Synopses & Reviews
Few record collections remain untouched by Brian Enos aesthetic DNA: from ambient soundscapes and world-music hybrids to cut n paste vocal samples and amniotic chill-out rooms, Eno is all around us. A sonic alchemist to the stars, his address book is a veritable whos who of rock and his credit adorns an outrageous number of albums. Tellingly, Enos work with Roxy Music, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Devo, U2, and Coldplay has coincided with those artists producing their most critically revered work. On Some Faraway Beach is the first serious, critical examination of the life and times of Brian Eno. David Sheppard has interviewed key collaborators like David Byrne, Robert Wyatt, John Cale, Bryan Ferry, and Gavin Bryars. But more importantly, Sheppard has had considerable assistance and input from Brian and Anthea Eno themselves, while retaining an edge and independence in keeping with his subject.
Review
"[An] honourable, authorized attempt to do justice to a mind-bogglingly restless and prolific subject. . . . With his uninhibited fondness for sex and intriguing cultural hypotheses, Eno comes across in On a Faraway Beach as an archetypal man of the 1970s." The Sunday Times
Review
"Sheppards diligently researched, flamboyant and fascinating book provides a long overdue critical perspective on Eno, the man and his workby someone other than Eno." The Wire
Review
"A valuable document of one of late-20th-century pop musics key influencers." Publishers Weekly
Review
"An authoritative bible for Enophiles everywhere, On Some Faraway Beach will also intrigue more casual fans curious to investigate the creative inner workings of such a cryptic artist." Under the Radar
Review
"An extraordinary tale of how rock's most infamous non-musician became pop's most articulate spokesman and in-demand producer." Mojo
Review
"Interesting . . . passionate." Buzzine
Synopsis
From an idiosyncratic childhood in a sleepy British market town to the top of the international pop charts, this first critical examination of the life of Brian Eno charts a lengthy and colorful journey. Interviews with many key collaboratorssuch as David Byrne, Robert Wyatt, John Cale, Bryan Ferry, and Gavin Bryarsalong with input from Brian and his wife, Anthea, illuminate the man and his ideas and how he retained an edge and maintained independence. This sonic alchemist to the stars has contributed to the most challenging and critically revered work of Roxy Music, David Bowie, Talking Heads, Devo, U2, and Coldplay, and few collections remain untouched by his distinctive aesthetic.
About the Author
David Sheppard is a practicing musician and a writer on music and culture in the UK and the author of Elvis Costello and Leonard Cohen.