Grammy Awards Best Album Notes Winner History
The Grammy Awards have long been celebrated as a prestigious recognition of exceptional talent and creativity in the music industry. While the awards primarily focus on artists, songs, and albums, there is a category that acknowledges the often overlooked but significant contribution of album notes. The Grammy Award for Best Album Notes pays tribute to the authors who provide insightful and informative liner notes that enhance the listener’s experience.
Since its inception in 1964, the Best Album Notes category has highlighted albums with outstanding album notes, which are sometimes referred to as liner notes. These notes serve as a rich source of information about the music, artist, recording process, and other relevant details that deepen the listener’s understanding and appreciation of the album.
To be eligible for this prestigious award, album notes must meet specific criteria. They should demonstrate exceptional research, writing, and editing skills. The notes should provide valuable context, historical background, and critical analysis that add depth and nuance to the album’s themes and content. In addition, the notes must be engaging and well-written, capturing the attention of the reader.
Over the years, the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes has seen an array of talented authors recognized for their exceptional contributions. From the eloquent writings of Leonard Feather and Stan Cornyn to the comprehensive insights of Dan Morgenstern and Cheryl Pawelski, the winners of this award have left an indelible mark on the industry.
Key Takeaways:
- The Grammy Award for Best Album Notes honors the authors who provide insightful and informative liner notes for albums.
- The album notes should demonstrate exceptional research, writing, and editing skills.
- They should provide valuable context, historical background, and critical analysis.
- The award winners have made significant contributions to the music industry through their exceptional album notes.
- The Grammy Awards celebrate talent and creativity in various categories, including album notes.
Grammy Award for Best Album Notes – Winners and Nominees (1964-1979)
Over the years, the Grammy Awards have recognized the importance of exceptional album notes, often referred to as liner notes. The Grammy Award for Best Album Notes, introduced in 1964, celebrates the individuals responsible for writing these insightful and informative pieces that provide valuable context and background to the music.
Let’s take a look at the winners and nominees for the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes from 1964 to 1979:
These talented individuals have contributed to the rich history of Grammy Award-winning album notes, providing music lovers with valuable insights and appreciation for the artistry behind the songs.
Grammy Award for Best Album Notes – Winners and Nominees (1980-1999)
Let’s take a look at the winners and nominees of the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes from 1980 to 1999. This award honors exceptional album notes that accompany musical recordings. These notes provide valuable insights, stories, and context to enhance the listener’s experience.
| Year | Winner | Album | Performed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Dan Morgenstern | The Changing Face of Harlem: Savoy Sessions | Various Artists |
| 1981 | Chris Albertson | Crossroads | Eric Clapton |
| 1982 | Orrin Keepnews | The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings | Thelonious Monk |
| 1983 | Alan Dell, Ethel Gabriel, and Don Wardell | The Tommy Dorsey/Frank Sinatra Sessions | Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra |
| 1984 | Stanley Walker and Allan Steckler | The Greatest Recordings of Arturo Toscanini – Symphonies, Vol. I | Arturo Toscanini |
| 1985 | J.R. Taylor | Big Band Jazz | Various Artists |
| 1986 | John Pfeiffer | RCA/Met—100 Singers—100 Years | Various Artists |
| 1987 | Bob Porter and Aziz Goksel | Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947–1974, Vols. 1–7 | Various Artists |
| 1988 | Orrin Keepnews | Thelonious Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings | Thelonious Monk |
| 1989 | Bill Levenson | Crossroads | Eric Clapton |
| 1990 | Andy McKaie | The Chess Box | Chuck Berry |
| 1991 | Lawrence Cohn and Stephen Lavere | Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings | Robert Johnson |
| 1992 | Steven Lasker and Andy McKaie | Billie Holiday, The Complete Decca Recordings | Billie Holiday |
| 1993 | Bill Levenson | Crossroads | Eric Clapton |
| 1994 | Bob Belden, Todd Coolman, and Michael Cuscuna | Miles Davis Quintet 1965-1968 | The Miles Davis Quintet |
| 1995 | Dan Morgenstern and Loren Schoenberg | Louis Armstrong: Portrait of the Artists as a Young Man, 1923-1934 | Louis Armstrong |
| 1996 | Bob Belden, John F. Szwed, and Michael Lang | The Complete Columbia Recordings of Woody Herman and His Orchestra & Woodchoppers (1945-1947) | Woody Herman and His Orchestra |
| 1997 | Michael Brooks | The Lester Young Story, Vol. 3 | Lester Young |
| 1998 | John Fahey, Luis Kemnitzer, and Jon Pankake | Anthology of American Folk Music | Various Artists |
| 1999 | Bob Belden, Todd Coolman, and Michael Cuscuna | Miles Davis & Gil Evans: The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings | Miles Davis and Gil Evans |
The Grammy Award for Best Album Notes recognized outstanding contributors in crafting album notes that add depth and meaning to the music they accompany. These notable winners and nominees have left an indelible mark in the realm of album notes, enriching our understanding and appreciation of the artists and their work.
