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Telling Stories
Tim Burgess grew up in rural Cheshire but from his mid-teens he spent as much time as he could at the legendary Hacienda in Manchester. He was invited to be the vocalist in newly formed The Charlatans, who went from supporting The Stone Roses to having three UK number one albums and seventeen Top Thirty singles. They rode the waves of first Madchester then Britpop. The band survived the imprisonment of influential keyboardist Rob Collins on a charge of armed robbery, then the death of Collins in a car accident; their accountant running off with all their money and leaving them with a tax bill of almost £2 million; and in more recent years the rock 'n' roll life-style of Burgess himself as he took himself off to LA, for the music and the drugs.
Packed with incredible stories, this frank and vivid memoir describes the mad life of a rock the dynamics of the band, the creativity and the self-destruction, the sex and the drugs but also the rock 'n roll - his obsession with music shines off the page as he writes about his influences and his encounters, from Dylan to New Order, from Paul Weller to Oasis.
Packed with incredible stories, this frank and vivid memoir describes the mad life of a rock the dynamics of the band, the creativity and the self-destruction, the sex and the drugs but also the rock 'n roll - his obsession with music shines off the page as he writes about his influences and his encounters, from Dylan to New Order, from Paul Weller to Oasis.
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2012
31 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 6, 2012
I read very few biographies. In fact I read very little non-fiction full stop. But this book I felt compelled to read, having been a committed Charlatans fan since the early 90s. They still remain one of my favourite bands to see live.
The book itself was an easy read, the title very apt as it was just like listening to Tim Burgess tell stories. I docked a star as I thought the last few chapters were a bit rushed and it did jump around somewhat. But overall was quite eye opening regarding how deep Tim fell into the drug fuelled life style. I was blissfully unaware of this all the times I saw him on stage. Oh so glad he pulled himself back from the brink. Here's to many more years of great albums and Brixton Academy gigs.
The book itself was an easy read, the title very apt as it was just like listening to Tim Burgess tell stories. I docked a star as I thought the last few chapters were a bit rushed and it did jump around somewhat. But overall was quite eye opening regarding how deep Tim fell into the drug fuelled life style. I was blissfully unaware of this all the times I saw him on stage. Oh so glad he pulled himself back from the brink. Here's to many more years of great albums and Brixton Academy gigs.
January 28, 2018
Tim Burgess is clearly bonkers. These loose-limbed ramblings about his shambolic rocking and rolling are as close to full-on, stream of consciousness hokum as anything Joyce or Ms. Woolf published. Plus neither Ulysses nor To The Lighthouse include a page-long digression on the logistics of rectal ingestion of class A drugs. So that's nice. It may be hard to follow at times with scant regard for chronology, but it feels authentic. Despite the addiction, the deaths, the break-ups, and the broken friendships, it's all fairly light and jolly. Fun.
November 1, 2016
Absolutely adored this book! Tim's quick sense of humor and love for music shines through in his writing. It was especially interesting to hear him talk so much about where his musical influences came from, one of the biggest being one of my favorite artists, New Order. His enthusiasm over his musical influences as well as for the records he collects is contagious, and left me wanting to immediately go and put on some records and dance. Also, his honesty when it comes to the darker periods of his life from his heavy drug use, to the death of The Charlatans band member, and friend, Rob Collins is refreshing and emotional. All of these elements kept me completely glued to the book over the past couple of days!! Telling Stories is a unique and beautiful book and is especially a must-read for any fan of 80s and 90s alternative music!
July 6, 2012
A step above the average rock star autobiography. Telling Stories manages to sidestep the usual linear chronology of gigs played, girls shagged and drugs taken. Of course that sort of stuff is in there, but it is mixed in with interesting tangents which give insight into the mind and personality of Tim Burgess.
Most pleasingly, what really came across was Tim’s genuine enthusiasm for music and his range of musical tastes (something surprisingly lacking in some other music autobiographies). Whilst I am not a mega fan of The Charlatans, I like a good rock autobiography and I found Tim Burgess to be affable, interesting and over the course of 233 pages good company.
