2nd Edition, Edited by Michael Erlewine with Vladimir Bogdanov, Chris Woodstra, and Scott Yanow
Miller Freeman Books, 1996
ISBN 0-87930-407-3
|
All-Music Guide to Jazz
Reviewed by Peter Luce
No doubt about it, the "All-Music Guide to Jazz" is a reference that all jazz collectors should have. I am
going to resist the temptation to say that if you are a jazz record collector that the AMG
is the only reference you will ever need. The fact is that any reference has strengths and weaknesses and
the collector often finds himself consulting as many references as are available to address a question at hand.
So, having said that, I’ll put it this way, if you are a jazz record collector this guide is indispensable!
The book’s approximately 900 pages contain reviews and ratings of over 13,000 recordings and profiles of over
1,400 musicians. All periods and styles of jazz are included. The Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the first jazz
group ever to record (1917), is here along with current recordings of James Carter and Joshua Redman. Listings
are alphabetical by musician. Each listing begins with a brief biography and then covers major recording sessions
issued under that musician’s leadership. Both vinyl and CD recordings are included which provides a completeness
of recording history that is sometimes lacking in other similar guides. The editors avoid the trap of citing
specific LP or CD issue numbers. This approach eliminates quick obsolesce of the information and provides the jazz
collector with a very useful reference chronology of a musician’s or group’s major recording sessions. This is a
tremendous aid in guiding record purchases. In addition to the listings, AMG contains additional reference
material such a Brief History of Jazz and 150 Recommended Jazz Books which will be of interest to
both beginners and more experienced fans. But, more about the supplemental reference material later.
Read about AMG’s Musician Biographies and Lists of Recordings ... 
|
