Crazy Dreams

by Paul Brady

Crazy Dreams is the compelling and highly anticipated autobiography from Paul Brady, a musician whose remarkable career has spanned six decades and who is indisputably one of Ireland’s greatest living songwriters. This evocative memoir chronicles Paul’s many years at the forefront of the Irish folk scene, from The Johnstons and Planxty through to his seminal work with Andy Irvine and onwards to his own vaunted solo career. Along the way are the many encounters and collaborations with such musical luminaries as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Carole King, Tina Turner, Mark Knopfler, and Bonnie Raitt to name but a glittering few. From such celebrated tracks as ‘The Island,’ ‘Nobody Knows,’ and ‘The World is What You Make It’ to his interpretations of traditional folk songs like ‘Arthur McBride’ and ‘The Lakes of Pontchartrain,’ Paul has carved out his own unique place in Irish musical history. In Crazy Dreams he tells how it was done and regales the reader with remarkable stories of life on the road and the journey from small-town Tyrone to the world’s stage.

Genres: Music, Autobiography

344 pages, Hardcover

Published December 2, 2022

Reviews

[Neil Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and it reads a very authentically. A very interesting musical life and apart from the Johnstons very uplifting. Paul Brady is the musical equivalent of a Decathlete, and he explored all areas of his talent. I would recommend this book to all interested in the Irish music over the last many years.

[Eamonn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of two halves.

The first half covers Brady's life and career up to about 1980. His early life, his first musical experiences playing in seaside hotels and clubs as a teenager in Bundoran during the summer (both parents were teachers so family holidays lasted weeks), his move to Dublin and the beat scene quickly followed by folk (the ballad group boom being in full swing), joining The Johnstons, their rise and eventual demise through attrition in the USA, and the slow build of his solo folk career through the rest of the 70s, including his brief stint in Planxty. This section is comprehensive and factual but the style is perfunctory and unengaging. There is little animation in the voice. It is flat and unenthusiastic, a work of investigative journalism at best. I found this very disappointing.

In complete contrast, the second part details his subsequent solo career and flirtation with mainstream success. Each album is discussed at length. Recording contracts, management deals and agency alliances are recorded in detail. Each milestone is documented, each guest appearance on stage with some Major Star is outlined, celebrity names are dropped. In essence it charts his attempts to become a major star, the relative success he had in this venture, and his reconciliation with his lot at the end. I found this section utterly boring and began to skip paragraphs once I recognised their purpose.

I should add that I would tend to be more interested in Brady's 60s-70s folk/folk-rock career than his post-1980 work. I've always rated him far more as a folk performer, interpreter and accompanist than as the singer songwriter of such mediocre pop/rock albums as "Hard Station" and the rest. This undoubtedly coloured my reception of this book.

[Adrian Fingleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up listening to Paul Brady. I have seen him play live a large number of times. I LOVE most of his traditional work, but I do not think he's an amazing songwriter. In fairness, he has about six very good non-traditional tunes, which is more than most people, but still. This book is a fairly straightforward linear account of his entire career. And as such, it's engaging, but I didn't get the same buzz I have gotten from reading other similar accounts of the music of the same era. It's a bit flat. Still, he is a gifted musician, and I'd certainly go see him again if he was playing the classic songs - ideally solo.

[Senioreuge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off well, hinting of revelations to come, they never did! I have been a fan of Pauls music for a couple of decades and knew well his catalogue and direction of travel so I was reading for an insight of the man himself. He keep it well hidden and while he teased the reader with half promises of revelations they never never materialised, he could have been more open about the time spent in what he almost described as a cult with the tail-end Johnsons, he drew back. In the end I felt like we were getting no more than a catalogue of other famous names and connections almost akin to a facebook page.

[Moonray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. A well written and - unusually for a showbiz memoir - honest account of his childhood and career. Paul started his music career with traditional Irish music but at heart was always a rocker. He reveals that traditional music was not a part of his childhood despite having parents who were school teachers. His love of rock and roll was boosted by access to his uncles record shop.His move into rock music was remarkably uncontroversial within his fan base who remained loyal throughout the changes. A must-read book for anyone interested in modern Irish music history.

[Colin Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not great literature or writing but very interesting for any fans or those interested in Irish music during the past 50 years. He is unafraid to reveal his artistic and musical insecurities which is another reason to warm to him on a personal level.

[Carmel Tully · Rating 4 out of 5]

A musical rollercoaster!

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brady writes a very honest account of his life and his career. He talks about the cost of chasing the dream. Beautifully written, like his songs.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very honest account by a great singer songwriter. I sang right through it

[Kodie Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never been so relieved to reach an 'acknowledgements' page in my life. Ah no, you weren't too bad owl Paulie, Bravo.