Most pleasingly, what really came across was Tim’s genuine enthusiasm for music and his range of musical tastes (something surprisingly lacking in some other music autobiographies). Whilst I am not a mega fan of The Charlatans, I like a good rock autobiography and I found Tim Burgess to be affable, interesting and over the course of 233 pages good company.
November 10, 2013
Tim Burgess, lead singer and frontman with The Charlatans, has lead a life immersed in music.
I was particularly interested to read Telling Stories because The Charlatans were a band I listened to a lot during my teens. I grew up in Monmouth, in a midterraced house on Rockfield Road, just a couple of miles from where The Charlatans recorded. I actually met Tim Burgess twice in the mid 90s, and was completely in awe of this beautiful man. He had an ethereal quality, seeming much more introvert than his outer persona would suggest. I still have his autograph on the back of a National Lottery slip.
Burgess talks about his teenage years clubbing in Manchester, particularly at the legendary Hacienda, and his early experiences of substance abuse. As a vinyl collector he is knowledgeable about an eclectic mix of artists and bands, name-checking and recommending them throughout the book. You'll be reaching for your music collection (or youtube for some of the more obscure recommendations) as you read. Then of course there are his experiences as a musician. The Charlatans are often referred to as part of the 'Madchester' scene and also the later Indie/Britpop genre. However, part of the beauty of The Charlatans is their constantly evolving sound, and when you read Telling Stories and see the diverse list of influences, it becomes apparent just why their sound transcends so many genres.
Most music memoirs are chock-full of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Burgess himself acknowledges that drugs and rock and roll were his focus, openly admitting to the methods he used to smuggle drugs across borders and his drug reliance which he refers to as self-medication. The tragic death of bandmate Rob Collins, fraud scandal and armed robbery add depth and emotion to this compelling autobiography.
An honest, insightful look into the mind of a notable musician, Telling Stories is an interesting memoir which will particularly appeal to music fans of a certain age.
I was particularly interested to read Telling Stories because The Charlatans were a band I listened to a lot during my teens. I grew up in Monmouth, in a midterraced house on Rockfield Road, just a couple of miles from where The Charlatans recorded. I actually met Tim Burgess twice in the mid 90s, and was completely in awe of this beautiful man. He had an ethereal quality, seeming much more introvert than his outer persona would suggest. I still have his autograph on the back of a National Lottery slip.
Burgess talks about his teenage years clubbing in Manchester, particularly at the legendary Hacienda, and his early experiences of substance abuse. As a vinyl collector he is knowledgeable about an eclectic mix of artists and bands, name-checking and recommending them throughout the book. You'll be reaching for your music collection (or youtube for some of the more obscure recommendations) as you read. Then of course there are his experiences as a musician. The Charlatans are often referred to as part of the 'Madchester' scene and also the later Indie/Britpop genre. However, part of the beauty of The Charlatans is their constantly evolving sound, and when you read Telling Stories and see the diverse list of influences, it becomes apparent just why their sound transcends so many genres.
Most music memoirs are chock-full of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Burgess himself acknowledges that drugs and rock and roll were his focus, openly admitting to the methods he used to smuggle drugs across borders and his drug reliance which he refers to as self-medication. The tragic death of bandmate Rob Collins, fraud scandal and armed robbery add depth and emotion to this compelling autobiography.
An honest, insightful look into the mind of a notable musician, Telling Stories is an interesting memoir which will particularly appeal to music fans of a certain age.
August 20, 2012
After reading Hookys book and an Ian Brown one, this was not very good in comparison. Very messy, no timeline and somewhat scatty. Much like a junkies diary, to which i guess TB's brain is like.
I found it interesting when going into the band, but not much ado. It was more about him, i would've liked more about the band and the recording processes.
Shame really, as a hero of mine, he is somewhat tainted now. A wee bit big headed, self indulgent and a mess.
And the countless "Did I tell you i was....", bore off.
I found it interesting when going into the band, but not much ado. It was more about him, i would've liked more about the band and the recording processes.
