Barefaced Lies and Boogie-woogie Boasts

I really enjoyed this book, a very humourous and honest book, telling the tale of the ups and downs of a very talented man. If you like Jools Holland then I recommend you read it.

Top autobiography (1/1 people found this helpful)

I have read a lot of autobiographies in recent years, and have a particularly partiality to those of the music world. I have liked Jools Holland since The Tube days because of his dry wit, warmth and slightly 'whacky' personality. More recently because of his obvious complete passion about music in general. I was not disappointed with his autobiography, and completely felt Jools personable and distinct style came across as I read - you definitely know its him. The anecdotes and memories of this interesting man were funny, warm and generous to ALL the people involved (even the dodgy pirates!). He has a very positive and philosophical way of looking at his journey, even in tougher times, which was actually quite inspiring. The love of 'the music' so obvious throughout. Other autobiographies I have read can be frankly depressing, self-absorbent and somewhat monotonous - definitely not here. This rates as one of the best, if not the best of all autobios I have read. A great read, if you are a fan of this man or just music in general, interesting until the end. Highly recommended. Thanks Jools.

Not just about the music (1/1 people found this helpful)

This book offers an astounding insight into music from a naturally gifted musician who has also perfectly captured the spirit of 80's Britain and is an essential part of our musical culture in the broadest sense. He writes with great modesty, succinctness, wit and has an infectious optimism that can't be ignored. This same optimism can be felt in his beautiful and inspiring music.
However, the thing I found best about this book was how hilariously funny the anecdotes were, I had to leave the room and calm down on several occasions after crying with laughter. Its probably the funniest book I have ever read and for this reason alone it is essential reading even by those who are not music fans!
Simply brilliant! I wish I could play with Jools some day, I have been working on my left hand!

No real boasts (3/3 people found this helpful)

Some great anecdotes here, including the time he first met Bob Dylan at George Harrison's house.

Jools' humble manner is such that he drops names like Dylan and Harrison with the same love and affection that he recalls pub landlords, and friends and neighbours.

As a great fan of his music, I loved his insights on the music, and those he has worked with throughout the years.

One (small) gripe is the way that the last 15 or so years are crammed into about 20 pages, (possibly) leaving scope for a second half of the memoirs?

You get an overall sense of the honesty, and humble upbringing of Jools throughout, and I found it very hard to put this one down.

Couldn't put it down (12/12 people found this helpful)

This book was wonderful, an honest and touching story of a gifted lad from a humble background who survived excesses of the pop industry and who has grown to be a pillar of the musical establishment. He's got a 'live and let live' attitude and is rarely critical of others, seeing good in many. His insights of the great and good of music are fascinating and his fondness for Paula Yates stands out. He heaps praise on many, including Bono, Bob Geldof and George Harrison. It was a great read.

Barefaced Lies and Boogie-woogie Boasts

Jools Holland

Reader Reviews:

More boogie woogie please (0/0 people found this helpful)

Top autobiography (1/1 people found this helpful)

Not just about the music (1/1 people found this helpful)

No real boasts (3/3 people found this helpful)

Couldn't put it down (12/12 people found this helpful)

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