Through images of hands, this book conveys the strength, beauty, diversity, depth, and power of the blues, the root of all American music. It features photographs from Joseph A. Rosen’s 30-plus years of adventure in blues and music photography. Included are such noted music personalities as B.B. King, Gary Clark, Jr., Buddy Guy, Al Green, Willie King, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, The Blind Boys of Alabama, James Brown. The book holds rich treasures for lovers of music, photography, and the human form. One need not be deeply versed in the blues to appreciate the beauty, strength, and diversity of those who make it. With powerful imagery, as well as anecdotes and biographical information, Blues Hands tells a story of human experience.
Joseph A. Rosen is a freelance photographer based in New York City. His music clients are among the greatest names in Blues, Jazz, R&B, Soul, Rock, Cajun, and Zydeco, as well as record companies, management groups and music publications.
Many books have been published over the years pictorially depicting blues artists at work and play. So you might well ask, what is different about Blues Hands that would make you buy another? The clue is in the title. All musicians need hands to play and often vocalists too, to visually amplify aspects of the lyrics. The book opens with a quote from Willie Dixon; The Blues is the roots, everything else is the fruits. So here are some of the fruits in a unique perspective from the camera of Joe Rosen, drawn from over thirty years of covering the American blues scene. What lifts a photograph from a mere visual recording of a subject to an art form is the skill of the photographer. Inherent in that skill is a passionate interest and understanding of the subject matter and the technical abilities to fulfil it in the final print. Joe has it all in spades. Until you come across a book of this nature you dont realise how hands are as unique as faces and often reflect the character and experiences of the owners, especially those of the older generation. The photographs are enhanced towards the back of the book by potted histories of the artists careers to date and in some cases eulogies, drawn from Joes knowledge of them. Youll want this one on your bookshelf. - Mike Owens, Blues Matters June 2016
