FROM THE HEART

Michelle is shocked. She ain’t alone (“Shocked Treatment,” by Steve Hochman, Oct. 6). But she deserves high praise for the price of her indignation and the courage to speak up. She’s taken dead aim at the abusive nature of recording contracts.

Anyone who works for these labels who knows what these companies have been getting away with should be ashamed. It’s slavery all right, the very kind outlawed by the 13th Amendment. Don Engel (“Do you ever hear of an actor who has to give up his first million dollars of pay from a movie in order to get the film made?”) is a refreshing exception to this cesspool of collusionary attorneys who perpetuate these practices and lick the boots of the robber barons who operate these companies.

Behind the philanthropic facade of these record racketeers is a sad history of bright young artists condemned to an early grave in the drug-infested ramming speed of promotional tours. All in an effort to make a buck, while the ranks of the execs and their A&R; toadies lounge poolside at home with their ill-gotten gains. It’s as darkly epic and vile as anything from Dickens’ description of industrial abuse of the 1800s. It’s high time some of the power hitters with their hush money squealed on these guys. It might take the artistry of class action.

By the way, I’ve heard Michelle Shocked’s “Kind Hearted Woman” and disagree with reviewer Natalie Nichols, who gave it three stars. It’s four-star artistry!

VAN DYKE PARKS

Encino