One of the Spirits Burning: A Musical Memoir by Don Falcone
Release date: January 14, 2025Label: Stairway Press
Although to many Don Falcone will be well known as the person behind the global music collective (or should that be collectives?) Spirits Burning I first came across him when I was writing an article on Robert Calvert’s post Hawkwind recordings, I mentioned the use of a 1986 recording of Robert reading his poetry on a couple of Spirits Burning tracks, Don very kindly informed me of the original track running order on the Spirits Burning 2001 release Reflections in a Radio Shower. Don refers to these tracks in the book, “The first Hawkwind musician to be part of SB was one no longer alive, Robert Calvert. When I became aware of Bob’s Centigrade 232 readings, I contacted his wife, Jill. She gave me permission to incorporate the readings I requested. I sometimes wish that I had asked for more…for an entire album. At other times, I’m glad I did two songs only, and let him rest in peace” (p. 274-5). Our interaction and this paragraph from the book highlight two themes that run through One of the Spirits Burning: A Musical Memoir, Don’s compassion and respect for others and his remarkable attention to, and memory for, detail.
One of the Spirits Burning: A Musical Memoir is an unusual book, it is part musical autobiography, part guide book, part instruction manual!
The autobiographical aspect of the book takes in Don’s musical development in early bands as bass and keyboard player through his own anecdotes and recollections. However, and this is maintained throughout the book, Don also created space for other voices, others’ memories, other perspectives which gives the book a more well-rounded feel. This approach kicks in from the start with a foreword by Michael Moorcock. Towards the end of his piece Moorcock observes “This is the real Don Falcone story. He has often and almost single handedly continued to bring the unusual, the unknown, the experimental and the work of enthusiasts to a grateful and highly appreciative audience”, he later comments in the context of keeping going in less than ideal circumstances, “…It takes people of enormous idealism and consistency of vision to do that. There are very few of them to be found anywhere in the world and I am proud to say that Don Falcone, with his many musical skills, is one of them” (Foreword).
In the book Don is revealed as an initiator, organiser, collaborator, a facilitator who is inclusive and empowering, a community creator and activator; “a mysterious catalyst” as David Jackson describes him in the penultimate section which is a collection of writings by many of the roughly 300 collaborators in the ongoing Spirits Burning project (p.427).
The book takes us through Don’s collaborations, most prominently with Bridget Wishart, Michael Moorcock, Cyrille Verdeaux and Daevid Allen but also with a huge number of other people that have, over the years, contributed to Spirits Burning recordings and live.
Don covers one of those live appearances in detail early on in the book and this is where another aspect of the book comes to the fore. As well as autobiography One of the Spirits Burning is also a guide book in two senses, it is a guided tour through the musical life of Don Falcone and Spirits Burning but it is also a guide book through the experiences and component parts of being a recording, performing musician. The section ‘Taking Off With Me Onboard’ covers all stages of Spirits Burning’s appearance at Kozfest 2017 from the initial idea through to travel and accommodation arrangements, warm up gig and ‘Completing Post-Performance Steps’. Typical of the book as a whole this episode is covered in detail which would be a huge advantage to anyone contemplating a similar venture as it alerts the reader to the myriad of minor considerations that have to be taken seriously to put on a good show. This attention to detail is a constant throughout the book and could/would be an important resource to anyone hoping to release albums or play live.
That third facet of One of the Spirits Burning: A Musical Memoir, is that it is also an instruction manual for those who want it to be. Within it is a ‘how to’ by a person who has been there and done it, often as an initiator and primary organiser. Drawing on his own practices and occasional mistakes Don takes the reader through the necessities and pitfalls of life as an active musician in enough detail that those coming after him can be aware of what needs to be in place for the successful completion of a musical project. Typos, running orders, proofreading, contracts, press kits are all addressed. Don’s background as a technical writer for several hi-tech companies means that his grasp of technical issues and the effective deployment of technology is another theme that runs usefully through the book.
Writer, producer, musician, technician, facilitator, partner to Karen (whose archival work and photography helped shape the book), collaborator. Don’s first full length album recording was with the Thessalonians in 1993, this has been followed by a huge number of releases in different collaborations and configurations with a shifting array of fellow musicians.
The results of some of those collaborations are included on an associated CD that can be ordered with the book or ordered separately using a form at the back of the book. The CD includes tracks by Spirits Burning, Kameleon, Spirits Burning & Michael Moorcock, Spirits Burning & Bridget Wishart, Spirits Burning & David Jackson, Astralfish and Michael Moorcock and The Deep Fix.
Don observes in a chapter around his work with Cyrille Verdeaux that “At its heart, SB is about bringing people together and creating new line-ups of musicians” (p.300). Seems to be going well!!
One of the Spirits Burning: A Musical Memoir can be bought here One of the Spirits Burning (A Musical Memoir) – Stairway Press and other outlets including Amazon UK.
