JOY DIVISION: PIECE BY PIECE: Writing About Joy Division 1977 2007 - Softcover

Morley, Paul

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0859655415 ISBN 13: 9780859655415

Publisher: Plexus Publishing, 2015

Synopsis

Joy Division: Piece by Piece is the definitive collection of writings on the legendary cult band. In addition to collecting Morley's own classic works about the band from the late '70s/early '80s, this unique book includes his eloquent Ian Curtis obituary and his hindsight pieces on the significance of the group, framed by an extensive retrospective essay. Contemporary elements include Morley’s critique of the films 24 Hour Party People which told the story of the band’s record label, Factory and Control, for which the author visited the set during production.

Most movingly, Morley includes the original text that grew into his literary work Nothing, which parallels the suicide of Curtis with that of his own father. He also evokes the zeitgeist and the 'psycho-geography' of Manchester, which combined to produce the most uniquely intense rock group ever.

About this title

About the Author

Paul Morley wrote for the NME from 1977 to 1983 when the magazine was at its most successful and notorious. He wrote for the first few issues of The Face, was a regular contributor to Blitz, and was one of the first presenters of The Late Show. He currently writes for Arena, Esquire, The Sunday Telegraph and contributes to numerous TV and radio programs.

His previous books include Nothing, which was published to great acclaim in 2000 and Words and Music: A History of Pop in the Shape of a City, described by the Guardian's reviewer as 'the best book about pop I had ever read'.

Morley is the man who knew Joy Division best — he was the only journalist permitted to view Curtis' corpse, was present when Curtis suffered his life-changing epileptic seizure following a London concert in April 1980, and wrote extensively and evocatively of the 'mood, atmosphere and ephemeral terror' that enveloped this unique group and their doomed front man.

These are his complete writings on Joy Division, both contemporary and retrospective. As he says, 'the more that time moves on, the more I have to say about them'.

Review

"This collection tells not only the extraordinary tale of Joy Division and Factory, but also the story of Morley himself... essential reading." Word

"[Morley's] engagement and insight are unmatched... If you fancy a sometimes inspirational, sometimes maddening labyrinth of ideas... well, this is the way, step inside." Q magazine

"Joy Division: Piece by Piece offers a fascinating insight into what it feels like to have a rock legend crystallise inside your own head... A remarkable achievement." Ben Thompson, The Independent on Sunday

It’s almost always brilliant. It’s everything that good rock writing should be: unfolding, examining and always straining to find a glimpse of the magic.” Mick Middles, Record Collector magazine

"Another book about Joy Division? No, THE book. One engages here with a master of his craft, unafraid to surrender control to the reader wise enough to know that all writing, however lapidary it may seem, is provisional." Matthew d’ Ancona, The Spectator

Edition details

• Publisher: Plexus Publishing
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0859655415
• ISBN 13: 9780859655415
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 384