Saturday, 23 April 2011
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
BAKERBACK WRITER! BEATLES EX-PR PUBLISHES RUDE ROCK ‘N’ WOE BOOK
I am sure all Macca, Beatle and music fans will enjoy the new Geoff Baker book. And I've got a feeling that it won't be long before this paperback writer will be selling loads across the universe and with a little luck will be back in the sunshine again very soon (edit. sorry!)
Note to the timid - if your not keen on naughty girls who have let their knickers down then just let it be!
After a six-year struggle to get it into print, Geoff Baker - former PR to Paul McCartney, The Beatles and Oasis - is finally publishing his rude, racy and irreverent novel about the music industry.
Rock Bottom is Baker’s black-humoured but fond satire which pokes a tongue behind the scenes and between the sheets at almost every aspect of the record business.
The first, limited edition of 1,000 copies will be available on Amazon from February 14th, priced £7.99. It will be published by Ragabond Press, a micro publisher that Baker set up with another former journalist, Jill Newton, after the UK’s mainstream publishers refused to touch his book.
Baker says Rock Bottom is ‘a work of complete and utter fiction’. The 400-page paperback romps and ruts through the conjoined stories of a flagging rock star, his demented PR and a blackmailing fan who threatens to ruin the pop idol’s reputation by unmasking a long-hidden sexual secret.
‘The star, Birmingham-born genius Ian Taylor, is not remotely based on anyone I’ve known,’ said Baker, ‘I made him up and he is as fictional as Henry the Horse who dances the waltz.’
‘Instead of writing about actual people I’ve worked with, it was more interesting for me to create fictional types of that rock world – the musicians, managers, record company execs – and to have a laugh at what fame can do to people and how it can disastrously affect those who work around the famous.
‘But what was of most interest to me was to make the fan the central character of the book; the fans’ feelings are often overlooked in the music game so I made the fan the heroine for a change.
‘Rock Bottom is basically a celebrity love story, but it’s quite sad in parts – rock ‘n woe, we call it. It is also the flipside of The X-Factor, revealing the madness and misery of making it big, so in some ways it’s a cautionary tale for those who long to see their name in lights.
MORE
‘The book is also rather rude. We were thinking of having a Parental Advisory sticker on it as the vernacular of the business is certainly not kids’ stuff and as a wordsearch revealed there are 864 f-words in the book those who dislike bad language might be better off reading Trainspotting instead.’
Although Ian Taylor’s genius but mercurial temperament was drawn from Baker’s imagination, he admits that various journalist characters who play supporting roles in the lurid drama were partly inspired by old pals from his newspaper days on Fleet Street.
‘I’ll be interested to see if any mates from the hack pack that I used to run with recognise anything of themselves in the book,’ said Baker, 54, ‘A number of them are editors now.’
It has taken Baker more than six years to publish his novel.
‘I wrote the original story in three months, back in 2004. I got a leading literary agent and he enthusiastically sent the manuscript to every major publisher – but none of them would touch it with a bargepole. Four years of rewrites followed, my funds ran out and if it hadn’t been for the support and belief of my wife Amanda throughout it all, I’d be rotting in debtor’s prison.’
‘Pissed off but unbowed’, Baker and Newton – an old Lyme Regis schoolpal - formed their own micro publishing company, Ragabond Press.
‘Jill and I re-met by chance after having not seen each other for more than 35 years. We talked about the book and realised that as she was trained as an editor and a sub and I was trained as a hack, maybe we could combine our skills for the book’ said Baker.
‘So between us we took on every aspect of getting a book done – editing, proofing, type-setting, layout, design, photography, distribution, marketing, PR, the lot.’
Now Ragabond Press, which is based in Newton and Baker’s home town of Lyme Regis, has seven self-penned books in production and is considering publishing other writers.
