Running Up That Hill - 50 Visions Of Kate Bush

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Running Up That Hill -
50 Visions Of Kate Bush
by Tom Doyle
Nine Eight Books
ISBN 9781788707794

Well this was a nice surprise, spotted on a shelf at the somewhat disappointing, ‘not a patch on the old incarnation’, rebirth version of HMV at it’s old flagship location in London. I noticed this biographical work called Running Up That Hill - 50 Visions Of Kate Bush and knew it had to go on my Christmas list. I duly received said desired item from Santa’s sack and, I have to say, it’s a very well written tome with lots of good information.

I first discovered Kate Bush back in 1985. Even as a kid and into my teens I mostly only listened to instrumental music but, in the mid 1980s I also started listening to some of that ‘popular music’ too and, though I still mostly only listen to movie soundtracks these days, some of those much loved artists I latched onto never left me. So I got into Simon and Garfunkel first, then progressed onto The Beatles, Donovan, Blondie, The Who... and then I somehow heard a single from a new album, Running Up That Hill. With money from a part-time job I had through 8 years of ‘Saturday working’ my way through school and then college, I bought the album and then, over a space of a few weeks, bought the other four in her (then) back catalogue... and admittedly got pretty obsessed with her music the way a teenager can. Especially when it came to The Dreaming, which became my favourite of her albums. So, as the years have rolled by (and rolled on some more, I am now officially in my late 50s) I’ve always been there for each of her new albums (alas, I wasn’t able to procure a ticket for her concert... such a shame).

It’s nice to read a book by an interviewer who had, at one stage, a lot of access to her time over a four or five hour session at her home, augmented with other first hand and second hand commenters. Now, if you are thinking this book is going to be an exhaustive ‘making of’ tour of her music (nice as that would possibly be... or possibly not, it might get a bit plodding) then you might consider yourself out of luck. Similarly, if you think this book will bring you closer to knowing the mindset of the real Kate Bush... think again, why would it? Although I suspect it does have a fair stab at getting a closer look at her in a few places.

It does, however, give a whirlwind tour of her early life (stifling catholic school, the real learning and artistic growth to be found on the grounds of her own home) and chapters devoted to each of her albums and musical triumphs. Not to mention collected wanderings through contemporary reactions to her beautiful sonic creations and even some of her promotional appearances.

There were lots of things I didn’t know about before going past the dustcovers of this book... such as her wardrobe malfunction in front of Prince Charles and asking for an autograph on meeting the Queen... and there’s lots of fun stuff captured in here. It also charts stuff which even a casual listener would maybe pick up on after pouring over those sleeve notes and record credits as each album came out... such as when she starts to really take control and produces her own recordings and eventually builds her own studio for herself. There’s even a handy guide to the hidden KT symbol on her various album artworks.

And this is one of my shorter reviews so I’ll just say that the book is a breeze as written by Tom Doyle... he’s obviously someone who understands music but, more than that, he writes about his subject matter in a very entertaining manner. Just by the nature of the writing it’s a pacey affair, the fifty chapters giving insight and taking a common sense approach when, on occasion, it drifts into suggesting judgement calls on things observed (and heard, I guess). I don’t know if this biography is authorised by Kate herself (there are no photos in it, for example, other than the one used on the cover design) but I can’t imagine the lady herself being disagreeable to it as it’s very much a love letter to her music and personae as anything I’ve read. It’s certainly the easiest book about a musical artist I’ve personally rocketed through too so, it you are a fan or admirer of Kate Bush and want to read a joyous celebration of her career then, yeah, Running Up That Hill - 50 Visions Of Kate Bush is certainly a book I’d recommend to anyone wishing for an impression or sketch of that world, for sure. Definitely worth a read.