Suzane R. (arianleeandloxley) reviewed Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles on
Helpful Score: 2
Of all the books I've read on this subject (and there have been many) Mr. Emerick is the only "insider" who speaks so negatively about his experiences with The Beatles. That is, of course, with the exception of Paul whom he dubs "the real leader of the band" and "the only true musician in the group". Why John, George, and Ringo get bad press from Mr Emerick is somewhat apparent in the stories, God knows none of them were angels, but the complete disregard for them that is written in this book is nothing short of astonishing! Boy has this guy got an axe to grind or what?
That being said: this book is a must for any and ALL musicians/engineers/Beatles fans that want to read about what really went on in the studio. This is cool stuff period! Frenzied fans storming in unexpectedly, John hanging from a rope to sound like the Dalai Lama, Ringo keeping time like an expensive swiss watch for hours and hours. It's all here.
Despite Geoff Emerick's praise for the perpetually perfect Paul, this book is one I'm glad I didn't miss.
That being said: this book is a must for any and ALL musicians/engineers/Beatles fans that want to read about what really went on in the studio. This is cool stuff period! Frenzied fans storming in unexpectedly, John hanging from a rope to sound like the Dalai Lama, Ringo keeping time like an expensive swiss watch for hours and hours. It's all here.
Despite Geoff Emerick's praise for the perpetually perfect Paul, this book is one I'm glad I didn't miss.
Annette W. (AnnetteLouise) reviewed Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a wonderful, insider's view of the Beatles' albums and recording processes from one who was there beginning to end. It's a personal account, so his bias is fine. But it's clear he had favorites among the Beatles and his fellow employees at EMI, and he gives reasons why. This is a book for true Beatles fans, because we can never say "enough!"
Sheena (dazeerae) reviewed Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles on + 55 more book reviews
Fantastic fly-on-the-wall view of The Beatles in the recording studio. Emerick gives details & anecdotes of each of The Beatles albums he helped record, along with his personal opinion on John, Paul, George, & Ringo. His views on their personalities is somewhat one-dimensional with most of the praise being heaped on McCartney. However, his insight into The Beatles in the studio more than makes up for it. Interesting tidbits include how the band and their friends created all the ambient sounds on A Day in the Life, and how the underwater sound was achieved on the song Yellow Submarine (it involves water, a microphone, and a condom!).
