Blue Note: Uncompromising Expression: The Finest in Jazz Since 1939

An excellent addition to Richard Havers first book on Verve and Norman Grantz. This Blue Note title visually follows the same format with plenty of artist photos, LP covers and printed ephemera from the label's past decades. The text, though, follows a different style from the Verve book which interspersed the history of the label with spreads devoted to the performers. In these Blue Note pages seventy-five albums are given a spread or more with a large graphic of the cover, performers, tracks and a few hundred words of background about the album. The first record spread is frequently followed by a page or two with addition photos and related material about the artist.The first ninety-nine pages cover Alfred Lion's early years and his arrival in New York during 1936. He started Blue Note in 1939 with Meade Lux Lewis and Albert Ammons as the first stars of the label. WW2 slowed recording activity until 1944 when Lion (then thirty-four) started to record a more contemporary sound with Ike Quebec, who became the A&R man for the label. The fifties were the start of Blue Note's golden years and in particular 1953 when Rudy Van Gelder began to record the label's musicians.I've always thought that part of the success of Blue Note was the sound Van Gelder created in his studio. The tracks always seemed particularly loud with tremendous presence, perfectly in keeping with the feel of East Coast jazz at the time. Page eighty-four says that he recorded the music with high decibels, far more than other sound engineers (in recent years Blue Note CD re-issues have been marketed as 'Rudy Van Gelder masters'). Another original facet of the label was the creative sleeve design by Reid Miles, either using the stunning photos by Francis Wolff taken in the windowless Van Gelder studio or just using type only. Type with maybe a simple graphic was something other jazz labels picked up on to keep their covers distinctive in a crowded LP market.The label changed in 1966 when it was bought by Liberty Records and in 1967 Alfred Lion retired. On page 197 he is quoted as saying 'I couldn't communicate with these people at Liberty, I do things my way and suddenly there were too many people and there were all these rules and procedures'. In fact jazz was slowly changing and Blue Note, to my mind, became just another record company releasing LPs with a much broader interpretation of jazz with vocalists a significant part of their artist roster. The book follows these changes and it's interesting to see the covers from the seventies onwards which have completely lost their Reid Miles style. The seventy-five records which the book's editorial is based on go up to 2103 with a release from singer Gregory Porter.Alfred Lion, Rudy Van Gelder, Reid Miles and Francis Wolff were Blue Note to me in the mid-fifties to the mid-sixties when I was buying their records (now bought all over again with Michael Cuscuna CD re-issues). The book is a wonderful memory jogger for me, as was the Verve one, and it will fascinate others of a certain age. BL fans should also check out the two books of Francis Wolff photos and the lovely Graham Marsh/Glyn Callingham paperback of several hundred LP covers.* I wonder if Richard Havers will write more books on jazz labels run by individuals: Pacific Jazz with Richard Bock; Contemporary Records and Lester Koenig would seem the next obvious choice.

There are 'Jazz Books' that stand out above all others and this has to be on a par with the late William Claxton's 'Jazz Life.'I have most of the records mentioned in this book and have been lucky to see and meet many of the musicians. (Shows my age)!How well I remember going into Dobell's Jazz Record Shop in London (sadly long gone) browsing the racks for new Blue Note issues. The bug hit because of the excellent sound quality recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. My record collection grew highlighted by the brilliant cover design, liner notes and photography.Of course there was competition. Impulse, Prestige, Riverside - it was an era of 'Jazz Greats' and some amazing Jazz Record Labels. Blue Note was just that bit different.Now the Book. One simple statement.. "It is a MUST for every Jazz Record Collectors shelf. The artwork, photographs ,historical facts and words by Richard Havers cover every aspect of the Blue Note history. It is a book that one can pick up and open on any page and take a step back in time from the first line.Put on your favourite Blue Note album and pick up this book. You will find things not mentioned on the Liner Notes.Those that remember this label can now hope that future generations will follow suit and hunt out the CD Reissues of many. Best make sure they are the 'Blue Note' ones though. Many of the musicians have now gone over The Rainbow Bridge to join the Biggest Band in the Sky.Thank you Blue Note for all you did!

This is the story of Blue Note Records, one of the most important jazz record labels in 20th century music. The story starts in Nazi Germany and continues through the label's creation in New York in 1939 and on to the present day. The book is well written and lavishly illustrated with great photos, notes, insights and details of Blue Note's most famous artists and their recordings. This was truly a joy to read, including listening to the 5-CD boxed set that has been issued separately. Blue Note sought out the best and most adventurous jazz artists and took an uncompromising approach to recording and promoting quality jazz music, even if it didn't sell. It was the passion for the music that counted - a policy that persists with Blue Note today. This is an important addition to books about jazz and is likely to be the best music book published this year - highly recommended.

Fantastic overview of the iconic Jazz label. Great selection of photos and album cover. The text provides you the history, and behind the scenes of recording sessions.

MY SON LOVES BLUE NOTE JAZZ AND LIKE MYSELF HAS A BIG COLLECTION OF VINYL AND CD, GRET BOOKB

Bought this for my brother for his birthday. As he is a jazz head, he said it’s a very very good book and would recommend it to anyone buying for themself or as a gift

Purchased as a gift for a Jazz lover. He is really pleased with an informative book.

Great book - delivered quickly

Acheté pour offrir en cadeau, très beau livre

As someone who just began exploring the label this is a wonderfull introduction to this magnificent era in Jazz!Filled with the great foto`s of Francis Wolff.A treasure.

A must for all jazz amateurs!

Non è solo la storia della Blue Note e dei suoi album, ma grazie alle foto di Lion è un tuffo nell’epoca. Da avere.

Great collection of covers and art, collecting a timeline of expressions