Blue Note: Album Cover Art

By Glyn Callingham and Graham Marsh

Book Overview

Smaller in trim size, greatly expanded in content, this compendium of Chronicles classic "Blue Note" books (50,000 copies sold) is now an appealingly chunky paperback. Blue Note remains one of the most influential jazz labels of all time, and its cover art is a virtual time-capsule of cool. Now comprehensive, " Blue Note: Album Cover Art" gathers nearly 400 of the legendary covers, spanning the 40s to the 70s, and features the greatest work of legendary Blue Note art director Reid Miles. Simple and sophisticated, moody and alluring, these covers continue to influence designers and excite jazz aficionados today. "One glance," as "Esquire" said of the original edition, "and youll know where the essence of cool remains."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811836886
• ISBN13: 9780811836883
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.3" x 2.0" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

Cover notes

If you don't have the large two-volume Blue Note cover books settle for this compact version. Admittedly the reduced size does not quite have the impact of the originals (the two books were just a bit smaller than LP covers featured inside) but I don't think it lessens the impact of these great designs Most of the work is by Reid Miles and over fifteen years he created about five hundred LP covers, frequently using the gutsy black and white photos of musicians taken by Francis Wolf. There are two stunning books of his work: The Blue Note Years: The Jazz Photography of Francis Wolff and Blue Note: Jazz Photography of Francis Wolff (they are actually different books). Many of these great photos have a black background because they were taken in the windowless studio of Blue Note's main recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder. Considering that plenty of these cover designs are well over forty years old they still look fresh and dynamic. I think it is because they are really quite simple, a great photo, straightforward typography and perhaps Reid Miles secret: the clever use of space. Flick through the pages and cover after cover have empty areas, these helped to create the Blue Note look. Most LP covers were usually designed to avoid empty space, "fill that hole with the track titles" was no doubt a common cry in record company marketing departments. This compact paperback is a lovely reminder of some wonderful work by a designer who created so much from so little. ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

Classic

Blue Note Records not only released Classic Albums but also had Classic Album Covers that covered so much more.the Book displays the many images & stylings.if you get a chance watch the special on Blue Note Records which goes into full depth about the Music,Artists,Owners of the Label & those Classic album covers. enjoy.

Blue Note: Best Jazz & Best Jazz Album Covers

Poor your favorite beverage; play your favorite jazz album; then sit down and enjoy this wonderful collection. If jazz were a book, this would be it! The artwork is stunning and the layout is exceptional. The covers tell a history of jazz that words cannot convey, a story of innovation, rhythm, and of music that comes from the heart.

Timeless music, timeless design.

This book is a great homage to the graphic work of Reid Miles and the amazing talent Blue Note records has had in it's history. In a nice, album- sized format, this book has a great collection of clean, smart graphic design. Heavy on type and simplicity, "Blue Note: The Album Cover Art" is a must for designers and jazz lovers alike. If you're both-then hot damn, you're in luck!