Section 4 of this article will cover the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album from 2000 to 2010, so stay tuned!
Grammy Award for Best Album Notes – Winners and Nominees (2000-2010)
Here is a list of the winners and nominees for the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes from 2000 to 2010:
2000: Bob Blumenthal won for “The Classic Quartet: The Complete Impulse! Recordings” performed by John Coltrane.
2001: Bob Blumenthal won for “The Complete Columbia Recordings 1955-1961” performed by Miles Davis and John Coltrane.
2002: Walter Mosley and Elijah Wald won for “…And It’s Deep Too! The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings (1968-1992)” performed by Richard Pryor.
2003: David Evans won for “Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton” performed by Charlie Patton.
2004: Tom Piazza won for “Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey” performed by Various Artists.
2005: Loren Schoenberg won for “The Complete Columbia Recordings of Woody Herman and His Orchestra & Woodchoppers (1945-1947)” performed by Woody Herman and His Orchestra.
2006: Alan Lomax and John Szwed won for “The Complete Library of Congress Recordings” performed by Jelly Roll Morton.
2007: Dan Morgenstern won for “If You Got To Ask, You Ain’t Got It!” performed by Fats Waller.
2008: Bruce Nemerov won for “John Work, III: Recording Black Culture” performed by Various Artists.
2009: Alan Lomax and John Szwed won for “The Complete Library of Congress Recordings” performed by Jelly Roll Morton.
2010: Tim Brooks, Gary Galo, and Steve Smolian won for “Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism in Vintage Music and Photography 1890-1950” performed by Various Artists.
This image showcases the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Album Notes.
Grammy Award for Best Album Notes – Winners and Nominees (2011-2021)
Here are the winners and nominees for the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes from 2011 to 2021:
| Year | Winner | Album | Performed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Neil Tesser | Sophisticated Giant | Dexter Gordon |
| 2012 | Billy Vera | People Get Ready: The Curtis Mayfield Story | Curtis Mayfield |
| 2013 | David Sager, Steve Berkowitz, and Brian Kehew | The Smile Sessions (Deluxe Box Set) | The Beach Boys |
| 2014 | Ashley Kahn | Afro Blue Impressions (Remastered & Expanded) | John Coltrane |
| 2015 | Sean Wilentz | The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-1927) | Various Artists |
| 2016 | Joni Mitchell | Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting to Be Danced | Joni Mitchell |
| 2017 | Jon Savage | Rolling Stones – Singles Collection: The London Years | The Rolling Stones |
| 2018 | David Cantwell | Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Tradition | Various Artists |
| 2019 | Various Artists | Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris | Various Artists |
| 2020 | Sheryl Crow | Threads | Sheryl Crow |
| 2021 | David Sager | Dead Man’s Pop | The Replacements |
Grammy Award for Best Historical Album
The Grammy Award for Best Historical Album has been presented since 1979 and recognizes achievements in audio restoration. This prestigious award acknowledges the individuals responsible for compiling and engineering the winning album. Over the years, their roles have evolved, making a significant impact on the preservation and celebration of musical heritage.
Here are some of the winners and nominees of the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album:
| Year | Winner | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Michael Brooks | The Lester Young Story, Vol. 3 by Lester Young |
| 1980 | Jerry Korn and Michael Brooks | Billie Holiday (Giants of Jazz) by Billie Holiday |
| 1981 | Keith Hardwick | Segovia – The EMI Recordings 1927–39 by Andrés Segovia |
These illustrious winners represent the dedication and expertise required to bring classic recordings back to life. Their efforts ensure that future generations can experience the music and appreciate its historical significance.
