Customer Reviews

In the Studio with Michael Jackson

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is a MUST READ book for all musicians and anyone who is sincerely interested in Michael Jackson's work. It gives a inside glimpse into the minds of three true creative geniuses, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Bruce Swedien. I was simply blown away by the concepts and ideas presented here and I will never listen to another recording in the same way. People will be studying Jackson's records for centuries to come. I am grateful that Bruce Swedien took the time and energy to get this information down and that he is so generous in revealing the thought processes that went into these works of art. This book and "Make Mine Music" are some of the most inspiring music lessons I've ever had. Not only do I listen to recorded music differently after reading this, but my concept of all music performance is changed forever. JACKSON FANS: EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A MUSICIAN OR ENGINEER, BUY THIS BOOK, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Bruce Swedien is a genius in the studio!! The results show in how the music he has been involved in has impacted pop culture and, indeed, the world! It is blessing that he took the time to put pen to paper and share some of his remarkable behind the scenes insight and techniques with those of us who value his amazing experience. Thank you Mr. Swedien.

I wish this book was released before.

A "must have" for every people interested by sound engineering !

This book would be better suited for an engineer, producer, musician or any other type of music nerd (such as myself), than for the "civilian" Jackson fan. The title is a bit misleading, as it is not a book some people imagined it would be - the stores pertaining to michael are more of the "I had him do his backup vocals THIS way with THIS mic" kind than the "he was feeling this at the time and he cried while singing it" kind. As someone who works in recording studios, I enjoyed Swedien's insights on reverb, mic selection, mastering, blumlein pairs, etc. I also enjoyed the brief history lessons on recorded music and how it changed with technology. Speaking only for myself, this book is a keeper and I anticipate referring to it during recording sessions.

Some Jackson fans who don't understand music may not like this book, but it absolutely does talk about how Jackson worked in the studio and his genius, but that's not all it is about. Swedien says he considers Jackson the most professional of all the artists he worked with and that he was a joy to work with. I am not a sound tech, although I am a musician, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This book contains technical information, as Bruce is a gifted sound engineer, but it also contains many beautiful, loving remembrances of Michael. For those of us not technically inclined (definitely me) you can just skip over some of the more technical parts, though even some of those are interesting, as in how Bruce would position mikes to get Michael's background vocals and how both Childhood and another song were recorded live, with a full orchestra. All in all a loving and interesting book. Thank you Bruce!

The book is filled with technical jargon but still a good read. Mr. Swedien tells of his recording Thriller and trying to get his dog to cooperate, ultimately having Michael lay the track for the werewolves in the beginning and other little antidotes that make this book worth sticking out. If you're a fan, you'll like this book. If you're a recording professional or amateur, you'll enjoy the behind the scenes knowledge from a musical master working with a Music Legend.