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Avg. Customer Rating:(based on 9 reviews) Sales Rank: 3088 Category: Book
Author:David Foster Publisher:Pocket Studio:Pocket Manufacturer:Pocket Label:Pocket Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published) Media: Hardcover Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 272 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9 Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.3 x 1
Product Description After almost four decades in the music business, David Foster -- producer, arranger, songwriter, performer -- is finally ready to talk. In this compelling and outspoken memoir, Foster shares some of his incredible stories: the first time he met Barbra Streisand, as a young session player in Los Angeles; his first of 15 Grammys for "After the Love Has Gone," Earth, Wind & Fire's memorable hit; the making of Unison, Celine Dion's English-language debut; the challenges he faced on his way to putting the group Chicago back on the charts; his award-winning contribution to Unforgettable: With Love, Natalie Cole's comeback album; those back-to-back recording sessions with Madonna and Michael Jackson; and the incredible chain of events that spawned Whitney Houston's historic blockbuster, "I Will Always Love You."
Foster has worked with superstars of every decade, including:
Celine Dion - Josh Groban - Whitney Houston - Michael Buble - Barbra Streisand - Andrea Bocelli - Madonna - Michael Jackson - Natalie Cole - George Harrison - Earth, Wind & Fire - *NSYNC - Chicago - Paul McCartney - All-4-One - Katharine McPhee - Toni Braxton - Alice Cooper - Olivia Newton-John - Michael Bolton
...and many more.
From his unique and privileged vantage point, Foster describes the delicate balancing act between artist and producer, offers revealing portraits of some of those artists at work, and shares his secrets for success in the maddeningly fickle music industry.
At its heart, this is the story of a boy with perfect pitch who grew up to become one of the most influential musical forces of our time -- the solid gold hitman who produced the soundtrack of our lives.
Cliffs Notes Version January 6, 2009 I bought this book expecting something similar to Quincy Jones' autobiography or Fredric Dannen's "Hit Men" which has more anecdotal stuff about the music biz. There are many omissions in this book (like Foster as movie producer, etc.), seems like Foster only reveals what he wants the public to see. As a fan, I was disappointed that there were no big revelations, which is surprising, because Foster is in dire need of a shrink. His failure to communicate with his wives led to his divorces, which is odd, because as a music producer, he certainly knows how to communicate in the studio.
Also, I know many of the folks he name checks at the end of the book, and I saw many misspellings of names. You would think that they could hire an editor in addition to a ghost writer, to check spelling. Hell, I'll volunteer my services as a spell checker.
This book was anemically short and a quick read --- I finished it in an afternoon. This book needs a good music biographer like David Ritz or Bill Milkowski to really collaborate with Foster to make a definitive autobiography. Unfortunately for the fans, this book is basically a pamphlet to accompany his current CD/DVD set. Until a good psychiatrist opens Foster up, or he finally gets a good writer to collaborate with, all we get is this Cliffs Notes version.
A MUST read book for anyone interested in "pop" music! December 31, 2008 I have always known little about David Foster except that he is "that Canadian guy who worked with Celine Dion et al" I truly enjoyed and appreciated that this man wrote such a revealing but balanced personal history of his years in show business from the humble beginnnings in dreary 60's london to the glitzy over the top L.A. scene in a heyday never to be repeated- Marvin and Barbara Davis' circle. This book is not about parties or excess though. David clues us in early on about his large wholesome Canadian family, he is the only boy in a brood of seven children and he keeps his values throughout his life.He said he knew from the beginning that he would never get involved in the drug scene- and aren't we grateful that he didnt become a casualty like so many? The only disclosure that he rues is his complicated family life as he has several marriages and many gorgeous girls and stepchildren he must manage ; he is very upfront that this has been a checkered path. Most of the book is the meat- his hitmaking ability and his interactions and collaborations with the celebrities he has worked with ,from the gracious and sublimely talented to the rude and dismissive. I found David to be extremely modest and grounded and generous when describing most of his professional relationships. He also explains total unsnobbery as regards those who diss his work, explaining "popular" music is named as such because it is - POPULAR .Just because one may have Miles Davis on the turntable doesn't mean they cannot find something to appreciate about a singer selling millions of records. I found Mr. Foster very refreshing and rational, and lets face it , he is an uber star himself, dong what he does brilliantly.
couldn't put it down December 30, 2008 I have been a David Foster fan for years; I've always wanted to know the backstory. This book not only reconciles why Grammy-winning Foster has become the person he is (shares family history) and explains his gift (perfect pitch) but is quite the indulgence for anyone addicted to pop culture or major performers! This book recounts his interactions (successful & friendly or sour & resentful) with many of the singers we know and love: Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Frank Sintra, Barbra Streisand, Katharine McPhee, Josh Groban, Whitney Houston, Renee Olstead and more). I loved reading the fascinating accounts of his time in the recording studio with so many influential artists and more important, how some of his timeless songs were produced. It's a great read for anyone who adores music and history-making artists or is simply captivated by anything relating to the 'who's who' of Hollywood.
dull December 25, 2008 0 out of 2 found this review helpful
dull book, not really interesting. ok to read in short bursts on break at work but I wouldn't really recommend it
Good read, could have added more December 19, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
David Foster gives us the first ever account of his successful career. But he doesn't mention more of his work with Bill Champlin. Nothing on Warren Wiebe (how could he he was his "voice" for ten years or so) and it doesn't have a discography of his many works. Perhaps he couldn't fit in into one book.
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