‘Rock Bottom comes out on Amazon on February 14 and we’re going to take several months to slowly plug it, just like I used to with a rock album,’ said Baker, whose next project is Ragabond Press’s The Beatles Fanthology, the story of the Fab Four told through the memories and stories of Beatles fans.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Geoff Baker
07966 473 919 or 01297 443932
geoffbaker@dsl.pipex.com
Jill Newton
07533 900 537 or 01892 864 520
jillnewton@btinternet.com
Note to the timid - if your not keen on naughty girls who have let their knickers down then just let it be!
After a six-year struggle to get it into print, Geoff Baker - former PR to Paul McCartney, The Beatles and Oasis - is finally publishing his rude, racy and irreverent novel about the music industry.
Rock Bottom is Baker’s black-humoured but fond satire which pokes a tongue behind the scenes and between the sheets at almost every aspect of the record business.
Baker says Rock Bottom is ‘a work of complete and utter fiction’. The 400-page paperback romps and ruts through the conjoined stories of a flagging rock star, his demented PR and a blackmailing fan who threatens to ruin the pop idol’s reputation by unmasking a long-hidden sexual secret.
‘The star, Birmingham-born genius Ian Taylor, is not remotely based on anyone I’ve known,’ said Baker, ‘I made him up and he is as fictional as Henry the Horse who dances the waltz.’
‘Instead of writing about actual people I’ve worked with, it was more interesting for me to create fictional types of that rock world – the musicians, managers, record company execs – and to have a laugh at what fame can do to people and how it can disastrously affect those who work around the famous.
‘But what was of most interest to me was to make the fan the central character of the book; the fans’ feelings are often overlooked in the music game so I made the fan the heroine for a change.
‘Rock Bottom is basically a celebrity love story, but it’s quite sad in parts – rock ‘n woe, we call it. It is also the flipside of The X-Factor, revealing the madness and misery of making it big, so in some ways it’s a cautionary tale for those who long to see their name in lights.
MORE
‘The book is also rather rude. We were thinking of having a Parental Advisory sticker on it as the vernacular of the business is certainly not kids’ stuff and as a wordsearch revealed there are 864 f-words in the book those who dislike bad language might be better off reading Trainspotting instead.’
Although Ian Taylor’s genius but mercurial temperament was drawn from Baker’s imagination, he admits that various journalist characters who play supporting roles in the lurid drama were partly inspired by old pals from his newspaper days on Fleet Street.
‘I’ll be interested to see if any mates from the hack pack that I used to run with recognise anything of themselves in the book,’ said Baker, 54, ‘A number of them are editors now.’
It has taken Baker more than six years to publish his novel.
‘I wrote the original story in three months, back in 2004. I got a leading literary agent and he enthusiastically sent the manuscript to every major publisher – but none of them would touch it with a bargepole. Four years of rewrites followed, my funds ran out and if it hadn’t been for the support and belief of my wife Amanda throughout it all, I’d be rotting in debtor’s prison.’
‘Pissed off but unbowed’, Baker and Newton – an old Lyme Regis schoolpal - formed their own micro publishing company, Ragabond Press.
‘Jill and I re-met by chance after having not seen each other for more than 35 years. We talked about the book and realised that as she was trained as an editor and a sub and I was trained as a hack, maybe we could combine our skills for the book’ said Baker.
‘So between us we took on every aspect of getting a book done – editing, proofing, type-setting, layout, design, photography, distribution, marketing, PR, the lot.’
Now Ragabond Press, which is based in Newton and Baker’s home town of Lyme Regis, has seven self-penned books in production and is considering publishing other writers.
‘Rock Bottom comes out on Amazon on February 14 and we’re going to take several months to slowly plug it, just like I used to with a rock album,’ said Baker, whose next project is Ragabond Press’s The Beatles Fanthology, the story of the Fab Four told through the memories and stories of Beatles fans.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Geoff Baker
07966 473 919 or 01297 443932
geoffbaker@dsl.pipex.com
Jill Newton
07533 900 537 or 01892 864 520
jillnewton@btinternet.com
Monday, 24 January 2011
You can still vote Macca fans!
Look down the right hand side of my blog page and vote on all things Macca. The results are going to the Macca team - so you might just influence future decisions!!!!
