Publishers Weekly
09/21/2020
Music journalist Carlin (Bruce) relays in his characteristic colorful style how music mogul Mo Ostin built Warner Bros. Records into an industry leader. In 1960, Frank Sinatra formed Reprise Records, asking his friend Ostin—who had earned Sinatra’s respect at jazz outlet Verve Records—to run the label, which Warner bought in 1963, becoming Warner/Reprise Records. Ostin succeeded at Warner, Carlin writes, because he focused on producing strong albums rather than “surefire” singles: “Something good was always going to happen because you’d just made a great record.” Between 1967 and 1970, the label signed 90 new acts—among them Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, and Alice Cooper—most of which eventually, through marketing and artist development, found commercial success. Through the ’80s and early ’90s, Ostin brought in an eclectic array of artists, including soul singer Chaka Khan and blues guitarist Bonnie Raitt—and notably, Prince and Madonna. Those looking for a gossipy tell-all won’t find one here; Ostin stuck with a formula, trusted and invested in his artists, took the music seriously, and honored the intelligence and taste of his customers. This brisk portrait of the man who made Warner Bros. into a powerhouse offers essential reading on the business and history of popular music. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"Music journalist Carlin (Bruce) relays in his characteristic colorful style how music mogul Mo Ostin built Warner Bros. Records into an industry leader... Those looking for a gossipy tell-all won’t find one here; Ostin stuck with a formula, trusted and invested in his artists, took the music seriously, and honored the intelligence and taste of his customers. This brisk portrait of the man who made Warner Bros. into a powerhouse offers essential reading on the business and history of popular music."
—Publishers Weekly
FEBRUARY 2021 - AudioFile
Narrator David de Vries’s fluid and authoritative but pompous style closely matches this inside look at the evolution of Warner Bros. Records. Sadly, the fascinating early history of the label, which began in 1958, is all but entirely ignored. Instead, the business of the music industry and the creativity of artists such as Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Alice Cooper, and Paul Simon as a solo act, among others, are explored in an eclectic, complete, and gossip-free style. Briefly addressed is Warner’s 1963 purchase of the label Frank Sinatra created when he left Capitol Records, thereby creating Warner/ Reprise Records. While there is too much of the old-fashioned network anchorman to de Vries’s delivery, this audiobook offers much enlightening history for fans and students of recently popular rock music. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
