Chapter 41: The Year of the Geographic
What do you think lead to Seven and the Ragged Tiger being so difficult to write and record and how does that correspond to the title of the chapter?
A -It seems to me that there were a ton of decisions surrounding the making of this album that were…interesting, at best. First, the managers pushed for a different producer in order to push the sound. Obviously, there was lots of pressure to keep it fresh in order for Duran to stay where they were, in terms of chart success. As John mentions here, there was no time to process feelings surrounding this or many of the other decisions. Then, I understand what led them to leave the country to write and record (taxes) but clearly the places they chose weren’t the most conducive to writing and recording actual music. Then, of course, as they get frustrated, they move on to the next place. This, of course, relates to the title, which John explains is the phrase used to describe how people try to escape by changing one’s location. I wonder what problems they were (collectively) avoiding by doing this.
R – I really believe that at least part of the problem with this album was the enormous amount of pressure they had put on themselves, even if they didn’t acknowledge that til much later. Part of the trouble with “the geographic” is that rather than recognizing the real problems and discussing them, was the change of location – as though to slap a bandaid over the wound and move on. The album, in hindsight, listens that way. Very fragmented.
What was your reaction to the idea of John connecting with fans and how he recognizes some of them on social media now?
A – As someone on social media (facebook and twitter), I couldn’t help but to take notice. This is a topic that I plan on exploring further in a future blog. I am not surprised that he feels more connected. How could he not? After all, now, he gets asked questions and answers them. He can also see what people are thinking about something instantly. That’s huge. As far as recognizing fans, I wonder who he notices. Is it good to be noticed or not? After all, noticed does not necessarily mean liked, respected, interested, etc.
R – I’m amused that he even went down that road. I would imagine it can be somewhat akin to being a fly on the wall (even if it’s on the wall of your own house!) because he can read every tweet he gets without ever having to respond. Oh, to be John Taylor and get some of the tweets he does. I have to laugh sometimes……
Chapter 42: A Caribbean Air
Did Duran’s new collective look in Montserrat fit with how things were going with the band at that time?
A – As soon as I read about Duran’s new look of pale earth tones, pale blues and white, I instantly had images/pictures pop in my head. We all probably know the look John is talking about here. Those colors are all calm, peaceful. Yet, the band seemed to be anything but. There seemed to be more problems with the studio and problems with the bills. Then, the band returns home to play at the Prince’s trust and it goes poorly with tuning and sound problems. The surface, which included photo ops with royalty, writing songs like Union of the Snake and the Reflex, seemed to hide the difficulties just underneath.
R – I think it’s a part of the geographic: hoping to change things when it’s merely a band aid.
Chapter 43: Resentments Under Construction
Reaction to the idea that they had to wait for lyrics?
A – Simon’s lyrics, and how long it takes for him to produce them, seem to be problematic based on the fact that it was mentioned in both John’s book and in Andy’s. I found it interesting that John chose to give him space. This, of course, implies that others did not. Obviously, I have no way of judging which is the right way to proceed. Was it better to try to work with Simon? Was it better to leave him alone? I don’t know.
R – One thing I do know about being a writer is that the pressure does absolutely NOTHING to help the words come faster. I really do feel for Simon in this regard, because I can’t imagine how difficult it must be. Actually I *can* imagine – and I’m glad I’m not a poet or a lyricist. I guess the band works in a way where the music comes first a lot of the time and then something inspires Simon to write. I think I would have a constant nagging fear of not being able to find something that inspired me. I have no idea if that’s what it is like for Simon, but hearing/reading about this in both Andy & John’s book and then hearing Nick talk about it in the Katy Kafe…as well as my OWN experiences with writing have given me a whole new appreciation for the lyrics as well as Simon, I must say!
Chapter 44: Unlimited Latitude
Do you agree with John’s description of the party people around him, especially when he says that he is their “prey”?
A – I have no doubt this is exactly what was like and is like for all, or most, who are famous. It seems to me that there are people who just attach themselves who whomever the big star is at the moment in order to further their own lives, or their own careers. Clearly, these people weren’t real friends since John didn’t mention them more than including this description of them. I found it interesting that John wasn’t really hanging out with very many of his bandmates. In particular, he talked about how distant he was from Nick at this point since Nick didn’t support his using.
