Geoff Emerick Here There & Everywhere (Recording with The Beatles) Book Review

[@Donci-ul2pz]

I have read this book upon your recommendation, and thoroughly enjoyed!!! Thanks John!

[@DJ-bj8ku]

Emerick said McCartney was better than Lennon at articulating his musical vision. I relate better to John, though-his edge, his vulnerability. I felt like I knew John, warts and all.

[@Ad.Dd.James.]

RIP Geoff Emerick

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

Emerick's account of the 9-hour session to record Eight Days a Week, Mr. Moonlight, Kansas City, I Feel Fine, I'll Follow the Sun, Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby, and more is very interesting. Also, his account of Paul + George acting silly, then suddenly doing a double-take when they realized that John was left alone, tripping, on the rooftop is amusing.

[@manolokonosko2868]

I read it from cover to cover. A truly fascinating book by someone who was there and whose work was wrongfully ascribed to George Martin. In his book we see people for what they are, and not this bullshit Beatles myth perpetuated by the band and the label . The book clearly proves that a John Lennon was an abusive, rude, asshole, and not a true equal as far as genius goes, to Paul. George was a bitter sarcastic man. He had his reasons to be.

[@MeanMrMayo]

I haven't read the book (yet?), mainly because I was indeed hearing from fans that Geoff was way too pro-Paul, at the expense of John and George. Now, I don't mean that I think there's anything wrong with having a favorite Beatle, or not to admire Paul for his respectable professionalism in the studio; I mean that Geoff might have been reluctant to "diss" Paul since Paul is still living, and Geoff may wish to stay in McCartney's good favor. When you mention here how George struggled to do the guitar solo parts, I've always figured this was the case; you can easily tell this by the available outtakes, as well as the BBC and live shows. But after observing your enthusiasm for this book, you have made me very interested and I now think I will get around to buying it and reading it. Thanks for this video, John - nice job.

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Joe...you will enjoy the book me thinks!

[@starshiptrooper7670]

Love the book and your t-shirt. I really love your autographed copy of George Harrison. That's a great record in my humble opinion. The guitar intro to Your Love is Forever still makes me smile.

[@gatsby1000]

Very interesting video I got to pick this book up I always thought Instant Karma had some of the best drum sounds I've ever heard

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks!

[@catnc1]

I read this book this month and enjoyed it very much. Paul is definitely Geoff' s favorite Beatle, but that's okay. He's mine as well.

[@backpages9885]

This will be a cool read for me, I'm sure. I'm finishing up "The Love you Make - an Insider's story on the Beatles" right now

[@johnheaton5667]

Peter Brown's book has some great (subjective) recollections although Geoff's book is more insightful regarding the music for sure.

[@jmadratz]

Paul was a tunesmith, John was a wordsmith; Paul could write some great lyrics (Fool on the Hill), and John could compose some great melodies/tunes (If I Fell). Overall, after listening to all the songs at least a couple hundred time each, I prefer "John's" songs over "Paul's".

[@oinkooink]

Ok

[@hungfao]

My wife and I had just been introduced to Geoff by Jack Douglas. Fantastic!! Then he died. Many tears.

[@jldraw]

I read this book a few years back while on holiday and thought the world of it. For some reason though I keep putting it on the back burner in terms of picking up my own copy for my Beatles library. I didn't think Emerick's McCartney bias was all that pronounced. I know there were reports that Emerick's relations with George Harrison in particular were not very positive but I think he deals Harrison a fair hand of cards in the book. I think the world of Geoff Emerick and his predecessor Norman Smith as well as both are very underrated in terms of how they helped to capture The Beatles sound and then work on preparing the mixes which was quite an effort in enough of itself. Good review JH and snazzy shirt by the way!

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks and I agree it's a fair and honest recollection from what I can see.

