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My Bass and Other Animals
Guy Pratt's life as bass player to the stars. The book behind the successful comedy show. Guy Pratt came of age just as playing bass became cool, with the likes of Paul Simonon and Bruce Foxton. Having dallied with Funkapolitan, Pratt suddenly found himself on Top of the Pops and supporting David Bowie with smooth Australian outfit Icehouse. At a ludicrously young age Guy Pratt became a sought after bass player to the stars, finding himself crawling from studio to bar, from hotel to stadium portacabin with Robert Palmer, Womack & Womack, Bernard Edwards, Bryan Ferry and David Crosby, etc. The eighties were in their prime, and with a number of Crolla-suited appearances in windswept videos behind him, he was invited to join Pink Floyd for a series of stadium of extravaganzas to make Bono & co look fairly modest. Pratt has recorded with Madonna, and spent time in the studio with Michael Jackson. He was in The Smiths for a week, has travelled through customs in a wheelchair after a flight with Jimmy Page, and has lived to tell all. MY BASS AND OTHER ANIMALS emerges from the successful stand-up tour of the same name. It charts his journey from a Mod band in Southend to playing with Roxy Music at Live 8.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 16, 2021
Enjoyable up to a point, that point being where Guy Pratt laughs off his numerous drink driving stories. Not big, not clever. That aside, this is a brisk easy read, no massive depth but a fair few amusing stories.
Pratt comes across a little Patridge like at times and a bit laddish, models are bonked, cocaine is huffed and everyone has a laugh at the famous people who travel in private jets and piss money away.
I enjoyed this, but can’t imagine ever reading it again.
Pratt comes across a little Patridge like at times and a bit laddish, models are bonked, cocaine is huffed and everyone has a laugh at the famous people who travel in private jets and piss money away.
I enjoyed this, but can’t imagine ever reading it again.
May 14, 2022
Guy Pratt, probably most familiar for his association with Pink Floyd is a talented bass player who has worked with an incredible number of famous musicians and has very much lived life to the full. He has been a member of bands (Icehouse being the big one) but has had a career as a top level session and touring musician to just about everybody.
He has an amusing style often self-deprecating but also with the occasional smugness of being “with the band”. Lots of stories about touring and associations with big names, but sometimes hard to tell how “in” he really was. Much taking of booze and drugs with little apparent regret is also a consistent theme.
It is about 15 years old and you do wonder what tales of those years might expose, surely he has quit all the drug taking, otherwise his performances would no longer be up to scratch. Saw him a month ago as part of “Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets” and have to say he was excellent.
He has an amusing style often self-deprecating but also with the occasional smugness of being “with the band”. Lots of stories about touring and associations with big names, but sometimes hard to tell how “in” he really was. Much taking of booze and drugs with little apparent regret is also a consistent theme.
It is about 15 years old and you do wonder what tales of those years might expose, surely he has quit all the drug taking, otherwise his performances would no longer be up to scratch. Saw him a month ago as part of “Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets” and have to say he was excellent.
August 7, 2023
My perfect summer read.
I listen to the Rockonteurs podcast, which Pratt does with Gary Kemp, and enjoy it so picked this up in a second hand bookshop in Malaga while I was there on holiday last week and didn't put it down until I'd finished it. Great stories, well told, amusing, witty and while not hugely revelatory, you get a great sense of what Pratt's (very interesting) life has been like to live.
Well-recommended for anyone who likes music biographies or indeed the music of the 70's, 80's and 90s.
I listen to the Rockonteurs podcast, which Pratt does with Gary Kemp, and enjoy it so picked this up in a second hand bookshop in Malaga while I was there on holiday last week and didn't put it down until I'd finished it. Great stories, well told, amusing, witty and while not hugely revelatory, you get a great sense of what Pratt's (very interesting) life has been like to live.
Well-recommended for anyone who likes music biographies or indeed the music of the 70's, 80's and 90s.
November 17, 2016
Ever wondered what life is like on the road is really, or life in the studio? 'My Bass and Other Animals' is a clear-eyed, refreshingly frank look at Guy Pratt's career working with the likes of Madonna, Bryan Ferry, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, David Gilmour, Pink Floyd, Icehouse, Robert Palmer and many more. He was even in The Smiths for a week.
