For the 2nd book everyone voted to read something more “Technical”.  So we decided on Here, There and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles Paperback – February 15, 2007 by Geoff Emerick (Author), Howard Massey (Author)

I read this book about 15 years ago so it was like starting over for me.  I enjoyed the details about the sessions and Geoff's story growing up as an engineer at Abbey Road studios.  What I found most interesting was the culture within EMI.  Each group had their roles defined.  White jackets for the engineers who set up the mics.  Brown for the maintenance crew.  They were required to wear a shirt and a tie!  The clash between the classical engineers versus the pop music engineers. (looked down on them)  They even dined separately!

The mixing engineer did not get credit on the album in the 60's.  WOW!  

There was also the pecking order in the studio sessions.  The PRODUCER was in charge and you did not offer opinions about the recordings as it would seem like you were undermining them. Artists did not attend mixing sessions.  I can't even fathom that in today's day and age where everyone is involved. 1966 for Revolver was the 1st time the Beatles attending mixing sessions.

Geoff's take on the Beatles personalities also helped shed some light on the recordings themselves.  In the beginning they were a “unit”  they recorded together as a band.  As time went on they each grew into their own and musically and personally.  Sometimes Paul would take over, like Sgt Pepper.  Then John on later albums.  It came to the point that the 4 of them didn't attend all the sessions at the same time.  

Obviously there is so much more to talk about.  I will add comments as I go through my notes.  Overall, this is a solid book and I highly recommend it.

On March 15th we met at Bakes Brewing Company in Belmar NJ.  James brought along a new member Dan who joined the club!  Welcome aboard.  Bakes was very nice.  The staff was great and friendly.  Beers were pretty good too.  I had the “Bob” which I enjoyed.  I brought along some extra materials to enhance the discussion.  A technical manual for the recordings of the Beatles.  We looked at the tracks for “A Day in the Life”.  I also brought along the Christie's Jim Irsay collection book.  The auction was just recently occurring and there were several Beatles instruments up for auction including Ringo's drum set, John's upright piano, and multiple guitars and basses from the band.   I thought it would be nice to look at the pictures as we discussed the recording session details from the book.  This time there was an Empanada truck outside so we had some food and stayed for several hours.  

Good times gang! 

Here's the reference manual that I brought along:

Along with: