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Title: Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles
ISBN: 1592401791
Author:
Geoff Emerick
Howard Massey
Publicate Date: 2006-03-16
Publish: 2006-03-16
List Price: $26.00
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.91
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $5.44
Amazon Merchant Price: $26.00
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Short and Insightful
This is a great book and the best of a half-dozen or so books that I have read on The Beatles. First, it answers convincingly some of the most basic questions about the group such as why they broke up, how they made music together, the personalities of each, etc. Second, it is very frank in its assessments, both with praise and criticism--George Harrison receiving a fair amount of each. Third it is very revealing about particular songs, specifically how they were made (in terms of effects desired and attained)and their evolution in the recording studio. Finally, this book is well-written, not overly technical, relatively short at 300+ pages and a joy to read.
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2: Essential technical info on many Beatles classics
This book is essential to anyone who is curious about the technical aspects of the Beatles music from Revolver through Abby Road. With some added insight on Let It Be. Mr. Emerick does a great job of sticking to what was happening in the studio and not giving his version of Beatle's history. I disagree with some of the reviews I have read stating that Mr. Emerick gives Ringo and George a bad rap while painting John as moody and Paul as some kind of saint. Mr. Emerick is merely describing his interaction with the Beatles in the studio. He does an excellent job of explaining the recording process at that time and gives some insight on just how far we've come in today's recording studio. The book was easy to get into and hard to put down.
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3: Geoff Emerick was the sound engineer to the Beatles
This book is very imformative for Beatles fans and audio philes alike. The author does not get caught up in the personal dramas of the Beatles, but chronicles his approach to problem solving in the day when multi-track recording technology was just starting to evolve. He does give some unique observations regarding the Fab 4, but does not seem to be awestruck, having been with them from the very beginning. Even though recording the Beatles was not always fun it was always eventful. This is a very special glimpse behind the magic curtain. I recommend it highly.
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4: Coming to a Bargain Bin Near You!
Emerick and co-author Massey can't seem to get out of their own way in delivering the story of Emerick's days recording the Beatles. Their awkward, uneven account reads like a 300-page high school writing assignment.
This book desperately needs a talented co-author. Even more, it cries for an editor to give the book strong direction, eliminating diversion and self congratulation while focusing on the kind of detail and anecdote that could truly shed new light on the greatest musical story of a generation.
The story might have been compelling, except for the ego, cliche, pettiness, and sycophancy leaking through nearly every page. I will say that this book does reveal a few insights, but must also caution that the effort required to find them will require a thorough cleaning of shoes afterward.
The book is destined for the Dollar Bin here, there, and everywhere.
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5: A Technician's Perspective on the Beatles
Geoff Emerick was the recording engineer behind such seminal works as Revolver and Sgt. Pepper. He was also privy to most of the innerworkings of the Beatles' recording sessions even if he wasn't the chief engineer on all their albums. Through careful observations of the Beatles' compositional styles and perceptive insights into the dynamics of their personalities, Emerick brings a welcome clarity to the subject of how the Beatles worked in the studio and how their vision of rock evolved. The early days are evoked with particular charm, especially the memories of recording "She Loves You" at the same time that frantic fans were invading EMI studios. Emerick's comments on the raw energy of "She Loves You" versus the more contained power of "I Want to Hold Your Hand," are more than worth the price for any serious Beatles historian. Interesting, detailed, and very readable. A gem in the ongoing treatises upon Beatle-ology.
Donald Gallinger is author of the novel, The Master Planets
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