It’s been a while since I posted, but I’ve got a good reason.  I’ve been consumed with finishing and now  launching my first book, the just released 101 Essential Rock Records: The Golden Age of Vinyl, From The Beatles to the Sex Pistols.  It’s a coffee table sized celebration of vinyl’s Golden Age, beginning with Please Please Me and ending with Never Mind The Bollocks–soon after which the Walkman was introduced, and cassettes took over as the dominant format.

It includes large photos of first pressing albums, some extremely rare, essays on vinyl records and favorite albums from Iggy Pop, Graham Nash, David Bowie, Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Robyn Hitchcock, Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Suzanne Vega, Devendra Banhart and producer Joe Boyd.  There’s also a history of the LP from Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman, a pictorial exploration of Jimi Hendrix’s personal record collection, and a history of censored album covers.

Rolling Stone called it “Record-nerd eye candy, and an insight-filled look at how great art begets great art,” while Spin profiled it as “A loving tribute to the long lasting cultural importance of the Vinyl LP.”  In the next few weeks, I’ll post some selections from the book–staring off with a few  Bob Dylan entries.  More information and spreads from the book can be seen at 101EssentialRecords.com.