Customer Reviews

My Bass and Other Animals

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a really fun read. It tells great stories with a sense of wit and doesn't get overly serious or apologetic either about the author's success or drug/drink related mishaps. There are many stories of the author's mistakes and buffoonery, and some told (according to him) at the request of his wife. How can you not like a book where the author admits one of his reasons for writing it is get on The Daily Show with John Stewart?

If you are looking for an honest book about the life of a working musician, written with sense of humor, but in a style that makes you feel like the author is sitting there telling you stories, this is the book.

This book should have a drink warning label, as in 'don't drink anything whilst you're reading it, else you might wind up spitting said drink all over the book as you burst into laughter'. Guy Pratt manages to translate his stories of life in the music business into a riveting, hilarious, and sometimes even shocking account of his (mis?)adventures. While there are a few uniquely English colloquialisms that might require reference to a dictionary on the part of the average American reader; overall, the text is conversational in style, and it's not that difficult to imagine Mr. Pratt's original source material, his stand-up comedy act.

The book comes complete with a great number of pictures of the author at various stages of his life and with various high-profile names he's worked with so far, and it's blissfully devoid of any sort of salacious tabloid-style storytelling that an unfortunate number of celebrity books fall prey to. There's also a gear list for all the bass nerds out there who are itching to replicate Mr. Pratt's sound.

One is left with a profound sense of the author being an insanely lucky person for having survived his younger days. It also begs the question... is that it? It truly felt like there was more to be said within the same high standards this book has created. If this is the case, hopefully there might be a sequel.

In all, a rather enjoyable read from my favorite bass player.

Lovely book, just as I expected.

It's amazing to read how Guy was insiperd by The Who to start playing bass, and find out how he is actually inspired many others new bassists to start playing that instrument later on, including myself. I am pretty sure that he's playing shurely affected me even more than The Who affected him at that time. Those magical circles of life.

I just finished with "My Bass and Other Animals" over the weekend. I was first exposed to the author (Guy Pratt) through Bass Guitar Magazine which is an excellent publication. Guy's articles are both informative and entertaining. He also does bass lessons on a site called icanplayit.com (https://www.icanplayit.com/free/beginnerbasslesson1) of which I have viewed the free lessons but have not purchased the course.

Guy is a fairly humorous individual and has a gregarious personality which manifests itself in his writing. He is also not afraid to disclose his own character defects.

I enjoyed the book in regards to the writers personality and what he has to say about playing the bass. Guy doesn't get wrapped up in technique and music theory and it is good to see that you can be successful without intimate knowledge of such things.

My only complaint is that I am not British and don't understand a lot of the references make in the book about popular culture such as television shows, locations, etc.

I bought this online last week after accidentally stumbling across it on the Floyd 'Brain Damage' site ..it arrived yesterday morning, and I finished reading it ..last night...just couldnt put it down! I've been aware of Guy's excellent playing since he first filled the bass player slot that Roger Waters left ( a daunting task to say the least)...Until I ead this book I didnt know all the other high profile acts he has worked with, so it's very entertaining purely on the info side...but what REALLY makes this book is some of the best anecdotes I have ever heard ..and believe me I have heard a few and have a pile of my own... I dont remember laughing uncontrollably out loud at a book ever, and this happened all the way through this book (my fave one concerning the age of a certain white fender strat which literally had me in tears..)

It's superbly, candidly and fearlessly written and I can't recommend it highly enough. If anyone has any doubts about Guy's skills as a musician, or his place in the rock & Roll 'hall of fame', you'll soon dispense with them after this book..it's an absolute gem.

Guy, if you read this, don't hesitate to write a follow up, and thanks for reminding this similarly middle aged musician that there's still fun to be had in playing music! :-)

Guy is a fabulous bass player and surely must be one of the luckiest men in the world...not only for surviving the debauchery and chemicals he ingested, but for having opportunities and taking advantage of them. Remarkable. I read this thing in a day and what a lovely day it was. I didn't have to get on a plane or pack my bags in one hotel room in preparation of unpacking them in another. I didn't have to stand on stage for three hours with a cold or a hangover. Want to be a world-famous bass player? Are you sure? Better read this book and make sure the lifestyle appeals to you. You might be better off, like me, sitting in your basement with a cup of coffee and a good book...with Queen of Misery or Like a Prayer playing in the background.

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.

what a load of crap, the man is a knob, wow! he drank loads and did drugs, big deal. thank goodness i bought book for 50 cents at a garage sale