Good Fun "Recording Related" Books / movies

[-silent-sam-]

Don't really know where to post this.... although I wouldn't mind hearing what the high end guys are reading I will start here.......

I want to pick up a / or a couple recording related books to read and I would like to see if anyone has anything they would recommend.

I am not looking for a book like : "Mixing Tips" or "How to become a pro tools wizz overnight" or " Bob Rocks favorite EQ settings"

What I AM looking for is something somewhat "fun" and "entertaining".... Somethings I would be interested in is something like:

"200 Horror stories from the studio.... the biggest screw ups !"

" A book about the making of a great album"

"personal in studio experiences of engineers / producers / runners / musicians"

I read confessions of a record producer by Moses Avalon..... There was some great personal experiences which I loved to read.... but there was also a ton of dry record label paper work / lawyer mumbo jumbo which I don't want to read about.


Anyone have any recommendations?

As far as movies go .... I have seen most of the VH1 Classic albums...... I really liked the Dandy Warhols movie "Digg"

And I really like Metallica's "Some Kind Of Monster"

anyone know of anything similar to those movies?

[dave_w]

The closest thing I've seen is the "Stupidest thing you've heard in a session" thread on this site. I'd love to see a book or movie that's like that.

Anybody?

[ez135]

The Daily Adventures of Mixerman :

Amazon.com: The Daily Adventures of Mixerman: Mixerman: Books

Here's the Editorial Review:

Mixerman is a recording engineer working with a famous producer on the debut album of an unknown band with a giant recording budget. Mixerman is supposed to be writing about recording techniques, but somehow, through that prism, he has hit upon a gripping story. Like all great narratives, Mixerman's diary has many anti-heroes for whom we, the readers, can have nothing but contempt. The band consists of the four most dislikable human beings you can imagine. The singer is vain and pretentious. The guitarist is a serious depressive. The drummer is as "dumb as cotton," and the bassist is merely mean and petty, making him the only one that Mixerman can stand. All four of them hate each other's guts, and they haven't even been on tour yet. Mixerman takes you through the recording process of a bidding war band in over their heads with a famous record producer (also in over his head). Many find Mixerman's diary entries side-splittingly funny. Some find them maddening. And a select few feel they are the most despicable accountings of record-making ever documented.

I'm reading it right now, it's hilarious!

ez135

[-silent-sam-]

Originally Posted by ez135

The Daily Adventures of Mixerman :

Amazon.com: The Daily Adventures of Mixerman: Mixerman: Books

Here's the Editorial Review:

Mixerman is a recording engineer working with a famous producer on the debut album of an unknown band with a giant recording budget. Mixerman is supposed to be writing about recording techniques, but somehow, through that prism, he has hit upon a gripping story. Like all great narratives, Mixerman's diary has many anti-heroes for whom we, the readers, can have nothing but contempt. The band consists of the four most dislikable human beings you can imagine. The singer is vain and pretentious. The guitarist is a serious depressive. The drummer is as "dumb as cotton," and the bassist is merely mean and petty, making him the only one that Mixerman can stand. All four of them hate each other's guts, and they haven't even been on tour yet. Mixerman takes you through the recording process of a bidding war band in over their heads with a famous record producer (also in over his head). Many find Mixerman's diary entries side-splittingly funny. Some find them maddening. And a select few feel they are the most despicable accountings of record-making ever documented.

I'm reading it right now, it's hilarious!

ez135

I check out some of this guys "blogs" and I really enjoy the read.... I feel like i can relate hahahaha. Thanks for the suggestion, I think i am going to pick up the book.

[biggator6]

It's not so much 'funny', but 'Tom Dowd and the Language of Music' is a GREAT and interesting documentary.

[Darm]

Yeah, the movie about Tom Dowd is awesome!
There are also movies about Queen (Recording Night at the Opera), and some nice clips on youtube (like the one that shows how Linkin Park and Jay-z collision course was made)

[-silent-sam-]

Originally Posted by biggator6

It's not so much 'funny', but 'Tom Dowd and the Language of Music' is a GREAT and interesting documentary.

im going to try and check that out.

[-silent-sam-]

Originally Posted by silent-sam

I check out some of this guys "blogs" and I really enjoy the read.... I feel like i can relate hahahaha. Thanks for the suggestion, I think i am going to pick up the book.

This is a great book so far....... addicting read if your into recording.... You just feel like you can relate on so many levels.

[deeper]

+1 on the Dowd DVD.

I also got a lot of jollies watching "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" and parts #6 and #7 of the Beatles Anthology.

[kevynosborn]

Across the Night -- The Creation of Diorama is a documentary about Silverchair's album Diorama. It's not technical, and you may have to be a Silverchair fan to enjoy it, but there's something so captivating and inspiring about it that I watch it a few times a year.

The documentary follows the band from the time of laying rough tracks to creating the final work. It also gives some perspective about a label's influence over an artist.

[5aculu5]

Metallica , A year and a half part one. The first part is on recording the Black album which overall is better than St. Anger.

Amazon.com: Metallica: Year and A Half Parts 1 & 2: Jason Newsted, Bob Rock, Metallica, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, James Hetfield, Harry Shearer, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Adam Dubin: Movies & TV

[2206]

brian de palma's blow out

[biggator6]

I also got a lot of jollies watching "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown"

Forgot about that one.. BRILLIANT movie, and the music is amazing.