Narada Michael Walden

Narada Michael Walden is a musician, producer, and songwriter who has worked with major recording artists including Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Aretha Franklin. He began his career as a drummer, playing with jazz fusion guitarist John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra in the 1970s before transitioning to production work. Walden established himself as a prominent producer in the 1980s and 1990s, creating hit records across multiple genres. His production credits include Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and "How Will I Know," as well as Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love." Beyond his production work, Walden has released solo albums and written songs that became chart successes for other artists. He operates Tarpan Studios in California, where he has recorded numerous albums. Walden authored "Whitney Houston: The Voice, The Music, The Inspiration," drawing from his professional relationship with the singer during her career peak. The book provides an insider perspective on Houston's recording process and musical development during their collaboration.

Reader reviews of "Whitney Houston: The Voice, The Music, The Inspiration" reflect mixed reactions to Walden's account of his work with the singer. Readers appreciate the behind-the-scenes details about Houston's recording sessions and vocal techniques. Many find value in Walden's firsthand observations about Houston's creative process and his role in producing some of her biggest hits. Readers praise the technical insights into music production and the specific anecdotes about creating songs like "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." Some reviewers note that Walden provides useful context about the music industry during Houston's peak years. Critics point to the book's focus on Walden's own contributions rather than a comprehensive examination of Houston's life and career. Some readers find the narrative too centered on the author's perspective and wish for more depth about Houston herself. Others mention that the book covers a limited timeframe of Houston's career, focusing primarily on the period when Walden worked with her.