Discographies and buyer’s guides Books

86 products


  • The Rare Record Price Guide 2026

    Diamond Publishing Group Ltd The Rare Record Price Guide 2026

    20 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    20 in stock

    £28.00

  • Taylor Swift  The Stories Behind the Songs

    Headline Publishing Group Taylor Swift The Stories Behind the Songs

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis''Meticulously researched... Every Swiftie will want this''-THE SUNThe full story behind every single song Taylor Swift has ever released.Covering eleven albums, more than 250 songs, hidden gems, cover versions, vault tracks and more besides, this is the definitive guide to Taylor Swift''s incredible songbook and a celebration of one of music''s greatest ever talents - from her self-titled debut to The Tortured Poets Department.Award-winning music writer Annie Zaleski (Rolling Stone, Billboard, the Guardian) leaves no stone unturned as she explores the inspiration, production and legacy of pop''s greatest back catalogue, delving into every era to tell the story of Taylor Swift''s entire career through her music.A journey through country, pop, indie and folk, this is the ultimate guide to the musical and storytelling genius of Taylor Swift.

    1 in stock

    £20.00

  • Rare Record Price Guide 2018

    Diamond Publishing Group Ltd Rare Record Price Guide 2018

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    10 in stock

    £23.99

  • The Penguin Jazz Guide

    Penguin Books Ltd The Penguin Jazz Guide

    7 in stock

    Book SynopsisRichard Cook and Brian Morton''s Penguin Jazz Guide: The History of the Music in 1001 Best Albums is an indispensible guide to the recordings that every fan should know. Richard Cook and Brian Morton''s Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings is firmly established as the world''s leading guide to the music. In this book, Brian Morton has picked out 1001 essential recordings from their acclaimed guide, adding new information, revising and reassessing each entry, and showing how these key pieces tell the history of the music - and with it the history of the twentieth century. These are the essential albums that that all true jazz fans should own, or - at the very least - have listened to, from Kind of Blue to lesser-known classics and more surprising choices. Full of fascinating updated biographical information, new quotes and interviews and, of course, highly opinionated and wittily trenchant critical reviews, the result is an endlessly browsable companion that will prove required reading for aficionados and jazz novices alike. ''One of the great books of recorded jazz; the other guides don''t come close''  Irish Times ''It''s the kind of book that you''ll yank off the shelf to look up a quick fact and still be reading two hours later''   Fortune ''The leader in its field ... If you own only one book on jazz, it really should be this one''   International Record Review ''Indispensable and incomparable''   NME Brian Morton is a freelance writer and broadcaster who for many years presented Radio 3''s jazz magazine Impressions and In Tune. Richard Cook (1957-2007) was formerly editor of The Wire and edited Jazz Review. He contributed to many other publications, including the New Statesman and his books included Richard Cook''s Jazz Encyclopaedia and It''s About That Time: Miles Davis on Record.

    7 in stock

    £24.00

  • 1000 Record Covers

    Taschen GmbH 1000 Record Covers

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisRecord covers are a sign of our life and times. Like the music on the discs, they address such issues as love, life, death, fashion, and rebellion. For music fans the covers are the expression of a period, of a particular time in their lives. Many are works of art and have become as famous as the music they stand for—Andy Warhol's covers, for example, including the banana he designed for The Velvet Underground. This edition of Record Covers presents a selection of the best rock album covers of the 60s to 90s from music archivist, disc jockey, journalist, and former record-publicity executive Michael Ochs’s enormous private collection. Both a trip down memory lane and a study in the evolution of cover art, this is a sweeping look at an underappreciated art form.Trade Review“Vinyl revival? This book single-handedly champions the cause.” * Inpress *

    15 in stock

    £17.00

  • Rush

    Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc Rush

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisRush: Album by Album, from rock journalist and Rush authority Martin Popoff, pays tribute to the band's discography by moderating frank, entertaining conversations about all 20 of Rush's studio albums.Trade ReviewAnother strength is that these conversations really make the reader want to go back and revisit the lesser-loved albums, with a closer eye to detail than maybe was afforded before. Wrap it all up in a nice hardcover package with lots of fun eye candy, and this is an extremely enjoyable package, one of Popoff’s best books as of late (and he's been on a roll) * Bravewords.com *No stone is left unturned with what we learn here, from instrumentation the band used, to what was happening ‘behind-the-scenes’ with Rush and its record companies, to what songs were played on subsequent tours and how the fans felt about those set lists. * ShortAndSweetNYC.com *It is not just the words that make this such a winner. The book layout is killer with loads of rare pics of the band, as well as photographs of cool ass memorabilia and album art. Rating: A * Classic Rock Revisited *

    3 in stock

    £22.10

  • The Greatest 100 Albums to own on Vinyl: The must

    Danann Media Publishing Limited The Greatest 100 Albums to own on Vinyl: The must

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisEven in this digital age, we haven’t moved so far from our past that there’s no room for the traditional musical format that is vinyl. In 100 Greatest Albums You Should Own On Vinyl, we collate the greatest albums to have ever been pressed and then sold on vinyl since the ’50s. From the bands and solo artists that made the music possible, to the sleeve art and limited edition extras of the records themselves, take a trip back in time to discover the ultimate artists and their best records for the definitive list of vinyl that should be part of any collection! Van Morrison Def Leppard Bob Dylan The Beatles The Rolling Stones Dr Dre Kate Bush Sex Pistols Nirvana The White Stripes The Jimi Hendrix Experience

    2 in stock

    £17.99

  • The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time

    Danann Media Publishing Limited The 100 Greatest Songs of All Time

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisExplore 100 of the greatest songs ever recorded More than a collection, this book is a celebration of musical genius, cultural milestones, and the timeless artistry that has shaped the soundtrack of our lives. From pop to rock, folk, funk and soul, ballads to bangers, these songs represent the best of music since 1950s early rock and roll. Each entry tells the story behind the song, including the creative process, cultural impact, and legacy. You'll learn about the heartbreak that inspired poignant ballads, the social movements behind anthems of change, and the moments that led to chart- topping hits. We honour the artists who pushed boundaries, the producers who crafted masterpieces, the songwriters whose lyrics became iconic, and the performers whose voices made history. While providing a comprehensive assessment of the very best in musical achievement, the selection of tracks is inherently subjective. Everyone has their own favourites and feelings about what makes a song truly great. This list is meant to spark conversation and debate, encouraging readers to reflect on their own musical journeys and the songs that have defined their lives. A significant number of the entries date from the 1960s and 1970s, a period which saw an explosion of creativity and innovation, as artists experimented with new sounds, genres, and recording techniques. The cultural and social upheavals of those decades provided fertile ground for musical expression, resulting in a flurry of fantastic tracks that still resonate today. Whether you're a dedicated music fan or a casual listener, this collection aims to remind you of the songs that have shaped our world. It's a testament to music's enduring power and a tribute to the songs that will continue to inspire future generations. Start your journey through these 100 great songs, each one a timeless work of art that connects, uplifts, and unites us.

    1 in stock

    £21.25

  • My Vinyl Collection: How to Build, Maintain, and

    Adams Media Corporation My Vinyl Collection: How to Build, Maintain, and

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe ultimate guide to starting, keeping, and tracking your music collection with this guided journal, including expert advice, lists, and a log to keep track of over 300 records.Vinyl records are back—in a big way. Music lovers are turning back to vinyl for its pure sound and the fun of collection. If you’re an avid collector or are looking to start your collection, this book will walk you through the basics of what is sure to become your newest passion; and give you the space to keep track of your own growing collection. Whether your musical tastes are jazz, rock, country, classical, or showtunes, you can find vinyl records from your favorite artists—but you have to know where to look. And DJ-turned-vinyl expert Jenna Miles will let you know all that and more! With essential guidance on storing, cleaning, and fixing records, this guided journal is a must-have for music fans everywhere.

