The Island Book of Records Volume II

1969-70

Neil Storey editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Manchester University Press

Publishing:26th Nov '24

£85.00

This title is due to be published on 26th November, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

The Island Book of Records Volume II cover

The second volume of this highly collectable series, covering the pivotal years of 1969–70.

The Island Book of Records Volume II
documents the years 1969–70, during which Island sought to build on its success with the Spencer Davis Group by seeking out new British rock talent. By the end of the period, Island was emerging as a major British label, one that could boast releases from Jethro Tull, Nick Drake, King Crimson, John and Beverley Martyn, Fairport Convention and Cat Stevens.

Featuring material from recent interviews and from media interviews of the time, and including a comprehensive discography of 45s, The Island Book of Records Volume II is lavishly illustrated with gig adverts (very many at venues that no longer exist), concert tickets, flyers, international LP variants, labels, LP and 45 adverts and other ephemera collector’s dream.

'In a word this is perfection in print.'
Grahame Bent, Shindig! magazine

'I could spend hours poring over Neil Storey's handsomely designed Island Book of Records Volume II, the continuing story of one of Britain's greatest independent record labels.'
Neil McCormick, The Telegraph 'best music books of 2024'

'Packed with new interviews, artefacts and delicious details'
Jim Wirth, MOJO

Praise for volume 1:

One of The Telegraph's Best Music Books of 2023

One of Shindig! magazine's Books of the Year 2023

'It’s like entering the record shop of your dreams.'
David Hepworth, author, podcaster and Radio Times columnist

'Eyewitness accounts underpin a vault-load of memorabilia across 390 elegant pages where the footnotes are as fascinating as major events in what is an exemplary piece of musical archaeology.'
Phil Alexander, MOJO

'I had the pleasure of running Island Records for a decent stretch, but in my time there I never saw such a staggering overview of the early years compiled like this new book! The images, the details, the stories, everything! Rather amazing!'
Ted Cockle, former head of EMI Records

'LP-sized and weighing in at 390 pages, it’s both an elegant coffee table book and a proper history, with a sizeable amount of written information to complement the fascinating photographs of record covers, artists and other ephemera, including gig adverts, concert tickets and flyers.'
Peter Mason, Morning Star

'This is the anecdote rich inside story of the eventful first decade in the life of the maverick label which carved a distinctive niche within the UK's booming record biz of the 60s' as told by a cast of label employees, photographers, musicians, producers, and the man who started it all, Chris Blackwell.'
Grahame Bent, Shindig!

ISBN: 9781526182241

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

432 pages