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Simply Concorde

By Mark Child

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Book Review

"A light hearted look at murder"

by Mark Watson

I recently booked tickets to see Mark Watson at the Guild Hall near here. He is a brilliant stand up comedian in my opinion and I am totally looking forward to seeing the show...and don't worry readers...if there are any readers (*shouts HELLOOOOOOO*) I will write about the gig after I have been in December. So anyway I wanted to see if there were any dvds of his available on amazon and found after a search that he had written a couple of books. Based just on the title I decided to get my library to search the land for a copy of "A light hearted look at murder". They did and I finished reading it last night...

so now....I can feel the anticipation building....I can tell you what I thought. All sitting comfortably out there in Blogland?

Ok so the book is pretty short, about 300 pages, and is divided into two different sections. The text in these sections is either light or bold and titled either Alexandra or Andreas. Basically it is 2 stories about 2 people that have a link that brings them together

First we have Alexandra who is a researcher for company that makes documentaries...she is the central character of her sphere of the story....she has a brother Dan, who she shares a flat with after falling on hard times. Also in the flat is Dan's best mate, Gareth...and occasionally Dan's girlfriend Trixie. Alexandra herself has a best friend, Helen who works at the same company as she does.

The second universe belongs to Andreas who is a German student, studying American literature at an English university...may have been Cambridge. He is not a great people person and to start with has not many friends on campus...except for maybe Nina who lives in the same student accommodation as him. It is while there that he meets Rose...who is the 5th tallest woman (can't remember if it was in the world or just in the uk) and is instantly attracted to her. Through her he enters the world of professional look-a-likes and he begins a career as a Hitler impersonator. His social world then expands to include many strange people...Charles Steel who lives over a museum and is the tour guide there, Rachel who is Charles' assistant, Robert, the third tallest man who Andreas dislikes, Julian the Jack the Ripper impersonator and several other slightly strange characters.

These two universes collide because Andreas is is prison now and is part of the write-to-a-convict scheme. Alexandra gets involved and, with Gareth as a translator of Andreas' memoirs, she learns more and more about his life. But what was his crime, why is he in there...all will be revealed in the letters.

Ok so that's the basic set up and I am not going to give away any more of the story than that lol ...so what did I think of it I can hear you all cry. Ok well guys and gals I could ramble on and not make much sense but thats not my style....lets bring some order to this:

• Writing style:

The style was easy to read, very human if that makes sense. It was funny in places but, I don't think as funny as some of the quotes on the cover made out. Sometimes these quotes do the film or book a disservice by saying THIS IS LAUGH OUT LOUD FUNNY...so you go into the experience waiting for that huge laugh and you can end up disappointed...even if you enjoy whatever it is over all. So it was humorous in places but no more than that.

• Character development:

I thought this was a strong point in the book. The characters, no matter how ridiculous, always seemed believable. Also the author had a good eye for detail, and by that I mean emotional as well as physical description. I think there was a lot of realism in there that was good. Some books churn out nothing but stereotypes but this book really went to great lengths to make it so you knew the people and cared about the two leading characters

• Plot:

The plot was a slow burner. It kept you coming back because each translation of Andreas' life added new elements to the plot. This was good and I enjoyed the suspense building gradually - a change from my normal books where disaster has hit the fan within the first few pages. Maybe its a more mature plot for me (AAAARGHHH I'm growing up!!!)

In conclusion:

I think Mark Watson has written a good book here. Its not brilliant, it has its flaws but overall its a solid piece of work and I think it would encourage me to try one of his others. The characters were especially well written and the scene-setting was good. I did feel that the ending was a bit telegraphed - like a TV murder mystery where you have been held in suspense for 95% of it and then you think "well it has to be that guy cause he is the only leading actor left..." I say that as a certified non-genius in the plot twist spotting department...I never guessed that Bruce Willis was a ghost in the sixth sense....I may never live that down ;)

Grace Rating: 7/10

James Taylor - Hourglass

A review of one of my favourite albums by one of my favourite recording artists. I have been a fan of James Taylor's for many, many years and last year went to see him in concert which was everything I expected it to be. This album, Hourglass, was actually the first one of his that I heard after seeing him appear on a TV show to promote it. Subsequently I bought his back catalogue as well as more recent offerings but this one is special in my collection as it was my first. So here are my thoughts on a track by track basis :)

Track 1: Line 'Em Up

This is a great opening track. It reminds me for some reason of American Pie by Don McLean...it has that same kind of weaving together of strands of life. To carry on the pie analogy, its a slice of Americana. It's a song that takes you on a journey from beginning to end, delivered perfectly with JT's trademark laid back style. 5/5

Track 2: Enough To Be On Your Way

Another solid song. The strings at the beginning lead effortlessly into a quiet guitar intro. This then is a pleasing background as JT sings another melancholy story. Very subtle, understated use of backing vocal. 4/5

Track 3: Little More Time To Be With You

Featuring Stevie Wonder on Harmonica this is the first real toe-tapper on the album. Probably my first favourite that I came back to after the initial playing of the CD. A far more simple song in concept than the others but that's no bad thing. 5/5

Track 4: Gaia

This wasn't my favourite when I first heard it. I think coming after such an upbeat track it's a change of pace that left me disappointed... After hearing it many more times though my opinion has changed. The lyrics appeal to me and I particularly like the soprano sax section (try saying that after a few drinks) in the middle of the piece. Its still not my favourite but it's better than I first thought. 3/5

Track 5: Ananas

For me this is the weakest song on the album. It's a dip in quality I think and doesn't seem to fit with the other offerings. There is a nice electric guitar section but other than that it doesn't do much for me. 2/5

Track 6: Jump Up Behind Me

Back on familiar ground here for JT. An uplifting track with a good beat, easily accessible and another to return to a few times. As with other songs it paints a vivid picture of places and people and the vocal delivery is good as ever. Makes you feel like you are sat out on the porch overlooking a vast open countryside. 4/5

Track 7: Another Day

A slow beginning with little accompaniment suggests we might be heading into melancholy. The lyrics and the voice have a certain positivity that builds throughout the song. Once again, vivid settings and people easily enter the imagination. 4/5

Track 8: Up Er Mei

Another track that doesn't feature on my album favourite list. Its not bad but for me just feels a bit something and nothing as a track...not as well rounded as others. 2/5

Track 9: Up From Your Life

This is a stand out song on the album and from the initial burst of alto sax I was hooked. JT's voice really is like another instrument, smoothly merging with the music backing him. The verses build nicely to a chorus that, while simple, is delivered superbly with slight variations of emphasis and feeling. Some more sax and acoustic bass in the song make this one to listen to again and again. 5/5

Track 10: Yellow And Rose

Upbeat and with good tempo the song starts off deceptively with just the words "yellow and rose" sung in such a way as to leave you no clue where the song will go...could be mellow or could be a crowd pleaser. It is a solid song with a good beat that could have people up and dancing (not me as I can't dance, but other people) 3/5

Track 11: Boatman

Similar feel to the previous track. The album has some strong songs to finish off and this falls into that category. 4/5

Track 12: Walking My Baby Back Home

A simply brilliant cover of this 1930s track. There isn't much to say really, its a classic song and JT delivers it superbly. Simple and elegant. 5/5

Overall Grace Rating

8/10