Well, well, well. Now we know what Martin Fry did in Lockdown. I got the news last week from commenter Tim that there was a new autobiography in the celebspace from Mr. Fry…F-r-y. Others have done the deed. I still want to read fellow Sheffielder Martyn Ware’s “Electronically Yours Vol 1” but I have been busy last year. And this one.

Fry has linked up with rogue publisher A Way With Media, who publish books and book packages by either top flight chefs, or musicians! I can remember the day when musicians wanted to be comedians and vice versa. But that was before chefs became Rock Stars. So I guess it makes a kind of sense. As we all know Mr. Fry does nothing by half measures, what’s in store for us with this tome?

Fry has the book ready to be published this summer and the hardcover is packaged as follows.

• hard cover in clamshell box
• edition of 2500
• signed and numbered bookplate
• CD EP of acoustic versions and new songs

The CD has the following tracks:

1. Poison Arrow
2. Tears Are Not Enough
3. When Smokey Sings
4. Never Get To Be The King

We’ve heard acoustic versions from Fry before. As much as I reject some bands [Simple Minds, cough, cough!] dabbling with acoustic versions, I thought that Fry acquitted himself admirably. Very admirably indeed. So I would be interested in the EP, particularly with a new song from the artist who has hit upon a stately album per decade pace of late. But soft! There is also a hyper-deluxe limited edition of the book also available. Its lines are discussed below.

• hard cover in gold lamé binding w/slipcase
• edition of 350
• signed and numbered bookplate
• CD of 2009’s “Traffic” album
• Gold vinyl LP of of acoustic versions and new songs

That LP really builds on the content of the CD EP in the prole version. It features:

1. Tears Are Not Enough
2. Ten Below Zero
3. Poison Arrow
4. The Look Of Love
5. When Smokey Sings
6. How To Be A Millionaire
7. Never Get To Be The King
8. All Of My Heart
9. Be Near Me
10. The Luckiest Man Alive

So those who pony up for the DLX ED get a full acoustic album with three new songs instead of one. At this point we need to examine the asking prices to adjust our expectations accordingly. The regular edition of 2500 is a reasonably modest £65.00 [$82.67 €76.20]. Not the worst price price for a signed and numbered book. The luxe version is an eye-watering £295.00 [$375.21 €345.83]! All of these costs are less shipping from the UK. Which will see another £31.00-34.00 added to my costs. Let’s just call it 47%. Where does that leave yours truly?

But don’t let me stop you. Either version seems to be available strictly from the publisher…at least for the present. I can see maybe an e-book in my future unless my spouse can get an inter library loan secured for me at some late date. DJ hit those buttons.

STANDARD EDITION – £65.00

DELUXE EDITION – £295.00

-30-