Lots of the selections in the book were really problematic in terms of being able to get hold of them in the UK in 1975 - original Blue Notes never issued and rarely seen by mere mortals over here; JR Monterose on Jaro, Carl Perkins on Dootone etc. In some cases UK alternate pressings on the likes of Vocalion and Transatlantic were listed - which by then were pretty well long-since deleted in any case. Over the years it has been a real pleasure to pick up and check out this material as it re-emerged, especially in the CD era.
There was an up-issue some years ago to 'Essential Jazz Records - Vol 2 with slight changes to the list of authors - Stuart Nicholson and Eric Thacker added (Charles Fox had since sadly passed away) and the original content extended with selections of post-75 material.
I hear what Chuck is saying re: cost of the book. I saved up months of paper-round money at the time to afford it !