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Two more new titles about Kate hit bookshelves in March

Rather unexpectedly, no less than three Kate Bush books have already come along in rapid succession from smaller UK publishers in 2021. Hot on the heels of the “Kate Bush On Track: Every Album, Every Song” book by Bill Thomas (see news item and brief review here) there are two more slim paperback titles being released in March about Kate’s work.

First up is “The Kick Inside: In-depth” by Laura Shenton (Wymer Publishing). The press release states that “The Kick Inside is one of our first four titles in our In-depth series launched in March 2021. The book takes an in-depth look at the album; the history behind it; the story about its creation; the songs, as well as detailed discographies listing release variations around the world….author Laura Shenton MA LLCM DipRSL offers an in-depth perspective on The Kick Inside from a range of angles including how the album came to be, how it was presented and received at the time (live as well as on record), and what it means in terms of Kate Bush’s legacy today.

The publishers were kind enough to send me on a review copy and the author sets out her approach in the preface – that no weighty personal opinions or analysis will be included from her, rather that “throughout this book you’re going to see lots of quotes from vintage articles.” And this 112 page book is indeed a rich smorgasbord of quotes; from interviews, articles, KBC fan club magazines, TV appearances and promotional materials – a resource writers and researchers now enjoy thanks to the vast archives of fan-curated info on the likes of Gaffaweb and the Kate Bush Encyclopedia site. All quotes are cited up front right there in the text.

In fact, the author relies so much on the quotes to do the heavy-lifting of narrating the story of Kate’s first album that perhaps she assumed they cover the whole album “in-depth”. This approach falls short of that; the songs L’Amour Looks Something Like You, Feel it and Room For The Life aren’t even discussed, which is a pity. There is a lot to be said for the tried and trusted track-by-track approach most other books take when considering albums. On the plus side, while I originally wondered why so much space was given to discussing Lionheart and that album’s singles, it actually feels very appropriate in the light of the later pages covering the Tour of Life – a big part in the story of The Kick Inside, after all. I only noticed a couple of factual errors in the text (not every song from The Kick Inside was performed in the 1979 shows – Oh To Be In Love wasn’t) and the 8-page photo section includes some nice photos of the various album cover and single cover variations from 1978/79. The book is published 12th March 2021 (priced at £14.99) and can be ordered direct from the publishers at the Wymer Publishing site here or on Amazon Kindle edition here.

The second book, “Kate Bush: Song by Song” by John Van Der Kiste, is one I have yet to see a copy of myself, but has already been delivered to some fans via Ebay and other sites. This is a 164 page paperback, that seems remarkably similar in structure and approach to the recent Bill Thomas book in that it “provides a thorough examination of the songs on all her singles, albums, and occasional recorded collaborations with other artists.” I’ll update this article with my thoughts about the book when I’ve seen a copy, but this again features a spread of 50 colour photographs and unlike the Thomas and Shenton books appears to include article citations in the endnotes section for those wanting to read further. Kate Bush: Song by Song by John Van Der Kiste (priced at £18.00) can be ordered from the publisher, Fonthill Media here or on Amazon UK here. As an Amazon Associate this site earns revenue to support running costs from qualifying purchases.

Kate Bush “On Track” book out Feb 12th

Kate Bush - On Track

Next month Sonicbond Publishing in the UK publish the latest in their series of “On Track” books, this time about Kate’s recorded work, written by Bill Thomas. It gets a UK release on February 12th and is released in the US on March 26th. A handy paperback guide for the casual music listener as much as for Kate’s fans, the book is freed from the demands of a full-blown biography of the artist. From the press release: “With a string of platinum albums and hit singles to her credit, Kate’s is a fascinating journey. This book examines her entire recorded catalogue from The Kick Inside through to Before The Dawn, hoovering up all the B‐sides and the rarities along the way. It’s a comprehensive guide to the extraordinary music of Kate Bush.” The book can be ordered here.

I’ve read a preview copy and the author has clearly researched his short pieces on each album/song very well, making this book bang up to date for 2021 readers. He generously uses quotes from Kate’s interviews over the years to allow her to speak about the work but his own observations and commentary are considered and warmly engaged with Kate’s music – he writes as a clear fan of her work. He includes a wealth of information about chart positions and single formats as well as discussing b-sides and other tracks related to each album era. Factual errors are almost non-existent (always nice to see) and this slim 128 page volume additionally includes 16 colour photo pages in the centre. Selling for £14.99, overall this is a nice addition to your Kate Bush book shelf.

