Geoff Emerick: Here, There, and Everywhere
Here, There, and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles is maybe my most favorite Beatles related book. Why? Because it offers such an interesting and lifelike perspective on the recording of The Beatles legendary albums such as 1966’s Revolver.
I like that the book is focused on what was going on within the studio rather than what John, Paul, George, & Ringo were doing in their personal lives. Comparatively other such books are far too centered on the biography of The Beatles and not enough on the music. It is because of the music that anyone is interested in their personal stories.
The book isn’t entirely regarding The Beatles, it is really a Geoff Emerick memoir (with a clear focus on his time working with The Beatles) but if you’re thinking that that may make it not as interesting, I really do not think that is true. I truly believe it helps make his stories about The Beatles appear more “real.”
The book’s “realness” is one of the best things about it. I’ve read a heap of books on the band however many of them appear quite clinical. They’re often like a bunch of trivia strung together. With Here, There, and Everywhere I felt like I was really there at the studio in the 1960s. Like a fly on the wall, taking it all in.
This book provides a nice look into The Beatles as musicians. We get a glimpse at Paul McCartney working tirelessly to get his bass guitar parts just right and we see Harrison improve his guitar playing skills through the decade.
Emerick was a very necessary part of the band’s sound during their most creative period. Amazingly on his 1st full day as lead engineer he came up with ideas which helped make the last track on Revolver, “Tomorrow Never Knows,” sound so revolutionary.
If you are interested in buying this book you aren’t stuck with buying it on old fashioned paper, you can also obtain it for your Kindle. If you do not have a Kindle yet then I suggest buying the Kindle DX because of it’s greater size, it makes it easier to read. If you reside outside of the US, you’ll need to get a Global Wireless Kindle.
- Tags: books, Geoff Emerick, Kindle, Recording Music, The Beatles