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Friday, 24 December 2010
Sunday, 19 December 2010
McCartney at Hammersmith Apollo Review
The announcement came out of the blue and then tickets came my way courtesy of a 'boardie' on the official Paul fourm. Many thanks for that unexpected offer!
The weather seemed to be the only thing stopping us getting to the concert. To be honest it was a dangerous journey and in many ways I was a little surprised that the concert went ahead. However, once there, the weather was forgotten for a couple of hours and the tension built and we waited for the show to begin.
Of course, in these interactive days you pretty much know the set list before the gig, which does take some of the surprise away. However, Paul has been mixing up things a little recently so nothing was set in stone.
I have seen Paul a few times, but have pretty much decided that the big outdoor and indoor venues are not for me anymore, so this opportunity was not to be missed. A proper gig. How about a UK tour of these kind of venues Paul?!
Paul still puts on such a fantastic show, that you can't help enjoying every moment, even when you know what is coming next, even down to the 'ab-libs'. I think the WHOLE WORLD now knows George used to play the Ukulele or that Blackbird originated with Paul and George playing Bach on guitars. Oh well, time for some new tales Paul....but you still raise a smile and a chuckle, the guy is charasmatic.
Listening to your musical heritage is always an emotional experience, you feel proud to be there, watching the best show in town with songs that shaped lives. As Paul gets older is voice does not quite hold up like it once did but the experience is still fantastic and the majority of the songs still sound great.
However, songs like Jet, Band on the Run and Long and Winding Road can be hit and miss, with the misses getting more common, but when you are there the pure euphoria and joy takes you away from some of the imperfections. I still think they these need to be replaced though with other Macca gems, but tonight they sounded good. Paul really was on top form and vocals were strong throughout and the band tight and having fun. You could just come and watch Abe's antics. He is so funny!
However, songs like Jet, Band on the Run and Long and Winding Road can be hit and miss, with the misses getting more common, but when you are there the pure euphoria and joy takes you away from some of the imperfections. I still think they these need to be replaced though with other Macca gems, but tonight they sounded good. Paul really was on top form and vocals were strong throughout and the band tight and having fun. You could just come and watch Abe's antics. He is so funny!
Maybe I'm amazed made a return to the set list in these recent series of concerts, and being my favourite Paul song, I was a little concerned that he would not do it justice. However, to be fair, it was a very good and emotional performance and being played back to back with 1985, another one of my absolute favs, I was in my element.
Other big highlights were I'm Looking Through You (an underated gem), Sing the Changes (really great live), Here Today (nailed the vocal) and Back In The USSR (rocked the house).
He played One after 909 from Let It Be (but of course it dates back to the very early Beatle days), it was fun to hear and nice to have a new addition to the set list. However, I can't help thinking that a 'Listen to what the man said', "'Juniors Farm' or 'No More Lonely Nights' would have been better. The same with the cover of 'Hitch Hike' too really, although it was another good fun moment. As was the quirky and jokey Petrushka. Anyway, I'm being a little picky! I was singing along with the best of them.
Strangely two of my least favourite Paul songs, Dance Tonight and Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da are great fun live and the audience really enjoyed them, as did Macca.
I can't really complain about anything, great venue, great view, Paul and the band sang and played really well. The Christmas spirit was present and Wonderful Christmastime was so close to the record I thought he was miming! The choir that joined the band added to the good feelings of the evening.Despite hearing them for the millionth time the reaction that he gets when Hey Jude, Yesterday and Let It Be are played speaks volumes. You forget that at each concert there is a good percentage seeing Paul for the first time and their reaction is there to be seen. Although, I'd still love a radical set list change and to try and keep some of these songs in but perhaps with some more rotation. I think it can be safely said that he has the back catalogue over the last 50 years to do that!
All in all a fantastic evening and when Paul nails it, he is unbeatable. He did that on this cold Saturday night and warmed everyone's spirits, the fireworks during Live and Let Die literally did!
Click here for set list.
McCartney Hammersmith Apollo Set list
Main set
Encore 1
Encore 2
- Magical Mystery Tour
- Jet
- Got to get you into my life
- All My Loving
- One After 909
- Drive My Car
- Let Me Roll It / Foxy Lady
- The Long and Winding Road
- Nineteen Hundred and Eight Five
- Maybe I'm Amazed
- Blackbird
- Here Today
- I'm Looking Through You
- And I Love Her
- Petrushka
- Dance Tonight
- Eleanor Rigby
- Hitch Hike
- Sing The Changes
- Something
- Band on the Run
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
- Back In The USSR
- A Day In The Life/Give Peace A Chance
- Let It Be
- Live And Let Die
- Hey Jude
Encore 1
- Wonderful Christmas Time
- I Saw Her Standing There
- Get Back
Encore 2
- Yesterday
- Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
- The End
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Details of a new McCartney album - True or false?
The below was found from another site which in turn was found on an engineering blog site. Make of it what you will. Remember the 'Pizza and Fairy tales' leaked album news!?
Anyway, below is the post in full. Just in case.....
NEW MCCARTNEY SONGS
I am an asst engineer with a major studio in New York. I had the privalege of sitting in (well, I was doing some equipment work in and out of the room, and made sure I was mostly 'in' when I figured out what they were working on) on a remixing session where McCartney's people were polishing up several new songs for an album next year. I heard 8 songs - I have no confirmation that these are all slated for a new album, but they were definitely newer recordings and not remixes of older tracks as Paul's voice sounded the way it has in recent live shows - still fantastic but showing its age, a little lower register, etc. Paul was supposed to be there, but did not arrive by the time I had to make my exit (darn!) I do not know titles on most, so will have to give it my best guess.
RADIO SKY
This is a confirmed title. Someone mentioned "title track" indicating this may be the title of album(?) They spent the most time (half the session) on this. They were lavishing the kind of detailed attention to this, trying out different mixes, the way you would for a potential single release, and they'd be fools not to make this the first single. Its lyrics are Eleanor Rigby meets Bruce Springsteen - about a baby, a graveyard, and a young mother looking to the sky (Radio Sky) for hope and then dancing(?) It starts off stark and becomes uptempo in chorus and its one of those infectious McCartney songs that does not leave your head. Strings (sounds like Kahne's work, though he wasn't at the session), guitar heavy chorus.
RUNNING THROUGH THE HEART??
Rockabilly, Crazy Little Thing Called Love type song. Paul doing Elvis (similar vibe as That Was Me, but with more guitar). Only heard 2/3 of this.
ATMOSPHERE? INTO THE ATMOSPHERE?
This is another good pop number. See Your Sunshine style - reminds of an early to mid 80s type song, but catchy as hell and like Sunshine, great bass playing (they had it turned up to work on EQ of bass - main reason for playing this track).
COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT BETTER? DO IT BETTER?
Ska-reggae Ob La Di style track. Played through it once, I heard about half, again catchy as hell, didn't catch many of the lyrics. They were talking about overdubs needed and whether to use live brass.
STATE OF GRACE
Pretty sure of title. Accostic guitar number. A "this is where I am in my life" type number - "I have love, I have everything I ever could have wanted..." is the first line.
SEA? SEA AND SAND?
Not "Sea" from Rupert sessions. Sounds like Beach Boy's Surf's Up in tempo. This was in pretty rough, demo form.
ALL FOR LOVE?
This is a musically solid, mid-tempo rocker. Of course, this is the rumored title of a third Threatles song but I seriously doubt that's what this is or where this came from - sounded like Paul and his band. Pretty generic lyrics, nothing special in that dept. Another song that may be more of a demo.
THROW IT AWAY
Good mid-tempo pop number, "In the Summertime" by Mungo Jerry feel, starts off being a pro-environment message song, turns into song about cleaning up your own life/emotions to be positive. This sounded almost finished/more polished than all but the first song we heard. Wouldn't make a bad single.
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