Instrument [Hardcover]

Pat Graham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2011

Instruments tell stories through their appearance as much as through their sound.

Pat Graham's photographs capture the intimate relationship between musician and instrument told by the signs of wear of fingers on frets or keys, chips, scratches, and modifications by the artists who have played, beaten on, bled over, and made them their own.

For more than ten years, Graham has been documenting these amazing instruments and collecting stories about them from musicians on the road, in clubs, and at home, including members of The Smiths, Sonic Youth, The Flaming Lips, R.E.M., New Order, Wire, Fugazi, Built to Spill, Band of Horses, Modest Mouse, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and many more. His gritty and beautiful images reveal the physical nature of music.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"poignantly documents the true connection between the artist and his or her instrument, with photographs that are telling, and commentary that is personal and often revelatory." - Under the Radar

" A must-have coffee-table tome for the indie-rock set." -Guitar Aficionado

"Pat Graham's Instrument is a stunning collection of photographs and anecdotes, illustrating the intimate connection between musician and tool. Photographer Graham shows instruments as more than the sum of their parts; played, shredded and loved, perfected with blood, sweat and tears. Complete with a foreword by Johnny Marr, Instrument depicts these tools of the trade that were recorded and toured with, modified, and that ultimately became treasured heirlooms of members of The Smiths, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Wilco and many more." - Filter Good Music Guide

About the Author

Pat Graham's photographs have appeared in numerous publications, including Rolling Stone, Spin, Artforum, The Village Voice, Washington Post, and VICE, among others. He lives in London.

Johnny Marr is one of the most influential guitarists of the last thirty years. A founding member of The Smiths, he has also played with The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse, The Cribs, and Johnny Marr and the Healers. He lives in Manchester, England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811874745
• ISBN-13: 978-0811874748
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book November 10, 2011

By JLynas

Format:Hardcover

This is a truly wonderful book, giving true insight into the relationship between a musician and their instrument. Pat Graham's pictures don't just show the instruments as pieces of wood and metal, but instead show the lives of the instruments, the ways in which each instrument has changed as they have been used by the musician.

A great book for any true music fan, buy it, enjoy it, and then enjoy it again!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great concept and photos, limited in scope October 26, 2012

By S. Martinez

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed this book very much. As a photographer and musician I like the hi-res macros of very unique instruments. It makes me appreciate the bond that people share with their tools, and makes me appreciate my guitars even more.

My only complaint is that the author seemed to limit their subject matter to people he may have a personal relationship with. (Modest Mouse, cough) I would have liked to see a broader range of prominent musicians with really classic and well known guitars. Maybe a good follow-up would be "Instrument 2: The Icons".

Regardless, this book has made its way to the top of the stack of coffee table books in my office, one that I enjoy picking up again and again.

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Book August 14, 2012

By Brian P. Roberts

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great pictures of some great instruments.

If I had to complain I would say some of the pictures are kind of boring. By that I mean some of the instruments have such great character and stories (Ian Mackaye from Fugazi SG) and others look brand new (Band of Horses).

Would love to see this book expanded but with more beat up stuff rather than just throwing in something new so you can put the bands name on the cover.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful February 7, 2012

By M. Yokoo

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have a problem. I love musical gear, probably too much. I love the context that musical instruments thrive in and make them unique. I love looking at other people's instruments, spending time with them and wondering why something became so. I wondered why the colour of Ryan Jarman's Fender Mustang had a strangeness about it (answer revealed in the book).

Instrument is a book that handles invaluable tools that musicians use. It's made from the performer's perspective, not a catalogue of "vintage" or "expensive" gear. It made me want to pick up my guitar(s) and love them more.

I just got the book and had the first read through. I am probably going to spend the next week trying to guess what made these instruments unique.