The Motown Music Machine [Paperback]

Harold Keith Taylor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004

The Motown Music machine is a candid look at Motown's success formula. Written by sixties Motown Recording Engineer, Harold Keith Taylor. This is the definitive book about Motown. Motown records worldwide name recognition was bigger than any of the recording artist on the label. This book talks about the business principles Berry gordy used to propel his company to greatness. Applying these principles can make you successful in your business.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Harold Keith Taylor a native Detroiter, and former Motown recording Engineer. He is a man with a unique understanding of Motown Music. At seventeen years of age Harold got the opportunity to work at the legendary company while attending Cass Technical High School. He has worked with some of Motown's legends, such as Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Miracles and The Four Tops. He worked on soul classics like, Stevie Wonders "For Once in My Life", The Temptations, " Ain't Too Proud To Beg", Jimmy Ruffin's " What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted " and The Supremes, " You Can't Hurry Love". Harold also worked at Stax Records in Memphis Tennessee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Jadmeg Music Publishing (February 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0974119628
• ISBN-13: 978-0974119625
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,339,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "WE NEED SOMETHING STRONGER", November 1, 2006

By 

Stuart Snyder (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Motown Music Machine (Paperback)

This book is essential reading for anyone who loves Motown, soul music, popular music, or anyone who is or wants to be involved in the music business. Harold Kieth Taylor gives an "op-ed" view and discusses the strengths and virtues of the hit factory that became famous for being "The Sound of Young America." Mr. Taylor incessantly sings the praises of Berry Gordy Jr. for his stringent quality control to the point of brown-nosing so much, that the reader might be inclined to think that they were intimately involved with each other! Quality control is what this book lacks: countless typographical errors, numerous errors in punctuation and grammar, varying shades of print ink, and referring to Atlantic Record's Ertegun brothers as the Ahmet brothers. The reader has to wonder if any editing or proof-reading was done. Berry Gordy Jr. would never ever have allowed anything so sloppy to be graced with the Motown name. [...]

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read., March 17, 2006

By 

J. Mills (Dilton Marsh, UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Motown Music Machine (Paperback)

When an employee of a major record label writes about their years with the company, it usually makes for engrossing reading.

Harold Keith Taylor's book does not disappoint, with its direct, analytical approach. Motown, founded by Berry Gordy Jr.

is felt my many to be modelled on the automotive industry, and

the processes used are described in much detail, including the

Coding System for identifying producers, recording engineers,

etc., the A-B comparison of different mixes, the strict standards set by the Quality Control Department, and the varying

methods used by producers, all done to stimulate an atmosphere

of healthy competition.

Readers are given a vivid inside picture of Motown, from the

author's very first recording session on Junior Walker's classic

track "Shotgun." Ideas are also put forward as to what made the

"Motown Sound" so unique, thereby making this book hard to put down.

It is unfortunate the edition contains a number of printing

errors, but these details should not put people off buying this excellent volume. An important reference book for all fans of

Motown. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Like sitting through a business school guest lecture, June 26, 2007

By 

E. Norland - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Motown Music Machine (Paperback)

I found myself disappointed by the book. It's written by a former Motown engineer but instead of focusing on the details of the recording studio and getting the Motown sound he focuses on how amazing he thinks Gordy is and constantly compares Motown to Stax. In the final 2-3 page chapter of the book he does go into details of mics and mixing (Which earned it an extra star). A little more mixing room play-by-play and a little less music business school guest lecturer please!