THE ALAN BOWN SET
Before And Beyond
By Jeff Bannister with Alan Bown (Banland Publishing Ltd.)
     Even a cursory browse through any reasonably well stocked music book shop will reveal a multitude of tomes on just about every major force in 1960s music, indeed over the last few decades volumes on The Who, The Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and of course The Beatles have literally inundated bookshelves to breaking point. It is exceptional to find a book that is delivered in a similar quality usually afforded to the likes of the former that concentrates on a group who--whilst commanding the respect and admiration of many of the major players of the time--failed to replicate their commercial success. Before And Beyond manages the rare feat of not only meticulously charting the fortunes and misfortunes of such a group, but presenting it in a fashion that would do the biggest names in '60s rock and pop justice.
     Before And Beyond celebrates the life of Alan Bown, who for those less overtly familiar with his works first came to prominence with The John Barry Seven before leading his own eponymous group throughout the latter half of the 1960s and the early '70s. The Alan Bown Set began life in 1965 as a soul flavoured club group and later as The Alan Bown! mirrored the musical revolution that followed, embracing late '60s pop, psychedelia and progressive rock with considerable individuality and merit. In spite of continued critical acclaim the group however never managed to match their enormous popularity at club level with a hit record, and as a consequence the continued longevity and appreciation of their music is owed largely to the more adventurous music fans of the era (like Shindiggers of course).
     Written by long term Bown group member Jeff Bannister in conjunction with Alan himself, Before And Beyond delivers a hugely detailed account of Alan's life, though obviously as interest in him chiefly stems from his musical activities, the book naturally focuses on the decade or so that spanned his enrolment into The John Barry Seven through to the demise of the final incarnation of The Alan Bown. A wealth of anecdotes enliven a highly entertaining expose on the trials and tribulations of a busy '60s pop group which, together with an amazing legion of details on everything from concerts and recording sessions to BBC radio appearances and their coverage in the music press, really brings the period and its peculiarities to life--especially for those of us who were not there at the time! Printed on glossy paper which runs to some 240 sides and presented in hardback, Before And Beyond also features a discography and scores of rarely seen pictures including group photos, posters, handbills, adverts, gig ads and just about everything bar their laundry bills--oh and the love letters which remain in the group's scrapbooks...
     All in all a completely fascinating and enlightening read and thoroughly recommended!
www.banlandpublishing.com
Nigel Lees