[@manolokonosko2868]

I don't think a lot of people thought of George on very positive terms. He was after all, a very resentful and insecure man, however with time he got better, especially once he mingled with other people and learned to think of himself in more positive terms than what he was being gaslit but John, Paul and George Martin. All Things Must Pass was the ultimate revenge on all of them.

[@matts9064]

Thanks for another fantastic insightful review video John. After watching your other videos on the various books about the Beatles, I have started collecting a few and will certainly pick this one up. Keep up the great work! Thanks from Canada.

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks KS ...hope you enjoy it!

[@nurzafirah2902]

His book is one of my favorite tho!! Can't believe you did the review about this book!! I'm so excited to hear your opinions and thoughts about this book :D

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks! Great book!

[@tynerchewy1376]

One of the most enjoyable books I've ever read on them, & I'm in my 70's. That's pretty much they way they were! Paul wanted things right. Nothing wrong with that. Great read. Good stuff John.

[@Twotontessie]

Great book. Felt the guy had some kind of resentment against George. That annoyed me. He also was quite haughty and seemed to portray Ringo as an idiot as well. The detail about the recording sessions - which is really what it’s about - is amazing.

[@manolokonosko2868]

While Geoff Emerick's account of his time with The Beatles, may not be to everyone's taste, at least he WAS THERE as opposed to other people who were partly there or that speculate. Ringo WAS and STILL IS and idiot, so I didn't see anything out of the ordinary except that he's not anybody's fanboy. In fact , he walked out on the band becuase they were all acting like jerks, especially John Lennon - who in the end got what he deserved.

[@davidenders9282]

got this on audiobook. excellent, the 1st engineer from revolver to abbey road. Norman "Hurricane" Smith was engineer from the early recordings to Rubber Soul. Emerick has You Tube interviews talking about his experiences during this period of the Beatles. one i remember exclusively about the recording of Sgt. Pepper.

[@davidgena2667]

Purchased this book a few years ago and found it to be one of the best books out there on the subject of the greatest pop/rock band ever in the history of recorded music. It ought to be required reading for all Beatles’ fans. Another splendid review, John.

[@johnheaton5667]

Well said David...it's very illuminating!

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

I can't believe I've still not read this book. A while back I was reading some quite negative stuff about it, but I can't remember any details. I'm off on holiday next week and have been scratching my head for an idea of reading material, so you've helped me out here John, thanks!

[@johnheaton5667]

Yeah well I would say read the book and you decide. I didn't find his views annoying....just telling it as he remembers it, warts and all! Cheers!

[@allengattone4367]

All you need is this book & Mark's The Complete Recording Sessions and your good. I found it very hard to put this book down. Some of the bootlegs confirm many of the things mentioned in this book. Wonderful read. Nice review John.

[@fshoaps]

For some reason, despite reading many a Beatle book I haven't got to this one - I think it probably has to do with some of the nasty comments said about George a mere six years after he died, and was unable to defend himself and his legacy. Maybe we should write a nasty book about Geoff, considering he died recently, following his logic of course.

[@TomCwimpRock]

Thank you for this review John - in my opinion, this is one of the most important books for full comprehension of The Beatles, and essential for any die hard fan - more so even, as you alluded to, than Anthology.. Nice video as always..

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Thomas! Yes!

[@oldskoolfool141]

It was the kind of book I wanted to read, that blow by blow during recording sessions kinda thing and it gets no closer than a Geoffs-eye view, I find those there in a professional capacity have a more objective take than those who are either proffered or attached to the artist, a great toiletsider that you can open up anywhere and read, definitely recommended

[@DEEDSdude808]

John, thank you for doing such a great review of this wonderful book. I got this book right when it came out and it was what kicked off my ravenous appetite for Beatles "Insider" books , as you call them. He is Paul biased, but I , like you, completely love that honesty and I think I can appreciate the dynamic of their working relationship. Paul was even Best Man at Geoff's wedding as I recall so they must have had both a good personal and working relationship. This review makes me want to re-read it. Great, Great review. thanks!

