Phil Ramone’s Ideas for the Music Industry
On June 17, Billy Joel inducted Phil Ramone into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in New York, telling the audience, “Ramone is a writer’s producer. He had an impact on many of my songs; I listen to him because he knows what he is talking about.” Audyssey recently spoke with the multi-Grammy winner who laid out five points he thinks will resurrect the music industry.
To budding artists: Think of the sound
People need to feel the validity of your art. The adventure is important. Once you have written a song, record it well; think about how the sound will deliver your production. We must reach our music fans.
To manufacturers: Create a new standard
Audio is behind the curve. HD video was introduced in Japan 15 years ago and today it is a world standard. Manufacturers need to do the same for audio and then build a program to teach what good sound sounds like. Take it across the nation, preferably in schools. Get the kids and the rest will want it.
To artists: Music must survive on a cut-by-cut basis
Today, people buy singles just like they did in the days of the 45. To sell an album in those days required a different thought process. We wanted to create something that was treasured. When albums became the norm, instead of making every song count, artists were encouraged to add songs to make the album long enough. Today, we don’t know that people will sit in a room and listen to a whole album. Internet and TV provide samples of your work. Curiosity and quality creates music fans.
To producers: Record where the artist is comfortable
I love studios however, with the proper equipment, it is possible to make nearly any decent room a recording studio. So go where the artist is most creative, comfortable and productive. The difference will be tangible and good.
To producers and artists: get online and get social early in the process.
When co-producing Nikki Yanofsky, she was online all the time telling her fans and friends what was happening and really getting them involved in the process of her album. She would even play things and get comments on it along the way. Her fans had a hand in shaping the album. That is astonishing. She has inspired so many kids along the way and introduced quite a number of them to jazz. Now, her album is out and it is sitting in the number 2 spot on the charts. I don’t think advertisements could have done a better job.
Phil Ramone established an independent recording studio A&R Recording in 1959. There he quickly gained a reputation as a sound engineer and music producer, in particular for his use of innovative technology. To learn more about Phil Ramone, visit his website or read his book, “Making Records: The Scenes Behind the Music.” These days Ramone is finishing tracks for Paul Simon’s upcoming album and co-produced Nikki Yanofsky’s album.