The author announces in the intro that the book won't be just reviews of Blue Note albums, but in fact much of the book is just that. The amount of information on the history of the label is spotty and generalized. And the author ignores some of the most popular titles from the label, dismisses some artists (such as Dexter Gordon, not even mentioning his most popular titles), instead gushing about more obscure ones (and what is his fascination with jazz organists, who hardly any jazz fans collect?). Very opinionated, and light on interesting anecdotes. ( )

The British Jazz writer Richard Cook writes a detailed history of the influential Blue Note label, founded by German immigrants and jazz lovers Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff. Cook brings research and a vast knowledge from the first session with Albert Ammons in 1939 to the hits of Norah Jones sixty years later. He also discusses how Wolff's cover photos and Rudy Van Gelder's recording techniques shaped the look and sound of Blue Note releases. Cook’s descriptions of the personalities, music, business aspects and recording sessions serve to amplify and complement the music and history of Blue Note. ( )