Record 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.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 576

Dimensions: 140 x 195 mm

How does one pay homage to A Tribe Called Quest? The seminal rap group created masterpieces throughout the 90s, and then 17 years after their last album, they resurrected themselves with an intense, socially conscious record, which arrived in the aftermath of the 2016 election. Here Hanif Abdurraqib digs into the group's history and draws from his own experience to reflect on how its distinctive sound resonated among fans like himself.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 216

Dimensions: 128 x 198 mm

Publication Date: 01-08-2019

Until the age of twenty, Donald McIntyre hoped to play for the All Blacks, and was on his way to achieving that aim. As a young man, however, he acknowledged his exceptional voice and opted for a career in singing. After leaving New Zealand and arriving in London, McIntyre set his sights on the world of opera. His spectacular musical life saw him conquering the stages of two London companies in the 1960s and 70s: Sadler’s Wells and ROH Covent Garden. His increasing command of Wagner roles brought him to the notice of Richard Wagner’s grandson Wolfgang Wagner, and in 1967 he made his debut appearance in Lohengrin. For the next seventeen years he sang in every Festival cycle and became the first “British” musician to sing the role of Wotan in Wagner’s mighty, four-opera Ring. Recognised for nearly three decades as the definitive Flying Dutchman, McIntyre also starred in the Bayreuth Centennial Ring in a production by Patrice Chéreau that completely revolutionised Wagner opera, and shot him to lasting fame, and in 1992, a knighthood. In this fascinating memoir “Sir Don” looks back over a huge slice of operatic history and his role in it. Mixing fun and gossip with judgement and insight, he brings to life a teeming gallery of the world’s most famous musicians – singers, conductors, directors, teachers, designers, sponsors … all the movers and shakers in the opera world of two generations. Edited by music professor and well-known New Zealand Wagnerian and radio personality, Heath Lees, this book is a fitting monument to Sir Donald’s magnificent half century in opera. https://www.book2look.com/book/9780995105331

Bind: hardback

Pages: 240

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 19-05-2019

Corbijn’s interest in music has been the engine of an illustrious decades-long career that has most recently involved the making of feature length films such as The American, A Most Wanted Man, and Life. This gloriously illustrated, oversized book pays homage to Corbijn’s obsession with rock and roll—an interest that has led to lifelong friendships with Bono, Michael Stipe, Dave Gahan, and other iconic musicians. Looking back over three decades, it features hundreds of creative, offbeat images that Corbijn was able to capture largely as a result of his close relationships with his subjects. Nearly every revered musician and band is represented in Corbijn’s archives: Nick Cave to Nirvana, U2 to R.E.M., the Rolling Stones to Siouxie and the Banshees. Many of the portraits are accompanied by their subjects’ own take on Corbijn’s distinct style and approach. Also included here are previously unpublished photos of the band Depeche Mode, who considered him an honorary member. A fitting tribute to an innovative and deeply passionate photographer, this book will rock fans of music and photography.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 400

Dimensions: 240 x 290 mm

Publication Date: 28-02-2019

The author of Cigar Box Guitars shares his amazing photo gallery of handmade musical greatness. This new edition includes a new step-by-step project for building your own tenor ukulele, and instructions for playing homemade guitars using both innovative and traditional techniques. In a modern revival of a great American tradition, sliders, pickers, strummers and makers are coming together in what they call the Cigar Box Guitar Revolution. Musicians and hobbyists are finding new creative freedom by making their own musical instruments out of unconventional materials. Their ingenious creations range from simple cardboard diddley bows to an electrified washtub bass. Cigar Box Guitars celebrates the modern craft of these irresistibly alluring instruments. In this new edition, professional photographer and woodworking enthusiast David Sutton shares his obsession with the genre in an expanded photo gallery that profiles inspiring examples of handmade musical greatness. Sutton details multiple techniques for playing the fretted, three-string cigar box guitar, with easy-to-follow chord diagrams and instructions for a selection of classic tunes. Authentic stories of legendary American roots music personalities.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 208

Dimensions: 178 x 229 mm

Publication Date: 31-01-2019

Ray Woolf - Singer, actor and television host • Ray came to New Zealand as a 17-year old pop singer from London • He joined the wave of young New Zealanders in the likes of C’Mon and Happen Inn on New Zealand’s only television channel • He fronted Ray Woolf and the Avengers • He entertained a lot of us as a host of Play School television kids show • He broke new ground hosting Two on One, The Ray Woolf Show and The New Ray Woolf Show • He has appeared in a host of television dramas, including Shortland Street, Marlin Bay, and Nothing Trivial • He had a role in movies, including King Kong and The Insatiable Moon • He has starred in musicals, such as West Side Story and Blood Brothers • He’s still around as everyone’s favourite crooner • What a career! The book covers both Ray Woolf’s career highlights and his performing secrets.

