Off The Record

Rip It Up, Issue 71, 1 June 1983, Page 8

Off The Record

International Discography of the New Wave Edited by George and DeFoe (Omnibus 522.50) A discography, as the title says, but . also much more. As well as listing more than 16,000 records (including bootlegs) released since the mid-seventies it provides information on more than 7000 bands, 3000 small labels and even 1300 fanzines from all over the world. f% e U monthiy"- Colorful, tabled- . If you're planning on travelling overseas you'd be wise to beg, steal or borrow this book and copy off the regional listings section. It has details of record shops, nightclubs, cinemas, radio stations, studios, management agencies, etc, in 21 countries. To cap it all off are guides to record licensing, getting your music published and signing a recording contract. They refer specifically to the United Kingdom but the general principles hold anywhere.

Probably the only major omission is African music, but expect that to be rectified in the next edition. Useful, informative and often fun to read. The Hitchiker's Guide to the New Wave. RB The Arrival of 8.8. King Charles Sawyer (Da Capo 515.95) Subtitled "The Authorized Biography", words which arouse suspicions of a whitewash/glorification created with the connivance of the artist. To his credit, Sawyer, an academic and a 8.8. King fan, doesn't neglect less favourable aspects of King's character in presenting his portrait of the figure he argues is the greatest force in black music. But even these sides doubt, his often paternalistic employer-employee relationship, his gambling and lack of money management, his roving eye are used to confirm the humanity of a man Sawyer obviously likes and respects. Sawyer's biography concentrates on 8.8. King, the ambitious sharecropper who became the number one figure in blues, first to the black, and later a white audience, the constantly-questing musician who remains obsessed by self-improvement courses and

books. Much new information comes to light for the first time. On the musical side, Sawyer's verbal analysis of King's playing fails to catch its flavour. His "discography" is virtually useless, being merely a list of records and chart placings. Despite its shortcomings, this book provides the fullest picture yet of 8.8. King. New Rock Record Hounsome and Chambre (Blandford $20.95) As the blurb says, this book's "sole aim (and it does it well) is to identify the musicians on as many albums as possible". As such, it's really only of passing interest to all except collectors. Those collectors will probably be annoyed that although more than 30,000 albums are listed, little attempt is made to cover important singles, EPs or bootlegs. Every library should have one. RB Rolling Stones Live (Sidgwick & Jackson $19.95) Immediacy is the principle attraction. Photographer Philip Kamin has captured some telling moments from the Stones' 1981-82 USA tour. A thoughtful text by Peter Goddard. KVV