Jazz Covers Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, June 1, 2012

JAZZ ALBUM COVERS FANS-ALERT! I know there are several books on album art-but this is one you cannot afford to pass by. I also know that it's relatively expensive (at least to me), but you need to see this edition and then you'll understand why I'm so excited. This set combines the separate volumes that originally cost more than this combined edition.To begin with, it's published by Taschen Books-a leader in fine graphic reproduction volumes in several areas. The paperstock has a fine matte surface, the pages themselves are thick-like good books should be. The endboards are also thick and substantial-also as they should be, with different color end pages for each volume. The slipcase is also a very heavy cardboard with finely reproduced front and back covers. But be prepared for the weight of this edition-mine had a sticker for shipment that said "HEAVY: Lift With Care" on the box-so you know they're (and I'm) not kidding about the weight.But the artwork (broken into two separate volumes) is the real prize here. With a combined number of 589 pages, you begin to understand that this is truly something special. The first volume has interviews with Bob Ciano (former art director at the CTI label), Fred Cohen (owner of Jazz Record Center), and Michael Cuscuna (Blue Note Records producer), which gives some depth to the graphics and the era. The second volume contains interviews with Rudy Van Gelder (recording engineer), Ashley Khan (jazz writer), and Creed Taylor (founder of the label Impulse!), and together they have some good insight into jazz, and both Impulse! and the Blue Note Records labels.The reproductions are superb. Many are full page (or almost), while others are grouped 2-3 per page. But even at that smaller size, the quality of the reproductions lets you see the details in the covers with little problem. Also of interest are very short essays (in English, German, and French) on various covers that give insight into the cover and sometimes about the musician/music. Nothing in depth, but worth reading if you're a real fan of the music. As an example, the EmArcy name is a phonetic play on MRC-the Mercury Records Collection. Or that the song title "74 Miles Away" by the Cannonball Adderley Quintet, is based on its 7/4 time signature. How about Tony Bennet's personal all-time favorite album? It's "The Beat Of My Heart", Bennet's latin-feel renditions of standards and popular hits of the period, featuring several of the best drummers in jazz. The albums aren't in chronological order, which some may not like. Rather the albums are in alphabetical order according to artist-Vol. 1 contains A-K, Vol. 2 contains L-Z.Personally I like the idea of the juxtaposition of albums from different years-or decades. But if you want to find an individual artist's work-it's easy to do so. Plus, having albums not in chronological order adds a feeling of surprise as to what you'll see next. Another cool thing is the spines of both volumes have reproductions of jazz album cover spines-many that you probably own-a nice touch.And as the title says, these volumes cover jazz from the 1940's to the 1990's. Obviously many of these covers are familiar to jazz fans, but there are some that may be new to you. But for jazz fans, these two volumes are just right for sitting back, taking some time, and just wandering through the album art from so many decades. Now, if only someone (Taschen?) would publish the covers of David Stone Martin-that would be something.

This 2 volume set is just amazing! I love music, photography, and graphic design - this set pretty much sums it all up. (Most) of the standards are there (Coltrane, Davis, Holiday), but the musicians that I've never heard of are just as amazing. The size of each book renders the covers/art work in awesome detail. Even the book binders are really cool as they replicate a stack of albums. Also love the fact sheets and short write-ups of some covers on their photographers, illustrators, and designs.I find myself at times with the book plus computer. That's because I'm on Amazon looking up and sampling music from the artists that I've not heard before. Also searching the photographer and/or album designer. So don't start exploring these books if you have somewhere to be in an hour.But...there's usually always a but: I'm still giving this set 5 stars for what it is and not for what it is not. It's a volume of select jazz covers and not a volume of complete jazz history. I say that because you may find an artist (Etta James) that's not covered and I can go on with a few other favorite jazz artists of mine. But again, I have to remind myself it's not about the complete history of jazz. And also, every cover is not listed for each artists that is listed. It would definitely take more than 2 volumes to cover each and every jazz artist and all their perspective jazz covers and still maintain the same quality. As is, the amount of time I would have to dedicate to cover every page is a big chunk out of my life...but well worth it I may say.Last but definitely not least, if you have family or friends that are musicians, photographers, graphic artists, into music, or forbid a combination of any of the aforementioned, be very cautious of letting any of them borrow this set. I have jazz musician friends...been there/done that. After finally getting a previous book back - Not a chance with this set!

