I’m not exactly sure who needs 450 pages detailing every album and single of a classic-rock act’s long career, but whoever it is will wet their pants over Brian Hinton’s BOB DYLAN COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY and Alan Clayson’s THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY, two square-sized books that likely put to shame any previous reference work on these FM-radio mainstays.
Both full-color, glossy-paper affairs, the books follow a formula. An introductory essay precedes a chronological album-by-album listing, complete with credits, track listings, release dates, producer credits, label number, running time and the story behind the album. As if that 
weren’t enough, the authors then break the album down song by song, detailing who played what instrument and giving the skinny on each track. Compilations, 12-inch singles, EPs and other miscellany are included.
Full-page inclusions of each album’s cover makes for a nice visual and an interesting progression in design over the decades. Obviously, these discographies are meant for the obsessive fans and die-hard completists. I’m not among them, but those who are will find their fact-finding, minutiae-hungry habit sated. –Rod Lott
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