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 enlarge | Author: Gary Marmorstein
Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $14.35
You Save: $15.60 (52%)
New (5) Used (6) from $13.91
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 1283085
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 640
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.3
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6 x 2.1
Dewey Decimal Number: 384
ASIN: B0016BSWZW
Publication Date: February 6, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new! Perfect condition! Fast shipping - all orders are shipped within 24 hrs. of purchase (SP2)
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| Customer Reviews:
 This book taught me more than I ever knew about the origins of the modern recording industry! June 19, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Barely a chapter into this almost 600-page long history of the venerable record company, which sports its famed red label on the cover, I've already learned more than I ever knew about the origins of the modern recording industry. Columbia Records was actually founded in 1888 by Edward Easton, a stenographer and principal in the company based in Washington, D.C. (hence the name), which manufactured Graphophones, an early forerunner of the victrola, originally used for office dictation. Just like today, the technology came first, and uses for the invention only came later. The fact that music could be recorded and played back on wax cylinders was virtually an afterthought (Thomas Edison, with his competing phonograph, felt music "demeaned" his invention), as the label was launched with a selection of John Philip Sousa marches recorded by the U.S. Marine Band and black singer George Washington Johnson, dubbed the "Whistling Coon" after his hit of the same name, brought to the label by prototypical 19th century A&R man Victor Emerson. What's striking is the role technology played in the growth of the industry, and how the format affected what was recorded and distributed, a factor still in place today in the wake of the digital revolution. A fascinating read that I have just dipped into, but will keep you abreast as I get deeper. - Roy Trakin
 I lived through some of this history May 18, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Though there were several insignificnt accuracy errors, none of them take away from the superb, almost scholarly quality of the research. It is a fascinating and riveting look at the entire background at what, at least, was the gold standard of recorded music. Sadly it was sold off, as a one shot, short term basis attempt to improve a then sagging balance sheet of CBS. One of the worst financial decisons ever made by the Tischman group that bought out the Paley interests. It is clearly a decision that would never have been taken by what had previously been virtually flawless policies under the stewardship of Paley and Stanton.
An exciting review of the real music business. March 14, 2007
The cover really looks like an LP.
This attention to detail is consistent throughout. Written in a way that is entertaining yet incredibly informative. I would recommend this book for anyone who is studying, researching, or just has a fascination with the music business.
Wow! One of the finest (if not THE) books ever written about the music business. March 11, 2007
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
This book is amazing. I literally couldn't put it down. And I thought I pretty much knew a lot of record business history. My father in his youth was a record promoter for Columbia (and then Decca Records) and used to tell me stories when I was a kid. They were nothin'...in comparison with this. And daddy never told me any of the real history of Columbia. I did know that when I grew up I wanted to be a recording artist and I only wanted to record for Columbia.
Unfortunately, the closest I got to that was doing backup in the '60's for a few artists who were signed to the label. But the studio singers rarely saw or heard the full scoop on behind-the-scenes machinations. So, what I didn't know then, I've found out from this book. Bravo to Mr. Marmorstein for his research. It's so in-depth! And I got a kind of perverse thrill from knowing that though a lot of this book reads like great fiction, it's all amazingly true. Just bought another copy for my son who's a musician and record producer. As far as I'm concerned, this should be required reading for every potential and existant artist, producer, arranger etc., not to mention every music lover who is capable of reading.
For me, Columbia was and always will be THE label and this book truly does it justice!
Thoroughly entertaining... March 5, 2007
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is an entertaining history of the creating and selling of popular music by Columbia Records. Great for aficionados!
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