R – I actually felt guilty when I read (and listened) this part. How many of us want to know John because he’s the bassist in Duran Duran? I mean, that’s the only reason most of us even know him. So, there is that. I know plenty of people that attach themselves to others for the sake of a career – even in other industries besides music & entertainment. I’m sure that at the time, it was an amazing social move to be seen hanging out with John Taylor. He recognized he was being treated more as a commodity than as a human, and that disgusts me even though at the time, John was also very clearly a bit paranoid due to the drugs. I suppose you learn very quickly whom your friends really are when you’re a celebrity, or else you don’t survive.
Were you surprised that John said that Andy was the only bandmate that he could get comfortably wasted around?
A – Obviously, I knew that Andy was using quite a bit at this time as well. Andy has never hidden it. It also makes the decision to form Power Station so much more obvious. It gave John a purpose and a means of keeping Andy happy. It also gave John someone to party with who wouldn’t question his choices in using. Again, though, I thought it was interesting that John described Andy’s participation as providing the balance in the band and giving the band an edge. I wonder if John still thinks that is lost without Andy.
R – I’ve always felt that Andy was the hard edge to balance out a lot of the softer side, and I felt it worked well. I think though that the real reason John was comfortable with Andy was simply because Andy never questioned him or forced him to own up to what he was doing. Every addict needs that sort of person…and when they turn away, I would imagine it’s pretty painful and hurtful, especially in hindsight when you realize that this person COULD have said something or done something and simply did not.
Chapter 45: Anticlimax to Reflex
What was the significance of telling the readers the story of his rental car’s fender falling off when he turned it in?
A – To me, this represented the album. Seven and the Ragged Tiger was done. Union of the Snake, the single, had been released. It was done and they were ready for what came next. The car represents the band, at the time. Yes, they appeared to be done with an album but what they didn’t realize is that a part of them was about to leave, to fall off. Obviously, we now know that it is Roger and Andy leaving.
R – I thought it was a terrific ending….kind of poetic really.
What was your reaction to John starting a relationship with Janine Andrews?
A – I, obviously, don’t know much about her besides being a Bond girl and having dated John. From the stories I read about, it seemed like their relationship was a bit dramatic. Yet, I guess I didn’t realize or remember that she was from Birmingham. John clearly could relate to her in that she appeared glamorous and sophisticated on the outside but was still someone from Birmingham and with the traits of someone from home. She must have provided some comfort, in some way then.
R – I must admit I know nothing of Janine Andrews, simply that she was there. It sounds like there wasn’t much peaceful about their relationship though…and somehow, I am not surprised.
Final Thoughts:
I was struck by how John described himself on the last line of Chapter 44. He wrote, “But behind the party face, I was caught up in a vortex of fear, arrogance, loneliness and extraordinary popularity.” (page 238) The vortex was the perfect word as it seems to me that John was in a vortex that he couldn’t get out of, even if he wanted to and it seems clear that in 1983, he didn’t. The popularity continued through less than stellar live shows like the one that happened at the Prince’s trust or through an album that took entirely too long to make. The arrogance was clearly there as well. I could see it by the choice to distance himself from Nick and the rest of the band rather than have his choices questioned. Yet, through all of this, the loneliness remained.
Next week, we will dive into 1984 by reading Chapters 46-51!
-A
“then hearing Nick talk about it in the Katy Kafe”
What did Nick say?(Was it recent or an old one? I'm not a member so I don't get them anyway but just curious)
I hadn't known Janine Andrews was a “local girl” either until I read the book. I always thought it was the “Bond Girl” thing when I was a kid. 🙂
I think the thing with Andy is that Andy, as well as doing a lot of it himself, was also an enabler towards what John was doing, so John felt more comfortable because he wouldn't have to face criticism and really think about what he was doing, which is pretty common with addicts, so it's not a special criticism towards him, it's how people become addicts and what addiction does to people, they feed off each other.
I think you are probably right. Andy and John fed off of each other, at least in some fashion.
-A
Nick just mentioned that it takes Simon a while to write lyrics – it's enormous amount of pressure, and that this next time he and John might take some of the songs and start writing lyrics for them a little earlier. From what Nick mentioned (and this is from November's Katy Kafe), it sounded as though writing the music comes quickly, but the lyrics take much longer. I don't want to make it sound as though Nick was being critical of Simon's work, or the length of time it takes because he was not. It was just a discussion of how long it might take them to release another album. (I hope it's quick, but not so quick that they regret not taking more time with it. A delicate balance, I am certain.) -R
I was surprised to learn that Andy dated Janine Andrews a few years before John dated and later became engaged to her. Was anyone else surprised to learn this? I would have thought that to be an awkward situation. . . . But, apparently not.
I didn't know that either. As for being awkward, it probably helped that Andy was already married to Tracey by then.
-A