Insidetracks: A First-Hand History of Popular Music from the World's Greatest Record Producers and Engineers
In a foreword, Brian Wilson says that "so many of [his] all-time favorite records were produced by people interviewed" by Buskin that "I know you'll be fascinated to hear how they did it." Jimmy Miller, producer of some of the Rolling Stones' finest, recalls feeling pretty accomplished until he heardSgt. Pepperfor the first time and thought, "Oh, wow, what havewebeen doing? We're just kidding around." Bruce Botnick, engineer-producer of the Doors, the Beach Boys, and the Chipmunks, reports reacting similarly to a mono acetate of that Beatles' album. Beatles, Stones, Beach Boys, Doors--sounds like another celebration of the '60s, eh? Well, thereisa chapter of praise for the "fifth Beatle," Sir George Martin, and chapters about beloved oldies producers Mickie Most, Sam Phillips, and Jerry Wexler, among others, but the later, less beloved Quincy Jones, Don Was, and Giorgio Moroder each get a chapter, too. All the profiles are brief but rich in behind-the-scenes detail. A fine addition for pop-music collections.Mike Tribby