    2 in stock

    £10.44

  • The History Press Ltd Everything Under the Sun

    2 in stock

    a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

    2 in stock

    £17.00

  • The Rare Record Price Guide 2022

    Diamond Publishing Group Ltd The Rare Record Price Guide 2022

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £27.99

  • The Virgin Book of British Hit Albums

    Ebury Publishing The Virgin Book of British Hit Albums

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisFrom Abracadabra by the Steve Miller Band to Zoom by ELO, this indispensable, innovatively designed book celebrates fifty years of British album charts, telling you everything you could possibly want to know about every album to reach the Top 100. With new feature material covering a huge range of areas, bands and history, it''s an essential part of any serious music fan''s collection.The Virgin Book of British Hit Albums covers everything, from the classics (Sgt Pepper, Nevermind, The Dark Side of the Moon) to the dodgy (Spiceworld, Seriously Orchestra) and the downright bizarre (Smurfs Go Pop!, Seventies Dinner Party). Where else are you going to find out that: Bridge over Troubled Water spent 307 weeks in the chartsPavarotti has topped the album charts - twice Lily Allen went triple-platinum in 2006 with Alright, Still Oasis sold 356,000 copies of Be Here Now in one day aloneTrade ReviewAlmost as indispensable as NME * NME [on previous edition] *

    1 in stock

    £31.49

  • Elton John All the Songs

    Running Press,U.S. Elton John All the Songs

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisThis first-of-its-kind catalog of Elton John’s decades-long career tells the story of one of rock's all-time greatest artists, album-by-album and track-by-track. Organized chronologically and covering every album and song that EGOT-winner Sir Elton Hercules John has ever released, Elton John All the Songs draws upon years of research to tell the behind-the-scenes stories of how each song was written, composed, and recorded, down to the instruments used and the people who played them. Spanning more than fifty-years of work from Elton and his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin, this book details the creative processes that resulted in seminal albums like Goodbye Yellowbrick Road, Madman Across the Water, and Tumbleweed Connection, as well as Academy Award wins for 1995's Lion King and 2020's Rocketman. Newer work like The Lockdown Sessions, which released in 2021, is also f

    2 in stock

    £38.25

  • Listening to the Wind: Encounters with 21st

    Omnibus Press Listening to the Wind: Encounters with 21st

    Book Synopsis'Delightfully overwhelming in the amount of music to investigate . . . a late-night voice if I ever heard one'. Gideon Coe, Late Night Book Club, BBC 6Music If there's a cultural artefact capable of withstanding the vagaries and fickleness of the digital age as well as the printed book, it's the vinyl record . . . In Listening to the Wind, Ian Preece sets out on an international road trip to capture the essence of life for independent record labels operating in the twenty-first century. Despite it all - from algorithms and streaming to the death of the high street and the gutting of the music press - releasing a record to serve its 'own beautiful purpose', as 4AD's Ivo Watts Russell once said, is a flame that still burns through these pages. With countless labels, albums and artists to be discovered, this book is for those who share that inextinguishable love for music. **Features extensive, original interviews with the likes of Analog Africa, Light in the Attic, Thrill Jockey, International Anthem, Dust-to-Digital, Pressure Sounds, Heavenly, Touch, Mississippi, Sublime Frequencies and more!**Trade Review'Essential reading for anyone mad enough to start a label. Casual nerdy observers will be gripped too.' Record Collector 'Comfort food for the heart and mind. Moving onto the next chapter soon becomes a time-consuming pleasure' Shindig! 'Thick as a brick -- we're talking more than 700pp . . . like a true music head, Preece explores, leading the reader deeper and deeper into varied worlds of sound, highlighting not only those who conjure it up, but those who seek to preserve it.' Aquarium Drunkard

    £19.12

  • Bob Dylan: Surviving in a Ruthless World: Bob

    Red Planet Publishing Ltd Bob Dylan: Surviving in a Ruthless World: Bob

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £18.00

  • The The Greatest 100 Rock Albums to Own on Vinyl:

    Danann Media Publishing Limited The The Greatest 100 Rock Albums to Own on Vinyl:

