About the Book
Everybody knows John Altman's music, but not so many people know his name. Yet he is one of the most prolific composers, conductors and arrangers in history and his saxophone playing has been heard live and on record with many great names. In this vivid account of over fifty years in the world of popular music, Altman explains why he is the 'Hidden Man', whose scores include such well-known film sequences as 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' from Life of Brian, which he arranged, conducted and whistled; the tank chase through St. Petersburg in the James Bond movie Goldeneye and the ship sinking in Titanic, with the orchestra playing on deck. In all, he has composed the music for over 50 movies, and won most major film awards in his long and distinguished career. His orchestrations can be heard in film scores by legends like Elmer Bernstein and Jule Styne, and he was musical director for several television series, notably Miss Marple, starring Joan Hickson, as well as Peak Practice. As an arranger/conductor he has worked on hit records for numerous stars, among them Rod Stewart, George Michael, Tina Turner, Barry White, Diana Ross, Bjork, and Alison Moyet. As a saxophonist, flautist and clarinet player he has performed with an equally stellar list of musicians. John Altman has also found time to write, produce and arrange over 4,000 commercials worldwide, including his theme for the 'Sheila's Wheels' advertisement. Such anonymity coupled with universally-known themes is why Monty Python's Terry Gilliam named Altman the 'Hidden Man'. In this entertaining, fast-paced memoir you will discover how Ingrid Bergman smiled at his back; how a Beatle always greeted him by singing one of his musical phrases; how he tried in vain to persuade Nick Drake to continue performing in public; how he reduced Freddy Mercury to helpless laughter; how he got Pierce Brosnan his big movie break; how he sat with Charlie Chaplin watching a movie that hadn't been seen for a quarter of a century (with a running commentary from the great man himself); how he sang over a mobile phone to James Cameron and the cast of Titanic; how he inspired a five-year-old George Michael to become a musician; how he was the Wailers' tour guide around London, and how Tina Turner made him a cup of tea. One of the most poignant parts of the story is how he mentored the young Amy Winehouse.
Table of Contents:
Table of Contents Introduction Chapter 1 All in the Family Chapter 2 School Days Chapter 3 We’re Jamming Chapter 4 Legends 1 (Peter Green, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Harry Nilsson, Tim Hardin, Tim Buckley, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix … and Robert Duvall) Chapter 5 The London Beat Chapter 6 Forty Eight Years (and Counting) of Python Chapter 7 Whispering Wheels, You Sexy Thing, Muhammad Ali, and Freddie Mercury and the Sausages Chapter 8 BBC, Early Commercials, Bowie, Dietrich, Jule Styne and Early Van Chapter 9 Sir Van the Man Chapter 10 More Legends 2 (Paul Kossoff, Bob Marley, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, John Ogdon, Spike Milligan, Mick Jagger, George Harrison) Chapter 11 An Intrusion and an Explanation Chapter 12 Records Chapter 13 Television Chapter 14 Movies (1) Chapter 15 More Legends 3 (Classic Movie and Jazz Stars Including Orson Welles, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Chet Baker) Chapter 16 Movies (2) Chapter 17 Commercials Chapter 18 Going Live Chapter 19 LA Life Chapter 20 Amy Chapter 21 More Legends 4 (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Prince, Mark Ronson, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mike Stoller) Chapter 22 What Was That All About? Chapter 23 Shanghai, Honeymoons and Chat Shows, Paris and Vladivostok Chapter 24 Awards and Recognition Chapter 25 The Ones That Got Away Chapter 26 Today and Beyond Index
Review :
"The jolliest book of rock'n'roll tales in a long time. . . . A terrific read from start to finish." Dalton, Nick, Record Collector, February 2022