Bind: paperback

Dimensions: 170 x 230 mm

Publication Date: 20-12-2018

In an age of confusion, fear, and loss, Hanif Abdurraqib's is a voice that matters. Whether he's attending a Bruce Springsteen concert the day after visiting Michael Brown's grave, or discussing public displays of affection at a Carly Rae Jepsen show, he writes with a poignancy and magnetism that resonates profoundly. In the wake of the nightclub attacks in Paris, he recalls how he sought refuge as a teenager in music, at shows, and wonders whether the next generation of young Muslims will not be afforded that opportunity now. While discussing the everyday threat to the lives of black Americans, Abdurraqib recounts the first time he was ordered to the ground by police officers: for attempting to enter his own car. In essays that have been published by the New York Times, MTV, and Pitchfork, among others—along with original, previously unreleased essays—Abdurraqib uses music and culture as a lens through which to view our world, so that we might better understand ourselves, and in so doing proves himself a bellwether for our times.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 300

Dimensions: 127 x 198 mm

Publication Date: 04-10-2018

In Making Poor Man's Guitars, Shane Speal, the "King of the Cigar Box Guitar," shows you how to build amazing musical instruments from found items! Learn how to build cigar box guitars and other musical instruments from found items Step-by-step instructions and over 300 photos The history of cigar box guitars and the golden age of blues and jazz Introduction from the New Orleans Museum of Jazz Author Shane Speal, an active roots music performer, is recognized as the creator of the modern cigar box guitar movement and known as the "King of the Cigar Box Guitar" Many books have been written about how to build cigar box guitars and other unique hand-made instruments... but few have touched on why. This book presents the authentic stories of American DIY music with step-by-step projects, photo studies of antique instruments, interviews with music legends, and historical accounts. Shane Speal, the "King of the Cigar Box Guitar," brings the making of music and musical instruments back to its roots. From a simple two-string tin can guitar to an electrified washtub bass, Shane shows how anyone can build amazing musical instruments from found items. Sidebars present the fascinating backstory of the music, capturing struggle, poverty, and the blues within the artistic side of cigar box guitar building. Featuring an introduction from the New Orleans Museum of Jazz, this DIY musical instrument book is as inspirational to read in the living room as it is in the workshop!

Bind: paperback

Pages: 176

Dimensions: 204 x 254 mm

Publication Date: 08-10-2018

With the help of this book and companion CD, anyone can learn to play the ukulele overnight. No prior musical experience is assumed! Includes CD with practice exercises. Learn to Play the Ukulele, 2nd Edition will teach anyone how to play the ukulele overnight. No prior musical experience is assumed. Beginners learn how to hold the instrument, position the hands, strumming techniques, basic chords and beyond. An enclosed CD guides the reader through a series of exercises, which are organized in progressive fashion (practicing one strum and slowly building to more complicated rhythmic patterns). The CD also includes a variety of charming songs that readers will be able to strum along with (starting with one/two chords and progressing on to more complex). Encouraging tips are included as well as fun/interesting trivia and sidebars about the ukulele. Music theory is included, but the emphasis is on getting up to speed and on with the fun of playing quickly.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 128

Dimensions: 204 x 254 mm

Publication Date: 05-10-2018

When the music impresario Bryan Morrison died aged 66 in 2008, after two years in a coma following a polo accident, he left behind his unpublished memoir. As a music publisher, manager and agent, Morrison had represented the Pretty Things, Pink Floyd, T. Rex, The Jam, Wham! and many others. He was also the founder and owner of the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. In this candid and outspoken book, Morrison reveals the true stories behind why Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd once bit his finger to the bone, the Pretty Things were banned for life from New Zealand, and he became involved with the Kray Twins. He also tells how The Jam kissed goodbye to success in the USA, he received death threats when Robin Gibb left the Bee Gees, and signing a publishing deal with George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley as Wham! Spanning the golden age of British rock ’n’ roll from the 60s to the 80s, this is the extraordinary story of a cigar-chomping, East End entrepreneur, with a passion for art and design, fashion, music and polo.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 156 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 13-09-2019