Hot documentary alert: I just saw a 2006 film discussing the changes in the structure of the music business that have led us to where we are now.
Before The Music Dies
Erykah Badu, Bonnie Raitt, ?uestlove, Eric Clapton and Branford Marsalis chime in, describing the frightening effects of changes to radio station ownership laws, the practice of song testing and the merging of hundreds of record labels into four majors. The film’s directors, Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen, demonstrate how a songwriter, producer and video director can manufacture a pop artist out of a young female model with virtually no musical talent.
Definitely worth watching, though the filmmakers seem to have a strong bias in favour of retro blues-based music.
Watch the trailer here. Download the film here. Thanks to Steve and Chris for passing it along.