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks! Yes he has a touching and close relationship with Paul in particular.

[@georgepetroff867]

Thanks for your thoughts on this book. I have been enjoying your videos. I became a Beatles fan in 1969. (I am 64 years old) The first ten albums I owned included 9 Beatles albums and The Rolling Stones Get Yer Ya Ya’s out. Yes, I think McDonald’s book is excellent. I didn’t know about this book and will look to acquiring it.

[@timshearn8203]

Thanks for bringing this book to my attention John. There are so many Beatle books out there it is great to get a recommendation. Will definitely check it out.

[@johnheaton5667]

Tim shearn thanks Tim I’m sure you will enjoy it

[@renaud_c_h]

I bought the book when it came out among the storm of reactions it created on the net. Particularly the very public criticism and exchange of emails with Ken Scott, that other Abbey Road engineer who took over from Emerick during the recording of the White Album. It became incredibly personal. As a result I think they are not on speaking terms to this day. It is a particularly interesting book if you are into the more technical aspect of the Beatles and the music making which is an absolute joy to read. True, he is not particularly nice to George (and that's what Ken Scott took exception to amongst other things...). Not only was he not nice but very critical about his worth as a guitar player on Revolver and repeatedly so which was a little annoying. I think at the time it had been also said that it was down to the guy who helped Emerick write the book who seemed to have an agenda against Harrison and Lennon (although less so)... Still, despite all that, it remains one of the great books about the Beatles and as you said, John, it could have done with a better cover photograph/design and certainly it's been a missed opportunity to stuff the book with photos of the Beatles in the studio throughout their years at Abbey Road...

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Renaud...yeah I think the ghost writer took a few liberties (and used American English) but his negative George comments as a guitarist pretty much stopped by 1968 which is when George flourished the most as a guitarist in my opinion...so what is Paul played the solo on Taxman or Good Morning?...they were after the best sound they could get from any of the four

[@renaud_c_h]

McCartney is unquestionably my favourite Beatle so I'm never going to complain when he plays the lead guitar :) But indeed whatever it takes to make the best song they could.

[@wendyadams8549]

Good review of the book John. I will have to take a look at it now . I have read many books over many years as have you and I have decided that as far as what The Beatles achieved in out put etc I would have to say that 1968 was their Greatest year of achievement . You know as well as anyone their story and what they did when they did and I would be very interested in your views as pound for pound what you think was their biggest year of history making activity. Great viewing as always 👍

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Wendy.. I would say 1968 was about their peak...but I would recommend this book asGeoff's input was more on Revolver/Pepper and then Abbey Road

[@jnagarya519]

I've been following "The Beatles" since October, 1963. A slew of books were published immediately after John was murdered -- when he could no longer talk back.

[@jltbass56]

Love the shirt too!!!

[@fredfat1606]

excellent review - ive not read yet but you have stimulated my interest - thank you

[@johnheaton5667]

Good thanks Fred..hope you like it if you get it!

[@clearcoat2000]

Sad to hear Geoff Emerick passed away on October 2, 2018. He had an incredible life and career.

[@kengk1234]

I agree, a great book, a must for Beatle fans.

[@pedroV2003]

I read the book several years ago but so I'm speaking mainly from faulty memory but I must say even though I am a bass player and I love Macca I found Emericks constant put down of everyone but Paul off-putting. I can't recall him saying anything nice about the other three. I also seem to recall him (IMO) overstating studio magic. Whatever takes place in the studio IMO is makeup. But you can put make up on a pig and its still a pig. You can strip all the make up off of Scarlett Johannson and she's still a gorgeous woman. The point is that John Paul and George brought in diamonds and yes, Emerick and Martin helped polish them up but if you played these song on acoustic guitar they'd still be beautiful. So all that said, I did not enjoy the book in the least.

