Rock Music Gift Guide: Neil Young, Oasis, Record Plant Studios, Photographer Dennis Morris

In this column I highlight a notable deluxe reissue from Neil Young, as well as three outstanding coffee table hardcover books of interest to music fans.

Artist: Neil Young
Title: Tonight's The Night: 50th Anniversary Edition (Warner/Reprise Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Nils Lofgren
Tell me more: Fans of Neil Young, classic rock and modern-day Americana will all have a myriad of reasons to appreciate receiving a copy of the new remastered 50th Anniversary Edition of Young's 1975 album Tonight's The Night (the album was originally recorded on analog tape in 1973, and released two years later). To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the masterwork, six bonus tracks have been added to the title. The diverse range of material on the first half of the collection includes the haunting title track, bluesy "Speakin' Out," the deeply affecting piano- and harmonica-adorned "Borrowed Time," the gentle "Mellow My Mind," and countrified "Roll Another Number (For The Road)." The magic of the expanded set continues via stellar tracks including the dream-swept Americana folk rocker "Albuquerque," emotive "Tired Eyes," previously-unreleased original version of "Walk On," tender Gram Parsons-flavored "Wonderin'," and melodic Southern rock mining "Raised on Robbery (featuring Joni Mitchell) — the latter three cuts among the bonus tracks included on the collection. The 50th Anniversary Deluxe limited edition of Tonight's The Night is now available on vinyl, audio CD and digitally. Information: neilyoungarchives.com.

Rock 'n' Roll Reads

Title: Oasis: Trying To Find A Way Out Of Nowhere (1994-2009/2025)

Authors: Jill Furmanovsky and Noel Gallagher

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 304 pages
Tell me more: Oasis: Trying To Find A Way Out Of Nowhere chronicles the band Oasis through the skillful lens of photographer Jill Furmanovsky from the 1994 "Definitely Maybe" tour to the tumultuous 2009 "Dig Out Your Soul" tour and the band's triumphant 2025 return. The wonderful hardcover features more than 500 photographs, many of which appear in the volume for the very first time. In addition to Furmanovsky's signature images, Oasis singer-songwriter/guitarist Noel Gallagher penned the book foreword while Furmanovsky wrote an introduction; there are also three informative pieces by author Simon Spence, publicist and writer Johnny Hopkins, and music columnist Laura Barton that revisit Oasis' early, mid and late eras. Information: thamesandhudson.com.

Title: Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios

Authors: Martin Porter and David Goggin

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 352 pages
Tell me more: Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios offers a deep dive into the most notable and important recording studios of the 1970s. Authors Martin Porter and David Goggin — both veteran music journalists — used the memoirs and archives of studio cofounder Chris Stone, as well as interviews with more than 100 studio employees, music producers and recording artists to chronicle one of rock music's most seminal decades. From the Record Plant Studios' inception with the groundbreaking Jimi Hendrix recordings in the late 1960s to memorable '70s sessions with the celebrated likes of John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, the insightful writing and archival images brings album rock's golden era to life. Information: thamesandhudson.com.

Title: Dennis Morris Music + Life
Authors: Photographer Dennis Morris; text contributions by Stuart Hall, Sean O'Hagan, and Simon Baker & Shear Mavlian

Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 272 pages

Tell me more: A retrospective of the amazing career of celebrated British photographer Dennis Morris, Music + Life is the first ever volume that combines Morris' incredible portraits of countless music legends (Bob Marley, the Sex Pistols, Grace Jones, Oasis, the Stone Roses and many more) as well as documentary-styled images examining race, culture and identity in 1970s Great Britain. Information: thamesandhudson.com.

Robert Kinsler

New music: Jeffrey Foskett, Paul Weller, the Alexis P. Suter Band, Allison August

In this column I feature four audio titles worthy of discovery, including a wonderful tribute to the late Jeffrey Foskett as well as the latest albums from Paul Weller, the Alexis P.  Suter Band and songstress Allison August.

