Here, There and Everywhere
My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles
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4.7 • 111 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
An all-access, firsthand account of the life and music of one of history's most beloved bands--from an original mastering engineer at Abbey Road
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Emerick was a fresh-faced young engineer in April 1966 when producer George Martin offered him the chance to work with the Beatles on what would become Revolver. He lasted until 1968, when tensions within the group, along with the band members' eccentricities and the demands of the job, forced him to quit after The White Album, exhausted and burned out. In this entertaining if uneven memoir, Emerick offers some priceless bits of firsthand knowledge. Amid the strict, sterile confines of EMI's Abbey Road studio, where technicians wore lab coats, the Beatles' success allowed them to challenge every rule. From their use of tape loops and their labor-intensive fascination with rolling tape backwards, the Beatles and Emerick reveled in shaking things up. Less remarkable are Emerick's personal recollections of the band members. He concedes the group never really fraternized with him and he seems to have taken it personally. The gregarious McCartney is recalled fondly, while Lennon is "caustic," Ringo "bland" and Harrison "sarcastic" and "furtive." Still, the book packs its share of surprises and will delight Beatle fans curious about how the band's groundbreaking records were made.
Customer Reviews
A great hook !!!
This book by far, is one of the greatest behind the scenes look at the Fab Four. It allows us the pleasure of seeing behind the curtain and behold how the music was made.
Read this book!!!
The Beatles… according to Geoff Emerick.
This book has caught some flack for the author’s loose recollections of his time with the Beatles. It’s clear from his statements after it’s release that he didn’t fact check himself. But… autobiography. And his opinions are more nuanced than his critics give him credit for. It’s definitely worth reading for Beatles fans, even with the required grain of salt. And it’s a treasure trove of information for audio engineers. Highly recommended.
Great!
Wow! And I thought I knew The Beatles. Excellent insight into a time, place and overall happening.