Telling Stories (book)

Last updated
Telling Stories
Telling Stories book.jpg
Hardcover version
Author Tim Burgess
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Subject The Charlatans
Genre Autobiography, music
Publisher Viking Press
Publication date
26 April 2012
Media typePrint
Pages240 (hardcover)
256 (paperback)
ISBN 978-0670921294
OCLC 840071903

Telling Stories is a 2012 autobiography by Tim Burgess, about his time fronting British rock band the Charlatans. After a false start with a ghostwriter, Burgess began the book in earnest in late 2010, completing it in early 2012. Originally released as a hardcover edition, a paperback iteration with an extra chapter was printed in 2013. The book received mainly positive reviews from music publications, several of which commented on Burgess' writing style.

Contents

Background and writing

Since the 1980s, Tim Burgess has been the frontman for British rock band the Charlatans, and since the 2000s, released solo material. [1] In 2008, Burgess had been approached about writing an autobiography by an agent of some mutual friends. [2] He spent the following two years mulling over the idea, before finally deciding to do it. [3] Though Burgess' agent proposed writing it alone, he was offered a ghostwriter. In early 2010, he attempt to start with friend and former publicist Robin Turner. Despite the pair thinking it would be a fruitful partnership, the match-up did not work and they both lost interest in the idea. After a period of procrastination, Burgess sought advice from people such as author Mick Middles, deputy prime minister John Prescott and journalist John Robb. [2] Prescott told him to focus on "research", Burgess understood this to make sure specific pieces of information, such as dates and chart positions, were accurate. [4]

The Charlatans released their 11th studio album Who We Touch in September 2010; after touring concluded in December 2010, Burgess visited Wales for a break with his girlfriend. Here, she suggested he should begin work on the book – she would interview him, which would be recorded through his phone. [2] They accumulated around 20 hours of audio, which he then transcribed. [5] The pair visited Monnow Valley Studio in Monmouth, where the Charlatans previously recorded and to the location where the band's former keyboardist Rob Collins had been killed. After realising that he had the skeleton outline of a book, he continued working on it almost daily until January 2012. [2] He commented that he would have been unable to write a book in the years prior, as he was occupied partying and consuming drugs and it would not "have been a good idea to write a book high on cocaine". [5] Writing the book coincided with the making of his second solo album Oh No I Love You (2012): "the book covered the past and the solo album covered the present. I had to do them at the same time because it would have killed me to just look at the past". [3]

Content and publication

Telling Stories is named after the band's similarly named fifth studio album Tellin' Stories (1997). [6] It starts with Burgess experimenting with drugs during his adolescent years, leading into occasions when he would frequent band gigs and club nights at The Haçienda in Manchester. He then talked about joining the Charlatans as their frontman and the early success they had with their first two singles, "Indian Rope" (1990) and "The Only One I Know" (1990). [7] It goes into detail on the rest of the band's history through the Madchester and Britpop movements in the 1990s. [8]

Later in the book, Burgess discusses moving to Los Angeles, California, quitting drugs and studying Transcendental Meditation. [9] Telling Stories was announced in January 2012, and was first printed as a hardback edition on 26 April 2012 by Viking Press. [10] [11] The release of the book was promoted with a short tour where the band played that album in its entirety. [6] A paperback iteration followed in July 2013 by Penguin Books. [12] This edition included an extra chapter on Burgess' musical roots, highlighting the Clash, the Doors, Bob Dylan and New Order among others. [13]

Reception

The Times ' Will Hodgkinson wrote that the "clear, honest style of Telling Stories reads like an advertisement for clean living, though it took 20 years of dirty living to build up the material". [7] The Independent reviewer Fiona Sturges added to this, noting that Burgess "doesn't shy away from confessions that cast him in a bad light", highlighting a drunken encounter with Madonna. [14] Margaret Chrystall of What's On North considered it a "rock odyssey that shares juicy details, funny stories and a lifetime of passionate music nerdery before dodging the darkness and docking in a surprisingly good place". [13]