Artists: Jeffrey Foskett, Brian Wilson, Robert Lamm, Mike Love, more

Title: Something There — Remembering Jeffrey Foskett (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Beach Boys, America, Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jeffrey Foskett was a beloved figure for his work with The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, as well as high-profile collaborations with fellow music greats and his solo work. Sadly, following a lengthy battle with throat cancer, Foskett died in December 2023. Now Omnivore Recordings has issued Something There — Remembering Jeffrey Foskett, an outstanding 25-track tribute that celebrates the wide-ranging career and immense talent of the Southern California native. Among the tracks on the collection are several key Foskett recordings ("I Live For The Sun," "Everybody," "Something There"), rare collaborations with Robert Lamm of Chicago and Christopher Cross, and previously-unissued joint projects with Brian Wilson, Mike Love, America and Los Straitjackets. Among this writer's favorite cuts on the set are the propulsive power pop opener "Tell Me," the previously-unheard "Thru My Window" (a Beach Boys-flavored gem originally released in 1996), the shimmering "Mary Honey" (a previously-unissued nugget produced by Foskett, Wilson and Gary Griffin in 1994 but heard for the first time here), the breezy melodic sortie "You Remind Me Of The Sun," folk rocker "Cool And Gone," and "Living Alone" — the latter an infectious collaboration between Foskett and Lamm. Information: www.omnivorerecordings.com.

Artist: Paul Weller

Title: Find El Dorado (Warner Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Paul Weller, Robert Plant, Noel Gallagher

Tell me more: Paul Weller's forthcoming album Finding El Dorado (available on July 24, 2025 courtesy of Warner Records) is an ambitious collection of cover versions that have influenced and ultimately led the beloved artist to record these 15 tracks via artfully reworked versions that honor the originals while showcasing Weller's singular sonic approach. Weller's well-known talents are bolstered on the Steve Cradock-produced recordings by a handful of top-tier guests. Early standouts on the collection include the nuanced cover of Richie Havens' "Handouts In The Rain" that finds Weller trading lead vocals with Declan O'Rourke, a lavish acoustic reading of Eamon Friel's "El Dorado" with Weller's potent vocals enhanced by Noel Gallagher's expressive acoustic guitar work, a shimmering take on the Merle Haggard-penned Flying Burrito Brothers classic "White Line Fever" and Brian Protheroe's stark "Pinball." The strength and diversity of the album's track listing continues via a poignant strings-swept version of The Bee Gees' "I Started A Joke," rootsy groove-infused version of The Guerrillas' "Lawdy Rolla" and many other powerful selections; Robert Plant (lead / backing vocals & harmonica on "Clive's Song") and Amelia Coburn (vocals on "One Last Cold Kiss") are among the other guests who appear on the highly-anticipated disc. Information: paulweller.com. 

Artist: The Alexis P. Suter Band

Title: Just Stay High (Nola Blue Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Buddy Guy, Marcus King
Tell me more: The Alexis P. Suter Band's latest collection Just Stay High is a powerful and authentic celebration of the blues, steeped in both the traditional and modern stylings of the genre across 14 winning tracks. The opener "God Gave Me The Blues" showcases singer Alexis P. Suter's forceful vocals on the Jimmy Bennett-penned anthem (Bennett also delivers some outstanding guitar work on the track). The gospel-flavored "Some People" is bolstered by Vicki Bell's vocals and a wonderfully nuanced approach by the band. Other memorable songs on the album include the fiery "Breathe," ferocious electric Chicago-blues styled "Be On Your Way," a soulful take on Ron Davies' "It Ain't Easy" and the blues rocker "Ride All Night." The troupe also shines on a potent cover of Leon Russell's "Song For You." A project whose roots date back to the pandemic and initial writing sessions that took place via Zoom, Just Stay High showcases the triumphant nature that marked how so many musicians overcame the dangers of COVID at the beginning of this decade. Information: www.nola-blue.com.

