I take a sidestep from the new music to fill you in on a special book. I’ve been touting this book long in advance of its recent publication because I am a longtime fan of Billy Franks. Aside from his recent solid self-released solo albums, the UK singer/guitarist/songwriter’s two 80’s albums with The Faith Brothers, “Eventide” and “A Human Sound” (album cover pics at the bottom – get them on iTunes), are two of pop-rock’s best kept secrets – passionate, energetic, and thought-provoking records that fill your head and tickle your fancy. I still play both of these favourites frequently, 25 years later.
A Far Cry From Sunset is the book version of the film “Tribute This!”, in which Billy and three friends decide to live out a search in 2005 for 10 popular singers who would record a tribute album to an unknown singer, that being Billy. Their focus: Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, Aaron Neville, Huey Lewis, Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, Bryan Adams, Tom Petty, Bon Jovi, and Bruce Springsteen. That they succeed or not is surely of interest, however the story is the sum of all of its parts, and that is actually of greater interest, at least to me.
There are multiple stories, but two in particular. It’s important that the search/road trip is put into context, and thus Billy’s biography of his life up to the late 80’s is alternately heartbreaking, inspiring, harrowing, heartfelt. Here we get to know the earnest-speaking lad who essentially grew up in poverty with making music with his friends as his dream. To a degree, it comes true, with interesting side steps that led to him forming the Faith Brothers and getting a record deal. But life is more than just that and Billy shares his insights that show what led to his quest, the movie, and ultimately the book.
And then there’s the road trip that took the friends to the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, and Spain. Their dedication and good humour to make it happen just shows the power of friendship. Most of their approaches to try and meet or get the attention of the performers that they’re seeking ended up being unique events unto themselves. It’s not as if Billy hasn’t met or associated with rich and famous folks before (with a very special one on cell phone speed dial 😉 and others who still to today are friends). But even a musician trying to convince those who are more famous to have an interest in his plight is sometimes rough going. The performers seem to know when to have their publicity, management, or security teams step in, without giving the idea a chance to be heard. The one particularly climactic episode will be a bit of a kick in the gut for fans of one of the singers. I always thought this singer to be bigger than the behaviour cited in the book, but it’s hard to deny the report from these four friends and kind of makes me think of what success really does to people, even those who did not have it easy when they started. That Billy and friends spent a lot of money and effort to make it all happen is notable; that they had a great time making it happen in unpredictable ways makes the book a swift and always engaging read.
You can find out how to order A Far Cry From Sunset on Billy’s website. I got my copy through Amazon.
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