On November 19th, 2021, a new, paperback edition of the book we called "a fantastic read . . . witty and incredibly detailed" is published. Ron Geesin's 'The Flaming Cow: The Making of Pink Floyd's Atom Heart Mother' is an in-depth look at the creation of the title track of the album, reviewed here when published in 2013 as a hardback, that offers a rare insight into the brilliant but often fraught collaboration between Pink Floyd and composer Geesin, the resultof which became known as Atom Heart Mother - the Floyd's first UK number one album.

From the time drummer Nick Mason visited Geesin's damp basement flat in Notting Hill, to the most recent performances of the piece in France, this book is an unflinching account about how one of Pink Floyd's most celebrated compositions came to life. Alongside unpublished photographs from the Abbey Road recording sessions (the only ones taken) and the subsequent performances in London and Paris, Geesin goes on to describe how the title was chosen, why he was not credited on the record, how he left Hyde Park in tears, and why the group did not much like the work. The Flaming Cow also explores its recent performances, and its new-found cult status that has led to it being studied for the French Baccalaureat.

UPDATE: Ron has been in touch, and tells us that "several corrections have been made (thanks to David Gilmour), some photographs have been restored to colour and [Ron has] written a new Chapter Ten 'Onward, Dear Mother' covering lavish Italian performances, Nick Mason's 'Saucers' inclusion of The Work in their set, and a skeletal Japanese Cow." He also notes that you can get a signed copy from his store - headscope.co.uk.

The book - with a foreword by Nick Mason - really is a fantastic read, coupled with the wonderful, evocative black and white shots of the band, and hired players and choir, in the midst of work at Abbey Road. Most of these have not been seen before, and these along could be argued as worth the price of admission. With the additional material and colour pictures, it sounds even better. And, setting the tone perfectly is the foreword by Nick Mason. Typically self-effacing, it acknowledges the book for what it is: "a fascinating in-depth study of one particular work", an epic piece which Nick states "we remain fond of, proud of, and in my case slightly bemused by". It also has one of the funniest excuses I've ever heard a member of the Floyd use!

You can place your order for the new paperback edition - complete with an updated cover image - right now through these direct links: Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon Germany, Amazon Espana and Amazon Italy. Using our links helps support the costs of running this website, won't cost you a penny/cent more, and we really appreciate it. At present it isn't being listed on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca but they DO list the previous, hardback edition.