In the Studio with Michael Jackson [Paperback]

Bruce Swedien (Author), Michael Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2009

The inside secrets of Michael Jackson's greatest records by the Grammy-winning engineer who captured and enhanced their sound. Multiple color photos of Jackson, producer Quincy Jones, and all the talents who collaborated to make pop history with Jackson's albums. Plucked from a job at legendary Universal Audio in Chicago, Bruce Swedien entered into a fruitful and historic 30-year relationship with producer Quincy Jones. That partnership culminated in the groundbreaking recordings of Michael Jackson, beginning with The Wiz, continuing with Jackson's breakout solo debut Off the Wall, and triumphing with Thriller, which revolutionized music and video and fixed Jackson in culture as the King of Pop. Now Swedien reveals the technical details of creating those albums (along with Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory) and offers personal remembrances and anecdotes about working with the pop icon. Swedien's book provides an insider's look that will thrill anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of hit making and the history of some of America's most influential recordings. * Large collection of photographs from Michael Jackson recording sessions * Forewords by producer Quincy Jones and writer/producer Rod Temperton

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ßBruce Swedienß is the world-renowned producer and recording engineer best known for his extensive work with Quincy Jones, including the legendary 1980s recordings of Michael Jackson. Swedien is a five-time Grammy winner and has received a total of 13 Grammy nominations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard; 1 edition (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423464958
• ISBN-13: 978-1423464952
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( J ) > Jackson, Michael
  • #58 in Books > History > Europe > Sweden

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some FACTS about this publication..., September 1, 2009

By 

R. Maurer "Music Explorer" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Studio with Michael Jackson (Paperback)

FACT: This book was scheduled for release, and already titled, WAY before Jackson's death.

FACT: Hal Leonard Publishing is a company that publishes TRADE/TECHNICAL books, not novels and biographies.

FACT: This is a book that details Bruce Swedien's work in the studio with Michael Jackson, and as in other books in a similar vain published by Hal Leonard, and is supposed to be of a technical nature with some anecdotes, not the other way around. It's not a rip-off biography, nor was it ever meant to be.

There are books like this written about Elvis Presley, Beatles, and many other recording icons. People in the recording industry, the intended audience for these books, drink these up to find out how certain recording techniques were used to get certain sounds on tape. If you want to read about Bubbles the Chimp or Webster in the studio, this isn't the book for you. If, however, you always loved the drum sound on "Billie Jean", read on.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read for (home) studio engineers, September 4, 2009

By 

L. Gischler (Amsterdam. The Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Studio with Michael Jackson (Paperback)

I've just finished this book and must say that I enjoyed it , although I can understand the dissapointments shown in the other reviews.
I must agree that it's silly to read the same sentences about M.J. several times. Wasn't this book pre-read by the publisher? Furthermore is the title misleading, because of the little info about M.J..
But still, being a home studio recording/mixing engineer, I really enjoyed the information about the recording/mixing process. Also a great story about Quincy Jones and Bruce in the hotel before recording The Wiz!
Maybe Bruce Swedien is not a great writer, he's still a genius who changed the sound of music back in 1982!! I have a lot of respect for this man.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Audio Engineer's view - not a gossip book, February 16, 2010

By 

D. E. Poland "Just another reader............... (Ocala, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Studio with Michael Jackson (Paperback)

For those that don't get this book - you were seeking Michael Jackson gossip, you were seeking insights into Michael Jackson's life and Mr. Swedien is too much of a professional, respected Michael Jackson too much, and has the highest regard for Michael's talent and work ethic. Mr. Swedien would never write anything more than his true experience with the King Of Pop as a professional engineer, and his relationship with Michael Jackson was and is something Mr. Swedien cherishes to this day.

If you are seeking information or clues about Michael Jackson's life don't look here. If you want to know how Michael Jackson's sound became THE album that sold millions of records throughout the world, and how Mr. Swedien helped create that sound then by all means read the book. People come from all over the world to partake in Mr. Swedien's workshops and learn his thought process to put the best possible sound out there. Don't believe me? Look up Mr. Swedien's bio and see the greats he has worked with. Michael Jackson was not the only recording artist that he worked with, and continues to work with the greats of today.

Quincy Jones and Bruce Swedien have been good friends for many years, prior to Michael Jackson recordings. It is no shock that the two would have the same mind set as to their view of Michael Jackson. I think its admirable that these two gentlemen are still good friends today, and still keep in touch. (But if those of you had done your research prior to buying/reading the book - you would know that - I guess there are still people out there that do not educate themselves when buying products, including books)

In the Audio/Sound Engineering world Bruce Swedien is known as THE man that changed recording sound with Michael Jackson's albums, primarily "Thriller". His studio, his knowledge is sought after by studios throughout the world.

For those that were disappointed in this book - go read the National Enquirer, or Star. Those might fulfill your need to know half truths or gossip. If you want to know how a sound was created that changed the world and became the world's largest selling album of its time - have a piece of that studio history - buy the book. If you aren't interested in how that came about, then as I stated above, go read a gossip rag.