God Is in the TV writer Mike Furber said Burgess writing the book solely gave it a "slightly off-kilter rhythm which, at its best, reminded me of the disorientating, folksy style" of Chronicles: Volume One (2004) by Dylan and "at its worst became a series of pedestrian lists". [8] Spectrum Culture's David Mansdorf disliked this approach, stating a co-writer would have likely aided Burgess form "his story in a way that shows him in a better light". [15] Fiona Shepherd of Scotland on Sunday said it was "diverting in places without really creating much of a lasting impression". While she considered it to be "generally upbeat and conversational so the occasional tangents placing The Charlatans in the wider musical context of the times read like ghost-written interventions". [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Charlatans (English band)</span> English alternative rock band

The Charlatans are an English rock band formed in the West Midlands, England in 1988. As of 2000, their line-up consists of lead vocalist Tim Burgess, guitarist Mark Collins, bassist Martin Blunt and keyboardist Tony Rogers.

<i>Up at the Lake</i> 2004 studio album by the Charlatans

Up at the Lake is the eighth album by the British alternative rock band The Charlatans, released on 17 May 2004 through Universal and Island Records Group. As promotion wrapped up for their seventh album Wonderland (2001), Universal wanted them to follow it up with another one quickly. However, frontman Tim Burgess began working on his debut solo album in late 2002. At the end of the year, the band reconvened to write songs; by March 2003, they relocated to their own studio, Big Mushroom in Cheshire, Greater Manchester with them and James Spencer serving as producers. Recording halted in May 2003 to allow for Burgess to finish on his album, I Believe (2003); sessions would resume by the end of the year, and finish in February 2004. Up at the Lake is a pop rock album that pursues the country rock direction that they had first explored on their sixth album Tellin' Stories (1997).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Burgess (musician)</span> Musical artist

Timothy Allan Burgess is an English musician, singer-songwriter and record label owner, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band the Charlatans.

<i>Us and Us Only</i> 1999 studio album by the Charlatans

Us and Us Only is the sixth album by British rock band the Charlatans, released by Universal on 18 October 1999. After touring for their fifth studio album Tellin' Stories wrapped up by the end of 1997, they played minimal shows throughout 1998 and planned its follow-up. They built their own recording studio, aiming to start recording by early 1999; sessions eventually took place in March and April 1999 with the band self-producing. Us and Us Only is a country rock, folk and roots rock album that strayed from the band's British roots in lieu of American-focused music.

<i>Some Friendly</i> 1990 studio album by the Charlatans

Some Friendly is the debut studio album of British rock band the Charlatans that was released on 8 October 1990 through Beggars Banquet Records imprint Situation Two. After forming in 1988, the band went through line-up changes before settling on vocalist Tim Burgess, guitarist John Baker, bassist Martin Blunt, keyboardist Rob Collins and drummer Jon Brookes. The band wrote material at a prolific rate and released their debut single "Indian Rope" in early 1990. Soon afterwards, they signed to Beggars Banquet and began recording their debut album. Between March and August 1990, sessions took place with producer Chris Nagle at Strawberry Studios in Stockport and The Windings in Wrexham. Some Friendly is considered an acid-pop, baggy and dance-pop album that draws influence from The Beatles' psychedelic period.

<i>Between 10th and 11th</i> 1992 studio album by the Charlatans

Between 10th and 11th is the second studio album by British rock band The Charlatans; it was released on 23 March 1992 through Situation Two, a subsidiary of Beggars Banquet Records. The Charlatans started writing new material shortly after the release of their debut studio album Some Friendly (1990). After some writing sessions in Birmingham and a tour of the United Kingdom, guitarist John Baker left the band and was replaced with Mark Collins of English indie band Candlestick Park. Bassist Martin Blunt went through a series of personal issues that led to his hospitalization in September 1991. The Charlatans began recording their next album at Rockfield Studios in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales.

