THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY LIFE

Clive Davis--Harvard Law School alumnus, former Columbia Records president, and founder of both the Arista and "J" record labels-- provides a lackluster and monotone narration of his memoir of his business career. Davis presents himself as an imperious egotist whose legal and business capabilities somehow assisted him in developing "golden ears," which helped him build the careers of countless platinum-selling musical artists such as Barry Manilow and Whitney Houston. Dennis Boutsikaris's contribution to the narration is smooth and measured. His voice is pleasant, strong, and youngish. But his lack of emotion and variability in style combined with what seems like dictated text makes for a tough slog for the listener. Still, music fans will get a unique and authentic look at the music world amid the author's continual boasting. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2013]