The Islander
My Life in Music and Beyond
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The Islander
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Narrated by:
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Bill Nighy
About this listen
As the founder of Island Records, renowned music producer Chris Blackwell has discovered and worked with some of the most legendary artists of the second half of the twentieth century - from Steve Winwood to Cat Stevens, Bob Marley to Grace Jones, U2 to Roxy Music, via Nick Drake, the B-52's and Robert Palmer. A maverick free spirit himself, Blackwell turned Island into a home for groundbreaking musicians and their wildly divergent music styles, playing an instrumental role in bringing reggae to the world stage.
Now, as he turns eighty-five, the great raconteur takes us back to the island where it all began: Jamaica - the paradise where his family once partied with the likes of Noël Coward, Ian Fleming and Errol Flynn and where, as local Jamaican sounds began to adopt contemporary American trends, Blackwell's burgeoning musical instincts flourished. It was also the birthplace of the cutting-edge Island Records, founded by Blackwell in 1959. But that was just the start of a truly remarkable career...
Winding through the music industry, this fascinating memoir makes for a giddy ride, encountering Island's many esteemed collaborators over the years and unpacking the initiatives, decisions and risks that ultimately brought such enduring success to Blackwell, both in music and beyond.©2022 Chris Blackwell (P)2022 Bonnier Books UK
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Critic reviews
"An adventurer, an entrepreneur, a buccaneer, a visionary." (Bono)
What listeners say about The Islander
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jonathan Wheeldon
- 23-06-22
Jamaican warmth and serendipity
A wonderful account of an extraordinary life. Blackwell’s role in the cultural evolution of the 20th century may be as legendary as those of the artists he supported. The book reminds us of how precious, serendipitous and tragic life is. A fabulous antidote to all the anxieties of the past few years.
I took the opportunity to (re)listen to certain songs as they get mentioned in the narrative, and heard them with fresh ears. Even Millie Small’s fluffy My Boy Lollipop took on an extra dimension when the back story is understood.
Strongly recommended for everyone, and essential reading for any scholars of the music industry.
Beautifully narrated by Bill Nighy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jacqueline
- 06-07-22
Well worth a listen.
Thanks to Chris Blackwell the selector I got to understand more about the pathways of the artists. Artists who have bought years of pleasure to my life.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Emma G
- 18-09-22
Favourite autobiography ever.
Wonderful story of Chris Blackwells extraordinary life and work. Island records integrity in giving artists their creative freedom without pushing for a commercial success is surely a lesson for the big media giants to let creatives create without putting a boot on their throat. Amazing artist stories, and a reminder without Blackwell and Island how the whole musical landscape would be a pale imitation of what we are able to enjoy today. Plus a great discography of must listen to albums. Wonderful.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- LadyV
- 25-04-23
Excellent narration, interesting story
A brief but engaging history of the music industry from the 60’s to the 90’s from the point of view of the founder of Island records. I loved Bill Nighy’s narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Michael
- 05-08-23
Fascinating musical journey
Very well read book. Chris Blackwell has had a passionate life long love of music. He’s introduced some of the greats onto our lives.
Downloaded the kindle version so I could follow up some of the references I didn’t always catch on audio. Definitely of the best musical biogs I have heard. Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DDSuffolk
- 29-07-22
Great autobiography
Fascinating autobiography covering an interesting era. I would have liked a bit more depth on the business side but not surprisingly it concentrates on the music and the artists. I don’t think that Bill Nighy was the right person to narrate this but overall highly recommended.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- matthew simmons
- 22-08-22
Brilliant
I really loved this, brilliant stories and mood.
not usually a fan of biographies as they can be a bit one sided and even self indulgent at time... but this is great!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris
- 20-07-23
I will listen to this again..!!
Island Records was always that indie label that didn't conform, for that I loved them, There was much I thought I knew, but in reality it was very different. Chris does touch on his life, but just enough to to get a perspective on the road he travelled.
Its not so much the Bob Marley's, U2'S and Grace Jones stories that grab you, its genuinely everything else. This in turn leads you down the rabbit hole of the internet, I am much richer for it.
Bill Nighy narrates which was a genius choice, he made the stories richer and it just flowed like a nice Jamaican Rum..!!
Listen now, you will not regret one minute of it..!!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Paul
- 20-11-23
The Islander
Super and unique life. Full of interest and interwoven with the stars we love and remember
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M
- 02-02-23
Life’s a Beach!
What slide, what a story, what excellent narration by a National Treasure about a Living Legend!
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1 person found this helpful