Mark Hollis: A Perfect Silence Paperback – 11 Jun. 2024

If you are a Talk Talk /Mark Hollis fan this is a must read

This book exceeded my expectations. Given Mark’s pathological privacy, there’s very little real insight into his life out there - but this biography accomplishes the near-impossible, piecing together all the scattered fragments into a definitive account.It’s exceptionally well-written, meticulously detailed, and presents a full chronological narrative of his life. A true testament to Wardle’s tenacity and perseverance in his detective work.Thanks to Wardle’s deep understanding of the music industry, he seamlessly weaves in the broader context of what was happening at the time, which help to explain key decisions, actions, and events. The book is packed with fascinating details about Mark’s creative process, drawn from archive interviews and insights from his key collaborators. The After Words chapter in the updated edition was particularly effective, delivering far more impact than if he had woven it into the main narrative.While Mark’s personal life has been shrouded in secrecy, Wardle manages to uncover enough rare glimpses beyond the music to offer a compelling portrait of the man himself. Above all, this book celebrates his talent and legacy while maintaining objectivity and offering fair criticism where warranted.I thoroughly enjoyed this immersive deep dive into Mark’s life along with revisiting the albums - it’s both enlightening and a must-read for fans.

The only revelation I found in this passionate description of Mark Hollis and his music is that he had an older brother Ed who played an important role in his musical education and early steps into the music business. If you have already discovered the music of Mark and TalkTalk you need to read this book. It also works as a tale of the UK rock music scene in the 70's and 80's. Mark was deliberately "low profile" but Ben Wordle has worked hard to dig out the story of his life and analyse the music he created.

Perfect gift for Talk Talk fan

An overview.Mark Hollis: A Perfect Silence."Before you play two notes, learn how to play one note, y'know? And don't play one note unless you've got a reason to play it.”. MH.Just finished this book. A few years have passed since the death at a relatively young age of Talk Talk's and solo artist Mark Hollis.There is no question that he was one of the most idiosyncratic of artists. I probably still don't have a full comprehension of who Mark Hollis was. He was both a public and private figure intertwined. Though the book did give us some insights.The early albums were indebted to that fickle world of pop. Though pop is there to be enjoyed and absorbed. In terms of " higher art" The Colour of Spring is tantamount to a new confidence and breakthrough. There really isn't anything like it. And what was to follow was esoteric and challenged the boundaries of format, foundation and formality of rock and pop music.As the book is keen to stress, Hollis propensity for jazz and his self-proclamation for jazz shapes his future.The musicologists will be better placed than me to discuss the merits of spaces, intervals and silence within musical constructs. The latter Mark Hollis, as the book alludes to, builds his musical legacy on such constructs.That maxim of "Less is more" is ingrained within the psychology of Hollis's musical direction. No more evident in both Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock.Both these albums are not for the fainted hearted. They both require a certain disposition. The abstraction of jazz models is utilised in the rhythm patterns and instrumentation in both albums.The constant references in the book to classical music and jazz great Miles Davis helps with the understanding of where Hollis " Was coming from". His attention to detail and sometimes rudeness to gifted session players is not just a brave act of confidence but additionally a determination to fulfill his ideas.Tottenham, motorbikes, golf, visits to the pub all figure but his belief in himself while composing was to become uncompromising until he decided it was time to bail out . Give a take the occasional film scores.GJH

This is a passionately written book about Mark Hollis, whose songwriting development sees him now rightly lauded as an idiosyncratic great. His untimely death has furthered the mystique and Ben Wardle's well researched book delves into that mystery, telling us about the background and influences on this contrary genius. There is incredible detail on the recording process and career machination for which late era Talk Talk became particularly notorious. This is a brilliant book about the journey of the man and his art and it is essential reading for devotees not only of Mark Hollis but all musical seers. Outstanding.

I loved reading this book about an important artist who’s stature continues to grow after his untimely death. It also opened up a whole catalogue of work that I’d not heard. It must have been excruciatingly difficult to research given Mark Hollis’s reclusive life and lack of interviews. Carefully crafted from written and online sources and interviews with Marks musical collaborators it clears the opaqueness and gives insight into the musical arc of an incredible talent. Gone but not forgotten and an influence on a generation of our most important musicians.