Friday, January 31, 2014

Under The Ivy: The Life And Music Of Kate Bush



http://librarycatalog.pima.gov/search/X?t:(under%20the%20ivy%20the%20life%20and%20music%20of%20kate%20bush)+and+a:(thomson)

I have posted about Kate Bush before, but she is so awesome that she requires more than just one post. During one of my catalog searches looking for good blogging material, I was overjoyed to discover that the library owns the biography of Kate Bush: Under The Ivy. Continue reading to learn more....


There is a lot to say about Kate Bush. She debuted in the mid 70's and was first discovered  by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. Armed with a soprano voice and a penchant for dreamy, mystical new wave, she was unlike anything that had been heard before. At a time when this genre was still heavily male dominated by similar bands like Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, and Pink Floyd, Kate was able to knock down barriers like a super powered mythical siren.

The book delves into her musical upbringing. Explaining how she taught herself to play piano at the age of 11. How at the age of 19, she released her debut album "The Kick Inside" in 1978.

The author Graeme Thomson did lengthy research and worked very hard to interview people that were prevalent in Ms. Bush's life. In that sense the book did feel a bit awkward and stalkish due to the fact that Mr. Thomson had tracked down people like Kate Bush's first love, and her school age best friend from youth, former managers, collaborators, producers, old friends etc. But eventually things fall into place and the awkwardness melts away.

Notoriously private, the book also offers some insight into what she is actually like as a person. Thankfully it does prove that the singer has stayed humble and kind as she has always been and hasn't let success transform her into the stereotypical diva that seems inescapable to most.

She has become legendary and a source of influence on artists like Fiona Apple, Courtney Love, Milla Jovovich, Sarah McLachlan, Sting, Sinead O'connor, Tori Amos, Bjork and Tupac Shakur (yes, Tupac Shakur)

The book is available for reserve (click here) and there is a ton of her music on Freegal (click here).

Thank you for reading and enjoy.

-Fred




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