All You Need to Know About the Music Business : Fifth Edition

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Summary: COCKY TITLE DELIVERS WHAT IT PROMISES
Review: Author Passman has created something of a journalistic feat: his book is an attorney's look at the mechanisms of the music industry-usually not a particularly fascinating subject-yet he's made it great fun to read. An LA-based music attorney since the seventies, Passman is boyishly enthusiastic about his subject, and says the book is an outgrowth of his professional need to explain the basic workings of the industry to his artist clients. Though he says he is not writing technically (as if for fellow attorneys), he has nevertheless included virtually all of the checkpoints, or "deal points," that come up in contract negotiations today. The point of view being marketed here is that it pays to be an informed artist or songwriter, even if you think you don't care that much about the business side. Passman's "blurbs," or endorsements, are almost overkill: the likes of artist Don Henley, producer Quincy Jones, and longtime Warner Communications Chairman Mo Ostin. In the light of all this prestige (even the publisher, Prentice Hall, is an old-guard New York house), I couldn't believe that beneath Joe Smith's back- cover endorsement, Capitol-EMI, of which Smith was chair, was misspelled as "Capital." Minor flaw, all things considered, and happily not a predictor of sloppy work inside. Passman is an excellent choice for either personal learning or university-level classroom study. On first hearing, the title seems a bit arrogant, but Passman just about does cover it all. The 1994 second edition is virtually identical to the first, except for a welcome expansion of the opening "First Steps" section, and a detailed explanation of legislation the entire music industry lobbied long and hard to achieve: the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992 (the "home taping" legislation). Passman explains the projected flow of revenues from this act back into the music industry: one third to songwriters and publishers, and two thirds to record companies. Among the nineties books on the business of the music industry, this is one of the very best. Ron Simpson, School of Music, Brigham Young University. Author of MASTERING THE MUSIC BUSINESS.

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Summary: PROTECTION
Review: All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman is by far the best book to read for insight into the pros and the cons of the music business. Passman's knowledge is superior to any other music book that I have had the pleasure of reading. Many authors have released pertinent information about the realities of the business but Passman's approach is not only insightful but it is relaxing as well. His knowledge coupled with his humor, wit and enthusiasm soothes the anxiety of the reader. Instead of the reader being bombarded with only facts and figures, Donald Passman appears to display a more personal address. In reading All You Need to Know About the Music Business, I felt it was more of a close consultation instead of a structured manuscript. This is why this book is so powerful! It is wonderfully structured to assist the aspiring musician to take control of his or her own career. He reveals the dangers & advantages of advances, royalties, cross-collateralization, publishing, merchandising and touring. Passman gives the reader tips on getting the best record deal possible. He teaches us how to protect our passion, production, music and money! I highly recommend that all aspiring songwriters, producers and musicians read this book. Kudos!

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Summary: The Best Book
Review: This book is the best. It's very easy to read even if english isn's your mother language. Very interesting and iclude All you need to know to know about Music Business.

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Summary: A must read for the musician
Review: If you are a performing artist, then this is the book for you. It is written with the singer in mind, it includes information about how to get started, and the information is a must-know so that you protect yourself from bad contracts in the industry. The author also happens to be quite a comedian. Protect yourself and your art.... read All You Need To Know About the Music Business.

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Summary: THE BIBLE OF MUSIC
Review: I am an artist about to release an album. Even before I started venturing into self-producing my first album along w/ my producer/friend , I was reading this book nite & day & I even lent it to my manager since we're really not that knowledgeable in the business yet. It really is a must for someone to treat the music industry as business or else , if u don't know how to play the game, the ins-outs of this industry - u must read this book or else you're gonna sink. Donald is an industry professional whom I believe wants to share his knowledge to struggling & aspiring artists/musicians/managers/etc. like me. I highly recommend this book to new artists & those who have plans of crossing over the US music industry. Even if I'm a Filipino living in Manila , the knowledge that this book has given me is worth so much.

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Summary: must read
Review: grat book witty with practal and easy to understand terms .A great overview of music related business

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Summary: Agreed- this is the Bible of Music Busines info
Review: Get this book. It is written by a well respected music business attorney and gives specific facts on what you will be getting into when you hit the music business. no, not everything is going to work out like a text book scenerio, but this will give you a better understanding of the business of music better than any book I have found.

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Summary: Great Insight to the Biz
Review: What can I say... Information and knowledge are the most important things you must have on your side in this business.
This is as important to anyone, in or about to enter, the music scene as The Art of War is to the military.
A must have... and it will save time, money and energy in your career. Thanks Donald... it's worth it's weight in gold.

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Summary: The Definitive Music Business Book
Review: I read the previous edition of this book and just bought the current edition. This book was recommended to me by my private music instructor when i was 18 graduating high school. It definantly opened my eyes to the music industry. A great book, written like fine fiction...fun to read for sure.

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Summary: All you need to know about the Music Business
Review: I found the book to be very helpful and informative. It has been written by someone who has been directly involved in the music industry, and has experienced the ups and downs that comes with the territory. It provides goals and strategies to make the success happen. The book is very valuable. I recommend it.