Al ’ s autobiography , written with the help of his dear friend , Maureen Droney
A new series from the METAlliance , featuring Chuck Ainlay , Niko Bolas , Frank Filipetti , George Massenburg , and Elliot Scheiner few of Al ’ s great friends in the music world .
Sir Paul McCartney ( from the Foreword to Al ’ s autobiography , Al Schmitt on the Record ): When I worked with Al and Tommy LiPuma we would do a take , and when we had one that we thought was good enough , we ’ d go into the control room to check it . This was always a revelation for me because Al had transformed the take into a great-sounding record . This is a skill that very few recording engineers have . The various techniques that Al uses are a mystery to me and it ’ s such a joy to be working with someone who understands this magical process … More than all of this , Al is a great human being who cares deeply about what he does and the people he works with .
Chuck Ainlay ( Miranda Lambert , Dire Straits , Mark Knopfler , Wynonna , George Strait , Lyle Lovett , Peter Frampton , Taylor Swift , and on and on ): Al was one of the most vibrant people I have ever meet . Besides his unapproachable talent as an engineer and producer , I admired him as a person and held him in the highest esteem . Music has lost a great talent and I have lost a wonderful friend .
George Massenburg ( Earth , Wind & Fire , Little Feat , Billy Joel , Toto , Linda Ronstadt , David Sanborn , Little Big Town , Carly Simon , and on and on , plus he ’ s the inventor of the parametric equalizer and moving fader automation ): To paraphrase Isaac Newton , we stand on the shoulders of giants . I will appreciate that better now that the tallest , and wisest has been whisked away . So often I think , " What would Al do ?" Now I can ' t ask him .
Elliot Scheiner ( Steely Dan , Toto , Fleetwood Mac , Bobby McFerrin , Paul McCartney , Clint Black , Donald Fagen , and on and on ): Al was an engineer and producer with a talent that couldn ' t be compared to anyone else . He was without a doubt , the most respected engineer and human being in all of our lives . It ' s hard for me to say anything that would give justice to Al ' s character . He was bigger than life .
Frank Filipetti ( James Taylor , Carly Simon , KORN , Foreigner , Andrea Bocelli , Frank Zappa , Gladys Knight , Rod Stewart , and on and on ): Whether he was rescuing a homeless animal or resurrecting an artist ’ s career , Al always gave his unconditional finest and was truly a man for all seasons .
Niko Bolas ( Bonnie Raitt , Neil Young , Bette Midler , James Taylor , LeAnn Rimes , Sheryl Crowe , and on and on ): I have known Al Schmitt since 1979 . I learned two beacons that he followed , ( and shared with anyone who would listen ), one he would share , " listen with your heart ". And the other , he would ask , " Please be kind to all living things .”
John Jennings ( Co-Owner and VP of Sales and Marketing for Royer Microphones ): Maybe the best thing I ' ve ever heard over the phone was years ago when Al picked up on the 17th ( our shared birthday ) and said " Hey