Shame really, as a hero of mine, he is somewhat tainted now. A wee bit big headed, self indulgent and a mess.
And the countless "Did I tell you i was....", bore off.
January 4, 2020
With the help of four nicely spaced coffee and cigarette breaks, finished the whole book in 7 hours. Feel like I’ve been on a amazing trip.
July 29, 2023
A few funny lines in the book but ultimately poorly written and jumps around alot, also seems quite pompous, but if you're a fan of the music, it's somewhat interesting
March 10, 2013
First of all; Tim Burgess is no writer. Don't open this book expecting to be blown away by the quality of the prose. Don't get me wrong; it's a fantastic read, but only because of the subject matter.
Telling Stories starts off a bit disjointed. There's something willy-nilly in the narrator's style and approach that sets you off groaning inside and thinking: "This book is going to be a trial to read." You start thinking that Telling Stories is under-edited, under-structured, that it needs another couple of re-writes. But fear not! After a couple of dozen pages, Tim finds his feet, you get used to his voice and the book becomes a page-turner. In fact, the voice becomes so strong that it's like having Tim sitting there beside you, spinning tall tales from the Madchester scene, Britpop and his 'fat Elvis' years in L.A. And - it's a vibrant, engaging, funny, likable voice.
Tim is honest to a fault, considered in his reminiscences and one gets the distinct impression that he's being as kind as he can to those around him in the impressions you're left with of such figures as Alan McGee. Tim comes across as gifted, mystical, romantic, passionate about his music but more than anything else gentle, kind and true. He's the cheeky, but big-hearted leader of the pack who's a bit too wild for his own good, admired and looked up to by the boys and desired by the ladies. There's no effort in the book to settle old scores or put himself at the epicenter of everything. Telling Stories is straight up, credible and appreciably exaggeration-free.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in rock music, not just fans of The Charlatans or baggy. All sorts of fascinating figures turn up in the most unusual of situations! The anecdotes fly fast and thick. And, yes, the famous cocaine-straw-bum story is included. Tim's knowledge of music is encyclopaedic and his musical journey from punk to baggy to the L.A. of the mid noughties, with all its off-shoots, characters, swings and roundabouts is a pleasure for any fan of music to be brought on. He seems to have connected with everyone from Elliot Smith to Paul Weller. The process of song-writing, the nuts and bolts of recording and touring are all explored from Tim's unique vantage point. What emerges is the story of one man's finding of himself after years of over-indulgence, good and (infamously) bad luck, acclaim, ridicule, and all the rest that rock 'n' roll brings with it.
Telling Stories starts off a bit disjointed. There's something willy-nilly in the narrator's style and approach that sets you off groaning inside and thinking: "This book is going to be a trial to read." You start thinking that Telling Stories is under-edited, under-structured, that it needs another couple of re-writes. But fear not! After a couple of dozen pages, Tim finds his feet, you get used to his voice and the book becomes a page-turner. In fact, the voice becomes so strong that it's like having Tim sitting there beside you, spinning tall tales from the Madchester scene, Britpop and his 'fat Elvis' years in L.A. And - it's a vibrant, engaging, funny, likable voice.
Tim is honest to a fault, considered in his reminiscences and one gets the distinct impression that he's being as kind as he can to those around him in the impressions you're left with of such figures as Alan McGee. Tim comes across as gifted, mystical, romantic, passionate about his music but more than anything else gentle, kind and true. He's the cheeky, but big-hearted leader of the pack who's a bit too wild for his own good, admired and looked up to by the boys and desired by the ladies. There's no effort in the book to settle old scores or put himself at the epicenter of everything. Telling Stories is straight up, credible and appreciably exaggeration-free.
I'd recommend this book to anyone with an interest in rock music, not just fans of The Charlatans or baggy. All sorts of fascinating figures turn up in the most unusual of situations! The anecdotes fly fast and thick. And, yes, the famous cocaine-straw-bum story is included. Tim's knowledge of music is encyclopaedic and his musical journey from punk to baggy to the L.A. of the mid noughties, with all its off-shoots, characters, swings and roundabouts is a pleasure for any fan of music to be brought on. He seems to have connected with everyone from Elliot Smith to Paul Weller. The process of song-writing, the nuts and bolts of recording and touring are all explored from Tim's unique vantage point. What emerges is the story of one man's finding of himself after years of over-indulgence, good and (infamously) bad luck, acclaim, ridicule, and all the rest that rock 'n' roll brings with it.