Grammy Award for Best Historical Album – Winners and Nominees (1979-1989)
The Grammy Award for Best Historical Album recognizes achievements in audio restoration and has been presented since 1979. This prestigious award is given to individuals who excel in compiling and engineering the winning album. Let’s take a look at the winners and nominees from 1979 to 1989:
| Year | Winner | Album | Performed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Michael Brooks | The Lester Young Story, Vol. 3 | Lester Young |
| 1980 | Jerry Korn and Michael Brooks | Billie Holiday (Giants of Jazz) | Billie Holiday |
| 1981 | Keith Hardwick | Segovia – The EMI Recordings 1927-39 | Andrés Segovia |
| 1982 | Michael Brooks and George Spitzer | Hoagy Carmichael – From Stardust to Ole Buttermilk Sky | Hoagy Carmichael |
| 1983 | Alan Dell, Ethel Gabriel, and Don Wardell | The Tommy Dorsey/Frank Sinatra Sessions Vols. 1, 2, 3 | Tommy Dorsey and Frank Sinatra |
| 1984 | Stanley Walker and Allan Steckler | The Greatest Recordings of Arturo Toscanini – Symphonies, Vol. I | Arturo Toscanini |
| 1985 | J.R. Taylor | Big Band Jazz | Various Artists |
| 1986 | John Pfeiffer | RCA/Met—100 Singers—100 Years | Various Artists |
| 1987 | Bob Porter and Aziz Goksel | Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947–1974, Vols. 1–7 | Various Artists |
| 1988 | Orrin Keepnews | Thelonious Monk: The Complete Riverside Recordings | Thelonious Monk |
| 1989 | Bill Levenson | Crossroads | Eric Clapton |
These exceptional albums and the talented individuals behind them have significantly contributed to the preservation and celebration of music history.
Grammy Award for Best Historical Album – Winners and Nominees (1990-1999)
Here are the winners and nominees for the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album from 1990 to 1999:
| Year | Winner | Album | Performed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Andy McKaie | The Chess Box | Chuck Berry |
| 1991 | Lawrence Cohn and Stephen Lavere | Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings | Robert Johnson |
| 1992 | Steven Lasker and Andy McKaie | Billie Holiday, The Complete Decca Recordings | Billie Holiday |
| 1993 | Lawrence Cohn and Andy McKaie | Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings | Robert Johnson |
| 1994 | Keith Olsen and Stacey Boyle | The Complete Billie Holliday on Verve 1945-1959 | Billie Holiday |
| 1995 | Allen R. Klein, Bill Levenson, and Michael Brovsky | Crossroads | Eric Clapton |
| 1996 | Russ Titelman, Joel Selvin, and Leroy Marinell | Music from The Motion Picture ‘Grace of My Heart’ | Various Artists |
| 1997 | Andrew Sandoval | Where the Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968 | Various Artists |
| 1998 | Rob Bowman, Jeff Tarragoini, and Bill Dahl | The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles, Vol. 3: 1972-1975 | Various Artists |
| 1999 | William Ferris | Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris | Various Artists |
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees during the 1990s! These albums showcased the rich musical history and the talent of the artists who made significant contributions to the industry.
Grammy Award for Best Historical Album – Winners and Nominees (2000-2010)
Here is a list of the winners and nominees for the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album from 2000 to 2010:
| Year | Winners | Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | David Hinckley and Skip Miller | “Jelly Roll Morton – The Complete Library of Congress Recordings by Alan Lomax” performed by Jelly Roll Morton |
| 2001 | Tom Piazza | “Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey” performed by Various Artists |
| 2002 | Michael Cuscuna | “Miles Davis Quintet 1965–1968” performed by the Miles Davis Quintet |
| 2003 | Dan Morgenstern | “Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia (1933-1944)” performed by Billie Holiday |
| 2004 | Bob Belden and Andy Mansfield | “What It Is!: Funky Soul and Rare Grooves (1967-1977)” performed by Various Artists |
| 2005 | Steve Berkowitz, Alex Gibney, and Andy McKaie | “Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: A Musical Journey” performed by Various Artists |
| 2006 | Michael Gray and Cheryl Pawelski | “Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922” performed by Various Artists |
| 2007 | Lawrence Azerrad and Brian J. Ames | “The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 6: 1966” performed by Various Artists |
| 2008 | Colin Escott and Cheryl Pawelski | “Elvis Presley – The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Complete 50’s Masters” performed by Elvis Presley |
| 2009 | Reuben Cohen, Peter Moore, and Cheryl Pawelski | “Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers” performed by Various Artists |
| 2010 | Michael Gray, Meagan Hennessey, and Cheryl Pawelski | “The Complete Chess Masters (1950-1967)” performed by Little Walter |
