvis Costello 'n Willie Nelson, I came to this book primarily as a fan of his writing. Beyond her hit singles I didn't really know Kate Bush's work. That's all changed now as this very readable and informative book has me getting her albums and finding out what I've missed. Graeme has a beguiling habit of mixing opinion and narration to persuasive effect. Not afraid to indicate what he believes to be Kate's weaker work he artfully contexualises same to make it as valid as his unreserved acclaim for most of her work. Neat turns of phrases abound - a'Whiplash/ Havisham'line is especially apt - and the reader leaves this book both informed about a truly fascinating person and satisfied by a piece of well formed literature.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Under the Ivy: The Story of Kate Bush
Yes we all know she is one talented musician.
The author really did a good job with his book and its good for fans to know about Kate Bush's life and music its an easy... Read more
The author really did a good job with his book and its good for fans to know about Kate Bush's life and music its an easy... Read more
Published 3 months ago by ALL SYSTEMS GO
Well written Kate Bush biography
This book is well written and although it doesn't contain any revelatory or new facts that a long time fan wouldn't know, it serves as an excellent overview of her career. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. Riaz Ali
An excellent biography
I finished this about ten minutes ago and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. It is a very balanced book and although the author is obviously a big fan he is not afraid to... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rob Lundy
Entertaining but Ultimately dissapointing.
I am a massive fan of Kate Bush and bought this book because it seemed that it was the only attempt at a Kate Bush biography that had gained any credibility amongst fans. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Greg Boyd
A Small World in a Big Recording Studio
Being just a couple of years younger than Kate Bush and being totally taken with her Wuthering Heights song in 1978, I have always held a candle to her unique and outstanding... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Elaine I
Do not buy kindle version
Yet another disappointing kindle release. About 20 pages in and yet again, the rendering of the text is useless. Words are joined together, which is very irritating. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Sonicrob
Great book, sloppy conversion
This is a great book for the avid Kate Bush fan, providing a detailed history of her private as well as public life. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Andy
STORY OF A GENIUS!!!
Under the Ivy: The Story of Kate Bush
I could not put this book down! A fascinating insight in to the world of pop music and it's interesting how Kate managed to... Read more
I could not put this book down! A fascinating insight in to the world of pop music and it's interesting how Kate managed to... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Paula Sheppard
Well Written And Insightful
Kate Bush is without a doubt one of Britain's most influential rock artists. Given that Bush will not write her autobiography there is a definite place for a well-researched and... Read more
Published 16 months ago by L. C. Warne
Great book with plenty of new insight
Great hardback book, much cheaper from this retailer than elsewhere. Plenty of photos. Delivered on time and in perfect condition.
Published 18 months ago by Honest viewer
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