April 26, 2015
Tim Burgess, the lead singer and songwriter of the great Madchester/Baggy survivors The Charlatans, has written a disappointing memoir, Fair enough, Burgess himself admits that he has written the book like a chat in the pub, but I would have still liked to have gotten a bit more information about how the Madchester /Baggy scene looked like from an insiders point of view. Was is just a happy accident or was there something a bit more planned behind it.
Another interesting thing would have been to learn more about a how the download revolution really affected bands like the Charlatans or artists like Burgess. Burgess touches upon the subject when he briefly mentions that the Charlatans was the first major band to allow it’s new album to be downloaded completely free but should have spend much more time explaining the reasons for it and it's implications for their subsequent career. Was it a wise move or not?
Unfortunately, Burgess’ urge to tell about his drug and alcohol use seems to have been the main motivation behind these memoirs. But you need to be a real addict/heavy user to write an interesting book about drugs (subject to surviving to tell the tale of course.) William Burroughs, Thomas De Quincey, Aleister Crowley, Ageyev and Jim Carroll are writers that have managed to do that. Recreational use that goes on occasional overdrive is not interesting read to outsiders at all and Burgess’ book proves that. At the end of the day Burgess is just too nice and decent a fellow to have plunged into real drug abuse and debauchery. Burgess is no Sebastian Horsley and for him that is a really good thing but it makes a boring and sometimes embarrassing read.
Burgess’ story would have made a really good and amusing long feature in Mojo or Uncut but as a 250 page book it is not worth reading.
Another interesting thing would have been to learn more about a how the download revolution really affected bands like the Charlatans or artists like Burgess. Burgess touches upon the subject when he briefly mentions that the Charlatans was the first major band to allow it’s new album to be downloaded completely free but should have spend much more time explaining the reasons for it and it's implications for their subsequent career. Was it a wise move or not?
Unfortunately, Burgess’ urge to tell about his drug and alcohol use seems to have been the main motivation behind these memoirs. But you need to be a real addict/heavy user to write an interesting book about drugs (subject to surviving to tell the tale of course.) William Burroughs, Thomas De Quincey, Aleister Crowley, Ageyev and Jim Carroll are writers that have managed to do that. Recreational use that goes on occasional overdrive is not interesting read to outsiders at all and Burgess’ book proves that. At the end of the day Burgess is just too nice and decent a fellow to have plunged into real drug abuse and debauchery. Burgess is no Sebastian Horsley and for him that is a really good thing but it makes a boring and sometimes embarrassing read.
Burgess’ story would have made a really good and amusing long feature in Mojo or Uncut but as a 250 page book it is not worth reading.
December 18, 2016
A totally frank and often unnerving dissection of the life and times of one Timothy Burgess, frontman to the unluckiest band in the world, The Charlatans, who by Burgess' own admission have experienced in their remarkable career as many highs as they have lows.
The book, which is a reasonably slim volume given the timeframe it covers, is as much an insightful and frank account of what it's like to front a band and have iconically coiffured hair as it is about the records, loves, cities and people that inspire such an endeavour.
Burgess' voice is warm, cheeky and full of spirit, even when dealing with the more controversial aspects of the bands existence such as the incarceration and subsequent death in a tragic car accident of one of the key band members earlier in their career. However it is never anything less than engaging and often, amusingly self deprecating; the cringe-worthy, and often humorous recollection of an interview, transcribed in full in the book, whilst intoxicated, at the hands of a bemused, laconic journalist being an incredible low (high?) point. His later reformation as a proponent of transcendental meditation is all the more surprising as a result.
All in all then, a knowing and enjoyable rock and roll autobiography that is suitably redemptive and that doesn't outstay it's welcome.