'My Bass and Other Animals' charts Guy's journey from a Mod band in Southend in 1979 to playing with Roxy Music at Live 8 in 2005. Guy Pratt came of age just as playing bass became cool, with the likes of Paul Simonon and Bruce Foxton. Having dallied with Funkapolitan, Pratt suddenly found himself on Top of the Pops and supporting David Bowie with Australian outfit Icehouse.
'My Bass and Other Animals' is a little disjointed and tailed off towards the end however Guy Pratt's writing style is lively and conversational, and 'My Bass and Other Animals' is eminently readable, and with plenty of interesting and amusing anecdotes. As David Gilmour says, as quoted on the book cover, "Bass players are ten a penny but a good wit is hard to find, so we hired him". That sounds about right. I reckon you'd be guaranteed an entertaining time with Guy Pratt around, certainly if this book is anything to go by.
'My Bass and Other Animals' charts Guy's journey from a Mod band in Southend in 1979 to playing with Roxy Music at Live 8 in 2005. Guy Pratt came of age just as playing bass became cool, with the likes of Paul Simonon and Bruce Foxton. Having dallied with Funkapolitan, Pratt suddenly found himself on Top of the Pops and supporting David Bowie with Australian outfit Icehouse.
'My Bass and Other Animals' is a little disjointed and tailed off towards the end however Guy Pratt's writing style is lively and conversational, and 'My Bass and Other Animals' is eminently readable, and with plenty of interesting and amusing anecdotes. As David Gilmour says, as quoted on the book cover, "Bass players are ten a penny but a good wit is hard to find, so we hired him". That sounds about right. I reckon you'd be guaranteed an entertaining time with Guy Pratt around, certainly if this book is anything to go by.
August 1, 2018
Funny, entertaining book. Pratt was my first bass hero from One of These Days on the Delicate record when I was a kid. Great insights into not only Floyd, but Ferry and Robert Palmer - who sounded like a great guy who found the perfect balance between making interesting music and living the life, sad that even now - years after his untimely death - is criminally undervalued as an artist.
also interesting, that might shock younger readers of the book: when pop stars recorded music they actually had to go out and find musicians to create it instead of using computers. Those were the days.
Pratt's "play gig, get twatted" narrative runs a bit thin towards the end, but he sounds like he had a blast digging up the old memories and looking back on them with self deprecating honesty.
also interesting, that might shock younger readers of the book: when pop stars recorded music they actually had to go out and find musicians to create it instead of using computers. Those were the days.
Pratt's "play gig, get twatted" narrative runs a bit thin towards the end, but he sounds like he had a blast digging up the old memories and looking back on them with self deprecating honesty.
January 11, 2018
This book reads as more of a fleshed out version of Pratt's stand up show than a true autobiography. Therefore, the emphasis tends to be more on funny stories, recollections, and observations than chronicling the musical journey of this famous studio/touring bassist. Nonetheless, the book provides an interesting look at Pratt's younger life, and offers plenty of great gossip about the wide array of musicians who have recorded or played with Pratt. Pratt's story of Michael Jackson stands out as a highlight.
I assume the majority of readers, like myself, sought this book out because of Pratt's association with Pink Floyd and David Gilmour For those interested in Floyd trivia and stories, the book serves plenty of those. In a book that remains relatively spare in actually describing the process of playing bass, Pratt dedicates a whole chapter to discussing the technical challenges of playing Pink Floyd's songs in a stadium setting.
I assume the majority of readers, like myself, sought this book out because of Pratt's association with Pink Floyd and David Gilmour For those interested in Floyd trivia and stories, the book serves plenty of those. In a book that remains relatively spare in actually describing the process of playing bass, Pratt dedicates a whole chapter to discussing the technical challenges of playing Pink Floyd's songs in a stadium setting.
July 12, 2017
What a hard life Guy Pratt has had or maybe not. To think he only got his first bass guitar as he wanted an electric guitar for his Christmas/birthday and he was going to be given an acoustic six string guitar. He asked for a bass instead knowing full well that a double bass would be much more expensive that an electric bass.
