MOJO Issue 187 / June 2009
FREE CD! ISLAND FOLK: 13 acoustic gems from some of the legendary label’s leading artists. Including John Martyn, Jethro Tull, Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, The Incredible String Band, Richard and Linda Thompson and many, many more! ISLAND RECORDS 50TH ANNIVERSARY: The incomparable Grace Jones introduces our 30-page salute to the great Island Records as this most extraordinary of labels celebrates its 50th birthday. PLUS! MOJO countdowns the greatest 50 albums in Island’s glittering history!
NICK DRAKE: Continuing our huge Island extravaganza, MOJO’s Mat Snow delves into the mind of the lost boy of British folk. 35 years after his untimely death, we ask who was the young man behind the dark myth?
CHRIS BLACKWELL: Drinking chicken blood? “I’ve done that many times!” reveals the head of the Island family. MOJO’s Pat Gilbert visits the stable’s mastermind at the Caribbean paradise of Golden Eye to discuss his rags-to-riches tale. From a handful of 7-inch singles to introducing the world to Bob Marley; MOJO is up close and personal with a record label visionary.
YUSUF ISLAM: Multi-platinum records, near-death experiences, religious awakenings, major name changes and a 28-year hiatus from the music industry have all played a part in the continuing journey of Yusuf Islam. Now, the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens has rediscovered exactly what made him tick in the first place. “I’m finding my voice again,” he tells MOJO.
DEPECHE MODE: After 30 years of pleasure, pain, power struggles and psychological turbulence have the high lords of brooding synth rock finally found happiness? As Depeche Mode prepare their triumphant new album, MOJO’s Phil Sutcliffe investigates…
JEFF BECK: MOJO’s Peter Makowski joins a British guitar legend on a journey back through the last 40 years of music mayhem. From almost joining Pink Floyd to his tiff with David Bowie, Jeff Beck reveals all.
REVIEWED!: Bob Dylan’s renaissance continues / The Manic Street Preachers channel the spirit of Richey Edwards / Iggy Pop digs jazz / The Horrors / Green Day / Morrissey / Siouxsie and the Banshees on DVD / PJ Harvey and John Parish live / Eels / New York Dolls and many, many more!
PLUS!: Jack White unveils Dead Weather / Jeff Beck joins the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame / On the road with Kasabian / Ian Broudie returns from the wilderness / MOJO Rising: The Low Anthem / In the studio with Ray Davies / Peaches speaks / Last Night A Record Changed My Life by Chris Robinson.
AND FINALLY… "Mr Civil Rights' is killing our civil rights." It's Bob Dylan's neighbours vs Bob Dylan!