THE INVISIBLE ARTIST Arrangers in Popular Music (1950-2000)
by Dr. Richard Niles
"Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force." Multi Grammy Award winning artist Pat Metheny
Musical arrangers in pop have been ‘invisible’ since the rock ‘n’ roll era. Largely uncredited, their art is either unseen, undervalued or misunderstood.
Composer, producer, songwriter, educator and BBC broadcaster Niles has been a professional composer, arranger and producer for over 40 years working with stars such as Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Pat Metheny, Tina Turner, Bob James, Cher, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, John Pattitucci and James Brown.
This is the first in-depth study of arrangers in pop analyzing their techniques and revealing their significant contribution to popular music. This insider’s view is an invaluable and unique reference book for musicians and a dramatic and surprising look behind-the-scenes for music lovers.
Features
•Unique interviews with some of the most significant arrangers of our time including Arif Mardin, H.B. Barnum, Harold Battiste, David van DePitte, Richard Carpenter, Barry Manilow, Nile Rodgers, Jeremy Lubbock, Jimmy Haskell, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Charlie Calello, Bobby Martin, Michael Gibbs, Rupert Holmes, Anne Dudley, John Altman and Nick Ingman.
•Profiles and analysis of the life and work of Jesse Stone, Maxwell Davis, Dave Bartholomew, George Martin, Jack Nitzsche, Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, Paul Riser, Thom Bell, James Brown, Sammy Lowe
•Contributions from Don Was, Jerry Wexler, Harry Weinger, Allan Slutsky, Trevor Horn, Steve Anderson, Andrew Love (The Memphis Horns) and Bobby Eli (MFSB).
•Analysis of hit recordings by the Clovers, Fats Domino, Etta James, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys, Motown, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, The Carpenters, Chic, Simon and Garfunkel, James Brown, Laura Nyro, Elton John, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, ABC, The Art of Noise, Julia Fordham.
•222 musical examples transcribed by the author.
•Transcriptions and analysis of Niles’s own work with Paul McCartney, James Brown, Sarah Brightman, Swing Out Sister, Grace Jones, Tears For Fears, Pet Shop Boys.
“One of pop’s top arrangers, not only does Niles know what he’s talking about,
he imparts his knowledge with clarity and certainty. When you are talking musical pedagogy, Richard Niles is the daddy”
Chris Campling – The Times
“Niles pushes ear and imagination to encompass the workings of other people’s minds.
A host of arranger’s techniques.”
Gillian Reynolds – The Daily Telegraph
by Dr. Richard Niles
"Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force." Multi Grammy Award winning artist Pat Metheny
Musical arrangers in pop have been ‘invisible’ since the rock ‘n’ roll era. Largely uncredited, their art is either unseen, undervalued or misunderstood.
Composer, producer, songwriter, educator and BBC broadcaster Niles has been a professional composer, arranger and producer for over 40 years working with stars such as Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Pat Metheny, Tina Turner, Bob James, Cher, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, John Pattitucci and James Brown.
This is the first in-depth study of arrangers in pop analyzing their techniques and revealing their significant contribution to popular music. This insider’s view is an invaluable and unique reference book for musicians and a dramatic and surprising look behind-the-scenes for music lovers.
Features
•Unique interviews with some of the most significant arrangers of our time including Arif Mardin, H.B. Barnum, Harold Battiste, David van DePitte, Richard Carpenter, Barry Manilow, Nile Rodgers, Jeremy Lubbock, Jimmy Haskell, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Charlie Calello, Bobby Martin, Michael Gibbs, Rupert Holmes, Anne Dudley, John Altman and Nick Ingman.
•Profiles and analysis of the life and work of Jesse Stone, Maxwell Davis, Dave Bartholomew, George Martin, Jack Nitzsche, Brian Wilson, Burt Bacharach, Paul Riser, Thom Bell, James Brown, Sammy Lowe
•Contributions from Don Was, Jerry Wexler, Harry Weinger, Allan Slutsky, Trevor Horn, Steve Anderson, Andrew Love (The Memphis Horns) and Bobby Eli (MFSB).
•Analysis of hit recordings by the Clovers, Fats Domino, Etta James, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys, Motown, The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, The Carpenters, Chic, Simon and Garfunkel, James Brown, Laura Nyro, Elton John, Sting, Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, ABC, The Art of Noise, Julia Fordham.
•222 musical examples transcribed by the author.
•Transcriptions and analysis of Niles’s own work with Paul McCartney, James Brown, Sarah Brightman, Swing Out Sister, Grace Jones, Tears For Fears, Pet Shop Boys.
“One of pop’s top arrangers, not only does Niles know what he’s talking about,
he imparts his knowledge with clarity and certainty. When you are talking musical pedagogy, Richard Niles is the daddy”
Chris Campling – The Times
“Niles pushes ear and imagination to encompass the workings of other people’s minds.
A host of arranger’s techniques.”
Gillian Reynolds – The Daily Telegraph
