A review by hreed7
The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records by Ashley Kahn

4.0

A great insight into a legendary label. As if it needs saying, if you aren't familiar with Impulse already, this book is not for you. It is best read if you have familiarity with some of the music that came out of the label, because the value of this book is primarily in hearing the stories behind the music. For me, that meant that the second half of the book was less enjoyable than the first; I don't know Gato Barbieri and Keith Jarrett the way I know John Coltrane and Oliver Nelson, so those stories were more meaningful to me. At the same time, I really enjoyed the book's album spotlights interspersed in each chapter, they gave many albums I know and love a life of their own. Overall, a fun and interesting read for the jazz enthusiast / music historian.