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £17.00

  • The Rare Record Price Guide 2024

    Diamond Publishing Group Ltd The Rare Record Price Guide 2024

    1 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    1 in stock

    £28.00

  • The Penguin Guide to the 1000 Finest Classical

    Penguin Books Ltd The Penguin Guide to the 1000 Finest Classical

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisIvan March is a well-known lecturer and broadcaster, he has contributed to a number of record-reviewing magazines. He now reviews solely for Gramophone. Edward Greenfield, until his retirement in 1993, was for forty years on the staff of the Guardian, succeeding Neville Cardus as Music Critic in 1975. Robert Layton is an author, translator and critic, specializing in the music of northern Europe. Paul Czajkoski has been a fanatical record collector from almost the age he could walk to a record shop.Trade ReviewThe best, the biggest and the most comprehensive [Praise for The Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music 2010] * Independent *

    1 in stock

    £16.19

  • Merry Christmas: Hardcover Guest Book for Christmas Parties and Fall Holiday Events

    1 in stock

    £16.14

  • A Critical Discography of the Piano Music of

    1 in stock

    £25.17

  • The Flaming Cow

    The History Press Ltd The Flaming Cow

    1 in stock

    Book SynopsisCelebrating more than 50 years of the ground-breaking Atom Heart MotherTrade Reviewa fantastic read . . . witty and incredibly detailed

    1 in stock

    £15.29

  • The Dead Straight Pocket Guide To Ska

    Red Planet Publishing Ltd The Dead Straight Pocket Guide To Ska

    Book SynopsisSka originated in Jamaica in the late Fifties and combined Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and r 'n' b. Ska developed in the Sixties with artists such as Prince Buster, Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd, and Duke Reid who formed sound systems to play American rhythm and blues and then began recording their own songs. Ska was popular with British mods and was later adopted by many skinheads. As music changed in the US, so did ska. In 1965 and 1966, when American soul music became slower and smoother, ska changed its sound accordingly and developed into rocksteady before evolving again from 1968 into reggae.

    £9.99

  • The Top 100 Canadian Albums

    Goose Lane Editions The Top 100 Canadian Albums

    2 in stock

    Book SynopsisTrade Review"Bound to get people exploring Canadian music and conversing about what their top 100 would be." * Soulshine *"The definitive anthology of the country's all-time greatest recordings. Groundbreaking in scope and depth." * Telegraph Journal *"A must-have book." * Hamilton Spectator *

    2 in stock

    £17.99

  • The Top 100 Canadian Singles

    Goose Lane Editions The Top 100 Canadian Singles

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisShortlisted, Independent Publishers Book Award, Performing ArtsA book that gets to the heart of the matter! Whether you're a professional musician or an air guitarist, a collector or a true amateur, this book will shake things up! The Top 100 Canadian Singles — brought to you by Bob Mersereau and Goose Lane Editions, the team that assembled the controversial, much discussed, best-selling volume, The Top 100 Canadian Albums. The Top 100 Canadian Singles will undoubtedly stir the souls, ears, and tongues of music lovers everywhere. And answer the question, for better or for worse. Once again, Bob Mersereau has assembled a blue ribbon panel of musicians, broadcasters, reviewers, managers, promoters, record-label executives, retailers, roadies, and more to cast their votes in a major, nationwide poll. John Roberts, Canada's original VJ; Joel Plaskett; Sarah Slean; the late Paul Quarrington; CBC's Stuart McLean; Sam Rober

    3 in stock

    £22.94

  • Chuck Berry International Directory v 2 Volume II

    Music Mentor Books Chuck Berry International Directory v 2 Volume II

    5 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    5 in stock

    £26.34

  • Chuck Berry International Directory

    Music Mentor Books Chuck Berry International Directory

    3 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    3 in stock

    £30.59

  • Chuck Berry International Directory Volume 4

    Music Mentor Books Chuck Berry International Directory Volume 4

    2 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    2 in stock

    £26.34

  • British Hit EPs

    Music Mentor Books British Hit EPs

    7 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    7 in stock

    £21.24

  • The ULTIMATE Encyclopedia of British Hit LPs of the 50s and 60s

    15 in stock

    £38.39

  • Red Planet Publishing Ltd Dead Straight Guides Bob Dylan

    Book SynopsisBrand new and revised edition of the best selling guide to Bob Dylan. Includes bigraphy, full discography (inc Rough & Rowdy Ways)

