It Takes Blood And Guts (Steve’s book recommendation + more…)

It Takes Blood And Guts (Steve’s book recommendation + more…)

Friday February 16th 2024

Once again I’m going to turn the floor over to someone else. I hadn’t really planned to, but a friend of mine wrote a facebook post for his new business ‘Purpose Mentoring’ the other day and it had all the right kinds of good stuff, including a reading and listening recommendations.

So, as with most people I know, I know Steve through music. He’s a great singer and musician, a brilliant songwriter and a home recording guru. Like many people, he does have a day job too, as an online mentor, coach and counsellor. I would love to get Steve back again at some point to talk about his music, (and he’s already agreed, so no backing out now.. hahaha….) but for today we’re going to stick with that post I mentioned…..

Saturday February 11th

via Purpose Mentoring on facebook....

Book recommendation for the month: “It Takes Blood and Guts” - the autobiography of Skin.

I’ve always loved (the band) Skunk Anansie. Their music is so powerful, and their first two albums (Paranoid & Sunburnt and Stoosh) were a big part of my musical upbringing in the mid-90s. On top of the amazing riffs, Skin’s vocals absolutely soared - and she wasn’t (and still isn’t) afraid of writing confrontational subject matter in songs such as ‘100 Ways To Be A Good Girl’, ‘Intellectualise My Blackness’ and ‘Selling Jesus’.

I read Skin’s autobiography recently and was blown away by her story. Growing up in Brixton, in a time when racial tensions were high, she found her own path that combined her Jamaican heritage with her South London upbringing; and her musical creativity enabled her to travel the world multiple times over, headline Glastonbury, sing at Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday, and become an amazing role model for black women.

If you’re looking for an inspiring and empowering story, I recommend this book highly. It isn’t a ‘self help’ book, but it’s full of life lessons which could be of value to anyone - not least the power of resilience and perseverance. And if you aren’t familiar with Skunk Anansie, or Skin’s own solo music, it’s amazing! Start with ‘Charlie Big Potato’, ‘Weak’ and ‘All I Want’.

ST.

Hi. Me again. Like Steve, I’m pretty much the product of a teenage nineties (well….early nineties…just...) ‘Weak’, one of the song’s Steve mentioned was a blast from the past for me from University - I had a housemate who was obsessed with this song! But if you listen to the first video and it’s not your cup of tea, perhaps try the second one instead. Taken from a performance with Luciano Pavarotti (yes, Pavarotti) if nothing you’ll get an idea of what an amazing vocalist she is.

Weak (Skunk Anansie)

You'll Follow Me Down (Pavarotti & Skin)

More about Purpose Mentoring : 

Steve Twinley provides online mentoring for business professionals who are struggling with pressures at work and home. Book confidential sessions with a qualified counsellor who has over 17 years experience in business management and leading high-performing teams.

www.purposementoring.com

steve.twinley@purposementoring.com

Want to know more about Skunk Anansie? Here’s a documentary......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc-0ooePqaA