Customer Reviews

Inside Out : A Personal History of Pink Floyd

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Nick Mason gives an interesting history of Pink Floyd, that's a little light on anecdotes. I enjoyed this book immensly but know I would have enjoyed the manuscript even more, if I'd seen it before David G. and Roger W. had a go at it with their correcting pens (Nick--Ya shouldn'ta let em monkey with it!). What's missing from this book? The juicy stuff. Nick is the most expendable member of the band (drummers usually are), so he must be careful about what he says and not step on anyone's toes. Either that or he has intentionally (or otherwise) forgotten the past. Let me give you a few examples. He toured with Jimi Hendrix but though there are photos, there aren't any Jimi Hendrix stories in the book. His description of Pink Floyd brief meeting with the Beatles is so devoid of concrete detail, that it's pathetic. He also doesn't flesh out Syd Barrett or David G.'s personalities and barely manages a fresh glimpse of Roger W. This is "Pink Floyd Lite." The book reminded me a little bit of George Harrison's autobiog. "I Me Mine" in which John Lennon doesn't appear. You don't get much more than a few superficial paragraphs on Syd Barrett. There are tantalizing sentences and suggestions everywhere in the text that made me curse under my breath. Like why did the Floyd members feel enormous guilt about what happened to Syd? Mason tells us that partly his descent into insanity was their fault. OK, so what does that mean? What did they do to Syd? (There are hints to the answer to that question in some Syd Bios that are out--and in that dreadful bubble-gum "Saucerful of Secrets" faux-Pink Floyd bio.) Why did Roger Waters's songwriting become so dark after Wish You Were Here? Why did Roger get so mean--given that some of his early songs have incredible light, whimsy, optimism and humor? What's the extended story behind Waters own mental breakdown--the one he mentions in the Syd DVD? And where are the sex and drugs, the groupies and excess? Ladies and Gentlemen, this bio ain't Rock n' Roll!!! I love Nick Mason--he and his fellow band members have given me the soundtrack for some of the happiest and sometimes strangest (though wonderful) days of my life. I understand Mason's polite reticense (thankyou for the fantastic photos and the bubbly-Brit text) but now will someone please finally write an insightful, in-depth, appreciative, detailed, comprehensive, warts-and-all, book--full of humanity, the money and the folly (with the story of each of their songs)--about this unbelievably wonderful band! I think it could be one of the most interesting and instructive tales of its time.

This is THE book to get on the history of Pink Floyd. What a couple of the other reviewers have missed in their own assessment of this book, is that it is the personality of Nick Mason that most comes out in his writing --- there is a reason WHY he is the ONLY band member to have appeared on EVERY album in their 40 year career!

If you are here to get the GOSSIP RAG version of their history, then perhaps one of the other books out there would be more to your liking.

The thing that really got me in reading this book, was the recounting of the Syd Barrett visit while the band was recording the Wish You Were Here album. I always thought that story was legend only, a fantasy dreamt up by someone with too much time on their hands. However, on pg. 211 is a Polaroid photograph of Syd, which truly brought a tear to my eye.

It is a shame what a bad combination drugs and mental illness had on the man. And, Syd's inexplicable comments about the "pork chops" in his fridge, well, it seemed like I was reading a transcript of someone with bipolar disorder. What a shocking and sad episode; the band would have been quite a bit different with Syd instead of David, that is for sure.

Inside the book are some great rare photographs, that show a human side to this supergroup. As I have had the chance to see them several times, the Pink Floyd put on THE BEST stage show, bar none! The only performer who comes close in theatrical presentation, is Peter Gabriel. But, even HE is a distant second. And, David Gilmour is the absolute most emotive blues guitarist I have ever seen in concert, or heard on record.

This book is not an exhaustive facts-only type of read. It is one man's memories, and the single reason why you should get this book, was because it was written by an actual band member. The hardcover book is made with the best paper and inks, and the binding will hold up over the years to come. The design elements used in the book (and cover dustjacket) were done by Storm Thorgerson and will be familiar to those who know Pink Floyd's work from 1987-1994 and beyond.

A complete history written by the most laid back drummer in rock history. Mason is the one constant in Floyd and the only member of the band who could do its legacy full justice. The photos alone are worth the price of the book. The section on Syd is honest and respectful and of course the determination of Gilmour and Mason to keep the band going is riveting. It should never be underestimted how difficult emotionally and logistically that decision was. All fans of the band should take a look.