<i>Tellin Stories</i> 1997 studio album by the Charlatans

Tellin' Stories is the fifth album by the British rock band the Charlatans, released on 21 April 1997 through Beggars Banquet Records. After wrapping up touring in support of their 1995 self-titled fourth album in early 1996, vocalist Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins went to a cottage near lake Windermere to write material. Shortly after this, they did a test recording session at Rockfield in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, before main sessions were underway from Easter 1996 at the nearby Monnow Valley Studio with the band, engineer Dave Charles and engineer Ric Peet acting as producers. Partway through recording, keyboardist Rob Collins was involved in a fatal car crash. The band drafted in Martin Duffy of Primal Scream to help finish it, concluding in early 1997. Tellin' Stories is a Britpop, hip hop soul and rock album that had been compared to the work of Patti Smith and Neil Young.

<i>The Charlatans</i> (1995 album) 1995 studio album by the Charlatans

The Charlatans is the fourth album by the British rock band the Charlatans, released on 28 August 1995 through Beggars Banquet Records. Following a holiday, vocalist Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins wrote material for their next album at Burgess' place in Chalk Farm. The band then absconded to Monnow Valley Studio in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales with producer Steve Hillage. After preparing several mixes of the album, none of which they liked, Hillage was fired and engineer Dave Charles was brought in. Further recording was then done at the nearby Rockfield Studios.

<i>Up to Our Hips</i> 1994 studio album by the Charlatans

Up to Our Hips is the third studio album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 21 March 1994 through Beggars Banquet Records. They released their second studio album Between 10th and 11th in early 1992; by the year's end, they were working on material for its follow-up. Keyboardist Rob Collins was arrested for participating in an attempted armed robbery. After being bailed, the band continued writing, splitting into pairs or working alone on songs.

<i>Wonderland</i> (The Charlatans album) 2001 studio album by the Charlatans

Wonderland is the seventh album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 10 September 2001 through Universal. Following promotional efforts for their sixth studio album Us and Us Only, vocalist Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins wrote new material at the former's house in Los Angeles, California. Cocaine would be an impact on the writing, and later on recording; sessions were held at producer Danny Saber's house studio, Krevorkian's Lab, also in Los Angeles. The band worked with him for seven weeks from October 2000, only completing five tracks, and later went to their own studio, Big Mushroom in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, in early 2001. Wonderland is a funk-soul and electronica record, evoking the work John Mellencamp, Oasis and Primal Scream. Burgess remarked that Los Angeles itself became a member of the band; critics referred to it as a drug-enhanced party album. He employed a falsetto in the vein of Curtis Mayfield and Kurt Wagner.

<i>Simpatico</i> (The Charlatans album) 2006 studio album by the Charlatans

Simpatico is the ninth studio album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 17 April 2006 through Creole and Sanctuary Records. After signing to the latter label in early 2005, frontman Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins went to Palm Springs, California to write new material. With Jim Lowe and the band producing, recording was held at Hook End Manor in Oxfordshire, with overdubs later being down at Townhouse Studios in London. Simpatico is a dub reggae and rock album that drew comparison to the work of the Dead 60s, Hard-Fi and UB40. Bassist Martin Blunt and Burgess attributed the sound shift to them listening to Ken Boothe, Gregory Isaacs and Studio One.

Robert James Collins was an English musician best known as the original keyboardist of The Charlatans.

<i>You Cross My Path</i> 2008 studio album by the Charlatans

You Cross My Path is the tenth studio album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 3 March 2008 as a free download from radio station Xfm's website. Following promotion for the band's ninth studio album Simpatico (2006), frontman Tim Burgess and manager Alan McGee devised an idea to give away their music for no charge. Guitarist Mark Collins and keyboardist Tony Rogers visited Burgess in Los Angeles, California, where they would write new material, and followed this up with jam sessions with the whole band in early 2007. Recording sessions were split across Hollywood, California, Blessington, Ireland and Cheshire, Greater Manchester, with Rogers given a separate producer credit independent of the band. You Cross My Path is an electro and pop album that evoked the work of Kasabian, New Order and Simple Minds. Following the reggae direction of Simpatico, Rogers' organ returned to the forefront of the band's sound on You Cross My Path.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Only One I Know</span> 1990 single by The Charlatans

"The Only One I Know" is the second single by English rock band the Charlatans. It was their first top-10 hit, reaching No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. In the UK, it was the highest-charting single from the Some Friendly album. Its best showing in the United States was on the Modern Rock Chart, where it reached No. 5 in September 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One to Another</span> 1996 single by the Charlatans

"One to Another" is a song by British alternative rock band the Charlatans. It was the first single from their fifth album, Tellin' Stories (1997), and their first single following the death of the band's keyboardist, Rob Collins. The single remains their highest-charting song in the UK, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. "One to Another" features drum loops provided by Tom Rowlands of the Chemical Brothers. The song serves as the theme song to the UK channel E4 show My Mad Fat Diary.

