Original Language: English
TÃtutulus original: Robert Crumb’s Heroes of Blues, Jazz and Country
Translation: Ana Momplet
Year of publication: 2006
Valoración: Essential
A few months ago I read jazz portraits, by Haruki Murakami, and it turned out to be a disappointment both written by Murakami and for the illustrations of Makoto Wada. The reasons can be read in the corresponding review, but, in short, each semblance seemed to me a superficial approach to the musicians, mixed with some trivial anecdote of the author. Wada’s drawings were not to my liking either.
Taking into account the above, I could summarize the review of this book by Robert Crumb saying that it is the book that Murakami, in his facet of Melómano, would have wanted to publish (I could assure that he knows the work; I do not understand, therefore, his eagerness to get a similar volume that does not contribute nothing beyond what Crumb did).
The book is divided into three sections: heroes of the blues, great of jazz and pioneers of the country. It includes more than a hundred illustrations at full page, originally made with ink and watercolor, each accompanied by a small biography of the musician or band, in addition to the occasional curious fact.
Originally, the illustrations were thought as part of a collection of interchangeable cards that would be included in a series of vinyl of several musicians from the early and classic era of blues and country. In fact, those collections exist as cards (what envy!), Although having them gathered in a single volume is appreciated. As if that were not enough, the English edition includes a CD with 21 songs from some of the portrayed musicians (what a pity that that has not been done in the Spanish version). Of course, it is now more a collection object, because it is enough to search YouTube to the pieces of these artists (it is incredible to think that some recordings are already 100 years old).
Another feature that distinguishes this book (and that separates it from that of Murakami) is that Crumb wanted to pay tribute, with his portraits, many of the forgotten musicians of the history of African -American music. There are bands and interpreters of the early twentieth century that I had never heard of, but were fundamental for the development of blues and jazz in southern United States. He could have taken the easy way and mention only the most popular artists (as Murakami does), but preferred to honor who honor deserves.
Actually, there is not much to add. For those who know Crumb’s work, that is enough to get the book. For those who do not know what they have lost (take a look at the 1994 Terry Zwigoff documentary). Each illustration has its unique and unmistakable style. The short text that accompanies the drawings gives us an idea of ​​the life of the artists, but when contemplating the art of Cumba enough and left over to imagine the character of those musicians who revolutionized the music of their time.
Source: https://unlibroaldia.blogspot.com/2025/04/robert-crumb-heroes-del-blues-jazz-y.html
