For Christmas this year I bought a book that was released in September and asked my daughter to give it to me as a present. I like getting something I really want rather than a random gift. I’m weird like that or maybe not.

The present was a book written by Anthony Reynolds:  Cries And Whispers 1983 – 1991

It was the follow up to his book: “Japan – A Foreign Place” The first book was very enjoyable and I was  thrilled to find out he had written a new book.

Detailing the fascinating musical adventures of Richard Barbieri, Rob Dean, Steve Jansen, Mick Karn and David Sylvian from 1983 to 1991, the book takes in Sylvian’s solo work, The Dolphin Brothers, Dali’s Car, the brilliant but ill-feted reunion release Rain Tree Crow, and more.

It was such a good read with so many bits of information that put a lot of things into perspective.  When I had finished the book I had remembered that I hadn’t finished the other book about David Sylvian called: ” On The Periphery by Chris Young” The reason I had not got through the 384 page book was due to the print size, it was really small – must be an age thing. Then I thought, I wonder if the book was available on Kindle, and guess what? It was – so I downloaded the book and found when I had read up to and threw myself back into the book.

I learnt a rather amazing story which I would like to share with you.

Do you remember the song by Madonna called “Justify My Love?” Well the story goes…

The song was written by Madonna, Lenny Kravitz and Ingrid Chavez (the then wife of David Sylvian) Lenny however convinced Ingrid that she shouldn’t put her name down as one of the songwriters. We don’t know why exactly, but Ingrid decided to take them to court and it was suggested that she received a $2 million payout for the error, it is believed that some of this money was used to help David finish his album: “Dead Bees on a Cake”

I must thank Chris Young for writing such an in-depth book.