“In a film it’s the cinematographer who captures the image.
In recording, it’s the engineer who’s responsible for the sound.
And the sound of the record is very important to its success.”*
Many elements contribute to the creation of a hit song, in addition to the writing and performing. A significant factor is the engineer’s finely tuned ear, talent and experience.
One of our generation’s most successful recording engineers is Boomer Bill Schnee, winner of two Grammys, for Steely Dan albums “Aja’ and “Gaucho,” and recipient of over 125 gold and platinum records.
Schnee has mixed or recorded Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Art Garfunkel, and the Pointer Sisters and engineered and/or produced Marvin Gaye, Thelma Houston, Pablo Cruise, Neil Diamond, Boz Scaggs, the Jacksons, Huey Lewis and the News, Dire Straits, and Whitney Houston.
“Chairman at the Board: Recording the Soundtrack of a Generation” is Schnee’s just released book about his extraordinary career. There’s humor, a peek behind the scenes of the recording sessions, and insight into what it was like to be a part of the team that created the soundtrack our lives.
*”The Ballad of Tommy LiPuma” by Ben Sidran