The book, which is a reasonably slim volume given the timeframe it covers, is as much an insightful and frank account of what it's like to front a band and have iconically coiffured hair as it is about the records, loves, cities and people that inspire such an endeavour.
Burgess' voice is warm, cheeky and full of spirit, even when dealing with the more controversial aspects of the bands existence such as the incarceration and subsequent death in a tragic car accident of one of the key band members earlier in their career. However it is never anything less than engaging and often, amusingly self deprecating; the cringe-worthy, and often humorous recollection of an interview, transcribed in full in the book, whilst intoxicated, at the hands of a bemused, laconic journalist being an incredible low (high?) point. His later reformation as a proponent of transcendental meditation is all the more surprising as a result.
All in all then, a knowing and enjoyable rock and roll autobiography that is suitably redemptive and that doesn't outstay it's welcome.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 11, 2013
This is far from a conventional autobiography, and there seems a lot of criticism from some other reviewers around this.
To them, I would gently suggest that the clue is in the title!
There is no strict chronology to this, instead Tim regales you with various tales of his journey so far.
He pulls no punches and is not afraid to nail his colours to the mast. He doesn't gloss over his battles with drugs, and is refreshingly candid without glamourising the matter.
The book has a conversational tone, and I was left with the feeling that we're I to bump into Tim in a bar (or a pop up Tim Peaks coffee shop) I would feel the urge to carry on a tale, in the way an old friend would.
To me that's lavish praise for how the book engaged with me. Clearly for others it's not the way a memoir should be, but that feels a little puritanical to me...
To them, I would gently suggest that the clue is in the title!
There is no strict chronology to this, instead Tim regales you with various tales of his journey so far.
He pulls no punches and is not afraid to nail his colours to the mast. He doesn't gloss over his battles with drugs, and is refreshingly candid without glamourising the matter.
The book has a conversational tone, and I was left with the feeling that we're I to bump into Tim in a bar (or a pop up Tim Peaks coffee shop) I would feel the urge to carry on a tale, in the way an old friend would.
To me that's lavish praise for how the book engaged with me. Clearly for others it's not the way a memoir should be, but that feels a little puritanical to me...
January 28, 2015
This was a fast read for me, Tim Burgess has a colorful and conversational writing style - which helped make this book an easy read. There are many interesting stories spanning from before Burgess was in the Charlatans to the present day, a span of over 20 years and many albums. I'm a fan of The Charlatans' music, but not too familiar with their story - so it was interesting to read about a band member who had been in a band that was supposedly part of various music scenes like Madchester, Britpop, etc. who seemed to know a lot of different well known musicians before and after their rises to stardom. The band had their share of problems with drugs, jail, death, labels, management, the change in music distribution, etc. However, Tim Burgess got through drug addiction and hard times with the help of transcendental meditation, so it ends happily at least.
July 24, 2013
I have no qualms in telling you that this will be one of the most biased book reviews you will ever read. “Tellin’ Stories” by Tim Burgess is an autobiography by the lead singer of a band who had me pouting into mirrors and combing the hair over my eyes throughout much of the early 90′s. It is also one of the most passionate, honest and affable books you will ever read – “more a chat in a pub rather than a document of every move I made”. Do yourself a huge favour, dig out “Some Friendly”, stick on some headphones and enjoy the journey. By the end of the book you’ll not only feel like you know a true icon of the Madchester scene, you’ll feel like he’s your mate.
August 27, 2016
He`s alright, not as entertaining as Shaun Ryder though. Lots of name dropping and probably trying too hard.
February 21, 2021
many useful stories on building a band, great references, sweet guy
January 2, 2025
Telling Stories was my last read of 2024
This was a great read by the lead singer of one of my favorite British bands, The Charlatans. It was a compelling, nostalgic and melancholy read. Melancholy as I felt sorry for myself per usual wondering why I’m on the periphery of everything and never truly involved, never the chosen one. Back in the 90s when I was young and naive, I kind of followed the band on tour— up and down the East Coast. I went to shows in Boston, New York, DC, Montreal. When the Providence show got canceled, several of us went bowling. I spent time at sound checks and sometimes backstage but not often, sometimes on the tour bus but not that often. I was never really friends with them. I guess I was just a fan.