Farewell to Q Magazine 1986-2020

Kate Bush features in Q Magazine through the years

We were very sad to hear that Q Magazine, a famous icon of the British music press since 1986, is to cease publication with its next issue as a result of being hit badly by the current pandemic and dwindling print sales. Kate has been featured in the magazine and on its cover many times, and in 2001 we had the great excitement of Kate emerging to accept their Classic Songwriter award. Who can forget that speech! Q gave Kate mostly very strong reviews throughout her career and only this month had Kate included in an illustrated cover montage. Thinking of all the staff at Q Magazine – thanks for all these years of writing about the music that we love. https://www.qthemusic.com/

New Uncut Magazine features Kate cover story and feature article!

Uncut Magazine have unveiled their new issue (March 2020) today and it’s a Kate Bush cover feature which is “a deep dive into Kate’s early years — accompanied by a Q&A comprising some (mostly) unseen interview material with Kate from 2011, where she talks about her childhood, early success etc.” The article features contributions from early collaborators like Unicorn bassist Pat Martin, Glenys Groves, Duncan McKay, studio engineer Peter Henderson, singer Roy Harper, David Paton, Brian Bath, Vic King and producer Joe Boyd. The piece neatly coincides with 45 years since Kate’s first professional recordings at Air Studios in 1975, following on from her sessions at Dave Gilmour’s house in 1973. 

You can order the magazine online here

From the piece: “ENGLAND’S DREAMING – Forty-five years ago, KATE BUSH made her first professional recordings at AIR Studios. To celebrate this momentous anniversary, Peter Watts digs deep into Bush’s early years to unearth the roots of her enduring, incandescent power. Join us, then, on a phantasmagorical journey from the woolly fringes of Kent to the wild Yorkshire moors and beyond as we learn the untold story of Bush’s magical beginnings. “Her world is built on wonder,” says one collaborator…”

Order the Uncut Kate Bush cover here. 

Gered Mankowitz publishing “Kate Bush: Symphony of You” photo book

Gered Mankowitz - Symphony of You

UPDATE: This book seems to have been delayed till September 2020, according to the Amazon listing.

Following on from the recent publication of his massive book of Kate photographs, Wow, photographer Gered Mankowitz is releasing an altogether more affordable collection of his iconic photos of Kate in September 2019. You can pre-order it here

From the blurb: “Symphony of You is a complete celebration of Kate Bush – her music, her look, her impact, her creativity. Showcasing hundreds of Gered Mankowitz’s breathtaking photographs from the early years of Kate’s career, the majority of the images in this book have never been seen outside of the author’s own private works. The book also features essays from authors across a number of disciplines – from best-selling novelists and award-winning musicians to academics – offering their opinions on how Kate has shaped the cultural landscape. Symphony of You is a truly special collection, and a homage to a unique artist.”

Also in the works is a new book by photographer Max Browne, no publishing date yet. He took some great photos of Kate on her 1979 tour – see examples at his site here.

Kate and Del on stage 1979

Photo: Max Browne

Classic Rock Magazine features Kate on one of 5 covers this month

UK magazine Classic Rock features Kate on one of five collectable covers featuring “Rock’s First Ladies” – a 4-page article on Kate is included. You can order the magazine online here.

Classic Rock Magazine

Classic Rock - 5 covers

Uncut Magazine reissue their “Ultimate Guide” on Kate for her 40th Anniversary

A newly updated and revised edition of Uncut Magazine’s Ultimate Music Guide to Kate Bush is now available in the UK and Ireland to mark the 40th anniversary of the release of “Wuthering Heights”, which takes place in January 2018. It now contains a section on Kate’s Before the Dawn live album set and some other additions. You can read about the 2015 version of this publication here or order the revised version from their site here.

