
State of the Axe
Guitar Masters in Photographs and Words
Ralph Gibson(Author)
Yale University Press
Published on 28. October 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
184 pages
978-0-300-14211-2 (ISBN)
Description
In this appealing book, acclaimed photographer Ralph Gibson offers more than sixty intimate black-and-white portraits of guitar masters playing their instruments. Focusing his expert lens on musicians who have lent their unmistakable voices to virtually every musical genre-jazz, funk, rock, acoustic, blues, fusion, classical, and experimental-Gibson reveals in each photograph the intense relationship of the player with his beloved "axe." The musicians in turn offer individual meditations on the guitar and insights into the passion they share for it.
State of the Axe features guitarists across several generations, from early jazz greats to hip modern rockers, as they play their widely varied guitars, including traditional six-strings, double necks, ten-strings, and fretless models. Gibson's images capture the enduring appeal of the instrument and the intense, often rapturous expressions of those who pick, strum, amp, bottleneck, and bow the axe. Fusing his own passions for photography and music, Gibson generates a rhythm of words and images that creates a compelling view of the "state of the axe" today.
Among the featured artists:
Adrian Belew
Nels Cline
Jim Hall
Mary Halvorson
Allan Holdsworth
Bill Frisell
John McGlaughlin
Lou Reed
John Scofield
Mike Stern
Andy Summers
James Blood Ulmer
Distributed for The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Exhibition Schedule:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (September 20, 2008 - January 19, 2009)
State of the Axe features guitarists across several generations, from early jazz greats to hip modern rockers, as they play their widely varied guitars, including traditional six-strings, double necks, ten-strings, and fretless models. Gibson's images capture the enduring appeal of the instrument and the intense, often rapturous expressions of those who pick, strum, amp, bottleneck, and bow the axe. Fusing his own passions for photography and music, Gibson generates a rhythm of words and images that creates a compelling view of the "state of the axe" today.
Among the featured artists:
Adrian Belew
Nels Cline
Jim Hall
Mary Halvorson
Allan Holdsworth
Bill Frisell
John McGlaughlin
Lou Reed
John Scofield
Mike Stern
Andy Summers
James Blood Ulmer
Distributed for The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Exhibition Schedule:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (September 20, 2008 - January 19, 2009)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
89 duotone illus.
Dimensions
Height: 298 mm
Width: 210 mm
Weight
1043 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-14211-2 (9780300142112)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Ralph Gibson is an award-winning photographer whose works are in the collections of major museums worldwide. His previous books include Light Strings: Impressions of the Guitar (2004). He divides his time between New York City and Paris, France. Anne Wilkes Tucker is Gus and Lyndall Wortham Curator of Photography at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Les Paul is a revered guitarist.