Contributing
writer to the
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF
RECORD PRODUCERS: An indispensable
guide to the most important record producers in music history
Edited by Eric Olsen, Paul Verna, &
Carlo Wolff
Billboard Books (an imprint
of Watson-Guptill Publications, NY). Published July 1999. 608
pages. Paperback. ISBN 0823076075. List Price $24.95.
The Encyclopedia of Record Producers finally provides a comprehensive resource on 500
of the most influential record producers in history. The essays
(and over 35,000 discographic entries) chronicle the producers'
lives and times, the artists and music they produced, and how
the producers worked to bring the world so many amazingly wonderful
tracks. This massive reference, arranged in alphabetical order,
also includes a helpful glossary, timeline, and index.
Drummer-historian-author-songwriter Dennis
Diken (also a producer in his own right) shares his insight and
knowledge in the book by penning ten of its entries. His essays
cover a range of talented gurus and movers & shakers--from
contemporary producers still working today to classic producers
who led the way in record production and made musical history.
Here's the list of the entries written by Dennis:
A
FEW WORDS FROM MR. DIKEN...While
Dennis raved about his experiences in compiling all of his essays,
he was especially enthusiastic about two of the producers he
had the honor of writing about: "It was truly a thrill to
interview Bob Crewe. To me, he's one of the most innovative,
imaginative and underrated rock and roll record producers. And
George Goldner continues to intrigue me. The music business and
the world, for that matter, will never ever see the likes of
George Goldner again."
Want to find out more about these accomplished
producers and their musical secrets? Join Dennis & several
other music historians, along with the book's notable editors
Eric Olsen, Paul Verna, & Carlo Wolff, on a musical
romp through 600 pages jam-packed with information. It's a fascinating
journey you probably can't find elsewhere compiled so concisely
all in one place. Dennis, who was most pleased to contribute,
gives the book his highest personal recommendation (surprise?):
"It reads well and the access to the entries is splendid.
Truly is a fine research tome." But seriously folks...Dennis
is not the only writer applauding the book. Reviews from a number
of esteemed colleagues report in with similar accolades. As just
one example, Ira Robbins exclaimed in his review,"This exceptionally
well-researched and far-ranging book shines a long overdue spotlight
on the often unsung heroes of recorded music." Enough said.
HOW TO LAND A COPY? The Encyclopedia of Record Producers is
available now in most large bookstores and can also be ordered
through on-line services, such as Amazon.com.
LOOK FOR MORE INFO ON
THE WEB... The
Encyclopedia of Record Producers On the Internet (www.mojavemusic.com)
provides an accompanying resource to the book that includes more
complete discographies for the producers from the book (the editors
just couldn't squeeze it all in and ran out of pages!), as well
as discographies on over 3,000 additional producers. The site,
which is the largest and most comprehensive source of record
producer discographies available anywhere, contains over 5,100
pages and is updated regularly. It's definitely worth your while...
A previous writing project
of
The following excerpts originally
appeared in 'REEN
THOUGHTS #4 and #5, the Official Smithereens Newsletter, published in 1996 (© The Smithereens
& the Smithereens Fan Club).
Whenever
I'm fortunate enough to find myself in the presence of a particular
personage of personal importance, I still find myself entering
"fan" mode. For this, I make no apologies. The inspired
works of my faves continue to inspire me. Be it ever so. --DD
Does this "voice" ring a bell?
Dennis's witty & warm article "My 13 Most Memorable
Celebrity Encounters" finally hit bookstores with the arrival
of Alt-Rock-A-Rama: An outrageous compendium of facts, fiction,
trivia, and critiques on alternative rock. (Delta/Dell Publishing,
1996, ISBN 0385313608). Edited by Scott Schinder & Rolling
Stone Press and packed with musical musings, critiques, and trivia,
this outrageously fun book on alternative rock should definitely
be added to your library!
In recapping these memorable "celebrity
encounters" with his usual flair, Dennis entertains readers
with vignettes of meeting such notables as The Kinks, Brian &
Dennis Wilson, Bud Abbott, Jr., Del Shannon, Hal Blaine, Otis
Blackwell & Allen Funt. For a sample taste, the #8 celebrity
entry from DD's article appears below:
The Abbott and Costello TV shows
loom large in the body politik of the Smithereens. Not that we
don't enjoy their movies. The TV shows are just . . . better.
With characters like Sid Fields, Mike the Cop, Stinky, Hillary
Brooke, Mr. Bacciagalupe, and Bingo the Chimp thrown into the
delirious mix of the boys' vaudeville routines, rehashed "plots,"
Costello's comedic genius and Abbott's inane non sequiturs, all
of it spiced by an asylum-like laugh track, you've got yourself
a surreal stew of circular dada/mayhem nonpareil.
Now don't get me wrong. We love
and admire the unmatched brilliance of Lou Costello, but for
some reason it's "straight man" Bud who holds a special
place in our hearts. Maybe it's those caustic asides, or his
sharp "con-guy" manner, or perhaps his occasional mustache.
Sad to say, we never did manage to make Bud's acquaintance during
his lifetime. But . . . In the late eighties, a good friend was
doing some archival film work with the estates of A & C,
dealing closely with Bud and Lou's offspring. While visiting
Bud Jr.'s house, he noticed a copy of our first album, Especially
For You, in his record collection and brought "son of Bud"
to one of our shows at the Roxy in L.A.!
Can you imagine your father being
Bud Abbott? Man . . . Hopefully, we'll meet Bud Sr. in the great
beyond someday. In the meantime, Bud Jr. is a swell guy. Life
is good.
--Dennis Diken
(This excerpt reprinted
with permission from Rolling Stone Press.)
A somber postscript
1999:
Following the publication of Mr. Diken's articles in both 'Reen
Thoughts and Alt-Rock-A-Rama in 1996, Bud Abbott Jr.
died suddenly on January 19, 1997 in Valencia, California of
an apparent heart attack. Sadly, he was only 57 years old.