This is the first book I've ever read on the Floyd and I chose it because it was written by a guy who ought to know wot's...uh, the deal. Nick is the only member who was in the band from start to finish(?) so I respect his perspective. He certainly doesn't gloss over the more tempestuous moments in the band's history (i.e. Syd Barrett's departure and the infamous schism in the 80s) but he's extremely diplomatic and even-handed so those looking for the juicy details are bound to be disappointed. The book is more a celebration of the band and on that level it suceeds marvelously. Nick is an excellent writer (assuming he wrote it all himself) and a sharp, witty guy. All that would be enough for me but it must be said the pictures alone are worth the price. This is a large, luscious volume that I enjoyed a lot. I only wish Nick hadn't let the other Floyd members add their revisions; this contributes the heavily "authorized" feel of the book.

Its important to know that Roger, Rick and Dave were all given copies of this book before it was published, and they ALL added comments, so i think this is a well-rounded perspective of Pink Floyd.

Inside out is a great book on the story behind Pink Floyd. Nick Mason is the only Floyd member to perform on ALL albums. I think he is well qaulified for the history of Pink Floyd. Though i dont think he was in the loop of Waters and Gilmours feud, he certainly provides good perspective. If this book were written by Waters, it would be heavily biased. Reading about the bands success and communications issues provided good insight. i just wish i could have gotten my copy signed by the man himself. The pictures in this book, you will not find on the internet. All fans should have this book.

Detached music journalists and assorted types of hangers-on often attempt to write biographies of famous bands, but for the real goods it's always best to get it from the inside. It also helps if the band member in question can actually write. Nick Mason appears to have an acceptably clear memory on 40 years worth of history and his writing style is enjoyable, making this book the definitive Pink Floyd biography so far. Nick's style is often funny and self-deprecating, and while some of his historical details contradict other sources (such as who sang lead on certain songs) the book certainly has the feel of an authentic source. Also, as the writer Nick is entitled to talk about his own life, but fortunately he does so sparingly and humbly. Just watch out for some of that dry British humor which doesn't always translate too well, or frequent chunks of barely comprehensible Britspeak like "looked after the punts for rent on the Cam."

The great advantage of this book is that unlike many rock biographies, Nick covers all periods of Pink Floyd's history relatively equally, from the early amateur schoolboy days to the overblown megatours of the 1990s, instead of focusing on certain periods that an outside writer (or fan) would find more interesting than others. As a result, we learn a lot about the personalities within the band and their associates, and a fair amount about their creative processes. Most importantly, Nick provides some quite authoritative insights into the band's biggest stories - most notably the sad mental collapse of Syd Barrett, the ugly legal battle between David Gilmour and Roger Waters in the later years, and the 2005 reunion at Live 8. And upon witnessing this book's rich illustrations, you'll be glad that Nick and his friends have been faithfully carrying cameras around for so many years. [~doomsdayer520~]

Inside Out; A Personal History Of Pink Floyd (2005.), by Nick Mason

'Inside Out' is just what the doctor ordered in terms of a definitive book on Pink Floyd. What makes it so good in the first place is the fact it is written by Floyd drummer Nick Mason and so you are getting a pretty accurate account of Pink Floyd's long history. Pink Floyd are rightfully one of the most successful rock bands that have graced the earth. Their unique style which presented something different in every album they released whilst still maintaining an excellent level of quality saw to this and has given them a massive fan base over the years, of which I am proud to be one of them.

'Inside Out' was a fun, intiguing and captivating read especially as you are seeing it from one of the band members eyes themselves. Nick Mason was perhaps the best person from Floyd to do an insiders history as he is probably the most impartial of the band members (the rift with Waters which began with his expanding ego existed more with Gilmour and Wright) and so this effort by him gives a more balanced account. The book is very readable (I read it in a couple of days and I wouldn't count myself as an avid reader) and the multitude of pictures contained within break up the writing very well. The pictures within on the whole are excellent and cover shots of the band in concerts, in the studio etc etc. The approach is not at all trudgy in nature and it doesn't involve Mason going through the whole thing concert by concert but instead dips into the bands history highlighting the most informative and interesting parts. Nick Mason has also compiled a good chronology at the back of the book which is useful for reference.