Prior to reading this I wasn't aware how many bands he has played for, just associating him with Pink Floyd. Guy gives the impression that David Gilmour tolerates him but it is fairly obvious that he is a talented bassist. This is just an example of his self-deprecating humour which shines throughout this entertaining autobiography. He has played with many greats and been all over the world both playing live and in recording studios.
On a final note, Simon Templar has lost some of his gloss for me.
Ray Smillie
Prior to reading this I wasn't aware how many bands he has played for, just associating him with Pink Floyd. Guy gives the impression that David Gilmour tolerates him but it is fairly obvious that he is a talented bassist. This is just an example of his self-deprecating humour which shines throughout this entertaining autobiography. He has played with many greats and been all over the world both playing live and in recording studios.
On a final note, Simon Templar has lost some of his gloss for me.
Ray Smillie
February 24, 2023
I loved this book! Bass player, wit and sometime stand up comic Guy Pratt is a tour de force and what an amazing life he has led. He details in this book the heady days he spent as a touring and jobbing bass player with bands and acts like Icehouse, Pink Floyd, Bryan Ferry, Madonna, Roxy Music, Robert Palmer, Jimmy Nail and more. Pratt certainly lived the life during his hard-working and hard-living days and all that comes out in this rollicking read. Often humorous, insightful and always interesting, My Bass and Other Animals is an excellent read and has led me to watching Pratt’s brilliant Lock Down Licks YouTube videos and I finally bought my first Pink Floyd album, admittedly a best of, but you have to start somewhere. If you like music or even if you don’t, this book is well worth a read. Pratt has an entertaining turn of phrase and I really hope he writes another book soon.
February 21, 2025
Pratt has got a way with words and the way he describes eg a car crash will make you chuckle. That's kind of the beauty here... No matter how weird the predicament, you kind of know it's gonna end well because, well, he lived to tell the tale.
That said, I'd love to see an updated version of it. Firstly, to get rid of a few of the "I was utterly twatted" anecdotes that were just a bit too much. Secondly, to weed out a few of the witty one-liners that maybe haven't stood the test of time as well as most of the book has, and which consequently stick out like sore thumbs as you read along. And thirdly.... To get an update on where Guy is at these days and what he's been up to in the 18 years (!) since this was published. The last chapters already hinted at a somewhat more sensible existence, but then you know he was on a Gilmour tour that featured a bit of a big blowout in the band, he's also part of a new band with Nick Mason, played on that 2022 one-off Floyd single, plus Giomour's latest album and tour. Also... He got divorced from Gala Wright, who features quite prominently throughout this book (and whom it is dedicated to, along with his son) so reading it you kind of wonder what the story was there.
That said, I'd love to see an updated version of it. Firstly, to get rid of a few of the "I was utterly twatted" anecdotes that were just a bit too much. Secondly, to weed out a few of the witty one-liners that maybe haven't stood the test of time as well as most of the book has, and which consequently stick out like sore thumbs as you read along. And thirdly.... To get an update on where Guy is at these days and what he's been up to in the 18 years (!) since this was published. The last chapters already hinted at a somewhat more sensible existence, but then you know he was on a Gilmour tour that featured a bit of a big blowout in the band, he's also part of a new band with Nick Mason, played on that 2022 one-off Floyd single, plus Giomour's latest album and tour. Also... He got divorced from Gala Wright, who features quite prominently throughout this book (and whom it is dedicated to, along with his son) so reading it you kind of wonder what the story was there.
September 28, 2023
I have known who Guy Pratt was since I read the credits of the self-titled Toy Matinee album. He also has toured with, recorded with, Pink Floyd and Dave Gilmour, and had one of the best lockdown-era YouTube channels where he showed you how to play the bass lines of the many amazing songs he's been a part of.
If you have any interested in the music scene, from latter day Mods/New Romantics, the remnants of punk, going into the MTV era and beyond, Guy's book talks about it all. He tells you plainly about the weird combination of good luck, bad luck, fleeting connections that turn into lifetime gigs, and alcohol consumption that led to his many adventures in music.
Great stuff!
July 13, 2019
Nominative determinism?
Guy Pratt, gives a rough sketch of his life, which starts off fairly uneventful, then descends into a monster of rock ‘n roll excess.
