Sundog: Selected Lyrics

Excellent lyric book of Scott Walker's self written songs. Not everything is included, but the book is good value for the money. If you were hoping for all the lyrics from the 60s, then you'll be disappointed. This book rather, is a cross section of his career themed on his current writing style. Songs included are about 8 from the 60s, The Electrician and a page or two on Climate. Then the rest of the book takes us through Scott's later work; Tilt, The Drift, Bush Bosch, Soused and new material, presumably the record that has been rumoured at for later this year. A great introduction and the book's presentation and hard cover are nice! Well worth it if you ask me!

On their own, away from Walker's scores, these are rather variable works. Others have complained that this isn't a complete song-by-song compendium. That's not the issue really. What seems very clear from 'Sundog' is that no collection of Walker's poetry or later lyrics will work without the accompanying sounds that Walker intended for them. As words on the page they can be found wanting. However, it's a very nicely presented book, and anyone who has loved what Scott did should read it, all the way through. I'll read it again, and probably again, for a greater measure of awareness.

Focusing on his later work this collection of Scott's lyrics works on two levels. If you have Tilt, The Drift and Bish Bosh then this is a familiar collection of his lyrics that stripped of the familiar soundscapes stand on their own right as oblique, absorbing (and sometimes repelling) maps of a questing mind at work. If you don't know the later masterpieces there is a whole universe to immerse yourself in. There are a couple of lyrics from the sixties (not ones I would have chosen to include!) but this is generally for those who both love his vision past and present or as an introduction to his more outre later work. Now he has gone we need a complete lyric collection but in the meantime this is what Scott wanted to release so is a sterling investment.

You either love Scott Walker or you hate him. If you’re in the latter/curious camp then this probably isn’t the place to start. If you love him then it’s great, beautifully presented and £200 cheaper than the limited edition (although I would love one of those if anyone has one to spare....)

If you want to see into the mind of Scott Walker's mind as a poet then this book is for you. A fascinating read. Speedy delivery and good pa packaging.

Bought this for my son who is a Scott Walker fan, he was delighted with the gift.

When I went to pay at the bookshop counter for my copy of Sundog, the assistant commented "what a beautiful looking book" and Faber deserve praise for the look and feel of it. But of course, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and it is what is inside that will be of interest to Scott Walker fans.The introduction by Eimear McBride is an interesting overview, but ultimately amounts to "There's no point trying to interpret his lyrics, just go with them, wherever he happens to take you" (a view that I share - and also apply to David Lynch!). She does take great pains to point out that Scott is not a poet, and that the lyrics are designed to be accompanied (many which appear totally incomprehensible on the page do become 'clearer' when sung and with musical phrasing).And this is my main criticism - presenting the lyrics in this format, shorn of their musical context, does diminish many of them, particularly the more recent ones. And for the new songs - which I assume will feature on Scott's new album - readers have no touchpoint.I was also disappointed that there's only one song from Climate of Hunter - Dealer and Sleepwalker's Woman at a minimum deserve inclusion.In case this appears unduly negative, let me point out thata) Whether you comprehend them or not, just read the lyrics for the imagery and sound of the words. Scott is a master of this.b) Having so many lyrics together in one handy and beautifully made collection is great, if only to read along while listeningc) Did I mention there are new songs?Let's face it, Scott Walker fans will buy this, regardless of what I write, but if you were wavering about whether to get it or not, I would recommend you do!

very good