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"INSIDE OUT" by Nick Mason : I thoroughly enjoy(ed) Nick Mason's tremendously descriptive and informative book, though admitedly his writing style ... (show more)
"INSIDE OUT" by Nick Mason : I thoroughly enjoy(ed) Nick Mason's tremendously descriptive and informative book, though admitedly his writing style is quite dry and as some might say, droll and tawdry in parts. His humour is typically dry and British, in some ways if you aren't a British reader some of it might fly right over your head, leaving you wondering what the heck he's on about. Honestly speaking, "WHITE LINE FEVER" by Motorhead vocalist, Lemmy Kilmister was a far funnier and more engaging read from that angle but Pink Floyd is/was a completely different beast and as such, Mason's style suits the book and the story he tells aptly!
This would be a good read even if one doesn't consider themselves a serious Pink Floyd fan, though some musical knowledge and background is a huge advantage obviously given the subject matter! A fair bit of the text covers various aspects of the recording or production and releases from their massive catalogue of terrific albums, so it's highly recommended to the Pink Floyd enthusiast as an absolute 'must read', while it could prove to be a captivating read for the casual or curious music lover whose always wanted to get into the band but either never understood their legendary appeal or whose only now just discovering the band and wants to know more. This book really does a great job in that regard!
After reading this book [and re-listening to Pink Floyd albums while doing so!], I think it'd be great if the band recorded some new material sometime soon, given their individual age's at this late stage in the game. Like a lot of other Pink Floyd fans [I would imagine?], I have constantly found myself listening to David Gilmour's latest album "On An Island" since it's release a few years ago, thinking about the possibilities and potential of new material from the band.
Unlikely as it is, one can't read this book, listen to the old albums and not let your mind wander... thinking and wondering what could be, what could have been and what might be? They are pretty much retired, I think we'd all have to agree on that and sadly, perhaps the quality might not be as good as their past grandeur or Gilmour's latest solo material either. Some of the material from "On An Island" reminds me of elements of a variety of PF albums, mainly "Darkside Of The Moon" due to it's relaxed overtones and might even fit quite well on a new(er) PF album though, at the same time a lot of it probably wouldn't. The result might be more irritating rather than welcoming! Who knows?!
As it stands today, "The Division Bell" is perhaps still my favourite in terms of continuity, terrific production and a modern sounding Floyd album as it should sound despite the obvious loss of certain older strengths and dusty old analogue sonic soundscapes never to be re-captured from the old days again. The good thing is the entire PF catalogue seems to have recently been completely re-issued and re-mastered, so fortunately we can go back and revell in their glory days once more... my recommnedation is grab something like the "ECHOES" Double Disc retrospective 'Best Of' compilation, slap on a good set of headphones, open this book while listening and float away into the twilight of yester-year as Nick Mason 'sets the controls for the great gig in the sky' so to speak... with this illuminating story of his magnificent percussion and time in the band as one of the original founding members!!!
I highly recommend this book as an absolutely fascinating and enjoyable, captivating read to any music lover... especially Pink Floyd fans who want to know more of 'the inside story' behind the bands lengthy run! They have left us with some truly magnetic music, this is their story from an insiders unique perspective! [SCORE: 100/100]
- by Damien Bentley, Oct. 18th, 2009 (Written on Oct 18, 2009 at 01:50AM) (show less)