[@johnheaton5667]

pedroV2003 thanks for your comment you seem to have found it more annoying than I did...I think his opinions on the four were based mainly on how easy it was to work with them...at one stage he describes John as a monumental talent....then later that Paul was every bit as talented as john (but he did not say more so)...cheers

[@pedroV2003]

I'm sure you're right that his opinions did reflect who he thought was easy to work with. But he made it sound as if Paul WAS the Beatles. But no matter how difficult John might have been (and I'm sure he was) no reasonable person can state that the guy that wrote 'Strawberry Fields', 'In My Life', 'A Day in the Life', 'I am the Walrus', etc. was anything less than a musical genius. There was so much of this in the book that I simply couldn't enjoy it. Obviously, your mileage varies.

[@Estacio024]

You should review Norman Smith's book next !

[@tyronerodgers]

Benn enjoying your channel John! Nice critiques! All the best from Tokyo!

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks!

[@maelinjoli]

read that book 5 years ago and was surprised to learn that he wasn't at all impressed by George Harrison. maybe it's a personal thing and those two we're not compatible. happens all the time .even with a Beatle.

[@anonymusum]

Of course McCartney was the most talented and skilled musician. Otherwise he wouldn´t be a musician´s musician and that´s what he is.

[@scottrap]

Where did you get the Apple shirt? I want one 🍏

[@daytripper9222]

I've had this book for a while now and what a fantastic read. Thanks for the video john.

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Kregg!

[@MIB_63]

One of my favorite books on the Beatles.

[@rainblaze.]

emperiel bedroom just for beyond belief is notable. Always thought this was costellos version of tomorow never knows, and is by and away my favourite from him. a trully outstanding piece of work

[@johnheaton5667]

Yes it's a fine album!

[@TheOompahRoundabout]

I'll be looking out for it for sure!

[@johnheaton5667]

Great, hope you enjoy it!

[@davecostello560]

Wow, this sounds like a must get. It's interesting to see that Mr Emerick has got quite a high profile currently on various facebook groups, Apple Records, where he posts short vids of working in the studio, which he still does. Having recently been in Hamburg, I have been re-visiting the Hamburg chapters from the amazing Mark Lewisohn work. Also got a great graphic novel called Baby's in Black, about Stu and Astrid - check it out!

[@johnheaton5667]

Dave Costello thanks Dave....I envy your Hamburg trip!

[@4-dman464]

That GH asked Clapton to do the guitar work on 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' is self-damning on GH's guitar capability, or at least his confidence on guitar. He writes a song all about how his guitar expresses his despair over mankind, then gets Clapton to express it on HIS guitar. Later, Clapton gave him that same guitar.

[@LASTOFTHE80S]

I think George brought Clapton in to get the guys to take his stuff more seriously. Clapton being the name he was at the time made the others stand straight and put there best work forward. Love John and Paul but George’s stuff came second to there’s and He wanted them to take it seriously. So Clapton came as support. But asked they run his guitar through a Leslie to give it a different sound as even he knew it was strange for anyone else to play on the Beatles record then the Beatles. The guitar George already had when Clapton who said he didn’t have a A guitar to play George said I have the Les Paul you gave me you can use. At least what I read from Clapton’s memory of it. Just wanted to clear up the Why? .I too would have loved to hear a George Lead on it myself as well.

[@googoogjoobgoogoogjoob]

The opposite. Remarkable confidence to have arguably the greatest guitarist of the 60s to play his song. And a remarkable coup for the whole band.

[@schitzwatz]

Since the release of Peter Jackson's 'Get Back', I'm having a little trouble reconciling the general bonhomie of the Beatles in the movie against the dreariness of the White Album sessions Geoff describes only a year or so earlier. Perhaps they were mugging it up for the cameras. but I also wonder if Geoff's own personality may have coloured things a little. It does seem manners and compliments were rather absent from Beatles persona, but I think Geoff himself may have been a little nervous and a highly strung Londoner and may have made himself a target at times. Winding up and wisecracks are definitely a Liverpudlian feature and some of the comments from the Beatles may have been misconstrued. Clash of cultures?