In Telling Stories, Tim Burgess is candid about growing up and getting into music, joining the band, touring, songwriting and the various albums, drug use, relationships, the death of Rob Collins—I had a big crush on Rob Collins and was closest to him—living in L.A. and celeb friends. Apparently Madonna was at the Limelight gig and I missed that?! Things like that made me sad. I did go to a party in Montreal with the band but spent most of my time hanging out with the support band, Queen Sarah Saturday.
Tim wrote this more than a decade ago. He does TM and is a vegan I’ve been told. When the band was in Boston two years ago I’d have liked to talk to him but he wasn’t around when I was able to go backstage — only because friends of mine know Andy Bell of RIDE and he invited them back and I tagged along.
This was a great read by the lead singer of one of my favorite British bands, The Charlatans. It was a compelling, nostalgic and melancholy read. Melancholy as I felt sorry for myself per usual wondering why I’m on the periphery of everything and never truly involved, never the chosen one. Back in the 90s when I was young and naive, I kind of followed the band on tour— up and down the East Coast. I went to shows in Boston, New York, DC, Montreal. When the Providence show got canceled, several of us went bowling. I spent time at sound checks and sometimes backstage but not often, sometimes on the tour bus but not that often. I was never really friends with them. I guess I was just a fan.
In Telling Stories, Tim Burgess is candid about growing up and getting into music, joining the band, touring, songwriting and the various albums, drug use, relationships, the death of Rob Collins—I had a big crush on Rob Collins and was closest to him—living in L.A. and celeb friends. Apparently Madonna was at the Limelight gig and I missed that?! Things like that made me sad. I did go to a party in Montreal with the band but spent most of my time hanging out with the support band, Queen Sarah Saturday.
Tim wrote this more than a decade ago. He does TM and is a vegan I’ve been told. When the band was in Boston two years ago I’d have liked to talk to him but he wasn’t around when I was able to go backstage — only because friends of mine know Andy Bell of RIDE and he invited them back and I tagged along.
March 12, 2023
Picked this up because it smiled to me on the shelf of a bookstore.
Probably my fault that this book falls flat with me. It not a good thing for a memoir if the reader has until then never heard about the author, but in any case it was not bad. I like Paul Weller too, and probably a bit more now. But there's a lot of namecalling in here and most of these names I don't know. But that seems to be a general problem with memoirs, Hemingway had the same problem in A Moveable Feast, so I don't much hold it against Tim Burgess. A sign maybe that I should not just pick up any old book that smiles at me on the shelf? I don't think so, sometimes you just have to take a shot with things. I didn't much like it, I think there are many people who grew up with Britpop and they might.
Probably my fault that this book falls flat with me. It not a good thing for a memoir if the reader has until then never heard about the author, but in any case it was not bad. I like Paul Weller too, and probably a bit more now. But there's a lot of namecalling in here and most of these names I don't know. But that seems to be a general problem with memoirs, Hemingway had the same problem in A Moveable Feast, so I don't much hold it against Tim Burgess. A sign maybe that I should not just pick up any old book that smiles at me on the shelf? I don't think so, sometimes you just have to take a shot with things. I didn't much like it, I think there are many people who grew up with Britpop and they might.
September 25, 2017
I read Tim Book 2 before this biography. Book 2 is a much warmer, better written and more succinct read. As a long term Charlatan’s fan, Tim’s biography is interesting enough, but it’s a bit scattergun in its delivery. One would be inclined to think that due to years of cocaine abuse, there was still plenty left in his bloodstream when he wrote this book. I also think that someone who caned as much gear for as long as he claims would have a few more skeletons in his closet than this book discloses. I mean cocaine doesn’t exactly create humble, considerate folk does it? Mark Collins’s Dad aside, he doesn’t seem to have upset anyone. Focus on the music is also patchy. We get a track by track break down of a lesser album ‘You Cross My Path’, but not too much detail at all on great, successful albums such as ‘The Charlatans’ and ‘Tellin’ Stories’. Odd. Maybe he just can’t remember making them!
