Too Hot to Handle: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Recording Studios of the 20th Century

This 223 page book is exactly what its name implies, a listing of many of the most important studios in America from Edison to the turn of the century. The writing and research tone of Too Hot... is more fan-based than scholarly, thank god. Randy has searched out many of the old studios while travelling (I keep imagining his wife trying to enjoy a vacation as he looks for the old Muscle Shoals building) and he has talked to a good number of engineers, musicians and studio owners about past studio locations. The point of this book hits home in the intro, where he states: "In the late 1960s and early '70s, the custom-built consoles and other gear practically vanished... studios started to sound more the same." which tells us exactly what we need to know about the progress of recording technology. He's right, and there was something special about Stax, Memphis Recording Service, Motown Records Studio, Muscle Shoals, "old" Ardent and many other studios across the land that, despite not being "world-class", knocked out some of the coolest hit songs ever. If ever there was inspiration for me to keep my little studio alive this book is it. ($34 from HHP books, PO Box 18455, Fairfield, OH 45018)