My Bass and Other Animals

By: Guy Pratt

Narrated by: Guy Pratt

Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Guy Pratt came of age just as bass playing became sexy. Having dallied with punk legend Sylvain Sylvain, Pratt suddenly found himself on Top of the Pops and supporting David Bowie with smooth Australian outfit Icehouse. He became bass player to the stars, crawling from studio to bar and hotel to stadium Portakabin with the likes of Pink Floyd, Robert Palmer, Womack &Womack and Bryan Ferry. Guy has recorded with everyone from Madonna and Michael Jackson to McFly. He was in The Smiths for a week, and has travelled through customs in a wheelchair after a flight with Jimmy Page. Following the success of his live show at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival and the subsequent sell out tour of Australia, Guy Pratt’s narrates his bestselling book, My Bass and Other Animals, a witty, revealing but heartfelt memoir of life at the pointy end of the music business. When not playing with David Gilmour or Bryan Ferry, he continues to take the show around the world.

©2007 Guy Pratt (P)2011 Guy Pratt

Critic reviews

“Wonderfully indiscreet… Pratt’s self – deprecating wit is irresistible” ( Mojo)

“Bass players are ten a penny but a good wit is hard to find, so we hired him” (David Gilmour)

“Hilarious… Much recommended” ( The Word)

Great tales of rock and roll excess in the 80s

Although I was not familiar with Guy Pratt, I certainly knew many of the bands he played with: Icehouse, Robert Palmer, Robbie Robertson, Pink Floyd to name a few.

This book’s genesis is from a series of life/stand up performances that Pratt did telling his stories of life as a rock and roll Road dog. That said, as a conventional autobiography it starts a bit slow as you learn about Pratt’s upbringing, first bass, first band etc. As Pratt's career takes off, the store is become quite funny. There were times when I was in stitches due to the materials as well as Pratt’s wonderfully dry English delivery. The stories about Pink Floyd are hilarious. Pratt also is very entertaining in his American and regional English accents

For bass heads or other musicians, the last chapter includes a full rundown of just about every bass, guitar, amp, and effects pedal that Pratt has owned. This is a great book and an awful lot of fun. But if you are bothered by stories of drug taking or drink, probably best to skip it.

One Of The Greatest Books I've Ever Read

As a fan of 70s and 80s music, especially Pink Floyd, Richard Wright, and Madonna. I stumbled across this book by Guy Pratt. I have had the actual paperback for quite a while now, and once I learned Guy not only released but also narrated it here on Audible, I knew I'd be in for an even bigger barrel of laughs. I got my husband into My Bass And Other Animals when we first got together in 2018, and now we are up to the Robert Palmer chapter on Audible. 5 stars all around, honestly I wish I could leave more because the book is filled with endless comedy and really cool stories. Guy has lived a very awesome life, and I also enjoy listening to his and Gary Kemp's Podcast (Rockonteurs).

funny and interesting

A very interesting audiobook for any rock / music fans. I know Guy from his Pink floyd / David Gimour days, but had fun listening to his stories about Icehouse and Jimmy Page. I do hope the man had stopped drinking though if he read his own book which would be suficient evidence that it does one no good

Guy is most entertaining

I have read lots of rock biographies and few are as witty as and well performed as Guy. Admittedly as a 2nd tier figure in the Pantheon of rock you can't expect his experience s to be of historical significance, however most of his memories are very funny and his style of telling has you smiling if not laughing most of the time. Highly Recommended!

Best book on Audible by a bass player!

Would you consider the audio edition of My Bass and Other Animals to be better than the print version?

Yes I guess so because it has some additional information that the written edition does not have (I think)

What did you like best about this story?

Funny stories from the music bussiness

What does Guy Pratt bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

The author does a good job reading the book

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Everything to do with basses, I'm a bass player myself

Any additional comments?

I've been looking for stories about (and by) bass players and this is very entertaining book, and it's only 5.95! Buy it if you like music.

Pratt Preens and waxes poetic brilliantly!

Guy Pratt is a master bass player and storyteller, recalling so much from his professional life, playing with so many talented musicians and artists. Hopefully he'll update his book one day as this stops in the mid 2000s. Guy is such a brilliant bass player as well as a hilarious and oh so talented speaker. I could listen to him endlessly. Such a great great audio book.

One of the most amusing rock memoirs I’ve experienced.

The book starts a tad slow (most of these memoirs do), but gains momentum in pace with Guy’s experiences. Once it’s up to steam, it will have you rolling, especially if you’re a performing musician and even more so if you’re a bassist. The perspective on the later years of Pink Floyd are especially valuable to Floyd fans.

Guy does a decent job narrating it, lending his own flair to his words rather than someone else trying to do so. He can be a little dry at times, but he’s a bass player and that’s a common thread among us.

Note that if you’re not familiar with English humour and slang, some of the jokes and stories may go over your head.