Blue Note Biography

[desertblues]

Picked up "Blue Note Records-The Biography" by Richard Cook (of Penguin Guide fame) a few days ago. This is the first US printing, but the book was apparently released in 2001 in the UK. Anyway, it's an interesting story of the label's history-from the beginning right up to Norah Jones! From the preface: "It is a discussion, primarily, of the music this company recorded & released, in the context of the culture of jazz and beyond, and a tale of what happens to the legacy of a tiny operation in the bigger, grander world of the global music business."

I have only read a couple chapters so far, but this is a good read-should be of interest to most of this board. Includes a list of all BN releases too.

[Brad]

This was discussed a while ago at Blue Note Book. I happened to see it this past weekend and my initial reaction after browsing through it is that it seemed a little superficial for hard core junkies. Probably good for a general reader though.

[desertblues]

Now that I have read it, I have to agree-it's a good general overview of the label's history but nothing earthshaking for the hardcore BN fan. Knowledgable discussion of many key sessions and interesting anecdotes though.