Ultimate Music Guide - Kate Bush

Final weeks for pre-order offer on Guido Harari photo book “The Kate Inside”

It’s fair to say fans are getting quite excited about this upcoming book from Guido Harari, The Kate Inside, if the comments on the project’s Facebook page are anything to go by. First up for this project is the end-of-January deadline for the pre-order 25% discount on both the Deluxe and regular versions of the book. Fans who go for the deluxe option (Guido has arranged a 3 month instalment plan) will receive a significantly different, expanded edition of the book, extra print/polaroids, signed by Guido and Lindsay Kemp, presented in a solander slipcase. All early donors to the crowdfunding phase will have their names acknowledged in the book itself. Information on how to get the discount for either version is here. Watch the project’s promo video here.

THE KATE INSIDE Highlights of the book include official press photos for Hounds Of Love, The Sensual World and The Red Shoes, including a completely never-before-seen reportage on the set of Kate’s film The Line, The Cross & The Curve. Right now, Guido is busy selecting the final shots for the book, choosing the format, materials and covers for both versions of the book and restoring negatives from 2-3 decades ago. Best of luck, Guido! [order info here]

The Kate Inside – Guido Harari launches lavish photo book pre-orders

Photographer Guido Harari and Wall of Sound Gallery are launching a pre-publication offer on the upcoming lavish photo book, “The Kate Inside” which will be shipped in early March 2016. The gallery website has all the details here.

The Kate Inside

From the press release:

“The Kate Inside, Guido Harari’s lavish tribute to one of the world’s greatest music geniuses, is finally happening to ya! Guido’s collaboration with Kate Bush spans from 1982 to 1993. During that period he was invited by Kate to shoot her official press photos for landmark albums like Hounds Of Love, The Sensual World and The Red Shoes, including a completely never-before-seen reportage on the set of Kate’s film The Line, The Cross & The Curve.

Accompanied by Guido’s own commentary, The Kate Inside is packed with more than 300 hundred photographs. They include all of Guido’s classic images of Kate, a wealth of outtakes, contact sheets, unseen photographs and other materials (including test Polaroids and personal notes by Kate) taken from his personal archives that are showcased here for the first time.

Such an expensive project can only be possible with your support. This is why we’re starting an early pre-order campaign on our website offering a 25% pre-publication discount. The campaign will take off on September 26th, 2015 and will be officially launched by Guido on the same day at the Kate Bush Convention in Birmingham. Since this project is very personal to Guido and to all of you, he will acknowledge your support featuring your name in a special Acknowledgments section of the book. THE PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER WILL ONLY BE VALID TILL JANUARY 2016!!! The book will be ready to ship in early March 2016.”

The Kate Inside

L to r: A never before seen photo from the 1985 shoot for Hounds of Love; Kate with dancers Gary Hurst (l) and Douglas McNicol (r) in 1982 during the promotion of The Dreaming. This was Guido’s first shoot with Kate; a classic double exposure from the “blue” sequence shot in 1989 for The Sensual World.

T H E  B O O K

DELUXE EDITION
(copies 1-350)
Pre-publication offer: 390€

REGULAR EDITION
(copies 351-3000)
Pre-publication offer: 90€

The Kate Inside is a limited edition book of 3000 copies worldwide. It’s available both as a Deluxe Edition (520€ -25% = 390€ for copies numbered 1-350) and a Regular one (120€ -25%= 90€ for copies numbered 351-3000, all personally signed by Guido).

The 240 pages hard-bound book measures an awesome 29x39cm (11”x23” ca) and is printed on heavy-weight paper by Grafiche Milani, the same master printers in Milano who also print the luxurious editions by Genesis Publications.”

T H E  D E L U X E  E D I T I O N

“The Deluxe Edition will be limited to the first 350 copies, all personally signed by both Guido and Kate’s legendary mentor Lindsay Kemp, who has also written a special foreword for the book.

Presented in a solander slip case, the Deluxe will have a full leather cover and will feature extra pages!
It will also include a 24x30cm (10”x11”) signed/numbered fine art pigment print (unique to this edition and unavailable elsewhere) as well as a set of 8 replica Polaroids (10x15cm/3”x5”, unsigned and non editioned). These are replicas of the actual Polaroids used by Guido with Kate on the 1985 and 1989 shoots and have never been seen before. They will only be available as part of the Deluxe Edition.”

The Kate Inside

L to r: another classic image from the 1985 shoot for Hounds of Love; a never before seen photo of Lily from Kate’s film The Line, The Cross And The Curve, 1993; a funny pose from the 1985 shoot.

