Soundbreaking has been executively produced by Sir George Martin (recently deceased), and is an eight-part series including more than 150 original interviews, rare archival studio footage, and extensive soundtrack featuring almost 300 songs to explore the impact of recorded music on our lives.
Soundbreaking describes a music producer as an encourager like Quincy Jones (Michael Jackson), Sir George Martin (The Beatles), Don Was (The Rolling Stones), and Daniel Lanois (U-2). These producers described their jobs as one who brings out the best in an artist by creating a sense of trust and a vibe of safety, a no-fear zone, and a place to be creatively impulsive. Martin explains that "after 100 years of recorded sound, we've seen the effect of that sound on people," and "...how "it's changed our lives."
The art of recording can vary from Martin's inspired guidance of the Beatles to Phil Spector's dictatorial insistence on his signature "Wall of Sound," from Rick Rubin's nurturing that brought Johnny Cash back to greatness, to the dynamic creative determination of artist producers like Joni Mitchell, Sly Stone, and Yusuf/Cat Stevens.
Soundbreaking takes you through Sam Phillips' obsession with the blues to his insightful recording of Elvis Presley's first single record "That's All Right Mama" in July, 1954 that combined what was traditionally black music sung by a white artist. The documentary touches on Sir Martin's knowledge of classical music combined with the Beatles' sophisticated songwriting brought about the application of a symphonic refinement into the mix with "Yesterday" and "Eleanor Rigby." This was further amplified by Philip Spector's enormous "Wall of Sound" including blasting orchestral sounds on four tracks, while Joni Mitchell, Sly Stone, and Cat Stevens broke through musical limits by asserting their songwriting/producing capabilities to portray their opinions on minority, political and racial opinions in projecting their authentic sound. However, the most touching story was when Rick Rubin found Johnny Cash at a low in his career, and step-by-step, found his true roots and he crashed back onto the spotlight when he covered Soundgarden's "Rusty Cage" on the 1996 album, "Unchained," winning a Grammy Award for Best Country Album.
Soundbreaking covers the inclusion of innovative technologies in the music field with multi-tracking, orchestration, sampling, backtracking, amplification, disco-era synthesizers, to Electronic Dance Music, creating new sounds and reinventing what's old. You'll see unprecedented access to some of the most celebrated artists, producers, and music industry pioneers of all time: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Dave Grohl, Debbie Harry, Steven Van Zandt, Chuck D, BB King, Brian Eno, Tom Petty, Roger Daltrey, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, RZA, Roger Waters, St. Vincent, Rick Rubin, Bonnie Raitt, Questlove, and Beck. There's a century worth of innovation and experimentation from the Beatles to Stevie Wonder's synthesized stylings, from disco-era drum machines, to the modern art of sampling.
Soundbreaking's bonus features includes extra footage of Elton John, Sir George Martin, Ringo Starr, Les Paul and others (30 minutes), and includes a 20-page booklet on music -- this truly global language. Technological advances have enabled us to develop recording so that it has become within the reach of everyone.
Soundbreaking - Stories from the Cutting Edge of Music helps celebrate the work of some of the people behind the recordings, people who have excelled in their passion to record great music and by doing so, all of our lives have been enriched. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this historical documentary and look forward to future series.
