“Sit Down, Stop Waving Your Arms About!”

As a rule I don't read books but this author's story (not all unknown due to present day access to information) is an easy reading blend of personal and family history and a view of the musical world from the rostrum, so to speak. The family history of wartime escapades and further back in time of invention and development is noted in various places. Here, you can read about it in one place. Fascinating and not of historical insignificance one can envisage the young author enthused by 'adventures" For most we read of pirates and derring do, for the author it was a reality and clearly a constant that runs through his life. The author has been around the block and his musical stories cover different genres in different times and his insights, anecdotes and experiences certainly tick the pre review boxes of joy and laughter off set by annoyance, anger and frustration as any professional in any walk of life would understand. The view from the rostrum is different and I would commend this story on that alone. Any reader will learn something about the shows/concerts we have been to, some of the tricks, some of the cock ups. In my opinion there is one adjective missing from the pre review blurb and that is sadness. The author writes of his childhood and education in a measured way. Clearly there was unhappiness and anguish at what some might describe as a privilged upbringing. Separation from parents and so-called corporal punishment amount to a degree of emotional neglect and outright physical abuse, as the author illustrates in some of his behaviours. Not that the author speaks in those terms .There seemed little benevolence. If you were public/grammar school educated in the 50's and 60's you will understand. By his own admission the author is a private induvidual, not one to be publicly demonstrative in personal matters and the reader (me) was keft wondering whether his achievements are because of his unfortunate early years or despite them. He certainly got the support he needed in getting into music college but at a clear and obvious price. For me, the journey was the most interesting. And in a way it doesn't matter how he views the choices that were foisted upon him. A fascinating read, by an ordinary man with extraordinary stories. If you don't normally read books, try this one.