"Of a number of recent books on the history of recording. . . .Katz's book is the most approachable. . . . In lucid, evenhanded prose, it ranges all over the map, from classical to hip-hop."—Alex Ross, New Yorker

"A creative and highly original examination of the countless ways in which recordings . . . have transformed our understanding of what we listen to and for. Katz is at home in every musical genre."—Tim Page, Washington Post Book World

"Mark Katz's Capturing Sound is a unique, fascinating, and quirky look at the catalyzing effect recording technology and culture has had upon music and music making. This is an important book [and] a good read."—Philip Carli, ARSC Journal

"Capturing Sound is an interesting, insightful, and informative journey into the origins of recording technology."—Marian S. Schultz, Music Educators Journal

"Mark Katz's Capturing Sound: How Technology has Changed Music is a timely read. As the Supreme Court tackles issues relating to downloading music and file-sharing, Katz . . . examines how recording technology has influenced the ways we make and listen to music. Katz's discussion of the topic is far-ranging and illuminating. . . . As Katz progresses from the development of the phonograph to turntablism and digital sampling, giving examples along the way, attentive readers will likely want to hear some of the pieces cited. Well, there's no need to visit iTunes because the book comes with a CD of recordings. The disc makes Capturing Sound a good read and a good listen."—John Lewis, Baltimore Magazine

"Katz's Capturing Sound represents an emerging musicology that is equally at home with the popular and the classical. . . . The book concisely covers an astonishing range of topics linked to the rise of recording technology over the last century. . . . Katz's approach is primarily historical, drawing on an impressive array of documentation from recording archives, advertising, and literary sources."—Joseph Auner, Institute For Studies In American Music