Blue hour

The blue hour is the period of twilight during dawn each morning and dusk each evening when the sun is a significant distance below the horizon and the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue hue. This effect is caused by the relative diffusibility of short blue wavelengths of light versus the longer red wavelengths. During the blue "hour" (typically the period is about 40 minutes in length), red light passes straight into space while blue light is scattered in the atmosphere and therefore reaches the earth's surface. Because of the quality of the light, this period is treasured by artists.

Influence in popular culture

The blue hour is famous for its romantic connotations, particularly in the arts. A colloquial French saying characterises the blue hour as a time of confusion and mystery, since it is impossible to determine whether it is really night or day.

As a result of the perceived specialness of this time, there are various restaurants, theatres and hotels called L'Heure Bleue located worldwide. There is also a women's perfume by Guerlain (1912) of the same name.

Blue Hour

Blue Hour is a collaboration album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and The Three Sounds recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Turrentine with Gene Harris, Andrew Simpkins and Bill Dowdy. The album was reissued in 2000 with an additional disc of unreleased recordings, as Blue Hour: The Complete Sessions (Blue Note 24586).

Reception

The Allmusic review by Ken Dryden awarded the 2000 2CD Reissue 3 stars and describes it as "a very relaxed and bluesy release". The original album was awarded 4½ stars by Michael Erlewine of Allmusic.

Track listing

Original LP

Bonus tracks on Blue Hour: The Complete Sessions CD 2: