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List Price: $15.00 | | Publisher: Gotham
Salesrank: 7943
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| Our Price: $9.01 |
| Used Price: $8.50 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
Geoff Emerick became an assistant engineer at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in 1962 at age fifteen, and was present as a new band called the Beatles recorded their first songs. He later worked with the Beatles as they recorded their singles "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand," the songs that would propel them to international superstardom. In 1964 he would witness the transformation of this young and playful group from Liverpool into professional, polished musicians as they put to tape classic songs such as "Eight Days A Week" and "I Feel Fine."
Then, in 1966, at age nineteen, Geoff Emerick became the Beatles’ chief engineer, the man responsible for their distinctive sound as they recorded the classic album Revolver, in which they pioneered innovative recording techniques that changed the course of rock history. Emerick would also engineer the monumental Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road albums, considered by many the greatest rock recordings of all time. In Here, There and Everywhere he reveals the creative process of the band in the studio, and describes how he achieved the sounds on their most famous songs. Emerick also brings to light the personal dynamics of the band, from the relentless (and increasingly mean-spirited) competition between Lennon and McCartney to the infighting and frustration that eventually brought a bitter end to the greatest rock band the world has ever known.
Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles Reviews:
A must read Beatles book 
2009-11-09 - Geoff Emerick has an amazing insight into the rise and fall of the greatest rock band ever. This amazing book is a must read for Beatlemaniacs, but it is also a valuable account of the inovation and creativity that went into producing the musical masterpieces of The Beatles in the age before computers. The best way to understand the Fabs is through their music. Put down the sensationalized tabloid biographies and pick this book up, then hunker down with your Beatles collection, and read. You'll never hear the music the same way again.
"Insider's view" for any recording enthusiast
2009-10-16 - Okay, so this book may not be for everybody. But for anyone that has an interest in the tremendous recording innovations that went on behind closed doors during the Beatles' standard-shattering history, this book is fascinating!
Geoff Emerick got amazingly lucky to be witness to the Beatles' first EMI recording session. Then he was called on to assist many times while Norman Smith did an excellent job of engineering the Beatles' recordings up until Revolver. When Geoff Emerick took over Norman's position, however, the time was ripe for rules to be broken in the name of exponential progress, and Geoff was the perfect creative-thinker for the job! (As a side note, I feel frustration and sadness that he, and other top-notch sound engineers, don't get the recognition--or the pay--that I think they deserve. At least he was recognized with a couple Grammys for his efforts. And I'm very happy that he, with help of course, got this book out... it certainly shows just how huge a contribution someone like him makes to the whole process.)
Geoff does venture off into personal conjecture numerous times, guessing at why certain Beatles or other personalities may have done this or that, but I view that as him just expressing the kinds of questions most of us would wonder... and, like him, we would probably also be left still wondering. Be that as it may, I found lots of his personal recollections to be thoroughly engaging, adding his own personality and color to the grand scheme of things, which is entirely appropriate since he was an important part of the whole thing.
Personally, I don't think he overdid the technical talk, but then I'm into that kind of stuff. Fans who know and care nothing about the recording process would probably be bored stiff. If you, however, are curious just how they made that magic... how they got all those amazing, complex mixes... especially being mostly on *4-track* machines (!!!)... I mean, even considering the use of bouncing tracks... wow! I found it to be a really great read, filled with fabulous details of not only recording stuff, but also lots about the wild and crazy times that were the late 1960s. I could feel like I was almost there at many of their most historic recording sessions. What a gift!
A Wonderful Time
2009-10-11 - For anyone who grew up with the Beatles as their official or unofficial soundtrack this book written by recording engineer Geoff Emerick will be fascinating to say the least. Most everyone else interested in the group should find it a good read as well. First of all, let me just say that Mr. Emerick's memory is thankfully amazing as I am assuming that most of what he recalls here is at least fairly accurate. It is the recollection of one man who was fortunate enough to have witnessed two of our lifetime's true geniuses at work on several of their masterpieces.
I thoroughly enjoyed and could relate to his introductory chapters where he describes his budding interest in a field outside that of the mainstream. His writing, although a bit redundant at times, takes on a balanced and entertaining tone. True, his memoirs may seem overly subjective on occasion but one must remember that this is an extremely personal account.
A word of caution to some readers who may not want to know some of the finer details behind such great musical works. Some of Emerick's revelations are similar in ways akin to the many documentaries that show us how film makers achieve their cinematic magic through special effects and other such techniques. At the same time, it is a partial history lesson in the evolution of studio and sound technique that should be particularly interesting to musicians.
Lastly, I must say that I found several passages deeply moving. His intimate recollection of four historical icons tapped into my own fond memories of the band as I grew up. Especially poignant is his description of John and Paul, amid the turmoil of the latter portion of the Beatles' career, harking back to the old days and their boyhood friendship. This book succeeds on many levels and I highly recommend it.
Excellent Book
2009-10-08 - This is a great telling of the Fab Four at work in the studio and the recording process itself. Short on gossip and lurid tales this book sticks to the facts and mainly covers the recording sessions and how they made those great tunes. I'm amazed that Geoff has such detail after so many years but his descriptions match up with other sorces that I have researched. Love the part about Lennon racing into the studio and hammering out the intro to Obla Di Obla Da in an apparently altered state of mind ... very funny! The group dynamics was very telling and descriptive ... Paul the perfectionist and driven task master, John the passionate but, at times, intolerant and impatient one, George the quiet and loyal soldier (until the end when he took on a more assertive guise) and Ringo, well Ringo is as you would expect him to be. Great book - highly recommended. Geoff, I'm glad you were there to record all those details.
AS A MUSICIAN AND DIE HARD BEATLE FAN!
2009-09-22 - This book would not allow you to put it down! .... Geoff Emerick shoots the truth straight from the hip!
A mind blowing book on how the Beatles really were and I believe him!! They were monsters in the studio
and then some.. A must read!
