Soul Mining
A Musical Life
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4.5 • 31 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, U2, Peter Gabriel, and the Neville Brothers all have something in common: some of their best albums were produced by Daniel Lanois. A French-speaking kid from Canada, Lanois was driven by his innate curiosity and intense love of music to transcend his small-town origins and become one of the world's most prolific and successful record producers, as well as a brilliant musician in his own right.
Lanois takes us through his childhood, from being one of four kids raised by a single mother on a hairdresser's salary, to his discovery by Brian Eno, to his work on albums such as U2's The Joshua Tree, Bob Dylan's Time Out of Mind, and Emmylou Harris's Wrecking Ball. Revealing for the first time ever his unique recording secrets and innovations, Lanois delves into the ongoing evolution of technology, discussing his earliest sonic experiments with reel-to-reel decks, the birth of the microchip, the death of discrete circuitry, and the arrival of the download era.
Part technological treatise, part philosophical manifesto on the nature of artistic excellence and the overwhelming need for music, Soul Mining brings the reader viscerally inside the recording studio, where the surrounding forces have always been just as important as the resulting albums. Beyond skill, beyond record budgets, beyond image and ego, Lanois's work and music show the value of dedication and soul. His lifelong quest to find the perfect mixture of tradition and innovation is inimitable and unforgettable.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Think of a song that resonates deep down in your being. Now imagine sitting down with someone who was there when the song was recorded and can tell you how that series of sounds was committed to tape, and who can also explain why that particular combination of rhythms, timbres and pitches has lodged in your memory, making your pulse race and your heart swell every time you hear it. Remarkably, Levitin does all this and more, interrogating the basic nature of hearing and of music making (this is likely the only book whose jacket sports blurbs from both Oliver Sacks and Stevie Wonder), without losing an affectionate appreciation for the songs he's reducing to neural impulses. Levitin is the ideal guide to this material: he enjoyed a successful career as a rock musician and studio producer before turning to cognitive neuroscience, earning a Ph.D. and becoming a top researcher into how our brains interpret music. Though the book starts off a little dryly (the first chapter is a crash course in music theory), Levitin's snappy prose and relaxed style quickly win one over and will leave readers thinking about the contents of their iPods in an entirely new way.
Customer Reviews
Undeniable Gift and Passion
While there were some electric moments in this book, much of it seemed somewhat disjointed and loosely thrown together. With that said, his genius is undeniable and his experiences are inspirational.
Great book.
As a musician and former recording engineer this book was gold. The non-linear writing style took getting used to, but made me feel as if I knew Lanois even more. And on some level this book is inspiring. Near the end one quote stood out. I won't share what it is. Read the book and mine the gold yourself. Great book, Lanois!
By the way, Lanois talks in the book about his project with Emmylou Harris. I had never heard it before, but "Wrecking Ball" is a masterpiece of engineering and production. Great songs and perfect balanced production. I am a fan now. Go buy that album.
A great read for any creative thinker
This is a book for anyone who understands what it takes to achieve greatness and perfection. That it is not about all the latest technology but getting back to the roots of music - funk - soul -ska. Breaking down the elements of real sound - uncompressed sound with real overdrive and warmth.
DL in his humble way tells how he achieves greatness with the best in the music industry and why he is one of the top musicians and producers to date.