It's About That Time: Miles Davis On and Off the Record

It's About That Time chronicles jazz legend Miles Davis through both biographical narrative and detailed analysis of his recordings. The book moves chronologically through Davis's career while examining pivotal studio sessions and live performances. Author Richard Cook draws from extensive research and his experience as a music journalist to document Davis's musical evolution and personal life. The text alternates between straightforward biography and technical discussion of specific albums and tracks. Cook examines Davis's relationships with other musicians, record labels, and the music industry at large. The narrative covers Davis's early days as a sideman through his final performances in the early 1990s. The book offers perspectives on artistic integrity, innovation, and the intersection of commercial and creative pressures in 20th century jazz. Through Davis's story, Cook explores broader themes about the evolution of American music and culture.

Readers appreciate Cook's knowledgeable analysis of Miles Davis's music and career changes, with detailed examination of key recording sessions and performances. Multiple reviews highlight Cook's balance between musical insights and biographical details. Likes: - Analysis of lesser-known albums and periods - Focus on Davis's late-career work - Technical musical details accessible to non-musicians - Inclusion of band member perspectives Dislikes: - Too much emphasis on Cook's personal opinions - Repetitive content from Cook's previous Davis writings - Limited new information for hardcore Davis fans - Some readers found the chronology confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) Notable review quotes: "Cook digs deeper into the music than most biographers" - Amazon reviewer "More interested in pushing his views than telling Davis's story" - Goodreads reviewer "Strong on musical analysis but weaker on personal life details" - JazzTimes reader review

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🎺 Richard Cook was one of Britain's most respected jazz critics, serving as editor of The Wire magazine and jazz critic for The Sunday Times until his death in 2007. 📚 The book takes its title from a phrase Miles Davis often used to signal his band to start playing, reflecting both his musical leadership style and his precise sense of timing. 🎵 Unlike traditional biographies, this book analyzes Miles Davis's career through his recordings, examining each major album as a snapshot of his artistic evolution. 🌟 During the writing process, Cook drew heavily from his personal interviews with Davis's collaborators, including Herbie Hancock and John McLaughlin. 🎷 The book specifically focuses on how Davis's sound changed with each new group of musicians he worked with, from his early bebop days through his electric period and beyond.