    £17.09

  • The Rolling Stones: The Singles

    Edizioni Applausi The Rolling Stones: The Singles

    3 in stock

    Book SynopsisThe complete reviewed collection of the Rolling Stones 45 RPM singles

    3 in stock

    £23.79

  • Little, Brown & Company The Beatles Lyrics The Stories Behind the Music

    10 in stock

    Book Synopsis

    10 in stock

    £25.19

  • Scarecrow Press Boston Symphony Orchestra

    15 in stock

    Book SynopsisTrade ReviewNorth's work provides a fascinating history on the orchestra.... Highly recommended for all academic and public libraries, and is a must purchase for devotees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. * American Reference Books Annual *This is a distinguished, immensely useful piece of discographical work. We already have James H. North to thank for the New York Philharmonic discography and this book improves on that excellent effort in many ways. * Classical Record Collections, Summer 2009 *Whatever you want or need to know about the discography's sources of information, its organization, or the variety of media on which the recordings have been issued, you will find here... There is an immense amount to be learned from North's work, and much fun to be had simply perusing it. * ARSC Journal, (Association For Recorded Sound Collections) *For those aspiring researchers seeking to tackle these and other orchestral lacunae, North's format and approach are well worth poaching… there is an immense amount to be learning from North's work, and much fun to be had simply perusing it. May the author be challenged to undertake at least one more - or maybe even more! * ARSC Journal, Fall 2009 *A marvelously complete discography of the orchestra....The highly readable comments on the recording...make browsing such a pleasure. * Fanfare Magazine, February 2009 *This is a distinguished, immensely useful piece of discographical work. We already have James H. North to thank for the New York Philharmonic discography and this book improves on that excellent effort in many ways. * Classical Record Collections, Summer 2009 *As author James H. North points out in his impressively detailed introduction, this book actually consists of two discographies: the first being the authorized (mostly commercial) recordings of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO), and the other consisting of recordings of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players….Users will enjoy perusing the accompanying comments, which are often anecdotes or details that afford a fascinating glimpse into the recording….In addition to being potentially useful for libraries, researchers, and students, this volume may also be enjoyable for fans of the BSO and anyone fascinated with historical audio collections. * Music Reference Services Quarterly *

    15 in stock

    £84.55

  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Bebop Third Ear The Essential Listening

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisBEBOP, INFLUENTIAL GROUPS, GREAT MUSICIANS

    Out of stock

    £17.95

  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Reggae and Caribbean Music Third Ear The

    Out of stock

    Book SynopsisREGGAE AND CARIBBEAN MUSIC: THIRD EARTable of ContentsCarnival history & winners -- Artist/genre profiles -- The producers -- Directory of singles.

    Out of stock

    £999.99

  • 15 in stock

    £23.47

  • 15 in stock

    £25.50

  • FriesenPress Solidarity Forever

    15 in stock

    15 in stock

    £24.29

  • Lulu Press Elk Bugles

    15 in stock

    15 in stock

    £44.46

  • 15 in stock

    £15.60

  • The Write Supplies Comp Notebook

    Out of stock

    Out of stock

    £11.19

  • Llama Bird Press Perpetual Birthday Calendar

    Out of stock

    Out of stock

    £13.12

  • 15 in stock

    £9.67

  • The Write Supplies Comp Notebook

    Out of stock

    Out of stock

    £11.19

  • The Write Supplies Comp Notebook

    Out of stock

    Out of stock

    £11.19

  • The Write Supplies Comp Notebook

    Out of stock

    Out of stock

    £11.19

  • Llama Bird Press His Vows

    Out of stock

    Out of stock

    £9.25

  • Sketchlogue Irises Van Gogh Note Book

    Out of stock

    Out of stock

    £17.76

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