S P E C I A L  E X T R A S  T O O !

The Kate Inside

The Kate Inside

“To help cover the book production costs, we also have on offer for you TWO SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION POSTERS (40€ each, they measure 48x68cm – 19”x26” and are personally signed by Guido in an edition of 100) and A SPECIAL SET OF 4 LITHO PRINTS (55€ per set, 18x24cm – 8″x10″ in size, unsigned and non editioned).”

ALL GUIDO’S KATE BUSH FINE ART PRINTS DISCOUNTED!

“Please take note that, for the duration of the book pre-publication campaign, all of Guido’s Kate Bush fine art prints on our website will be discounted 25%. The discount applies to all print sizes. Check them out here.”

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L to r: two never before seen images from The Line, The Cross & The Curve, 1993: Kate in red shoes and with Lindsay Kemp; Guido, Kate and Lindsay on the set of The Line, The Cross And The Curve.

Prog Magazine has “Kate Bush Resurfaces” cover feature, AND reviews HomeGround anthology: “A beautiful artefact harking back to bygone days”

Prog Magazine - Kate Bush Resurfaces

The latest edition of Prog Magazine features Kate on the cover of it’s wrap around cardboard wallet – with the tagline “Kate Bush Resurfaces”. The issue explores “the inside story of her first and only tour” plus “what to expect from this year’s Before the Dawn shows”. More speculation, possibly, but another handsome addition to the widespread media coverage Kate is receiving since she announced her live shows. (keen-eyed fans will also spot site-favourites Syd Arthur mentioned on the cover too!)

Elsewhere in this issue, we’re delighted to report that Volume 1 of the HomeGround Anthology receives a fantastic review – they really seem to get what the editors of the magazine aimed to achieve with this massive project!

Record Collector Review

Order Prog Rock Magazine at their website here, iPad edition is available at the Apple store here.

Record Collector review the HomeGround Anthology: “Driven by love and passion”.

The June issue (out now!) of Record Collector magazine, the bible for all serious UK record CD and music collectors, contains an enthusiastic review by Jason Draper, of Volume 1 of the the HomeGround Anthology.

Ba-book-shka!

Missed out on tickets to see KB at Hammersmith in the autumn? Pick up this weighty tome and you’ll be so immersed in its world you might not even notice she’s there. For the first of two anthologies of dedicated Kate Bush fanzine HomeGround – published simultaneously – the editors have stripped out various articles, think pieces, fan reactions and readers’ letters from throughout the magazine’s history, matching them with a Kate Bush timeline.

Launching in recordcollector1982, HomeGround had the benefit of looking at The Kick Inside with hindsight; seems it shared chart space with Elvis Costello, Blondie and Buzzcocks – yet, neither punk nor prog, it was something unique in the dying years of the 70s. Wuthering Heights may have entranced at least one contributor at the age of 15, but by Hounds Of Love the NME would hail Running Up That Hill as the best single ever recorded by a white British artist. Shame, then, that one fan’s reaction was “complete despair” at hearing “a dance song with a somewhat interesting but monotonous and overbearing drum machine beat”.

That’s this anthology’s masterstroke: with little Kate Bush ISBN 1861714432 Vol 1 Paperback Coverself-editing, the HomeGround team have created a compendium faithful to the original publication. Opinion may vary throughout, but one thing’s for sure: everything written here is driven by love and passion for Kate Bush and her music. Repro illustrations and posters for video-party events capture the fanzine aesthetic, while fan poetry and short stories – though unlikely to vie for your attention in the face of more pertinent diversions such as a brief history of “cloudbuster” Wilhelm Reich – are testament to the ways in which Kate’s music touched her most loyal admirers. It’s every bit as valuable as an in-depth biography because it dares to go deeper into the fan psyche, offering a plethora of insights into this woman’s work.”

Our thanks to Jason and to Record Collector for actually understanding what we set out to do with the HomeGround Anthology, and our thanks for being supportive of the Magazine over the years right back to the 1980s.

Classic Pop Magazine explores “the making of a genius”

Classic Pop magazine June/July 2014The current edition of the bi-monthly magazine, Classic Pop, features Trevor Leighton’s beautiful new portrait of Kate on the cover along with the tagline: “Kate Bush – The making of a genius.” As well as exploring Kate’s early career and the 1979 tour in detail, the feature also recommends 10 “Essential Works” and offers a “Where are they now?” summary for all of the 1979 tour personnel.