He’s played bass with everyone, most notably for Pink Floyd, but also Jimmy Page, Madonna etc.
The book gets better as it goes along, the Pink Floyd bits were most interesting to me. The books wraps up in about 2007. Worth a read if you’re a Floud fan.
Guy Pratt, gives a rough sketch of his life, which starts off fairly uneventful, then descends into a monster of rock ‘n roll excess.
He’s played bass with everyone, most notably for Pink Floyd, but also Jimmy Page, Madonna etc.
The book gets better as it goes along, the Pink Floyd bits were most interesting to me. The books wraps up in about 2007. Worth a read if you’re a Floud fan.
April 25, 2022
What a set of stories! This musician autobiography is up there with Bruce's Born to Run.
As a fellow Bass player, this book piqued my interest and it didn't disappoint. Guy has a way with words and wit and with his star-studded career he wonderfully and indiscreetly reels off some riveting anecdotes with Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Michael Jackson to name a few.
It's funny, frank, endearing and heartfelt.
As a fellow Bass player, this book piqued my interest and it didn't disappoint. Guy has a way with words and wit and with his star-studded career he wonderfully and indiscreetly reels off some riveting anecdotes with Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Michael Jackson to name a few.
It's funny, frank, endearing and heartfelt.
January 18, 2018
A great trip through the 80s, culminating in Pink Floyd/David Gilmour anecdotes! What else could you want. Bit of a rogue, but eminently likeable is Guy; and if I’d worked harder, had more talent, been in the right places etc I think I’d have played it all pretty much as he did!! Or....maybe not!
Great read!!
Great read!!
September 17, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Guy has had a great career which he recounts with great humor & humility. Funny to think in the 80s I probably rubbed shoulders with him when rehearsing at Nomis & John Henry studios in London
January 27, 2025
Fascinating and entertaining
A really entertaining read. Really need a follow up now, nearly twenty years later. Some fabulous stories and amazing to see how many people buy has worked with.
A really entertaining read. Really need a follow up now, nearly twenty years later. Some fabulous stories and amazing to see how many people buy has worked with.
January 11, 2018
This is a very funny book, written in a breezy, chatty style as if it’s your mate down the pub, regaling you with stories of rock and roll excess. Loved it.
November 17, 2020
Quite amusing although I suspect if I was a Pink Floyd fan, I would have found this book more insightful and interesting.
Loved the stories about Robert Palmer, didn't realise how much I missed him.
Loved the stories about Robert Palmer, didn't realise how much I missed him.
October 2, 2021
If you love music read this
Brilliantly written.gives the music fan an amusing insight into the crazy world of various artists. Thoroughly enjoyable. Well played Mr Pratt
Brilliantly written.gives the music fan an amusing insight into the crazy world of various artists. Thoroughly enjoyable. Well played Mr Pratt
February 3, 2022
funny and interesting read for fans of floyd or otherwise.
November 2, 2022
Delightful. For me as a bassist it was especially entertaining. But Mr.Pratt is a gentleman not deprived of sparkling wit.
May 9, 2023
Hilarious...
April 15, 2025
DNF - boring AF drug tales and name dropping
December 28, 2020
Book 72/50: Audiobook narrated by author. Typical clueless rock bass shenanigans. Confirm what I thought that all bassists are druggie party boys who are a necessary evil of the music industry. Not even Pratt knows how he got to be in such high demand. Interesting stories thought nothing particularly memorable.
April 5, 2014
This book is a hilarious account of one of the funniest people in the music business life and career. It tumbles out of the pages like the plot of an adventure from Tatrantino film. Even before leaving school he had more amazing anecdotes than most people would have in a lifetime. I urge you not to read any of the sleeve notes and just steam into this book. Make sure you have a good few hours to spare ahead of you cos i doubt if you will be able to earmark a page before you finish the entire book. As with any great book you just don't want it to end. This is just an insight into an interesting life which is far from over and i am sure that more volumes would be possible if the author is poked with the odd stick from one of his many cohorts. If you like me enjoy a tale or two or more from a great raconteur then get a copy of this pronto. It involves some of the funniest people ever to some of the most famous on the planet. i cannot say any more or it may spoil the epic journey that weaves its way from the 60's on.
