[PDF] The Speed of Sound: Breaking the Barriers Between Music and Technology: A Memoir by Thomas Dolby in Arts-Photography

Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A Revelatory Memoir by the Man Who Blinded Us with ScienceBy Andrew FieldI just finished reading Dolbys memoir. For someone whos been a fan of his music for over 30 years. it was a revelation. The book is full of fascinating anecdotes about his early career as a musician. and his later career as a tech entrepreneur. Throughout the memoir he comes across as an artist who refuses to compromise his integrity. a sort of romantic Don Quixote figure crossing lances with the dragons of the music business and e-commerce. Fans of music will gain many great insights into the making of his songs and albums. as well as discovering what he was doing in the many years in between the production of his music. The biggest gap is his childhood--I would have liked to have learned more about what drew him to music. and synthesized music. in the first place. and would have enjoyed reading about his early years traveling around with his archeologist father. Otherwise this is a gem of a book. and should appeal not only to fans of his music. but to people curious about the inner workings of the music industry since the days of 80s synth pop.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Masterfully crafted and does not disappoint!By CustomerFinished this fascinating memoir the day I received it. Ive been anticipating the books release for a while. and it did not disappoint. SPOILERS (but what review doesnt have a few): I already knew Elizabeth was Europa. but I still gasped when she said "Well be the Pirate Twins again". I cried when TMDR described the worst moment of his life checking his Blackberry outside the school. I laughed about the water skiing accident. I cheered when Kathleen told off Michael Jackson and I felt sympathy for Lesley. And as for Kevin Rowland. "Come on Eileen" is the biggest turd of the 80s.As TMDR admits early on. some events seemed to be re-ordered from ways we have heard them before. but this is done with admirable intent to emphasize the chronology of events and how each lends to things further along. I would have liked to see a bit of greater detail during the Sole Inhabitant and Map of the Floating City years since Le Funky Shed and the Nutmeg were great places of artistic cultivation. Things I learned: 1. When setting out. it never hurts to keep a name in your pocket 2. Stay true to who you are and what you want to build and steer your course with that mindset 3. Keep the Sharpies away from Tony Hadley0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not just another musicians autobiographyBy Brian BorchersAlthough Thomas Dolby is best known for his first careers as a musician and producer at the height of the 80s synth pop craze. he has since reinvented himself as a silicon valley entrepreneur. taken a few years off in semi-retirement in his native England. and most recently returned to the US as a professor at Johns Hopkins. To me the most interesting aspect of Dolbys story is how he has managed to do all of this as a largely self educated man from a modest background. Lots of one hit wonders have come and gone in the music industry. but I cant think of another who has followed that up with even more success in business. I can also think of lots of successful silicon valley entrepreneurs. but most of them come from privileged Ivy League backgrounds (you might mention Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. but Id respond that both of them got into Harvard even if they didnt bother to finish.)Dolby tells his story in a straight forward way. including lots of unflattering details that other autobiographers might have skipped. At times there is too much detail about recording sessions. concert tours. and business meetings. but some of the stories about personalities and events are fascinating.I would have liked to hear more about Dolbys latest reinvention as a college professor and what he wants to work on at this stage of his life.