A very substantial book published by Taschen Books,who continually publish high quality books. Approximately 490 pages of text(minimal)and album reproductions,which are of high quality. There are short essays by a number of people,including Rudy Van Gelder,Ashley Kahn,and Creed Taylor,which add to the quality of the book. For anyone who loves jazz and the "album period",this is a real find. Some reproductions take up a full page while others are reduced in size to accomodate two or three to a page. Next to the photos is a bit of information about the covers and the people who created them. Occasionally there are quotes pertaining to particular covers. The time period ranges from the 1940's to the 1990's. The covers are not arranged in chronological order,but alphabetically by artist,and that's alright. There are well known covers and rarities that most people have not seen. It's the album art which takes center stage here and it's fun and informative to either read cover to cover or to just browse through. While it's a bit expensive,the quality speaks for itself. If album cover art from many of the greatest jazz musicians is something you enjoy,this is a book you will come back to again and again.

I bought this as a gift for my father and he absolutely LOVED it. He's not much of a coffee table book guy, but as soon as he got it he stayed up for hours looking at the album covers and reading the comments/history about each one. The pages are beautiful and includes TWO huge volumes. Great price for two large books.

I'm a collector of music related books. I had been looking for a book on jazz record covers and wasn't having much luck until I found this gem! I love this book so if u like me are a vinyl junkie then look no further for a great coffe table book to kick back and enjoy.

Good book

I don't understand how Taschen publishes anything this size and sells it for so little. For under $50, this is a no-brainer purchase.

Truly magnificent book of jazz album covers from Taschen..all genres represented in glorious colour from Blue Note & Impulse to Prestige and independents like Strata East.Only disappointment ?still awaiting a full size facsimile of Wayne Shorters 'Speak no Evil'

A gorgeous book, well, 2 books in fact! If you love the art of jazz sleeves then this is essential.

...natürlich bin ich nicht ansatzweise so vermessen dies tatsächlich anzunehmen!Aber eine etwas verquere Logik war`s allemal, ein Werk über Plattencover - die sichdimensional naturgemäß im 30cm-Bereich bewegen - in 24x24 herauszugeben.Kein Problem, alles korrigiert - ab sofort ist eine opulente Jubiläumsausgabe erhältlich!570 gebundene Seiten, 32x31,4cm, aufgeteilt in Part I&II, in stabilem Pappschuber, also viel, viel Platz,was - bei gleichem Inhalt - nun ermöglicht, jede Menge Covers in voller Pracht und Herrlichkeit - sprichauthentischer Größe - zu präsentieren.Der lediglich geringe Mehrpreis zur Taschenbuchausgabe, macht diesen exklusiven Band zum Schnäppchen - wäredie Ausgabe limitiert könnte man nahezu von "Investment" sprechen!Handlicher war bzw.ist allerdings das Pocket-Format, denn die Neuedition bringt satte 6 kg aufdie Küchenwaage und fällt damit in die Kategorie Fitnessgerät!

I really love LP Record covers, which is part of the reason I love records. The art work and or photography, liner notes, and size of a 12x12 record can't be beat. So I was very happy to order and get this book, as I mainly collect Jazz and Funk/Soul/R&B records. Visually this book is great but I have to say I was a wee tad disappointed at the lack of info provided on each album cover displayed in the book. I was hoping for more on the likes of the artist, label and the record itself like personel, producer and the like. Regardless, this is a great book, well put together with a ton of pages to leaf through and nice item to have on my coffee table. I found myself doing a lot of "got it, got it, want it, need it, oh I've never seen that one" flipping the pages.

che quella delle copertine dei dischi sia un arte è fuor di dubbio da tempo e la taschen - che arte se ne intende, in tutte le sue possibili declinazioni, da quelle più dotte a quelle più popolari - ce lo ricorda alla grande con questo mastodontico tomo dedicato alla copertine di dischi jazz che non dovrebbe mancare nè nella biblioteca di qualunque jazz fan, nè in quella di chi si occupa di arti applicate tout court. Ovviamente sarebbe utile avere pure i dischi qui riprodotti... ma questo è un altro discorso...