Into the Groove: The Story of Sound From Tin Foil to Vinyl

(Paperback)

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Description

While Thomas Edison's phonograph, represented an important turning point in the story of recorded sound, it came after decades of invention, tinkering and experiment. In this book, vinyl collector and music buff Jonathan Scott dissects the history, science and ingenuity behind a mind-blowing feat that we all take for granted today the domestication of sound. Starting with the earliest attempts to capture sound, Into the Groove explores the origins of record-playing machinery and the development of the first commercial discs. Covering the rise of the LP record, the drama of competing speed and format wars, and the fall of the 7-inch, Scott takes the story up to the present day return of vinyl to vogue. From the technological developments, the humans that made them happen and the impact they had on society, it uncovers tales of intrigue and betrayal, court battles and lesser-known names who are often left out of most histories. Read this book, and find a new appreciation of the not-so-simple black disc that holds a special place in the history of music and sound.

Reviews

By mixing lo-fi charm into hi-fi science Into the Groove captures all the wonder and absurdity of its subject, jumping and skipping with real analogue delight. * Sunday Times *
An attentive, expository account of how records came to be. * The Wire *
Into the Groove is a breezy twirl through the technical innovations, musical revolutions and cultural changes that have driven the story of sound. * Wall Street Journal *
A thoroughly entertaining history of how sound recordings evolved ... The tone is light and the narrative engaging Within these pages is a lot of humor an excellent, absorbing book. * Washington Independent Review of Books *
An audio geeks delight, this engrossing history of music and voice recording is as wide-ranging and thorough as one could want Scott spins a history told with near-perfect pitch. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *
A very detailed and well researched history of the gramophone [Scott] writes in a non-technical way but fully explains how sound recording has evolved. * David Harris, Practical Wireless *
Enjoyable Scott has an eye for detail music lovers will want to take this one for a spin. * Publisher's Weekly *
Scott excels in explaining the connections between innovators and their various epiphanies and lawsuits without ever losing focus of recordings end users: the listener A perfect fit for music lovers whove always wondered how a recorded performance reaches their ears. * Library Review *
A thoroughly entertaining history of how sound recordings evolved... excellent, absorbing book. * Eugene L. Meyer, Washington Independent Review of Books *
This is the book music lovers will want this summer. * Bookworm Sez *
In Into the Groove, Scott spins a remarkably dulcet history of sound recording from its genesis to the present day. -- Bill Thompson * The Post and Courier *
This is an interesting look at a specific part of music history. -- Erica Ezeifedi * Book Riot *
Into the Groove is a thorough exploration of the sound revolution that brought music to the masses Jonathan Scott contributes a wealth of valuable information that will engage audiophiles everywhere. A winning book of history mixed with pop culture. -- Philip Zozzaro * Manhattan Book Review *
This is the book music lovers will want this summer, by the water or by the speakers. -- Terri Schlichenmeyer * Marco Eagle News *
Scotts writing is engaging And there is no dearth of nuggets that even the least engineering-minded individual will take from his narrative... Ultimately, for anyone who loves music, Into the Groove is an essential document. -- Frank Valish * Under the Radar *
This book will fascinate both novices and knowledgeable readersOne comes away from this volume with an appreciation of how technological change/innovation occurs in an economy that is dominated by profit making and by the inquisitiveness of individuals. -- R. J. Phillips * Choice Magazine *

Author Bio

Jonathan Scott is a music journalist who has been collecting vinyl since he was seven years old. Hes written about weird, rare and collectable records for Record Collector, has edited books about Prince, Jefferson Airplane and The Grateful Dead, and has written about Nirvana, The Venga Boys and lots of others in between. Jonathan's first book, The Vinyl Frontier, told the story of NASA's 'golden record' on the Voyager missions.