PWL: From The Factory Floor

Phil Harding

• Publisher: Cherry Red Books
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781901447521
• eBook ISBN: 9781909454415
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Pop Music

To the modern pop world, Stock, Aitken and Waterman have taken on something of a legendary status in recent years. The PWL label and studios produced so many hits in the 1980s that their name became synonymous with success, and they created a template so expertly worked today. From Elton John's tea boy to successful record producer, Phil Harding's career spans over 30 years, ranging from recording The Clash in the 70s to producing hit singles for East 17 and Boyzone in the 90s. Phil played a key role at PWL Studios, alongside the legendary Stock, Aitken and Waterman production team, whose Hit Factory productions and mixes sold over 30 million units around the world, via a surprisingly diverse CV of artists, including ABC, RICK ASTLEY, BANANARAMA, BAND AID II, BASIA, CHIC, CLIMIE FISHER, THE COOL NOTES, DEAD OR ALIVE, HAZELL DEAN, DEPECHE MODE, DIVINE, DOLLAR, JASON DONOVAN, EIGHTH WONDER, ERASURE, FIVE STAR, THE FOUR TOPS, LONNIE GORDON, DEBBIE HARRY, THELMA HOUSTON, IMAGINATION, THE JACKSON FIVE, JESUS JONES, MATT BIANCO, MEL & KIM, KYLIE MINOGUE, GARY MOORE, NITZER EBB, PET SHOP BOYS, PRINCESS, CLIFF RICHARD, DIANA ROSS, SINITTA, JIMMY SOMERVILLE, SONIA, JERMAINE STEWART, DONNA SUMMER, THE THREE DEGREES, T'PAU, JOHN TRAVOLTA & OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and VOICE OF THE BEEHIVE. Refreshingly and affectionately frank, 'PWL - From The Factory Floor' tells the inside story of one of the most successful and fast-paced music studios of all time. Phil's pivotal role provides a uniquely broad perspective, extending from the top of the organisation, mixing many classic SAW hits, down to the bottom, training up-and-coming engineers, as well as involvement in the creative, business (and diplomatic!) aspects of being a critically-acclaimed producer in his own right and developing a profile and client base under the management of Pete Waterman. Highlights include Phil's behind-the-scenes journey through the eventful rise (and fall) of PWL, commentary on the working styles and sounds covered during PWL's history, detailed recollections of specific, classic PWL mixes, in-depth interviews on working with some of the most significant artists of the time, an A-to-Z of PWL staff, Phil's PWL discography - a comprehensive guide to his many hundreds of releases, a full review of Phil and his fellow producer Ian Curnow's extensive personal archives and master tapes (including, for the first time, details on many PWL projects that remain unreleased and previously forgotten), and a new Harding/Curnow interview, looking back on their time working at PWL. The book also takes in the technicalities of studio work, including a detailed case study of the mixing of a No. 1 single in the form of Kylie's 'Hand On Your Heart', and information on the cutting edge technology and techniques used in making the studio a world leader. A must-read for 80s, club, dance and pop devotees, contemporary music followers, studio technicians and creators and those with any interest in the extreme highs and lows that only pop music can provide.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• CONTENTS
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Pre-PWL Studios, 1976-1984
• Chapter 2: 1985
• Chapter 3: 1986
• Chapter 4: 1987
• Chapter 5: 1988
• Chapter 6: 1989
• Chapter 7: 1990
• Chapter 8: 1991
• Chapter 9: 1992 and post PWL
• Key styles and mixes
• Key artists
• Phil Harding & Ian Curnow Retrospective Interview
• Phil Harding PWL Discography
• Technical Section
• Copyright