Product Description

To help artists avoid hidden agendas, this book exposes the multi-layered language of recording agreements crafted by major label lawyers. Clause by clause, it deconstructs actual contracts and translates them into "real English," presenting the original and decoded versions side by side. Focusing on artistsÕ issues, such as advances, royalties and distribution, this revealing handbook explains the need for each clause, offers advice on negotiating fine points, and outlines alternatives for developing new contracts. User-friendly, it clarifies common terms uniquely redefined by the music industry, and has entertaining inside stories.

"Considerable wit and wisdom on this festering snake pit of a business."

- New Times

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #218203 in Books
• Published on: 2001-08-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 306 pages

Review
"Moses leaves you with a broader understanding and deeper sympathies for all involved." - Gig"

About the Author
Moses Avalon has produced and engineered records for major and independent labels, earning several gold and platinum awards. He lives in Miami.

Customer Reviews

Real World Advice from a Real Guy - Highly Recommended
Not only is this book (and it's prequel, "Confessions of a Record Producer") the real deal, so is the man who wrote it. I was so impressed by his first book that I contacted him as a consultant on a producer/artist agreement I was negotiating (I am a producer). My goal was to come up with something that was actually fair to both parties and Moses got us to that point quickly. His suggestions were works of innovation that surprised and satisfied everyone.

I also attended his 2-day seminar which dissects recording contracts. Here he dispelled the many misconceptions I had about record companies and their contracts AND he helped me to understand what is really being said in these contracts (and it's scary!).

He is not a lawyer, but one of the most insightful men I've met. Lawyers pay HIM for his advice. He REALLY understands contracts and explain things in a manner no one else seems to be able to do - it must be a sixth sense.. Highly recommended reading. Both his books should be permanent reference books for anyone in the music business. Besides, they're fun reads, unlike most other "how-to" music-biz books.

Absolutely perfect.
Avalon fills the books with plain text translations of virtually every major clause in a standard record deal and makes it very easy to understand. He puts in plenty of narration and real world examples to let you see how each of these clauses can come into play and where loopholes lie so you won't just have to take your lawyer's word for really anything. Great book. Will save you tonnes of cash in legal fees and might end up saving your career. My only complaint is that he uses false names for all the stars he talks about in his examples to protect himself from being sued. But a lot of them are really famous so if you think about it you can figure a few out (I found the Michael Jackson one quite an eye opener). Definitely recommend it.

A classic!!!!!!!!!
As soon as I bought the book I could not put it down I read it from top to bottom non-stop. This book is an easy read and very applicable. I highly recommend this book to gain greater insights in the Music business or any business. It was a great buy along with a couple of manuals purchased from Musicbrains.net entitled the Indie label Kit on Amazon, Music business 101, future of music and Guide to releasing an independent record by Tim Sweeney.