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JENNIFER NOBLE -
PHOTOGRAPHY AND
INTERVIEW COMPILATION
Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee
2014 and the Director of Photography
for the Chicago Blues Guide, Jennifer
has been photographing legendary
blues artists for over 30 years.
At first glance you might be forgiven
for thinking that this is one of those
pretentious books that people leave
in their sitting rooms so that when
they go to make the coffee, folk will
glance at them and think ‘what an
erudite and with-it soul this person
is’. Well, you’d be mistaken. This
is a beautifully produced AND
researched book, worthy of a place
in any blues aficionado's book
case. It is not a puff of air -
(Vol-au-vent) but an erudite work.
Jennifer Noble’s photographs are at the top of the tree. She has an eye for a framed
shot, making the images both beautiful and thought provoking. Each image comes with an essay,
often based on an interview conducted by Jennifer and there are many revelatory insights to be
found in them. In a recent interview with Jennifer she told me how sad she was that she had been
unable to get an interview with Mavis Staples, who, despite appearing on the front cover, does not
have a full essay.
This is a truly outstanding book, ideal for a gift to a loved one, including yourself. At the end of the
day though, I am left wondering why no one has done this before, and praising Jen for taking on
such a mammoth task and fulfilling it with such skill and panache.
Ian K McKenzie
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Aurora Metro Books (29 Nov. 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0993220789
ISBN-13: 978-0993220784