May 17, 2018
Read a musician's autobiography while listening to their catalogue, you'll be glad you did. Tim Burgess has led an interesting life, and The Charlatans are a kickass band, and while this book was a little lightweight (I would happily have had it 100 pages longer, filling in details) it proceeds at a brisk pace, filling in the man and the band's trip through Madchester, Britpop, and into the 21st century.
A feat made more impressive by the fact that, for both Madchester and Britpop, The Charlatans are the last band standing, which given the excesses of the period, excesses that Tim freely admits he was an enthusiastic participant in, is no mean feat. This is a fascinating journey, told in a refreshingly innocent narrative voice. I'm glad I read it, it was a lot of fun...
A feat made more impressive by the fact that, for both Madchester and Britpop, The Charlatans are the last band standing, which given the excesses of the period, excesses that Tim freely admits he was an enthusiastic participant in, is no mean feat. This is a fascinating journey, told in a refreshingly innocent narrative voice. I'm glad I read it, it was a lot of fun...
August 29, 2019
Decent autobiography, has some revealing details in and reads pretty well. Quite music-centric, as in he talks at length about influences, favourites, movements, writing & recording process. Not in a blueprint way, but with heart and passion.
A little disjointed in places, but well worth a read if you're a fan of his, theirs or the 90s scene in general. It's not a masterpiece, but definitely holds the interest, it's pretty short, and provides some nice background to goings on during their beginnings, peak and a little beyond.
Keep your headphones and streaming-service of choice at hand, it's well worth banging on some of the songs he references throughout, some theirs but most just in general.
A little disjointed in places, but well worth a read if you're a fan of his, theirs or the 90s scene in general. It's not a masterpiece, but definitely holds the interest, it's pretty short, and provides some nice background to goings on during their beginnings, peak and a little beyond.
Keep your headphones and streaming-service of choice at hand, it's well worth banging on some of the songs he references throughout, some theirs but most just in general.
March 15, 2022
I love The Charlatans. My playlist of only the most truly brilliant songs is 44 tracks long. This book is however a mess.
Not only the scattershot narrative, going nowhere and everywhere at once, but the focus is on everything except the band’s own music. When the focus is finally on the albums and songs it’s about You Cross My Path while Tim Burgess almost doesn’t write anything about The Charlatans (1995) or Us and Us Only. The best part is a lengthy article about a weird dinner between Burgess and a journalist.
In the end it feels in need of an editor, or like a failed attempt at Bob Dylan’s Chronicles. I still love The Charlatans, but it’s the first time I’ve read a biography that didn’t made me want to revisit the artist right away.
Not only the scattershot narrative, going nowhere and everywhere at once, but the focus is on everything except the band’s own music. When the focus is finally on the albums and songs it’s about You Cross My Path while Tim Burgess almost doesn’t write anything about The Charlatans (1995) or Us and Us Only. The best part is a lengthy article about a weird dinner between Burgess and a journalist.
In the end it feels in need of an editor, or like a failed attempt at Bob Dylan’s Chronicles. I still love The Charlatans, but it’s the first time I’ve read a biography that didn’t made me want to revisit the artist right away.
July 2, 2022
A straight forward trot through the bands beginnings and taking us through the ups and downs, splits and reformations. Highs and lows aplenty, some fuelled by drink and drugs and some not.
Painful loss of friends through accidents or illnesses and a route out afterwards.
This book finishes in around 2007 but I have seen the band a couple of years ago and both they and Tim Burgess are still going strong. However he found his peace it continues to work for him.
As he said in the book, he wanted it to read like a chat in the pub and it’s exactly that. Reminisces of a man aware of his mistakes but also acutely aware he leans on the shoulders of those that came before.
If you like music, in particular Manchester or general British 1990’s music, this might be one for you.
Painful loss of friends through accidents or illnesses and a route out afterwards.
This book finishes in around 2007 but I have seen the band a couple of years ago and both they and Tim Burgess are still going strong. However he found his peace it continues to work for him.
