Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd [Anglais] [Relié]

Nick Mason gives an interesting history of Pink Floyd, that's a little light on anecdotes. I enjoyed this book immensly but know I would have enjoyed the manuscript even more, if I'd seen it before David G. and Roger W. had a go at it with their correcting pens (Nick--Ya shouldn'ta let em monkey with it!). What's missing from this book? The juicy stuff. Nick is the most expendable member of the band (drummers usually are), so he must be careful about what he says and not step on anyone's toes. Either that or he has intentionally (or otherwise) forgotten the past. Let me give you a few examples. He toured with Jimi Hendrix but though there are photos, there aren't any Jimi Hendrix stories in the book. His description of Pink Floyd brief meeting with the Beatles is so devoid of concrete detail, that it's pathetic. He also doesn't flesh out Syd Barrett or David G.'s personalities and barely manages a fresh glimpse of Roger W. This is "Pink Floyd Lite." The book reminded me a little bit of George Harrison's autobiog. "I Me Mine" in which John Lennon doesn't appear. You don't get much more than a few superficial paragraphs on Syd Barrett. There are tantalizing sentences and suggestions everywhere in the text that made me curse under my breath. Like why did the Floyd members feel enormous guilt about what happened to Syd? Mason tells us that partly his descent into insanity was their fault. OK, so what does that mean? What did they do to Syd? (There are hints to the answer to that question in some Syd Bios that are out--and in that dreadful bubble-gum "Saucerful of Secrets" faux-Pink Floyd bio.) Why did Roger Waters's songwriting become so dark after Wish You Were Here? Why did Roger get so mean--given that some of his early songs have incredible light, whimsy, optimism and humor? What's the extended story behind Waters own mental breakdown--the one he mentions in the Syd DVD? And where are the sex and drugs, the groupies and excess? Ladies and Gentlemen, this bio ain't Rock n' Roll!!! I love Nick Mason--he and his fellow band members have given me the soundtrack for some of the happiest and sometimes strangest (though wonderful) days of my life. I understand Mason's polite reticense (thankyou for the fantastic photos and the bubbly-Brit text) but now will someone please finally write an insightful, in-depth, appreciative, detailed, comprehensive, warts-and-all, book--full of humanity, the money and the folly (with the story of each of their songs)--about this unbelievably wonderful band! I think it could be one of the most interesting and instructive tales of its time.

This is THE book to get on the history of Pink Floyd. What a couple of the other reviewers have missed in their own assessment of this book, is that it is the personality of Nick Mason that most comes out in his writing --- there is a reason WHY he is the ONLY band member to have appeared on EVERY album in their 40 year career!

If you are here to get the GOSSIP RAG version of their history, then perhaps one of the other books out there would be more to your liking.

The thing that really got me in reading this book, was the recounting of the Syd Barrett visit while the band was recording the Wish You Were Here album. I always thought that story was legend only, a fantasy dreamt up by someone with too much time on their hands. However, on pg. 211 is a Polaroid photograph of Syd, which truly brought a tear to my eye.

It is a shame what a bad combination drugs and mental illness had on the man. And, Syd's inexplicable comments about the "pork chops" in his fridge, well, it seemed like I was reading a transcript of someone with bipolar disorder. What a shocking and sad episode; the band would have been quite a bit different with Syd instead of David, that is for sure.

Inside the book are some great rare photographs, that show a human side to this supergroup. As I have had the chance to see them several times, the Pink Floyd put on THE BEST stage show, bar none! The only performer who comes close in theatrical presentation, is Peter Gabriel. But, even HE is a distant second. And, David Gilmour is the absolute most emotive blues guitarist I have ever seen in concert, or heard on record.

This book is not an exhaustive facts-only type of read. It is one man's memories, and the single reason why you should get this book, was because it was written by an actual band member. The hardcover book is made with the best paper and inks, and the binding will hold up over the years to come. The design elements used in the book (and cover dustjacket) were done by Storm Thorgerson and will be familiar to those who know Pink Floyd's work from 1987-1994 and beyond.

A complete history written by the most laid back drummer in rock history. Mason is the one constant in Floyd and the only member of the band who could do its legacy full justice. The photos alone are worth the price of the book. The section on Syd is honest and respectful and of course the determination of Gilmour and Mason to keep the band going is riveting. It should never be underestimted how difficult emotionally and logistically that decision was. All fans of the band should take a look.