Al Schmitt on the Record

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What to expect

Bloomsbury presents Al Schmitt on the Record by Al Schmitt, read by B J Harrison.

Ever wonder what goes into the creation of some of the best music ever recorded? Ever wonder how someone becomes an iconic professional who is universally admired and respected? Al Schmitt on the Record: The Magic Behind the Music reveals answers to those questions and more.

In this memoir of one of the most respected engineers of all time, you'll see how a very young boy – mentored by his uncle Harry in New York – progressed through the recording world in its infancy, under the mentorship of Tom Dowd, in its heyday, becoming one of the all-time great recording engineers. And now today Al continues as an unstoppable force at the top of the recording world with his name on mega-hits from the likes of Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, and Dylan. Al's credits include a veritable who's who of the music world.

Reading the compelling accounts of Al's life in the studio, you'll see how he has been able to stay at the top of his game since the '50s, and you'll experience what is was like behind the scenes and in-the-studio during of many of his historic, impactful recordings. Schmitt also shares many of the recording techniques and creative approaches that have set him apart, including his approach to microphones, effects, and processors!

Critics Review

Even before I first worked with Al in the early 1970s, he was a recording studio legend. Al mixed my 1973 album The Way We Were and a duet I did with Frank Sinatra in 1993. He was at the control boards again in 2009 on an album I recorded with Diana Krall. He’s always a consummate professional who cares deeply about his craft. In addition to that, he’s a fellow Brooklynite, so we speak the same language! Al deserves the many accolades he’s received over the years from his fellow music industry colleagues.
Barbra Streisand
Al knows how to record and leave the mojo in. He made so much of the music we know and love possible; when you’re stumped, you can always ask yourself, ‘What would Al Schmitt do?’ For a while, people used to say that Elvis sold the most records. Then it was the Eagles, Michael Jackson, and U2. But nope; the truth is, Al Schmitt has sold more records than anybody!
Joe Walsh
Al’s definitely the best engineer who has ever worked with me. It’s a shame it took me so long to get with him. He knows how to get the authentic traditional sounds—the sounds that made us all fall in love with records.
Bob Dylan
Al is the master. I love it when he gets pissed off. He is great.
Neil Young
I’ve been fortunate in my career to have worked with some great people, and I would have to say the list would be topped by Al Schmitt. Al came into Jefferson Airplane world with experience and creds that would boggle most minds. That he was somehow able to exercise his creative expertise with this bunch of musical anarchists is a testimonial to both his art and his patience. . . . I will always be proud to have worked with him!
Jorma Kaukonnen, guitar player, Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna
In 1967, Al Schmitt was asked to produce Jefferson Airplane’s third studio album, After Bathing at Baxter’s, for RCA. This was really wonderful news to all in the band, as we had heard that Al had such a great musical ear, and would, as we soon found out, be our ally in all things musical that we were reaching for. Our experiences in the studio so far had been somewhat difficult. We were trying out new sounds and vocal combinations, distortion, feedback, and some just plain wacky stuff. After getting much more control of our studio situation from a new contract with RCA, Al was right there with us as we experimented in the studio. . . . I shall always treasure the many, often late-night sessions with Al, and consider myself so fortunate to have had the great honor of working together.
Jack Cassidy, bass player, Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna
My career at Capitol Studios has been intertwined with Al’s workmanship for twenty-seven years now. . . . I first experienced the awe resulting from his work during Natalie Cole’s Unforgettable sessions; I heard him create an emotional masterpiece for Natalie, her family, and all present. We at Capitol are so blessed to be his home base.
Paula Salvatore, Vice President/Studios, Capitol Studios

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