<i>Modern Nature</i> 2015 studio album by the Charlatans

Modern Nature is the 12th studio album by British rock band the Charlatans. It was released through BMG on 26 January 2015. After the release of the band's 11th studio album Who We Touch (2010), drummer Jon Brookes was diagnosed with brain cancer, and subsequently died in mid-2013. In early 2014, the band met up at their studio Big Mushroom with Jim Spencer, and began working on a new album. The sessions lasted seven months, and featured recordings from the drummers of the Verve, New Order, and Factory Floor. Described as a pop album, Modern Nature featured contributions from the High Llamas frontman Sean O'Hagan, as well as gospel vocals from Melanie Marshall and Sandra Marvin.

<i>I Believe</i> (Tim Burgess album) 2003 studio album by Tim Burgess

I Believe is the debut solo album by British rock musician Tim Burgess of the Charlatans, released on 8 September 2003 through the labels PIAS Recordings and Straight Trippin. Following promotion of the Charlatans' seventh studio album Wonderland (2001), Burgess started working with Linus of Hollywood. They recorded at the latter's place in Los Angeles, dubbed Franklin Castle, in late 2002. Burgess had co-written the majority of the songs with Linus. I Believe is a pop soul album that takes inspiration from the work of the Beach Boys, Curtis Mayfield and Joe Strummer.

<i>Twisting My Melon: The Autobiography</i> 2011 book by Shaun Ryder

Twisting My Melon: The Autobiography is a 2011 autobiography by Shaun Ryder, about his time fronting British rock bands Happy Mondays and Black Grape. The book received mainly positive reviews from music publications, several of which considered it an entertaining read.

Telling Stories may refer to:

<i>Tim Book Two: Vinyl Adventures from Istanbul to San Francisco</i> 2016 book by Tim Burgess

Tim Book Two: Vinyl Adventures from Istanbul to San Francisco is a 2016 book by Tim Burgess, about him traveling around the world to find specific albums on vinyl.

References

  1. ↑ Sutton, Michael. "Tim Burgess Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Doron (20 April 2012). "Preview: An Evening With Tim Burgess 'Telling Stories'". Londonist. Archived from the original on 30 November 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  3. 1 2 Nissim, Mayer (27 April 2012). "Tim Burgess interview: 'I must have enjoyed my time on drugs'". Digital Spy . Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Jonze, Tim (19 April 2012). "Tim Burgess: 'I tried a lot of different drugs'". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  5. 1 2 Geghegan, Kev (25 April 2012). "The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess tells all in new book". BBC News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  6. 1 2 "The Charlatans' Tim Burgess to release memoir". NME . 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  7. 1 2 Hodgkinson, Will (17 April 2012). "Lead singer of the Charlatans Tim Burgess on coming clean". The Times . Archived from the original on 7 November 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  8. 1 2 Furber, Mike (7 May 2012). "Tim Burgess – Telling stories". God Is in the TV . Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  9. 1 2 Shepherd, Fiona (17 April 2012). "Book review: Telling Stories, by Tim Burgess". Scotland on Sunday . Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  10. ↑ Telling Stories Hardcover. ASIN   0670921297.
  11. ↑ Robb, John (6 January 2012). "Tim Burgess to release autobiography". Louder Than War . Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  12. ↑ Telling Stories Paperback. ASIN   0241957974.
  13. 1 2 Chrystall, Margaret (25 September 2013). "Review: Telling Stories by Tim Burgess". What's On North. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  14. ↑ Sturges, Fiona (30 April 2012). "Telling Stories, By Tim Burgess". The Independent . Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  15. ↑ Mansdorf, David (24 July 2012). "Telling Stories: by Tim Burgess". Spectrum Culture. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
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