 | |
List Price: $15.00 | | Publisher: Gotham
Salesrank: 508037
|
| Our Price: $8.20 |
| Used Price: $8.19 |
|
| Media: Paperback |
|
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:
The most accurate depiction about what went on behind closed doors, perfect!!! 
2008-11-13 - I have been an avid Beatles fan for over forty years, and I know a few people who where part of the inner circle of the Beatles, and knew first hand of the dynamics of the band, and watched how they changed, particularly after Brian died.
And this book is the only book that supports all of the information which has been misrepresented until now. So my feelings on this book, is that some fans might be a little disappointed to hear what really went on in the studio, picturing this genius as four lads having the time of their life, however, better to know the truth, than to listen to third parties writing what they thought the world wanted to hear. As disappointing as it may be to many fans, this is without question the most accurate portrayal of what really transpired in the studio, and in their minds of The Beatles, as they proceeded through this unprecedented time in musical history. A great deal of time was spent on the changes the group went through after Brian died, for this was where the Beatles really began the turmoil and emotional descent really took hold of the group. As discomforting to many as this might be, this is the most accurate, truthful and intimate look at the goings on inside the studio with The Beatles. This is the finest book about the real story of the Beatles, based on all eyewitness account, from the beginning of the pandemonium that embraced them, to the bitter rivalries which led to the Beatles demise. This book lays it all out for you, and gives you insight into their lives, their thoughts, and the tremendous pressure the group lived with, to the millions of people waiting desperately to hear their next genius effort, and the expectations were no less than that. It took many a masterpiece before they were ready to call it quits. This is the book, from Geoff Emerick, the assistant engineer on all of the Beatles studio recordings, aside from part of "Let It Be", through every session, watching it all transpire right in front of his eyes.
Geoff Emerick tells it like no other could possibly could, and makes this the finest and most insightful book to be written about The Beatles of all time. An absolute must for any serious Beatle fan who really wants to know the truth about the band, the changes, resentments, and how and why they were left with no choice but to split. You wont find a more accurate book on the subject anywhere. This is the book for any and every Beatle fan who wants to know the real story behind The Beatles success, and what led to their calling it quits after only a total of 8 years recording.
Can't buy me love or good reviews 
2008-11-03 - "People don't realize, it but George had a great sense of humor," Emerick recalled. "He was also such a gifted musician. On "Taxman," from the Revolver album, I can remember him writing the guitar parts backwards to get the effect. He could do anything. At first, John and Paul didn't realize how well he could write songs. But then they saw what he could do."
This is not a quote from the book. It is, however, a quote from Geoff Emerick after he heard a cut from the then unreleased Brainwashed album.
Don't expect anything like this in Here There and Everwhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles. If anything, George Harrison comes off as a no-talent, mean spirited spoiled brat who, apparently, didn't much care for Mr. Emerick.
The bulk of the book is an unabashed tribute to Paul McCartney, whom he apparently not only liked but idolized. John and Ringo don't fare much better than George, so...unless you've never heard anything else about the recording sessions and think the recollections from the vantage point of a 16 year old is definitive, I can't recommend this book. If you like any of the other Beatles and don't have an altar to Paul in your home, it will be disappointing.
I actually do like Paul, but the shots taken at the other three in this "memoir" are tough to take. Ken Scott, one of the other engineers who went on to produce many other artists (including George Harrison) has publicly disagreed with much of what is written in this book.
So, in spite of glowing reports, and especially if you think George Harrison was a superb musician and not some knee jerk wannabe...well, you know...don't buy it.
Now, I'm going to amend my earlier thoughts on this and say that it does have some interesting stories about various recording sessions. The account of Yoko in bed during the Abbey Road sessions is still hard to imagine, but the description of the final guitar solo blow out at the end of the medley raises the unfulfilled hope that it might have all worked out in "the end".
So, depending on your susceptibility to the bias, consider the book an interesting read, but still not what I, personally, had hoped for.
Good luck on your decision.
its the beatles!!! 
2008-10-28 - great book. very interesting bought it as a gift for my uncle. it was a little beat up for what i thought it was going to be.. but just the same it was in good condition and arrived quickly
One of the best
2008-10-06 - I've read many books over the years about the Beatles. It was fascinating to learn from the inside how all that wonderful music was created. The true Beatle fan will enjoy this book. Songs that have literally been a part of my life for over 30 years were explained with precision. I never knew about Paul's expletive in Hey Jude!
Amazing for ANY Beatles fan
2008-10-03 - I read a tremendous amount and haven't read a book through twice since I was 13. I cannot recommend this book any higher for a Beatles fan. This is an incredible read with so many gems. My favorite quote from a good friend who read the book: "So what were you doing at 19? This guy was engineering REVOLVER."
There are so many gems in this book that you'll find yourself going back many times just to reread how a recording was done. I'm a musician, but this will be a great read for any fan of the Beatles. To hear how they recorded things back then with such limited equipment and with some pretty insane politics at the recording company EMI gave me a much greater appreciation of just how the Beatles broke the mold. Geoff was the unsung hero of these albums and is humble in his recounting of the recording sessions.
I couldn't recommend this book any higher. If you're bothering to read this you are definitely a Beatles fan, and you need to buy this book!
