Confessions of a Record Producer, 2 Ed: How to Survive the Scams and Shams of the Music Business (Paperback)

by Moses Avalon (Author) "No matter what aspect of the business you pursue, over time you will find yourself talking to more nonmusicians than actual music makers..." (more)
Key Phrases: vanity label, recording fund, major label deal, Big Five, Warner Bros, Time Warner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Confession is good for the soul! Over the years, among many other like-minded authors, a stockbroker, a "dirty" ballplayer, a "lapsed" librarian, a corporate headhunter, and an advertising man have all felt the need to atone in print either for their own misdeeds or for those of their profession. Here Avalon pseudonymously exposes the ways the recording industry can take advantage of budding artists. Avalon started in the business 15 years ago as a studio engineer and went on to produce records. He has also composed soundtracks for several independent films and now consults for artist managers, record labels, and investors. Avalon examines the various stages of the record deal. He explains the role of each person involved and suggests what that person's self-interest is. He also contrasts the differences among deals at the major labels, independents, and vanity labels, and he discusses "baby" deals between artists and production companies. Avalon's final cut is a medley of stories, rumors, and myths about ways people can be or have been "ripped-off." Though sometimes too blunt, Avalon provides a caveat that novices could miss out on elsewhere. David Rouse --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"A must read....Unlike books that explain industry workings in theory, Confessions is firmly rooted in reality....Useful as a trade guide and fascinating...can be enjoyed by anyone wanting to roll the dice on a career in music, as well as future industry weasels looking for some helpful grifter tips." -- Smug, August/September 1999

"As educational as Aesop's fables...Every musician, or at least one member of every band, should pick up a copy of this book." -- Jam Rag, December 1998 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books; 2 edition (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306602
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306601
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #597,285 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much needed information, March 7, 2000

By	Albert Bickley (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Confessions of a Record Producer (Paperback)

This book takes you through almost every aspect of the music industry. He tells you of scams of entertainment lawyers to dirty tricks by the big labels. At the same time he opens your eyes to just how successful you have to be to make money of your recordings (more than you think). A must read for people even considering a career in the music industry. All this is done with a sense of humor and language you can understand. Complete with real life examples. Great book.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant "how not to be ripped-off" guide..., April 15, 2005

By	Takis Tz. (Germany) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

You dont have to be aiming at a future record deal to be interested in such a book. Even as an avid music fan you will find information and inside knowledge here that will enlighten you in the mysterious and more often than not wicked ways the music industry works.

It's a great eye-opener then, one that will obviously be more useful to musicians who are either looking forward to getting a deal or were not satisfied in their initial one. Written by a producer with years-long experience in the business, it provides crucial info on what to be careful about concerning:

-contracts and the various angles one should be careful in order to avoid a bad deal (a story often read about concerning groups or solo artists).
-differences in signings between majors and indie labels. An in-depth analysis on the difference between an indie label and a major.
-an explanation on the finances of such deals.
-copyright and sampling analysis.

The above are just headlines of course, as each chapter is very comprehensive and covers to a very adequate degree the subject it deals with. Written in simple language so that all the legal mumbo-jumbo becomes understandable for the layman, and with a healthy dose of humour and cynicism to drive the various points home, it's a great book to go through. Categorised according to subject for easy and simple reference.

"Confessions of a Record Producer" demolishes a lot of myths about the music business and reshapes certain false sources of ill-gotten optimism that new musicians nurture and which lead them into well-documented traps. What in fact is introduced here first and foremost is hardcore realism. Without that element anyone entering in negotiations with the music industry is a sheep among wolves.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "THE MOST INFORMATIVE I'VE READ TO DATE", July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Confessions of a Record Producer (Paperback)

IF YOU PLAN TO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK. It describes royaties to artist and how you may not see them. Scams pulled on bands.Items that should be in your contracts. How record companies rip you off. Examples on how songs are stolen. How producers hide money for themselves. Independent labels, Majors and Distribution both Major and Indie. Moses Avalon takes you from the first steps through the entire music industry process and tells you how much money you will have at the end(theorectically). This book is the one you should buy before all others.