Artist: Allison August

Title: August Moon (MoMojo Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Janiva Magness, Bonnie Raitt
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter Allison August's latest August Moon features a dozen cuts showcasing her strong soprano and compelling original material blending blues, soul, R&B and even jazz. Her wonderful songwriting takes aim at everything from relationships and religion to motherhood and battling cancer. Highlights include the funk-tinged "Afraid of Love," immersive blues track "Dashboard Madonna" that looks at the good and bad in Los Angeles with artistic candor, jazzy delight "What Would Mama Say," sparse blues ballad "Desiree," catchy uptempo frisk "Dog In You" and look back when she and friend Paul Barrere were both battling cancer via "The Cure." The album closes out with the sumptuous uptempo blues foray "Born Yesterday," a statement of how to soar even when the odds are against you. Information: allisonaugust.com.

Robert Kinsler

Oasis announce 30th anniversary edition of '(What's The Story) Morning Glory?'

Big news for fans of Oasis; listen to the great acoustic version of "Acquiesce" too...Robert Kinsler

OASIS ANNOUNCE DELUXE 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF THE EPIC SOPHOMORE ALBUM  (WHAT’S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY? OUT OCTOBER 3RD AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER ON LIMITED EDITION 2CD & 3LP FORMATS HERE FEATURING FIVE BRAND NEW UNPLUGGED VERSIONS INCLUDING “ACQUIESCE” - UNVEILED TODAY LISTEN HERE & WATCH THE VISUALIZER HERE

SOLD-OUT GLOBAL TOUR ‘OASIS LIVE ‘25’ BEGINS THIS WEEK AT CARDIFF PRINCIPALITY STADIUM OFFICIAL OASIS LIVE ’25 MAP EXPERIENCE LAUNCHED –  AN INTERACTIVE AND IMMERSIVE DIGITAL COMPANION TO THE LANDMARK TOUR – AVAILABLE HERE

July 2nd, 2025 - Oasis have today announced details of deluxe formats of (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? to celebrate the era-defining album’s landmark 30-year anniversary. It will feature new unplugged versions of five classic recordings “Cast No Shadow,” “Morning Glory,” “Wonderwall,” “Acquiesce” and “Champagne Supernova.” To be released on October 3rd on Big Brother Recordings, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) is available for pre-order here on limited edition 2CD and 3LP formats as well as digital formats to pre-save. This special anniversary format follows last summer’s release of the 30th Anniversary Edition of Definitely Maybe, which reached number 1 in the Official UK Album Chart for the second time in that album’s history.    The new unplugged versions were produced and mixed by Noel Gallagher and Callum Marinho from the original master recordings at Noel’s studio, Lone Star Sound, in London. The new interpretation of “Acquiesce” is revealed today – listen here and watch the visualizer here.   The deluxe album features new artwork shot by original sleeve designer Brian Cannon and new sleeve notes. Exclusive colored vinyl formats will be available, including Amazon Exclusive “Wonderwall” inspired sepia marble 3LP and official store exclusive “Acquiesce” inspired neon orange 3LP. All formats will include the 2014 remastered version of the album alongside the new bonus versions.    (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? stands out as one of the all-time era-defining great rock albums. Oasis’ second album was first released on October 2nd, 1995, on Creation Records and propelled the band to worldwide success. Following just 14 months after their stunning debut Definitely Maybe, which is widely regarded as one of the most influential debut albums, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? was hugely successful and awarded Best British Album at the 1996 BRIT Awards.   Number one albums followed internationally, and (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? has now sold an excess of a staggering 22 million copies globally, including over 5.5 million in the United States, and is the UK’s third biggest selling studio album of all time. The album was also announced by National Album Day as the Official Most Streamed Album of the ‘90s, with Definitely Maybe as second.   Today’s announcement comes as Oasis commence the most sought-after tour on the planet this year with their Live ‘25 tour. Unprecedented demand for tickets further underlines the ever-growing appeal of their music, with fans from 158 different countries applying for tickets to the UK shows when they went on sale last summer. As the dates have drawn nearer, the excitement has continued to reach fever pitch. The global tour commences at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Friday, before heading to Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin in the UK, and then continuing worldwide. Full dates below.   To celebrate the tour, Big Brother Recordings have launched the Oasis Live ‘25 Map Experience – an official digital companion for fans across the world. Built with Google Maps Platform and developed in partnership with Modern English, the Live ‘25 Map Experience is an immersive and interactive location-based platform that brings the band’s legacy to life across all cities of the tour.   Fans can explore each tour stop through curated hotspots including landmarks tied to the band's history, from legendary local music venues they’ve played at to iconic bars, plus official merch outlets. The platform also unlocks exclusive digital content leveraging real-time geo-locations, accessible when fans are physically present in the host cities. Interactive features include AR experiences with exclusive content offered throughout the tour.      Fans are also invited to capture their journey and share their excitement using YouTube Shorts, with the chance to have their videos featured directly on the Live ‘25 Map Experience and the official Oasis YouTube Channel - turning their memories into part of the tour's living digital archive.   The web app is available at live25.oasisinet.com and will accompany Oasis fans throughout the landmark Live ‘25 tour.   (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Tracklist: 1.     Hello 2.     Roll With It 3.     Wonderwall 4.     Don’t Look Back In Anger 5.     Hey Now! 6.     [Untitled] 7.     Some Might Say 8.     Cast No Shadow 9.     She’s Electric 10.  Morning Glory 11.  [Untitled] 12.  Champagne Supernova Additional Tracks: 1.     Cast No Shadow (Unplugged) 2.     Morning Glory (Unplugged) 3.     Wonderwall (Unplugged) 4.     Acquiesce (Unplugged) 5.     Champagne Supernova (Unplugged)

