Monday, August 28, 2017

Finally Found a Way to Get Forster's 'Grant & I'

Last summer, I couldn't wait to read Robert Forster's book 'Grant & I: Inside and Outside The Go-Betweens'. One year after its release, I still don't have the book. It has been a most difficult find for those of us on this side of the world, and I have had to get creative. Nine days from now, Forster will embark on a book tour through the UK. 'Grant & I' evenings will include a reading from the book, a conversation and live performance. With stops like Nottingham, London, Glasgow, Dublin and Manchester on the itinerary, I know many of my friends will be there. I hope one of my blogging pals takes the time to tell us all about the special night in their town.

OK, most of the rest of this post is for the benefit of my fellow Yanks who have been desperate to get a hold of 'Grant & I'. There must be a few of you out there, right? I am on Monorail's email list, and a few days ago the Glasgow record shop sent a pre-order note for the book. These will be copies signed by Mr. Forster when he visits the shop for the 'Grant & I' evening on Sept. 7. For those planning to be there for the big night, customers can select "collect in store" on the pre-order page and pick up the book before the event and get the book signed in person. For the rest of us, Forster will sign the book, and Monorail will mail it out on Sept. 8. Having already ordered mine, I can tell you how much this will set you back. A signed copy with postage to America will set you back £24.49. As I'm typing this, that's $31.57. After a yearlong wait, money well spent in my book.

Here are all of the dates for the upcoming 'Grant & I' evenings, and let's listen to the last joint composition by Forster and Grant McLennan. The song was released on Forster's melancholy 2008 album 'The Evangelist'. At the time of the release, two years after McLennan's death, Forster told the Independent that McLennan had the melody, song structure and the first five lines of the lyric. Forster finished it. I'm not sure there is another song I have listened to more the last decade.

5th September 2017: Nottingham, Rough Trade Shop
6th September 2017: London, Rough Trade Shop
7th September 2017: Glasgow, Mono
8th September 2017: Dublin, The Gutter Bookshop
12th September 2017: Liverpool, Leaf
13th September 2017: Manchester, Anthony Burgess Foundation
25th September 2017: London, The Shaw Theatre
5th November 2017: Hamburg, Nachtasyl
6th November 2017: Berlin, Maschinenhaus in der Kulturbrauerei
7th November 2017: Frankfurt Am Main, Brotfabrik
9th November 2017: Regensburg, Buchhandlung Dombrowsky
10th November 2017: Köln, King Georg
11th November 2017: Reutlingen, Vitamin
12th November 2017: Manchester, Louder Than War Festival
28th November 2017: Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Capitol Bild & Bühne

"Demon Days"

15 comments:

MisterPrime said...

Not sure how I missed this, Brian but many thanks for drawing it to my attention. I've just ordered my book and ticket. And it's the day after Alvvays at the Rescue Rooms so that's my September off to a good start!

Brian said...

Excellent, MisterPrime. Nottingham in the house. Enjoy Alvvays. Been a while since we have heard from them. Fingers crossed on a great followup. Nearly there now.

Charity Chic said...

I'm disappointed you didn't fly over Brian!

Brian said...

Would love to, CC. Just need to move there already. Could have gone to JC and Carlo's bash and that concert with you. Sounds like a nice weekend.

George said...

Brian, your link for Demon Days gives a song by Ette. I am currently listening to Demon Days via YouTube

Anonymous said...

I picked it up last year. Direct from Australia. Free shipping, too.

https://www.bookdepository.com/Grant-I-Robert-Forster/9780670078226

Darren

Brian said...

Hey, George. I'm not seeing that problem, but I reloaded it just in case. Thing is, I did listen to Ette around the time I put this post together. Strange. Let me know if you keep seeing that problem.

Anonymous said...

Its a wonderful book. Off the 25/9 event and cant wait. Same here with demin days such a gloriously sad melody

Brian said...

FORW, Thought you might be going to that one. Your words about the book a while back had something to do with keeping me interested lo these many months. Should be quite an evening.

Brian said...

Darren, Good to know, sir. The price is really good right now at less than 23 bucks and free shipping.

George said...

Brian, link ok now, thanks for that.

The Swede said...

Glad to hear that you've tracked down a copy of the book Brian. 'Demon Days' is sublime.

MisterPrime said...

Robert Forster was enthralling last night at Rough Trade. He basically did a kind of 2 hour 'in conversation' thing with journalist Pete Paphides, pausing to play songs at regular intervals. He opened with 'Rock and Roll Friend' and then went on to play 'Karen', 'People Say' and others. I'll send you a proper review if I can sort something out in the next few days. In the meantime I notice that there are already videos on youtube that are worth a look if you've got the time...

Brian said...

MisterPrime, I know quite a few readers are planning to see Robert in the coming days. If you can swing it, a review would be so very welcome. Sounds like such a special experience.

JC said...

In case you missed this Brian

https://thenewvinylvillain.com/2017/10/18/a-book-review-and-a-pointer-to-a-new-series/#comments