larksanders said:

I'm in the process of reading it now, and so far it's entertaining. You can tell he is more of a fan of Prince's "rock" side than his funk side. He refers to 777-9311 as a throwaway and also calls Tamborine one if the worst songs on a Prince album up to the point it was recorded. I know it's a matter of opinion, but those are two of my favorite songs in the man catalogue.

Picked up my copy in Brighton at the weekend and started to read it last night. He's not very good at writing is he? But the subject matter is obviously the reason for buying so I'll carry on.

My copy has the first half dozen or so pages stuck where they have not been cut properly. I'll keep them that way as it's the kind of thing that enhances value in later years. Does mean I haven't been able to read the first few pages though!

Also I bought it in Brighton (I was on holiday) from Waterstones. They only had several copies but that was far better than Waterstones in Hereford (home) where they'd only ordered one and couldn't find where it was when I popped in. I don't think it's going to sell many copies outside of the circle of fans

pernil said:

Few photos, not many (any?) celebrities being interviewed. It's not that type of book. It's a book about Prince's work (albums, films, etc.), so it's not a regular biography or career study. The author has interviewed quite a few people, mostly the usual people but insights from Susannah Melvoin and HM Buff, for example, are interesting. Overall, it doesn't deviate too much from information presented in Uptown, The Vault and such sources, but it's still interesting and well-written. It could have gone much deeper into musical analysis and discussion of lyrical themes in Prince's work, but I think that would require a book twice (at least) the length of this book (I'm not sure publishers would be that interested). Still, the book has many strengths and is more interesting than the average Prince bio. Per

pernil said:

Few photos, not many (any?) celebrities being interviewed. It's not that type of book. It's a book about Prince's work (albums, films, etc.), so it's not a regular biography or career study. The author has interviewed quite a few people, mostly the usual people but insights from Susannah Melvoin and HM Buff, for example, are interesting. Overall, it doesn't deviate too much from information presented in Uptown, The Vault and such sources, but it's still interesting and well-written. It could have gone much deeper into musical analysis and discussion of lyrical themes in Prince's work, but I think that would require a book twice (at least) the length of this book (I'm not sure publishers would be that interested). Still, the book has many strengths and is more interesting than the average Prince bio. Per

Thanks for the review. Sounds like something I will pick up, particularly if it is well-written and has at least a few interesting details about more recent years.

SuperSoulFighter said:

BartVanHemelen said:

I've just started reading it on my Kindle and so far it's pretty great. Far better than the average bio, not in the elast because the author actually has ideas that he discusses instead of just rehashing the same old facts over and over again.

Bart says something nice!!!

He probably hasn't got upto the 1988 and beyond bit yet.

A frustrating read but maybe I just set my expectations too high? And the book jackets comparison with The Beatles: Revolution in the Head is misleading. It's not that kind of book at all.

Miles said:

Far more a fan's personal journey through Prince's career than a straight biography.

You said it better than I could.

larksanders said:

I'm in the process of reading it now, and so far it's entertaining. You can tell he is more of a fan of Prince's "rock" side than his funk side. He refers to 777-9311 as a throwaway and also calls Tamborine one if the worst songs on a Prince album up to the point it was recorded. I know it's a matter of opinion, but those are two of my favorite songs in the man catalogue.

Every book and review of Prince has opinions on songs that differ than mine. For me, that has no impact on the quality of the book.

Even here on the org we disagree on good/bad songs. Prince has so much music in so many styles that of course we won't all agree. Something for everyone!!

It is pretty messed up to call 777-9311 a throwaway though, Thorne must not be into FUNK...

freddyca said:

Miles said:

Far more a fan's personal journey through Prince's career than a straight biography.

You said it better than I could.

Is there really any such thing as a completely objective biography? An author's personal opinions can seep into his/her witing no matter how objective he/she tries to remain... Especially when it comes to writing about music.

Stumbled across this brief interview with author Matt Thorne on BBC iplayer, which was aired on 10th October.

Interview starts at 20:49

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01n6rsk/Front_Row_This_House_Roy_Hattersley_reviews_Jo_Nesbo_Prince_biography/

[Edited 10/15/12 7:05am]

Has this been released in the USA yet?

kindofblue7 said:

Has this been released in the USA yet?

It's on Amazon in kindle and paperback but I want a hardback and that only seems available in England.

My Kindle tells me I've read 20% and I'm in no hurry to pick it back up.

I have it in front of me, having purchased a copy of it today. Its even here in New Zealand which seems much better than all the books of late (Have not seen Ronin Ro's book or Jason Drapers on sale here - had to amazon those ones). I can smell the books newness and can't wait to begin reading. Already a great Prince era cover shot.

Read it there over the weekend, it would be good for people on here as it addresses some of the rumours and more vague stories that have come out over the years (e.g. 'Ask Wendy and Lisa' about Roadhouse Garden, so he does).

If you're new to prince, own a few albums and want to know more it would be a pretty bad book to get; a lot of his actual career isn't explained, it races along with what's happening in prince's life, covers an album in a page or two and then spends 20 pages discussing the unreleased tracks from the album. In addition to this lots of little messy problems occur like mentioning the 'triple threat tour' without even explaining what this refers to, nevermind clarifying that it wasn't the official name of the 1999 tour.

The book does state at the start that it's a book about the songs, not about his tabloid life or relationships (outside of what the songs might be about so) you are fair warned but, like i said, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who hasn't read Per Nilsson yet.

Assuming you have read DMSR then it fills in some of the holes and clarifies some stories and is worth it for that alone. I think it's written fine, I actually quite enjoyed the more involved opening and closing chapters of it.

[Edited 11/1/12 2:30am]

larksanders said:

I'm in the process of reading it now, and so far it's entertaining. You can tell he is more of a fan of Prince's "rock" side than his funk side. He refers to 777-9311 as a throwaway and also calls Tamborine one if the worst songs on a Prince album up to the point it was recorded. I know it's a matter of opinion, but those are two of my favorite songs in the man catalogue.

He calls it THE worst Prince song recorded up to that point! .... Okay then!

Marrk said:

I've read a couple of poor reviews. I suspect serious fans who know his work will enjoy it, but from what i can gather people mildly interested in P (looking to get more into him) would find it tough going as he gives his perspective on song after song. Makes for a dull read. P wouldn't allow him usage of lyrics either which can't have helped much. One review ended "It didn't even make me want to listen to Prince!"

I'm only up to the Black Album, but so far I'd say this was spot on. It's not so much that he goes over each song by song - I'd say he blitzes through Dirty Mind to Sign O' The Times in breakneck speed, considering the weight and importance of the period to his overall body of work. But rather there's a lot of shorthand that casual readers will need a little more background on.

For instance mentioning band names like The Family in the earliest chapters, but not actually giving background on who they are - members, release timeframe etc - In a chapter about For You and Prince, this needs to be said because the casual reader doesn't know who the Family is. And I don't even think the album itself is given any description at all in the 1984/5 part.

Some of the interviews glean new information - brief snippets from Susannah, Wendy & Lisa give fresh or clear insights as always - A quote from Lisa was especially poignant when she says that Prince used to pose questions in his music, and now he answers them. Chris Moon's interpretation of Under The Cherry Moon was deliciously egotistical!

I'd say it's aimed at a general music biog-reading audience, but written for a fan audience.

i have read most of it...i am a big prince fan ..but even i am finding it a difficult read in some parts of the book...i think that matt thorne just isnt an interesting writer...he is obviously a big fan but he doesnt keep your interest all the time...in saying that...lots of it are good with some new info in the book...its all about the music and particular attention is paid to his unreleased music (that we know of) which is good but only if you are a big big fan....a casual prince fan would lose interest in this book pretty quickly so not one for them...so i would say its better than some other recent books but only because it focuses on his music which i am really interested in...

Scotsman1999 said:

If I didn't have sore feet I'd walk down to Waterstones now and buy this. I'll get it tomorrow - sounds like just the kind of more interesting book that I'd be into, as I've read about Prince's career history already x 100. Tambourine the worst? Okay..it's haphazard and unconventional in it's structure, and the lyrics are rather meaningless, but it's extremely funky and the vocals are exciting. It's all about opinions I guess! Mind you, Prince hadn't written many bad songs up until that point so he didn't have much to choose from! Hi Bob!

hi mate....yes he makes his opinions sound like fact which is a bit annoying...dismissing tracks that i think are great and saying that wasted kisses is the best song he recorded in the 90s ?...(come on)....but most of it is good...worth getting for a hardcore fan...

It is not meant to be a biography tho, this is what I understood! Also, what is the story behind La, La?