[@fourthtunz]

I guess we're all going to have our opinions but Geoff was there and like us, he's allowed to have his opinion. I'm glad he wrote the book and glad he included his comments.

[@paulgriffith1021]

Thanks John! Great review, I have this book and I love it!

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Paul!

[@ClarenceFisher]

I've just ordered it from my local library.

[@johnheaton5667]

Great...you will like it I think!

[@precbass]

Very informative book,although his devotion to McCartney is too obvious.His demeanour to George was obvious too,constantly referring to him as 'Harrison' ,and generally dismissing him as incompetent.Changed my opinion of Emerick quite a bit.

[@stephenkater9621]

I really want to read this !! I love the Anthology ... cant wait to get this !! thanks john .. by the way, have you read the last Paul Mc Cartney Biography , the last one that came out last year ? would like to know what you think of it !! i think it is strange how the writer (phillip norman) thinks about john ... hes almost rude to him

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Stephen..Haven't read the Norman McCartney yet...I find him a bit anti Paul though he writes good books...the Lennon one was pretty good

[@stephenkater9621]

haha..thats strange ...because in this book he decides that he wants to be paul and how great paul is ...and he says he was a big lennon fan but he came to the decision that john lennon is a rude punk or bad news or something like that ,you know ... and he was wrong ... and now he loves paul . its a lil bit strange and thats the reason why i have problems with it ... the writer takes too much position on this issue i think ... but i read a lot of good reviews of the book. i dont know why

[@matthewmedley8532]

Great review. Will definitely add it to my Beatles book list.

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks Mathew..you won't be disappointed!

[@PeKe999]

A very good and enjoyable read. Geoff was right about Paul. All Geoff said, Paul has proven during his solo years. He was the music.

[@jamesfair4315]

I loved that book. It was panned by anti Paul people, but truth hurts. And I loved reading it and will re read it by the engineer who did the Beatles great.

[@jamesfair4315]

Panned not planned

[@NewFalconerRecords]

You have to remember just how damned young Geoff Emerick was when he worked with the Beatles -- he was only 19 years old when he engineered 'Revolver'. A lot of his insights into the personalities of the band members are most likely coloured by the fact that he was so young at the time, just 15 to his early 20s by the end. As you get older you get more of an insight into human nature, but when you're younger you're a little more emotional.

[@MrDavegoodger]

love the book....the Beatles were as good as any other group in Liverpool till they started writing their own songs....then whamoooo it all began....what a band....

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

Hi John. I picked up Geoff's book and am thoroughly enjoying it. Amazing stories in there. I love his depiction of the various Beatles' personalities, and the stuff relating to George Martin and the technical aspects of the recording are amazing. Geoff's story is pretty much like a fairy-tale isn't it? Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Cheers.

[@johnheaton5667]

Yes exactly. And he certainly made the most of his opportunity!

[@glumpy6079]

Thanks, I found your gentle enthusiasm helpful. Can't stand you tubers shouting at me. Totally sick-bag requiring usually.

[@jnagarya519]

He apparently takes others' comments as his own. Lack of attribution is always a problem when it comes to determining truth.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

It is no coincince that official releases are never as good because they never make or include critical analysis. Paul was a better musician. That is simply factual. But that does not make him the better artist- that's the distinction I make. Potentially John was possibly the greatest artist of the four. I must admit I have a tendency to think of George as being so sulky all the time and feling he was ignored. He wasn't. He grew into an amaaing talent but he was not equal to Leennon/McCartney at least not until the White Album, or i would suggest Abbey Road with the masterful Something.

[@artdingo]

Could you speak into a better microphone, please.?

[@twj2002]

Well of McCartney was his favorite how can you possibly have an objective view and Beatles history, open your eyes fool.