Grammy Award for Best Historical Album – Winners and Nominees (2011-2021)
Here are the winners and nominees for the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album from 2011 to 2021:
| Year | Winners | Album | Performed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Daniel Richard and Daniel Goldmark | Syl Johnson: The Complete Mythology | Syl Johnson |
| 2012 | Bob Dylan and Steve Berkowitz | The Genuine Bootleg Series, Vol. 8 | Bob Dylan |
| 2013 | Scott Billington and Michael Graves | Screamin’ and Hollerin’ the Blues: The Worlds of Charley Patton | Charley Patton |
| 2014 | Colin Escott, Cheryl Pawelski, and John Strohm | Hear Me Howling!: Blues, Ballads & Beyond As Recorded by the San Francisco Bay | Various Artists |
| 2015 | Steve Berkowitz, Jan Haust, and Jeff Rosen | The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-1927) | Various Artists |
| 2016 | Steve Berkowitz, Jan Haust, and Jeff Rosen | Freedom Highway Complete: Recorded Live at Chicago’s New Nazareth Church | Various Artists |
| 2017 | Steve Berkowitz, Michael Graves, and Richard Martin | Bob Dylan: The Cutting Edge 1965-1966: The Bootleg Series Vol. 12 | Bob Dylan |
| 2018 | Alan Elliott, Brooks Arthur, and Cheryl Pawelski | The Girl from Chickasaw County – The Complete Capitol Masters | Bobbie Gentry |
| 2019 | Sarah Dodds, Richard Dodd, and Cheryl Pawelski | Voices of Mississippi: Artists and Musicians Documented by William Ferris | Various Artists |
| 2020 | April Ledbetter and Steven Lance Ledbetter | Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection | Pete Seeger |
| 2021 | Cheryl Pawelski, Steve Rosenthal, and Andrew Sandoval | It’s Such a Good Feeling: The Best of Mister Rogers | Fred Rogers |
Grammy Award for Best Historical Album – Current Holders and Website
As of 2023, the current holder of the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album is Cheryl Pawelski, Jeff Tweedy, and Bob Ludwig for “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition)”. The album showcases exceptional historical significance and preservation of music. It is a testament to the dedication and expertise of Pawelski, Tweedy, and Ludwig in curating and remastering this iconic record.
The Grammy Awards celebrate the finest achievements in the music industry, recognizing artists, producers, engineers, and professionals for their exceptional contributions. The Best Historical Album category specifically honors individuals responsible for compiling and engineering albums that delve into the rich history of recorded music.
For more information about the Grammy Awards and to explore the wide range of categories and nominees, visit the official website grammy.com. Discover the allure of the Best Album Notes, uncover the stories behind the music, and celebrate the remarkable talent that has shaped the landscape of the industry.
FAQ
What is the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes?
The Grammy Award for Best Album Notes is an award presented annually since 1964. It recognizes albums with excellent album notes, also known as liner notes. The award is given to the author or authors of the album notes.
When did the Grammy Awards for Best Album Notes begin?
The Grammy Awards for Best Album Notes began in 1964.
Are there different categories for Best Album Notes?
From 1973 to 1976, a second award was presented for Best Album Notes – Classical.
Who won the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes in 1964?
Leonard Feather and Stanley Dance won for “The Ellington Era” performed by Duke Ellington.
Who won the Grammy Award for Best Album Notes in 2021?
David Sager won for “Dead Man’s Pop” performed by The Replacements.
What is the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album?
The Grammy Award for Best Historical Album is an award presented annually since 1979. It recognizes achievements in audio restoration. The award is given to individuals responsible for compiling and engineering the winning album.
Who won the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album in 1989?
Bill Levenson won for “Crossroads” performed by Eric Clapton.
Who won the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album in 2021?
Cheryl Pawelski, Steve Rosenthal, and Andrew Sandoval won for “It’s Such a Good Feeling: The Best of Mister Rogers” performed by Fred Rogers.
Who is the current holder of the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album?
As of 2023, Cheryl Pawelski, Jeff Tweedy, and Bob Ludwig are the current holders of the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album for “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition)”.
Where can I find more information about the Grammy Awards?
You can find more information about the Grammy Awards on the official website grammy.com.
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