Nasalhair said:

I may be in the minority but I thought it was terrible - not just the worst Prince biography I've read but one of the worst biographies I've read full-stop. For me there was too much of Matt Thorne in the book, presenting his opinion as fact (as others have said) and many of those opinions are frankly bizarre and questionable to say the least. Huge swathes of Prince's life are glossed over - his childhood for example, and the book doesn't even reveal his full name or date of birth (hardly the "authoritative" book on the subject as the flyleaf claims it is) - and people are mentioned without being introduced or their role explained (Anna Garcia, Gilbert Davidson, Clive Davis for example). Most of the book also seems to be dominated by interviews with HM Buff and Steve Parke, neither of whom are exactly key players in the Prince story. The other interviews do reveal some interesting snippets, but time and time again Thorne seems to step back when he should push forwards. For example, when Wendy says "Roadhouse Garden" was scrapped because of her & Lisa's sexuality I wanted Thorne to ask how Prince had reacted to that previously but he seems to end the interview there - and this happens a few times. The book is also a mass of contradictions. He says one of Prince's bands is his best line-up, then a few pages later says they are weak; he says Prince's aftershows are actually rather dull more often than not, then a while later says they are the best things he does; he says Prince is an amazing live performer, then says he's boring live... And so on. Some have said it is more of a book about the songs than Prince. Yes, Thorne gives his opinion on every album track and many B-sides (often bizarre opinions, so "17 Days" hardly gets a mention but "La La La, He He Hee" is described as being one of his best songs - the story behind the song is incidentally not explained) but there is nothing about recurring musical or lyrical themes, instrumentation etc, just whether or not Thorne thinks it is any good. Stick with Per's books, or - despite its faults - Ronin Ro's, or Jason Draper's, or Dave Hill's. This one is, in my opinion, a dreadful biography.

Pretty much like Prince then, I think this is perfect depiction of him.

Nasalhair said:

The book is also a mass of contradictions. He says one of Prince's bands is his best line-up, then a few pages later says they are weak; he says Prince's aftershows are actually rather dull more often than not, then a while later says they are the best things he does; he says Prince is an amazing live performer, then says he's boring live...

OzlemUcucu said:

Nasalhair said:

OzlemUcucu said:

It is not meant to be a biography tho, this is what I understood! Also, what is the story behind La, La?

his one is, in my opinion, a dreadful biography.

It's a book about a person, therefore it is a biography, and it is catalogued as such by retailers. Outside of the "rabid fan" community most who buy this book will finish it knowing nothing about Prince, but lots about Thorne. The introduction mentions it aims to "[analyze] the music, images and recorded performances that he's amassed, looking at influences, trends, thematic links and recurring preoccupations" etc but it fails even in this (aside from pointing out every reference to the Garden of Eden in his songs it seems), instead just hiving Thorne seems opinion as to whether the song is any good or not. As for the story about "La La" I suggest you Google it

Ok, I have not yet read the book, but if non-fans read the book, I am sure they will not be able to distinguish difference between Thorne's own pov and facts, cause they won't have the knowledge to differentiate. If this book is not intended for non-fans, since many here said it's mainly for people in the know already, then I guess Thorne is well aware that this book is opinioned, and it appears it was intintionally written that way. Surely, if he is an author there is no way he does not know the difference.

Overall, I guess you either like the book or you don't. There are many music critics that write on music that nobody understands like general public, since music is such a wide field and there are just so many books and specially opinionated books get published. . I know a little, cause I had music at university for few terms.

I think the last time I bought a 'book' on P, other than the 21Nights tosh (for the CD) was over 20 odd years ago and was one by Pers. (Thank you Pers), I got a few copies of it so I could rip some of the pics out.

After reading this thread I thought I'd grab one of these and judge it for myself. I found some on the Gaurdian website for about £15 for a hardback, it's on it's way.

If I'd have read that post by Nasalhair first, I might not have bothered.

Tambourine, in my opinion, is a mad tune, but in a good way. 777-9311 don't sound funky to me at all.

Opinions eh.

[Edited 11/4/12 5:04am]

Fonkyman said:

I think the last time I bought a 'book' on P, other than the 21Nights tosh (for the CD) was over 20 odd years ago and was one by Pers. (Thank you Pers), I got a few copies of it so I could rip some of the pics out.

After reading this thread I thought I'd grab one of these and judge it for myself. I found some on the Gaurdian website for about £15 for a hardback, it's on it's way.

If I'd have read that post by Nasalhair first, I might not have bothered.

Tambourine, in my opinion, is a mad tune, but in a good way. 777-9311 don't sound funky to me at all.

Opinions eh.

[Edited 11/4/12 5:04am]

FYI It isn't a hardback.