Tearing Down the Wall of Sound

There's a rhythm in the life of music producer Phil Spector, the man who created the vaunted "wall of sound" and birthed dozens of songs, such as the most played radio song of all time, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin." His story is spectacularly captured in Ray Porter's narration of this detailed biography. Brown's meticulous research answers many of the questions about Spector, whose spotted life includes being tried for the shooting of an actress in his home. Porter delivers this portrait in an authoritative anchorman's voice, making the more bizarre and chilling passages even more so. Spector admits to being mentally ill and to having threatened or carried out violence in many of his relationships. His life rises and falls as dramatically as his music. R.O. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

August 27, 2007
Currently on trial for his life, accused of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, hit maker and Wall of Sound creator Phil Spector has been the subject of much recent media interest. Brown's detailed biography of Spector begins with his working-class childhood, continues through his glory days as a musical wunderkind and mysterious recluse, on up to the moment when he is alleged to have killed Clarkson. Porter's reading of Brown's biography does a solid job of hitting the high notes, maintaining an even tone and reading with understated panache. Porter is workmanlike, trekking through Spector's up-and-down life at an even clip with a careful, documentary-film–narrator assurance. He likely should not stray too far from his phone, for the inevitable posttrial version of the book. Simultaneous release with the Knopf hardcover (Reviews, May 28).