As he said in the book, he wanted it to read like a chat in the pub and it’s exactly that. Reminisces of a man aware of his mistakes but also acutely aware he leans on the shoulders of those that came before.
If you like music, in particular Manchester or general British 1990’s music, this might be one for you.
July 28, 2017
This book strikes me a similar to the Charlies music - inoffensive, pleasant,and not without merit but ultimately uncompelling lacking the gutpunching urgent necessity of better bands - and autobiographies. One thing that bothered me was calling bandmembers Mr Pink, Blue, and so on to disguise their identities in case their mums are reading. I mean give me a break this is Rock and Roll, anonymity's fine for certain situations but not everyday tourbus hijinks!
I would recommend Julian Cope's book as being vastly superior tho this which is really just for fans.
I would recommend Julian Cope's book as being vastly superior tho this which is really just for fans.
June 5, 2018
Lead singer of The Charlatans wrote a memoir of essays, as is all the rage these days.
Good stuff, but only if you know who and care Tim Burgess is (and who The Charlatans are) before you read it. After I finished it, I immediately started Tim Book Two. Nyuknyuknyuk.
Really. That's the name of his second book. That's about vinyl and the thrill seeking of haunting record shops around the world.
Recommended only for the fans.
Good stuff, but only if you know who and care Tim Burgess is (and who The Charlatans are) before you read it. After I finished it, I immediately started Tim Book Two. Nyuknyuknyuk.
Really. That's the name of his second book. That's about vinyl and the thrill seeking of haunting record shops around the world.
Recommended only for the fans.
February 4, 2019
A breezy well-written rock tale by a likeable man that starts well but loses me about halfway, a bit like the band he's in in really. Being an indie bore, I wanted to know more about the music and less about the bad drugs although I undertand thats why most people will read this. Also the only person Ive ever seen laying into the Reverend Mayo which, true or not, seemed incredibly NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAD THE LAST LAUGH
February 9, 2022
I do like the Charlatans, often forgetting how much I do so. Tim Burgess was very active on Twitter during lockdown, and always seems very affable and easy going in his demeanour.
Likewise his 1st book seems to be, although honest, and easy going there's nothing particularly iconic or revolutionary in here. Hes just comes across as a normal bloke, who loves music and pretty much life itself.
Okay for fans, which I suppose who it's meant for but not a great deal else.
Likewise his 1st book seems to be, although honest, and easy going there's nothing particularly iconic or revolutionary in here. Hes just comes across as a normal bloke, who loves music and pretty much life itself.
Okay for fans, which I suppose who it's meant for but not a great deal else.
April 27, 2023
A great read, placing you vicariously in the times and places where songs were written and lives were changed.
Although a short read, it took a long time for me to complete because it's chock full of references to tracks (not just Charlatans songs, but their inspirations too) that you just have to listen to again in context. Many times I stopped and put the book down at bedtime thinking "I'm going to have to listen to these tomorrow".
Although a short read, it took a long time for me to complete because it's chock full of references to tracks (not just Charlatans songs, but their inspirations too) that you just have to listen to again in context. Many times I stopped and put the book down at bedtime thinking "I'm going to have to listen to these tomorrow".
September 8, 2023
2.5 Picked up in a secondhand bookstore and thought I’d give it a go. Not a huge Charlatans fan but loved a number of the artists he name-checks and the 90s saw my love of music blossom. As other less favourable reviews have said, needed a good editor. I’d recommend it to a couple of my diehard music fans/readers and think they’d get something out of it but couldn’t recommend to just anyone. I think the great autobiographies can be enjoyed by anyone and not just fans.
December 19, 2023
I’m a HUGE fan of The Charlatans! Tim Burgess surprised with me with his candor, musical knowledge and sweet nature. What shocked me most was his ability to tell a story, be honest about his shortcomings, and level of ambition. I knew he was a well known hedonist, but groupies didn’t interest him. That made me respect him all the more. I hope he’ll write an update to TS ( this one ended in 2012). It’s a fascinating book!
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