Volume 2 of the Island Book of Records focuses on the vinyl albums and 45s released from Island Records during 1969-1970.
Well, what a lively time that was, with new work being released by music gods and demi-gods, including; Nick Drake, King Crimson, Fairport Convention, Jess Roden’s Bronco, Spooky Tooth, Cat Stevens, Jethro Tull and Steve Winwood was incredibly busy with Traffic disbanding, Blind Faith being created and then along came Ginger Baker’s Air Force… then there was a few albums released by the band Free – which caused a stir, as did Emerson Lake and Palmer.
Neil Storey has collated the stories behind the making of the sixty albums in this volume. Some of things would just not be able to happen today. It’s history alright. But mainly unleashed creativity lovingly facilitated by Chris Blackwell… talk about taking risks! Well done that man!
Beyond the stories behind the albums, the features...
“I am ex-army, broadminded and tolerant...”
It’s October 1969 and Pete Townshend writes an essay ” What Pete Townshend thinks of King Crimson” for an advert … and he used a naughty word… oh boy did that get a response.
Speakers corner
A feature about how a very famous album cover came together at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park on the way to the office
Robert Palmer
oooo… some very exclusive pictures from photographer Brian Cooke, showing Mr Palmer, then known as Allen Palmer, who clealry, was a very snappy dresser at a very young age. Brian was also manager of Palmer’s first band, The Mandrakes… there’s some tales
Papillon
the Ellis-Wright Agency to a fully formed Chrysalis label which was distributed by Island Records. Big bands too … Family, Jehtro Tull, Ten Years After, Yes, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin to name a few … of the quiet ones
Change of address
Island Record moved from their tiny offices in Oxford Street to a church in Notting Hill and a new studio at Basing Street
Marquee Nights
Some very fine pictures of Free at The Marquee club in London from Simon Kossoff… brother of Paul.
Keeping tracks
This is a bit behind-the-scenes “special”…the recording tracks notes from the making of Cat Stevens …Mona Bone and Tillerman from producer Paul Samwell-Smith)
The man in the tight trousers
About Guy Stevens… the hyperactive producer of Island Records
Woody’s box of tricks
Chris Wood’s Gibson Maestro What is that instrument he’s playing? Technology explained by Poli Palmer of Family fame
Convention ’70
A diary of dates on the road with Fairport Convention. no time for shopping then?
Starry, starry night
Reporting from the Hollywood Festival – in Newcastle – journalist Phil Shaw extols the virtues of Traffic… and then some
Prefix and suffix
An illustrated guide to all of the Island 45s from this era – inlcuding a rare portrait of the cat in King Crimson’s famous single
A–Y
An Island Book of People but no ones name begins with Z
Musique Concréte
You thought sampling started in the 1990’s…meet Pierre Henry who manipulated music for Spooky Tooth
For those viewing in black and white,the pink is behind the brown
This is a preface from editor Neil Storey about savage cats, dogs with beards and that call from Chris Blackwell
Well, alright…
The brief lives of Blind Faith, a Wooden Frog and Air Force – a story with a cast of big guns – Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Chris Wood, Ric Grech, Jim Capaldi, Dave Masob, Wynder K Frog, and more and more
Crash
The unitimely death of Martin Lamble. An accident on the M1 coming back from a Fairport Convention gig. He was 17.
Hidden Tarot
Have you been trying to work out the illustration on the back Free’s Fire & Water album? its in the cards!
Give thanks and praise
… to the people who helped us put this Volume together. Thank you
THE FIRST ISLAND BOOK OF RECORDS 1959-68
The Island Book of Records brings the early years of this iconic record label to life. A fifteen-year labour of love, the volumes will fully document the analogue era of Island.
Lavishly illustrated with album cover design and photography, together with the exclusive interviews with of the musicians, designers, photographers, producers, studio engineers and record company personnel that worked on each project.
The volumes show in unique depth the workings of the label, covering every LP.
Featuring material from recent interviews and from media interviews of the time, and each including a comprehensive discography of 45s, the books are lavishly illustrated with gig adverts (very many at venues which no longer exist), concert tickets, flyers, international LP variants, labels, LP and 45 adverts and never-seen-before photographs.
These LP-sized editions are a collector’s dream, offering a truly unparalleled resource for those interested in music history and a perfect gift for any music lover.
Beyond the stories behind the albums, the features...
CONTENTS – VOLUME ONE – 1959-68
PREFACE
Genesis & Revelations
ESCAPING TORQUEMADA & Harrow on the Hill
Tracing Island founder Chris Blackwell’s roots
UNDERNEATH THE MANGO TREE WITH
Lance Hayward, Ernest Ranglin, Owen Gray, Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Byron Lee, Chris Blackwell and Dr. No
INDEPENDENCE SKA
Out of Many, One People: a skip, a book and Lord Creator.
Island is founded in the UK
LONDON CALLING
From Rutland Gate Mews to Cambridge Road via Connaught Square:
selling 45s out of the back of a Mini Cooper and a Mini Van
TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG
The Spencer Davis Group split
MILES FROM NOWHERE
Traffic’s Cottage on the Berkshire Downs
NORTH LONDON TO THE WORLD
The move to the scout hut on Neasden Lane
HOW’S YER ARSE SINCE THE PIG BIT YA?
Island’s first super-roadie, ‘Count Albert’ Heaton
SEASON OF THE WITCH
The formation of Joe Boyd’s production company
DID YOU EVER WONDER WHY ALL THE EARLY 45s WERE FADED BEFORE 2’50”?
Graeme Goodall beams in
PREFIX AND SUFFIX
The most comprehensive listing of all Island and sub-label 45s and EPs from this era
ONE LOVE
A-Y • The Island Book of People
Give thanks and praise
WITHERING TREE
Traffic grinds to a halt…whatever next?
EL PEAS
Every Island album issued between 1959–68 as well as those known and/or scheduled but not released including subsidiary labels Surprise, Big Shot, Studio One and the Reps’ samplers
…. and over 1200 images.