Theres plenty of stuff I didn't know about the band that I learnt in this book. Learn about the early days in Regent Street Polytechnic in London and the 'Cambrige Connection' that brought the band together. The antics of Syd Barratt in between his moments of creative writing genius are well documented in the book too - plus learn about his surprise visit to the 'Wish You Were Here' sessions! The difficult years when Roger Waters got too big for the band are well documented from Mason's eyes as is the post-Waters Floyd when Gilmour took most of the writing responsibility.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this book to any fan of Pink Floyd. Its a great read and contains some great stories and pictures and is in many ways a definitive guide to a great band's long and fruitful career. Definitely worth the investment!

I was amazed by the size of this book, is huge. Packed with photos and can only be compared with the Beatles Anthology. Nick Mason tells Pink Floyd's history in a cautious and funny way. Learn everything from Syd's decay to David's feud with Waters and everything you wanted to know about The Wall and Dark Side Of The Moon. Is a good reading and a very interesting view of the band from it's early days to Live 8. Get this book now and get The Pink Floyd.

Get the "Echoes" compilation and pop on some of the classic Floyd CDs. It goes well with reading this book.

Nick Mason, the drummer for Pink Floyd, put together the authorized history of the band in words and many pictures.

There's bound to be some criticism on not digging up any real dirt, but that's the criticism in many authorized books to begin with (The Beatles comes to mind), and on the other hand, that's all writers of most unauthorized books can use to sell their books. He's maintained a friendship with the other guys, and regained a long friendship in recent years. I do think that the feud has long overshadowed to mythic proportions what made the band great to begin with, and that's what he's intent on concentrating on. Which is friends from the same area that had the same love of music who came into rock and roll.

Roger has long had a reputation as being a moody pretentious serious artiste, and in Nick's book you see someone who is the total opposite as a teenager goofing around. I'm sure the stuff in "The Wall" was going on then. You see the changes in band members until they became Pink Floyd, and Nick's recounting of the early days is far more detailed than it would be later. Much of these photos have never been seen, including a funny one of a lonely Nick loading up the van while the rest of the band were laughing at him off to the side.

He goes over Syd's breakdown and the guilt over not picking him up and how Dave Gilmour joined the band. You see them as a band in transition playing just about everywhere and sleeping anywhere possible. Some of their bad behavior on the road is mentioned, but very briefly. Nick does talk about his family here and there.

I think that the most interesting part of the book is by far the early years up to touring for "Dark Side of the Moon". You can tell they wrote "Money" long before they had any of their own, and took just about any project thrown their way when they weren't touring.

From "Dark Side" to the movie version of "The Wall" (which he considered the end of that era of Pink Floyd) you can sense the changes going on. He doesn't gloss over it, he just says it as he saw it, and I think there's more of a sadness over Roger's increasing domination over the band, and Roger's frustration over those that weren't contributing. And I think because Nick and Roger were the oldest friends, the band divided their friendship up for years.

He talks about his passion for cars through the rest of the book, producing other bands and working on the two Floyd tours in 87 and 94,but you also get a sense of why they're in no rush to take Pink Floyd on the road ever since.

*SPOILER*

There are 3 photos in the book that I thought were interesting: one was of Roger and Dave side by side, looking like the best of friends. The second is of a bald,overweight (and shaved eyebrows) Syd Barrett in 1975, and the stare into the camera is very haunting and disturbing. The third is a picture of the band, their wives, and their sound engineer Peter Watts with his wife and baby in diapers whose name happens to be Naomi Watts. And the answer is yes it is THAT Naomi Watts...

I have enjoyed very much reading this book. Apart from being a PF enthusiast, I liked Nick's writting, his wit and the collection of pictures. I also take this opportunity to say that Nick is usually underrated as a drummer. However, I love his exquisite, slowly paced, original playing, as well as that of the rest of PF members. Going back to the book, I missed the following (Editor, please, pass it on to Nick...):

- more details about Syd Barret, however hard and repetitive that might be for Nick.

- please more details about Jimy Hendrix (they really met the guy!)

- more info about The Beatles, Soft Machine and the rest of great bands that they met.

- much more musical/technical info about the making of their own albums, especially in the pre-digital era.

My guess is that Nick has written HIS personal account (the subtitle is clear) and has been much less interested in fulfilling their fan's hunger for obscure details, gossip and technical lecturing. And I understand that point. So my suggestion would be for Alan Parsons and the like to write an appendix entitled: I worked with PF and survived: an enduring human and technical experience.

My best wishes, Nick!