Memories, dreams & reflections by Marianne Faithfull: book review

Memories, dreams & reflections (2007) is the second memoir by British singer Marianne Faithfull (1946-).

There is a hundred names on every page – celebrities and stars, musicians and producers, designers and authors. Name-dropping is a casual affair to her, from the Sixties when she came to prominence to the current day as she continues to write and record music.

As a memoir, the first sections are most interesting – the early years with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, as well as socialising with the members of The Beatles and other groups.

But overall, this is a collection of random thoughts about music - her music and the music that inspires her – as well as events and reminiscences over the years. It is not chronological and has no structure. Just whatever pops into her head. This a lazy way of writing a memoir, but Faithfull is Faithfull, in all her creative and imaginative rambings.

I loved her then, I love her now. Even if this isn’t the best memoir ever written – not even close – it is her, it is Faithfull, and it has its own idiosyncratic ways of making the reading experience pleasurable and satisfying.

On 26 October 2017 Keith Richards, at the age of 73, had drinks with 70-year-old Marianne Faithfull in Paris. Marianne Faithfull, who now lives in Paris, was the long-term girlfriend of The Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger, but also had a one-night stand with The Stones’ guitarist Keith Richards in 1969.

Keith played a European tour with the rest of The Stones in the last few weeks, while Marianne, who became famous in 1964 with her version of The Stones song ‘’As Tears Go By’’ is still performing in concerts, with the support of a walking stick, and writing books.

Keith, who has been married to ex-model Patti Hansen since 1983, posted the photograph of Marianne and himself have a wine and tea in Paris, writing: 'Loved seeing Marianne!'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5018573/Keith-Richards-Marianne-Faithfull-50-years-romp.html

MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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