Book Review: The First Time: A Book Of 20th & 21st Century Firsts

BOOK REVIEW: THE FIRST TIME: A BOOK OF 20TH AND 21ST CENTURY MUSIC FIRSTS
Nick Hamlyn
(Pied Piper)
9/10

Nick Hamlyn’s The First Time is an essential treasure trove for music lovers. Written by the best-selling author of The Penguin Price Guide for Record and CD Collectors, this encyclopedic masterpiece spans over a century of music history.

Divided into three in-depth sections—‘Music and Instruments,’ ‘Records and Recordings,’ and ‘Music Genres’—the book is packed with essays that dissect everything from the evolution of guitars to the birth of sampling. Accompanied by historic photographs of artists, instruments, concert posters, and inventions, it’s both a visual feast and an intellectual deep dive into the innovators and pioneers of jazz, blues, country, rock, and pop.

Priced at £35, it’s an investment, but one that pays off with endless discoveries. Whether you’re a casual listener or a die-hard audiophile, this book offers a lifetime of knowledge and inspiration. Perfect for anyone passionate about the stories and breakthroughs that shaped modern music.