November 24, 2010
As I read this book, I though of giving it to Bobby Collins, but I couldn’t be that cruel. As a bass session player, this is the life he could’ve had if things had maybe turned out differently. It has to be said though, that Pratt “knew some people”, having a relatively famous dad in Randall, from “Randall and Hopkirk (deceased)”, which ensured he moved in the media and arty circles. He must have been some bass player though, which is hard to discern as he doesn’t dwell too much on why legendary musicians like Page and Gilmour, as well as megastars like Madonna and Michael Jackson , wanted him to play on their tours and tracks. Other than maybe he was good fun to have around and go on a bender with. His drug and booze filled sessions made me uncomfortable and triggered a level of anxiousness as he described and jokes away his dislocation and paranoid moments in the aftermath. He can maybe laugh about it, but I can’t. I know too well how he feels.
July 8, 2016
"Played a gig, got "Twatted" drove/flew somewhere, invited to a party where I accidentally got a bit "Twatted" just before the big audition etc etc"
Enjoyable journey through the drink, drugs and bass of mainly the 80's/90's music business.
Guy, like myself, enjoys the art of sarcasm and in the audio version often sounds a little like Michael Palin (high praise indeed)
I have never seen the attraction of Pink Floyd, even though "Brick" was possibly the first record I ever purchased, but Guy has played with everyone that is, was and never will be anyone, so lots to look forward to. I especially enjoyed the Michael Jackson chapter.
I'm surprised you could remember this much Guy !
Enjoyable journey through the drink, drugs and bass of mainly the 80's/90's music business.
Guy, like myself, enjoys the art of sarcasm and in the audio version often sounds a little like Michael Palin (high praise indeed)
I have never seen the attraction of Pink Floyd, even though "Brick" was possibly the first record I ever purchased, but Guy has played with everyone that is, was and never will be anyone, so lots to look forward to. I especially enjoyed the Michael Jackson chapter.
I'm surprised you could remember this much Guy !
June 12, 2017
It´s a very funny book, but I wish it was more about music and less about being drunk (or high) all the time, trashing hotel rooms, destroying cars and other rock ´n roll cliches. And I guess Pratt is too close to the members of Pink Floyd (he is married to Richard Wright´s daughter!) to say anything to personal about them. (he does write about some times when Gilmour had one drink too many and there´s a crazy story about a night when they had one hour to comsume all the drugs found inside the tour bus).
But it´s a good read, full of stories, both funny and bizarre.
But it´s a good read, full of stories, both funny and bizarre.
February 13, 2011
Charming anecdotes, from a talented (as well as extremely lucky) bass player and musician.
I found myself wishing to read more about the personalities behind the music and a bit less about all the drunken escapades (although for a music memoir this is a very balanced read).
As an amateur bass player myself, I found this immensely entertaining.
Guy has a self-deprecating and gentle-but-sarcastic good humor about his story.
I found myself wishing to read more about the personalities behind the music and a bit less about all the drunken escapades (although for a music memoir this is a very balanced read).
As an amateur bass player myself, I found this immensely entertaining.
Guy has a self-deprecating and gentle-but-sarcastic good humor about his story.
April 11, 2012
Admittedly, this book is probably more enjoyable if you're a Floyd fanatic. However, it's a great read for anyone who plays an instrument, or has been involved in any musical circles...or even just has fond memories of the 80s music scene.
Guy's humour is very natural and it's easy to see why he was either side splittingly funny to go on tour with or incredibly annoying!
Guy's humour is very natural and it's easy to see why he was either side splittingly funny to go on tour with or incredibly annoying!
May 1, 2013
Some laugh out loud moments, and some wince out loud moments also.
It's reminded me of some gaps in my record collection and genuinely entertained me throughout, even around the three quarter stage when the sex and drugs were getting boring!
He's a bit pleased with himself, but then I'd be the same if I'd been playing bass with Pink Floyd!
It's reminded me of some gaps in my record collection and genuinely entertained me throughout, even around the three quarter stage when the sex and drugs were getting boring!
He's a bit pleased with himself, but then I'd be the same if I'd been playing bass with Pink Floyd!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews