Review: All You Need To Know About The Music Business

I'm a real cynic when it comes to music industry books. I often wander over to that (small) section of the book store and come away largely frustrated with what is on offer. Of course you can find plenty of pontificating about the "new music industry" - because hey, publishers love buzz words - but as far as I'm concerned, presenting hypotheses about what the music industry may or may not becomes is a very, very poor substitute for real, actionable advice and information for someone trying to learn about the business. Throw in the books by people who clearly have never worked a day in music in their lives and the books that are essentially self help books, and you'll see that cherry picking the good stuff is hard work.

The book here is one of the cherries. Full confession - I had read and loved and an earlier edition of Donald S. Passman's All You Need To Know About The Music Business. When I received the seventh edition for review, I knew not to be put off by the title, which seems like it could only be setting you up for a fall (it doesn't). I knew not to let recommendations by the likes of Randy Jackson and Jimmy Iovine make me write this book off as yet another one about the big money, dying dinosaur music industry that has little relevance to most people working in music - let alone a novice trying to learn the ropes. I knew already, but I understand you may need convincing. So let me try.

What I love about this book is the wealth of practical information. This new edition is updated and revised to reflect the new issues in the business, and like the rest of the info in the book, this new material is presented without the hype or the buzz words or anything else. Instead, you get concrete info about how deals are made, what considerations factor into deals, royalties, copyrights, publishing, merchandising, promotion - you name it, and you can find clear and specific explanations and actionable advice in this book. And while I certainly know all about being miles away from these kinds of things, making 1000 sets of 7" art by hand and trying to do big things with small money, the knowledge you get from this book will make you more creative with your shoestring.

So yes, this book - it has made a believer of the cynic in me. Read more, and if you've read it or earlier editions, share your thoughts.