Product Description

Through extensive interviews with the band, as well as producers Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley, Terry Edwards tells the inside story of how Madness rose to be the most successful singles band of the 1980s in the UK charts. Madness came to prominence in the UK in the wake of the Punk/New Wave explosion and must be seen in the context of Britain in the late 70s, musically, socially and politically. Their first single was released by Two-Tone, an independent label run by fellow ska enthusiasts. One Step Beyond isn't the best album in the world - it's not even the best album by Madness. It is, however, a great record and an exceptional debut album - fully formed despite half the band still being in their teens - and it remains as exhilarating, inspiring and as much fun as when people first heard it nearly 30 years ago. Through extensive interviews with the band, as well as producers Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley, Terry Edwards tells the inside story of how Madness rose to be the most successful singles band of the 1980s in the UK charts. "33 1/3" is a series of short books about a wide variety of albums, by artists ranging from James Brown to the Beastie Boys. Launched in September 2003, the series now contains over 50 titles and is acclaimed and loved by fans, musicians and scholars alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15477 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 172 pages

Review
"It was only a matter of time before a clever publisher realized that there is an audience for whom Exile on Main Street or Electric Ladyland are as significant and worthy of study as The Catcher in the Rye or Middlemarch... The series, which now comprises 29 titles with more in the words, is freewheeling and eclectic, ranging from minute rock-geek analysis to idiosyncratic personal celebration--The New York Times Book Review Ideal for the rock geek who thinks liner notes just aren't enough--Rolling Stone One of the coolest publishing imprints on the planet--Bookslut These are for the insane collectors out there who appreciate fantastic design, well-executed thinking, and things that make your house look cool. Each volume in this series takes a seminal album and breaks it down in startling minutiae. We love these. We are huge nerds. - Vice A brilliant series...each one a word of real love - NME (UK) Passionate, obsessive, and smart - Nylon Religious tracts for the nock 'n' roll faithful - Uncut (UK) We...aren't naive enough to think that we're your only source for reading about music (but if we had our way...watch out). For those of you who really like to know everything there is to know about an album, you'd do well to check out Continuum's "33 1/3" series of books." - Pitchfork"

About the Author
Terry Edwards is a multi-instrumentalist, playing saxophones, trumpet, guitar and keyboards both as a session musician and as leader of his own outfits, Terry Edwards & the Scapegoats and Butterfield 8. Over the years he has worked with, amongst others, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, David Gray, Robyn Hitchcock, Lydia Lunch, Tindersticks, PJ Harvey, Gallon Drunk, Jesus & Mary Chain and he was in the band for Tom Waits' stage production The Black Rider (performed in London, San Francisco, Sydney and Los Angeles). He co-founded The Higsons in 1980 with Charlie Higson, and has had a working relationship with all the members of Madness for over 20 years. He also writes record reviews for Time Out in London.

Customer Reviews

Hey you don't read that....read this!!
I can't recommend this book highly enough and suggest you immediately scroll up and click the "Add To Shopping Basket" button. It really is a warts'n'all "behind the scenes" view of Madness' debut album One Step Beyond, that looks at the album not just through rose tinted glasses in a nostalgic way but also from the perspective of it's relevance today.

There are individual chapters dedicated to each song - as well as others giving an overview of the artwork, a brief background to the band etc. There's also a review of relevant B-sides and tracks that didn't quite make the album. Mr Edwards has written it from the perspective of a fan, a collaborator, a musician and much more, with input from all the key players involved, and all credit to him for getting under the skin of the album to the extent that he has.

It's an easy read that you can knock off easily in one or two sittings (took me two commutes!!) but that's not to suggest it brushes over anything or simplifies it - it truly is an in depth analysis of a much beloved album. It does at times get a little technical with it's mentions of the musical structure of different songs but then you'd expect nothing less from a musician as competent as the author. There are plenty of little bits of trivia and anecdotal stories to teach even the most ardent fan something new and it definitely doesn't gloss over any of the facts, even the contentious ones.

The biggest compliment I can pay it is that it left me wishing that Mr Edwards would now embark on a similar project for each of Madness' other albums, such was the quality of this, his first ever book.

I'll close as I started by urging you to buy it and read it if you haven't done so already.

Mad review!
As a fan of madness since their beginnings some 30 years ago I'm updating previosly bought vinyl. The album itself is, as anyone who has it would agree, is an absolute beauty. When I saw this book I thought it would be great to hear how it was 'born'. I wasn't disappointed.... actually sometimes I was. The vast majority of the book includes some great explanations into each song & even breaks down the passport photos on the records sleeve.#I'm sure there's one of a lad who I knew years ago...# Anyway the individual explanations from the band members doesn't disappoint & seems to give you the satisfaction that you now know & could perhaps understand the actions behind the writing. The only disappointment which got frustrating was when the author started to break down some of the songs musically & if I remember rightly even admits to not wanting to bore the reader. Should have gone with his feelings. All in all though he manages to take the reader into the album making it personal & restamping the records status as , in my opinion, an absolute must in any music lovers collection. The book completes the records greatness & it would be brilliant if the author, who has played alongside the band, would lend his hand to the forthcoming reissues of the other Madness albums.
For all Madness fans old & new, this little book is a little gem

Hey you! Don't read that! Read this!
A brilliant book written by occasional Madness collaborator and guest musician Terry Edwards, which gives the full inside track on Madness's brilliant début album One Step Beyond... which is about to be re-issued as a double disc deluxe edition: One Step Beyond.... (30th anniversary deluxe edition)

What Terry didn't know about the album already he discovered in interviews with all the major players. This book is an essential accessory and a brilliant read.