Classic Pop say: For this issue of Classic Pop we chat with the cast of musicians and producers that helped to steer our cover star Kate Bush on the way from teenage prodigy to global success!”

It features new interviews with people who have worked with Kate. Glenys Groves, (one of Kate’s Tour of Life backing singers) says “It was a very happy tour…the fun mood was down in no little part to Kate – she was great to be around.” Kevin Burke, (childhood friend of Paddy’s who played violin on the track Violin from Never For Ever), producer Andrew Powell, guitarists David Paton and Ian Bairnson, video director (The Dreaming/There Goes a Tenner) Paul Henry, drummer Stuart Elliott, and Fairlight programmer JJ Jeczalik are all interviewed about Kate’s early career years. All in all a very nice article!

Read more at the magazine’s site here.

“WOW – 35 years of Kate Bush” feature in Gay Times

Gay Times May 2013Gay Times in the UK have been in touch to let us know that they have a nicely put together feature on Kate in their current issue (May 2013). From their press release: “Calling all Kate Bush fans! Gay Times, the world’s longest-running gay magazine has decided to celebrate 35 years of Kate Bush in our new issue with a unique timeline of her greatest hits. GT jump back 35 years to tell the story of each of her sensational tracks. Looking at her releases like this underlines how Bush’s career is full of surprises – invariably pleasant ones. She’s moved from quirky outsider in Wuthering Heights, to the creator of one of the definitive albums of the 1980s in the shape of Hounds of Love, before a relative critical lull with The Red Shoes in 1993. Simply celebrate the variety of songs that make up her outstanding discography in our new issue on sale in stores and available to download now.”

“The First Time I Heard Kate Bush” – new e-book available now!

The First Time I Heard Kate Bush - Scott HeimScott Heim, acclaimed author of “Mysterious Skin”, “We Disappear” and other novels has been editing a terrific series of e-books that focus on musicians telling about their “first time” hearing specific iconic artists. There are five in the initial series, including David Bowie, Cocteau Twins, Joy Division/New Order, The Smiths and of course Kate Bush. Scott says: “Some amazing people have written for the Kate book, including John Grant, Simon from Engineers, Anka from Clan of Xymox, Louise Rutkowski (This Mortal Coil), Paul from Trash Can Sinatras, and many other musicians & writers.”

You can buy the e-book on Amazon here.

When he began The First Time I Heard project, he simply wrote letters and e-mails to musicians and other writers whose work he admired. The response was overwhelming; after only four months, he’d already received personal essays from nearly 200 people including Throwing Muses, Mercury Rev, Gang Gang Dance, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Stereolab, and Spiritualized.

Author, Scott Heim

‘“I wanted to edit a book where musicians and writers tell their brief, first-person stories about those pivotal moments in their lives: where they were, how they felt, and how this “first hearing” really changed the way they listen to, and appreciate, music,” Heim says. “For many years, I’d been fascinated with hearing people talk about their strongest memories of particular bands, albums, or songs. I’d become especially intrigued with how music lovers remember the first time they heard the music of bands or singers that “shaped” them. A “casual” music listener often doesn’t remember those powerful, life-changing moments—but the true music fan always seems to have a special, nostalgic, lovingly detailed memory of, say, the first time they heard Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’ or David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ or The Smiths’ ‘This Charming Man’.” Read more at the book project’s Facebook page.

You can buy the e-book on Amazon here.

Big Boi raves about Kate’s new album

Rolling Stone reports that rapper Big Boi seriously likes Kate’s new album: “The album, to me, is just very somber and very chill,” he says. “Knowing her music and being a fan, it’s very, very deep Kate Bush for me. It’s concentrated. It’s raw emotion. It’s almost like a scene from her diary – she seems to be in love like a motherfucker. Really, really, really in love.” RS reports that Big Boi’s favorite song on the album is Snowed in at Wheeler Street: “It’s like a story between her and the guy, how they were in love from the beginning of time, how they never want to let each other go,” he says.”It just really builds. I think it’s really deep. I dig it…

Big_Boi

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