Oasis Live ‘25 Tour Dates JULY 2025 4th - Cardiff, UK - Principality Stadium  5th - Cardiff, UK - Principality Stadium  11th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park  12th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park  16th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park  19th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park  20th - Manchester, UK - Heaton Park  25th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium  26th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium  30th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium    AUGUST 2025 2nd - London, UK - Wembley Stadium  3rd - London, UK - Wembley Stadium 8th - Edinburgh, UK - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium  9th - Edinburgh, UK - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium  12th - Edinburgh, UK - Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium  16th - Dublin, IE - Croke Park  17th - Dublin, IE - Croke Park  24th – Toronto, ON – Rogers Stadium  25th – Toronto, ON – Rogers Stadium  28th – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field  31st – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium    SEPTEMBER 2025 1st – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium  6th – Los Angeles, CA – Rose Bowl Stadium  7th – Los Angeles, CA – Rose Bowl Stadium  12th – Mexico City, MX – Estadio GNP Seguros  13th – Mexico City, MX – Estadio GNP Seguros  27th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium  28th - London, UK - Wembley Stadium    OCTOBER 2025 21st – Seoul, South Korea – Goyang Stadium  25th – Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Dome  26th – Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Dome  31st – Melbourne, Australia – Marvel Stadium    NOVEMBER 2025 1st – Melbourne, Australia – Marvel Stadium  4th – Melbourne, Australia – Marvel Stadium  7th – Sydney, Australia – Accor Stadium 8th – Sydney, Australia – Accor Stadium  15th – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Estadio River Plate  16th – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Estadio River Plate 19th – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Nacional  22nd – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Estádio MorumBIS  23rd – Sao Paulo, Brazil – Estádio MorumBIS    Follow Oasis: Spotify Apple Music YouTube Facebook Instagram X TikTok Website

Thames & Hudson to publish iconic Oasis book by photographer Jill Furmanovsky and Noel Gallagher

Exciting news today for fans of Oasis (and who isn't, right?). See the timely media release below and official cover for a book that will cast a renewed focus on one of rock's all-time great bands...Robert Kinsler

Thames & Hudson to publish iconic Oasis book by photographer Jill Furmanovsky and Noel Gallagher

Book cover image: Courtesy of Thames & Hudson

 

Tristan de Lancey, Creative Director at Thames & Hudson, has bought World All Language rights to OASIS: Trying to find a way out of nowhere by Jill Furmanovsky and Noel Gallagher from Vicki McIvor at Take Three Management. Thames & Hudson has sold rights in three countries thus far: in France to Editions Seghers (Editions Robert Laffont); in Italy to Lizard Rizzoli (Gruppo Mondadori); and in Japan to Sekai Bunka Publishing Inc. The book will be published by Thames & Hudson in the UK, US, and Australia in hardcover this Fall 2025.

