A Customer

Doesn’t really delve into the music

Reviewed: 11-11-2020

I found it interesting that this memoir really is a story of what happened to Sara and Keren around their music rather than about their music. There were passing mentions to most of their albums and occasionally some insight was given into the songwriting and recording process for certain songs. This autobiography, however, is really more about the clubs that the two (and sometimes, three) of them frequented while on tour or promotion trips and the celebrities they met. Essentially, most of their experiences can be summed up simply as they had met someone famous, had a drink with them and then danced in clubs into the early hours of the morning.

Those hoping for deep insight into the songwriting process or how the group lost their third member on both occasions (Siobhan in early 1988 and her replacement Jacquie in 1991) will be somewhat disappointed since both were only briefly touched on. Additionally, those interested in finding out more about Bananrama’s most consistently successful period (the Stock Aitken Waterman years) will be sorely disappointed. Put simply, there isn’t a whole lot Sara and Karen had to say about the recording and songwriting process.

The history of one of the world’s most successful and long-standing girl groups is not really the focus of this story. This is very much a story about Sara and Keren’s deep friendship, a friendship that underpins Bananarama and also transcends it. This is a somewhat interesting read/listen to hear the life perspectives of two women who have been in the music business for so long (an impressive feat in and of itself) and their friendship that - much like their music career - has withstood the test of time.

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