Review of The days are long but the years are shorter

[Amanda Meira]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The days are long but the years are shorter" by Angel Balestier.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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The Days Are Long But the Years Are Shorter by Angel Balestier is a memoir that chronicles his career in the music industry, from its beginnings to his eventual success as a sound engineer and the establishment of his own studio.

Balestier recounts his early life in Brooklyn, New York, and how he recognized the need to forge his own path. He explains why avoiding the pitfalls of organized crime—into which many in his community fell—was important to him. Instead, he found a job that unexpectedly opened the door to the music industry. Even while he was still a shipping clerk at a studio in NYC, he wasted no time learning as much as possible. Through this determination, he began his career in a commercial recording studio, eventually working under the guidance of legendary sound engineer and producer Phil Ramone. Despite his growing success in New York, Balestier decided to move to Los Angeles, where his talent was put to the test and new opportunities arose.

Angel Balestier's narrative provides an intimate view of the challenges and triumphs of his journey, highlighting his commitment to building a legitimate and respectable career. The book also illustrates the evolution of the music industry in the 1960s, offering insights into the cultural and technological shifts that shaped the musical landscape of the era, particularly the rise of independent studios.

The book is well-written, with a clear narrative and a chronological flow of events, making it an easy and enjoyable read. I only found a few minor errors in the edition I read; however, they were negligible and did not detract from the overall quality. While I loved reading about his story, I feel he could have explored more about his impact on the Latin music community. Although these aspects are mentioned, they are not fully developed, which would have added depth to the memoir. For these reasons, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

In conclusion, I would recommend The Days Are Long But The Years Are Shorter to those interested in stories of perseverance and the music industry of the 1960s.

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The days are long but the years are shorter
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[Amy Luman]

I don’t particularly enjoy memoirs, but I am fascinated by the ins and outs of the music industry. Change is inevitable, but dealing with it sounds very interesting. Thanks!

[Blueberry Dragon]

This sounds like a good chronicle on the evolution of the music industry interwoven into the story of the author. Thanks for the review, @Amanda Meira.