 

Organized chronologically, OASIS: Trying to find a way out of nowhere contains more than 500 photographs, contact sheets, and sequenced film strips of the band on stage, backstage, on the road, in the studio, and behind the scenes. This beautiful volume, edited by Noel Gallagher, will present classic highlights and unseen images from Jill Furmanovsky’s complete Oasis archive. Given unprecedented access to countless worldwide Oasis performances and recording sessions, she was able to intimately document the relationship between Noel and Liam Gallagher up to their split, creating a poignant visual diary that is more than the sum of its parts. In this book she extends the visual story to 2025*, capturing the band in rehearsal for the upcoming reunion tour.

 

*Definitely… Maybe

 

Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards, 

London, UK, October 3, 2024.

Noel Gallagher and “ICON” Award winner 

Jill Furmanovsky

PHOTO CREDIT: Dave Hogan/Hogan Media/Shutterstock

Accompanying the images is illuminating commentary by Noel Gallagher, who relates the inside stories of the events pictured in many of the shoots, demonstrating an honest and touching relationship between band and photographer. An additional three essays by music journalists provide context to the band’s story and an introduction by Jill Furmanovsky celebrates the supreme significance of Oasis in her 50+ years photographing musicians.

 

Jill Furmanovsky has photographed legendary rock musicians for more than 50 years, including Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Blondie, The Clash, The Ramones, The Pretenders, Joy Division, Leonard Cohen, Amy Winehouse, and Oasis. In 2024 she received a Lifetime Achievement award from Amateur Photography magazine; the Legend of the year award from So.Co for Image of Music Awards; and the Abbey Road ICON award, at which award ceremony Noel described Jill as “one of my best friends.”

 

Noel Gallagher is the primary songwriter, lead guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of Oasis, the band that defined the era of Cool Britannia. In August 1994 Oasis’s first album, Definitely Maybe, entered the UK charts at number one and received widespread critical and commercial success, as did their next two albums, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995) and Be Here Now (1997). The band split in 2009 but are reforming for a worldwide tour in 2025.

 

Jill Furmanovsky commented: “From the first time I photographed Oasis in December 1994 until my last shoot with them in August 2009 when they split, I was permitted closeness and the gift of almost unlimited access. I was just the right age and had just the right amount of experience to shoot the merry band of musicians (and they were wonderfully entertaining) fronted by the extraordinarily talented Gallagher brothers.  I would say this is my best body of work as a photographer. It was made with love and an understanding of what a fan might like to see. Much of the material here has never been published before and I hope Oasis fans will enjoy that. I'd especially like to thank Noel for his contribution to and support for the book. It has been a joy to work with the design and editorial team at Thames & Hudson who worked tirelessly to give the work the gravitas it deserves.”

 

Noel Gallagher commented: “It’s been an honor to have been associated with Jill for 30 years.”

 

Tristan de Lancey, Creative Director at Thames & Hudson, commented: “Amidst all the excitement of the Oasis reunion, I was delighted to sign up Jill and Noel’s book. Jill’s body of work with Oasis is extraordinary and unsurpassed and includes swathes of candid behind-the-scenes material, much of which, incredibly, is being scanned for the first time. Her three-decade friendship with Noel, Liam, and other band members is known to many; what’s less known and utterly unique is her ability to capture the band in those in-between moments—off-guard and true. The energy, the humor, and—yes—the tensions ripple through each and every frame. Combine all of this with first-hand commentary from Noel, insightful anecdotes from Jill, and three documentary essays, all packaged beautifully in a statement format, I’m expecting readers of all generations to be blown away. It’s nothing short of a monograph on steroids—with a surprise ending—publishing worldwide on the eve of their autumn Wembley concerts.”

 

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