Peter Kearns – författare

In her long career, Canadian songstress Joni Mitchell has been hailed as everything from a 1960s folk icon to 20th century cultural figure, artistic iconoclast to musical heroine, extreme romantic confessor to both outspoken commentator and lyrical painter. Eschewing commercial considerations, she simply viewed her trajectory as that of any artist serious about the integrity of their work. But whatever musical position she took, she was always one step ahead of the game, making eclectic and innovative music. Albums like The Ladies Of The Canyon, Blue, Hejira and Mingus helped define each era of the 1970s, as she moved from exquisitely pitched singer-songwriter material towards jazz. By the 1980s, her influence was really beginning to show via a host of imitators, many of them big names in their own right. He profound influence continues in popular music to this day.This book revisits her studio albums in detail from 1968’s Song to a Seagull to 2007’s Shine, providing anecdote and insight into the recording sessions. It also includes an in-depth analysis both of her lyrics and the way her music developed stylistically over such a lengthy career, making this the most comprehensive book on this remarkable artist yet written.

Peter Kearns is an independent recording artist and writer. Since the ‘80s he has performed live as keyboardist or recorded with acts including New Zealand’s Shona Laing, the UK’s Judie Tzuke, and New Yorker John Tabacco, being half of the duo Tabacco & Kearns. He has released two solo albums. As a writer he’s contributed to Witchdoctor.co.nz - New Zealand’s technology and music website for grownups, and New Zealand Musician magazine. Joni Mitchell On Track is his third book for Sonicbond Publishing after books on Elton John and 10cc and Godley and Creme. He lives in Amberley, New Zealand.

You could consider Kate Bush''s The Dreaming to be her finest moment, depending on whether you value the rejection of compromise and see that as a sign of authenticity. Or, you may see her Hounds of Love - equal parts artful and accessible - as the benchmark for artistic integrity meeting commercial success: a slippery and completely unpredictable schizoid beast at the best of times. As much as The Dreaming seems to be viewed as Bush''s most difficult record to consume, it''s easy to forget that it was a top 20 album in multiple countries. In reality, it has a beautiful simplicity, if only for its intention to exist for its own sake - as they say, ''It is what it is'', and the rest is up to the listener. What it is, is perhaps one of rock''s purest examples of a musician doing their thing, simultaneously (and conveniently) operating at the top of their game without a care for what others thought. Ultimately, The Dreaming is just art - music, yes, but it arguably crosses the line into sculpture. You can walk around it, try to decipher it, and still be stumped. Isn''t that how art is supposed to be?

Peter Kearns is a New Zealand musician, independent recording artist and producer. Since the 1980s, he has performed live as keyboardist and/or recorded or co-written with a range of artists from in and outside of his home country. He is half of the duo Tabacco & Kearns and as a writer, he''s contributed regularly to witchdoctor.co.nz - New Zealand''s technology and music website for grown-ups. This is his fourth book for Sonicbond. He first heard Kate Bush in 1978 when he was 11, biking home from school, hearing ''Wuthering Heights'' blasting from someone''s house, and he stood there in the rain, transfixed, wondering if it was possible to equal something so unique.

Hailing from Manchester, England, sophisticated pop purveyors 10cc hit the ground running with their 1972 debut single, ''Donna''. Their pedigree reached back to bassist Graham Gouldman''s songwriting successes in the 1960s, while guitarist and recording engineer Eric Stewart, was already a bonafide pop star having sung the global hit, ''Groovy Kind of Love,'' with The Mindbenders. When the pair teamed up with drummer/singer Kevin Godley and multi-instrumentalist/singer, Lol Creme, the combination produced four hit albums including Sheet Music and The Original Soundtrack. The group also enjoyed ten successful singles including the classic I''m Not In Love. Their music was defined by eclectic, boundary-pushing pop that earned them comparisons to The Beatles while still occupying a unique position in music.

   Departing in 1976, Godley and Creme moved on to create genre-defying experimental records, including the groundbreaking  Consequences, while Gouldman and Stewart continued their run of hit singles and albums with a new 10cc lineup. Their final album was 1995''s Mirror Mirror, a highly respectable full stop on this influential band''s colourful and innovative discography. This book examines every released recording by both Godley & Creme and 10cc, including the band''s debut album under their early name, Hotlegs.

Peter Kearns is an independent recording artist and writer. Since the 1980s he has performed live as keyboardist or recorded with acts including New Zealand''s Shona Laing, the UK''s Judie Tzuke, and New Yorker John Tabacco, being half of the duo Tabacco & Kearns. He has released two solo albums. As a writer, he''s contributed to Witchdoctor.co.nz - New Zealand''s technology and music website for grownups and New Zealand Musician magazine. His first book was Elton John 1969-1979 – On Track for Sonicbond Publishing. 10cc & Godley and Creme – On Track is his second book. He lives in Amberley, New Zealand.