America on Record: A History of Recorded Sound [Paperback]

Andre Millard (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521475562 | ISBN-13: 978-0521475563 | Publication Date: October 27, 1995

With Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph, the beautiful music which was the preserve of the wealthy became a mass-produced consumer good - a sound recording - cheap enough to be available to all. In 1877 Edison dreamed that one day there would be a talking machine in every home, but even his legendary vision could not have foreseen the way that recorded sound would pervade modern life. America on Record provides a history of sound recording, from the first thin sheet of tinfoil that was manipulated into retaining sound to the home recordings of rappers in the 1980s and the high tech digital studios of the 1990s. This volume examines the important technical developments, including acoustic, electronic and digital reproduction, cylinder, 78rpm disc, 45 rpm microgroove single and compact disc, while outlining the cultural impact of recorded music and movies. It describes jazz, blues, swing, rock, rap, and film dialogue against the business and technological background of sound recording.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the book's strengths, however, is that it seeks to unravel the complex relationship among scientific innovation, commercial imperatives, and changing social and artistic forces...Millard is particularly compelling on the ways that the recording techniques that were developed in the adjacent entertainment fields of popular music, film, and radio influenced each other." The Journal of American History

Book Description

Provides a history of the recording and reproduction of sound which not only describes the technological development but also explores the cultural impact of recorded music and film dialogue.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 425 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521475562
• ISBN-13: 978-0521475563
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,759,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best I've found of its type., April 6, 1999

By 

Jim Wood ([e-mail]) (Brea, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America on Record: A History of Recorded Sound (Paperback)

Mr. Millard has done an extraordinary job of documenting the recording industry from Edison's invention of the phonograph to the present day. He integrates the social, technical and business issues into an easy-to-read, almost "unputdownable" form. Parallels in broadcasting and motion pictures are given the necessary coverage as well. To a student of recorded sound, the references and bibliography are invaluable.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing focus on the history of sounds not machines., July 24, 2011

By 

Erich Dieter Groebe (Springfield, Missouri United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: America on Record: A History of Recorded Sound (Paperback)

"America on Record" is well named as it focuses on the sounds, styles and eras of recorded music in America. If you are a collector of old records and early phonographs I suggest buying this book which can be obtained very economically AND also buying a copy of Roland Gelatts "The Fabulous Phonograph". The first is an unequaled source on the musical eras of America. The second book tells the story of the machines that played that music.
The book starts with the early days of recorded sound and brings the reader forward in time all the way to the creation of The CD. It is a fairly easy read but definately a reference book containing VERY detailed histories of the music industry, technologies and audiences.
For me this book is important as a valuable resource that focuses on many aspects of the history of music not covered by "The Fabulous Phonograph". America on Record can be bought in used condition for almost nothing. So buy it!