Book 65 - Tracy Thorn "Bedsit Disco Queen"

[jazzy_dave]

Tracy Thorn "Bedsit Disco Queen : How I Grew Up and Tried to Be a Pop Star" (Virago)




An utterly delightful memoir by Tracey Thorn, the lead singer of Everything But The Girl. Tracey has always presented an opaque, cool front to the world, letting her song lyrics hint at her life but here she takes us back to the teenager growing up in suburban Hertfordshire, needing to become involved in the post-punk music scene in London but unsure of how to go about it. Gaining some indie success as part of The Marine Girls, Tracey went to study at Hull University and within a few hours of arriving had met fellow-record label artist Ben Watt. They bonded over music and started the band Everything But The Girl (taking the name from a local shop) and were soon gaining mainstream success while still at University.

Tracey shares the successes the band achieved but also the quandary of how to keep both afloat in the never-constant flow of the pop world while staying true to your vision. EBTG had highs, they had lows but more through happenstance than design kept finding opportunities for success. Thorn also shares her offstage life with Ben Watt and the awful experience in the 1990s when Ben was crippled with an illness that left them facing an unknown future.

Warm, involving, insightful and full of humour, Tracey's book is one of the best autobiographies of recent years.

Comments

[calico-pye.livejournal.com]

I like Tracey Thorn - especially her collaboration with Massive Attack on 'Protection'.

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

*Drive-by Squishes*

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review! I'm curious about this one, since I read Ben Watt's memoir of his illness (Patient), which is brilliant, so it would be interesting to get Tracey's side too.

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it could be a good read. :)
EBTG sounds familiar, but I can't place anything by them.
Hugs, Jon

[st-martin-a.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a good read. I love music memoirs and I've got a couple of their albums. Real chilled music and a great voice.

[laurawise.livejournal.com]

Oh that looks just great!