Record Play Pause: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: the Joy Division Years: Volume I

Stephen Morris's book provides a new and extremely welcome perspective on the history of Joy Division. I have to be honest, though, and say that the Joy Division part of Stephen's life does not kick in till page 136. One hundred and thirty six pages on his childhood and directionless teenage years makes for heavy reading and maybe this could have been edited down a bit. But from page 136 onwards the book takes off, finishing the story for now with New Order's first trip to New York. Tales of early gigging with Joy Division are fascinating, as is Stephen's take on the recording of 'Unknown Pleasures', 'Transmission', and 'Atmosphere'/'Dead Souls'. His perspective on Ian Curtis and his problems is vital and it will be a hard-hearted person who doesn't shed a tear when reading his account of the aftermath of Ian's suicide. Providing a playlist to his life at the end of the book is a lovely touch and the list is full of gems (excepting The New Christie Minstrels' 'Three Wheels On My Wagon'). All in all then, a gripping and witty read.

Loved this book could not put it down. Its very funny and cheers you up especially when your feeling depressed and down. However they are poignant moments that make you think. I liked especially Stephen growing up in Macclesfield. I also liked he part about his Ford Escort and the radio. The sad moments are also very touching not only regarding Ian death and the impact this had on the band but also on Ian Wife and Daughter. But also how a previous girlfriend of Stephens was depressed and down and tried to take her own life. But this is not a gloomy book its very funny and I loved it one of my best reads.

This book is excellent . I have seen footage of Stephen Morris in a JD documentary , and in DVD extras, so was looking forward to his version of events and dry sense of humour . The Warsaw/JD story is not covered until page 136 on , so undoubtedly some readers will skip to this point ! The entire book though, is entertaining, it is full of anecdotes and revelations. At the end there is even a playlist , 70 of Stephens favourite tracks for the reader to download via Spotify or investigate otherwise .

I loved this book. Stephen comes across as such a likeable - sort of naive, innocent and eccentric - guy, much more complex and interesting than I suspected. I found it moving to read about how he emerged from his troubled school experiences (with seemingly no prospects at all) to become such an important part of such a significant band. But most moving of all is his account of Ian Curtis's final weeks and his suicide - it conveys a real sense of the shocking impact of the event, and how remarkable it was that the band were eable to carry on and reinvent themselves as a New Order.

I found this autobiography a surprisingly enjoyable read. He's a good and entertaining writer so it was easy and enjoyable and informative. There was quite a a bit about his growing up in Macclesfield but also a lot about the start of Warsaw and Joy Divsion in the 1st volume. I found it more enjoyable and informative than Bernard Sumner's book and Morrissey's for that matter. Well worth getting.