Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pratt by name - genuinely brilliant bloke by nature!, 3 Jul 2007
I'm a bass owner and as such have only ever really been good enough to be in bands that I actually started. Guy Pratt is a proper bass player and has been asked (and paid) by some of the biggest names in rock and pop history to bring his great ability and charm to their music. It becomes apparant from his book that although his undoubted ability is important, his sardonic sense of humour, dry observations, superhuman constitution and tolerance to dubious chemicals have also gone a long way to placing him in a privileged position to document some of the greatest stories of pop and rock royalty ever told. Unlike many who read this book - I didn't come to it as Pink Floyd fan - more because I saw his live show of the same name. I've seen the show twice and it is billiantly funny highlighted by the fact that he actually plays his instrument (which quite frankly is awe inspiring). I was concerned how it would translate into the written word without the sonic interludes. I have to say I was delighted, the book is subtly different in tone and although still very funny, it is more touching and heartfelt giving a deeper insight into what has put Guy's bottom end on so many legendary performances and recordings. I can't recommend the show or this book enough - treat yourself.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most entertaining rock memoir since Giles Smith's "Lost in Music", 25 Jun 2007
One must forgive bassist/author/comedian Guy Pratt the odd rock star outburst (eg throwing bottles against the wall of a west end night club while shouting "Who cares? I am in Pink Floyd!") because while the overall tone of this rather charming book is colourfully revelatory, chemically excessive and genuinely funny, there's also a pervading sense of old fashioned gratitude at play. Pratt, a court jester amongst rock royalty, writes with the disbelieving enthusiasm of someone who has sneaked into the back stage area and blagged a laminate but is pretty sure he is going to get chucked out by a heavy at any minute. His favourite paragraph pay off is often something like "...and then Bernard Edwards waved at me. Bernard Edwards of Chic! Bloody hell!"
As both insider and fan, hired gun and hired fun, Pratt knows he has to get by, not just on brilliant playing and the constitution of a buffalo but also on his wits. Hollow-legged raconteur, session muso and superstar confidante Pratt takes the reader on a world tour with a group of musicians that reads like a Live Aid bill and lasts more than 20 years (and several relationships). The strength of the story telling comes from someone who is quite evidently more show biz luvvie than rock god and isn't too greenly reverential to take the rise from a stadium filling star every now and then. It's a proper hoot.
Fragile egos are exposed, riders are abused and there's a wholly regrettable incident involving Jimmy Page and an airport wheelchair. Mock and roll, if you will,
Enthralling and appalling in equal measures, the reliably toxic author (the funniest bassist since Derek Smalls) tells you what it's like to play with Pink Floyd, Bryan Ferry, Madonna and Michael Jackson. Bravely, he marries his boss's daughter, incurs the wrath of Martin Sheen and almost joins The Smiths. You can almost feel the wincing shards of hotel room hangovers on every page. Then he becomes a stand up comedian. The rest, as Guy Pratt might say, is chemistry.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jammin', 5 Jun 2007
An alternative title for this book could have been 'Memoirs of a jammy git' as bass guitarist Guy Pratt has managed to play, record and tour with some of the biggest musical artists and bands of all time. What make this book so charming is that he knows exactly how lucky he's been and it's that 'Blimey!' factor that makes the book so readable and easy to relate to for readers like me who can only dream of playing with the likes of Pink Floyd. If you've seen Guy's stand-up show (and there are some official clips on YouTube), you'll know exactly what to expect; it's very, very funny, packed with trivia, gossip and a passion for music. A must-buy for any music fan with a sense of humour!
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