It was just over two years ago that I started writing this blog and one of my first posts documented my first visit to Studio 2 in Abbey Road Studios. It was a remarkable experience and at the time, one I thought would never be repeated. Having been presented with the hefty book 'Recording The Beatles' by Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan, I was straining at the leash for another visit and fortuitously three of my friends who had missed out first time round, were eager to put that right. Our tickets were booked and travel arrangements sorted and so it was that on a sunny Sunday morning we set off from Newcastle Central Station full of eager anticipation. And yes, the train we caught was the 'One After 909'.
It boded well!
Outside Abbey Road Studios was the usual throng of activity as hordes of tourists trekked backward and forward across that iconic zebra crossing. Buses and taxis blasted their horns and one youngster in a sports car revved his engine to incredible levels before screeching off leaving behind a good portion of his tyre tread. Oh well, it takes all sorts!
Inside the studios we received a warm welcome from the staff and after being given our list of do's and don't's, we were allowed down the photo lined staircase and into the wondrous space that is Studio 2.
As on my last visit, we had about an hour to wander around examining pieces of recording equipment and a variety of keyboard instruments. Having browsed through the aforementioned book, I was a little more knowledgeable about some of the equipment but to be honest, for me, that first hour is more about soaking up the atmosphere of that place. I swear that the spirits of John and George live on there. After all, Studio 2 was like a second home to them for the best part of 8 years.
The main event was once again a talk by the authors of the book but whereas my last visit was to celebrate 80 years of recording at Abbey Road, the theme this year was the sound of Abbey Road Studios. Consequently the talk focused more on how some of those famous sounds were achieved. To add some spice and some wonderful personal anecdotes to the talk, we were joined by Ken Scott who of course worked as an engineer with The Beatles and others between 1964 and 1969. He later went on to produce a host of albums by people such as David Bowie, Supertramp and many others.
Having had the personal contact with The Beatles, his stories added a dimension that was of course missing with Kehew and Ryan, so it was well worth me making my second visit. My favourite insight was into the recording of 'Glass Onion' where after several fractious attempts to add Paul playing a recorder to the only available tape track, Scott pressed the wrong button and erased a whole series of snare drums immediately thinking that his days were well and truly numbered. John however loved the effect and so the track was saved and Scott survived to work with The Beatles again.
As we slowly made our way out at the end, we were allowed admission to the studio canteen where the fab four spent some of their free time while in the studios. Through the back is a very pleasant garden and there I was able to take a snap of this Abbey Road street sign which being unadorned by graffiti must be something of a rarity.
All in all, it was another wonderful day. I wonder if I will ever return for a third visit.
Watch this space.
Happy New Year to you all out there.
Personally I have had a Beatletastic Christmas. The two volumes of The Beatles at the BBC and the Kevin Howlett, 'BBC Archives' book came my way, as did this rather hefty package.
Since visiting Abbey Road Studios a couple of years ago to hear Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan talk about the history of that iconic building, I have kind of longed to purchase their book, 'Recording The Beatles'. However I always found the price a little prohibitive, not that I regarded it to be overpriced. At over 500 pages and in superb quality, it really has been a labour of love for the two authors and I doubt they will truly be making much profit from this venture. It was simply a case of did I need to pay so much for yet another book about The Beatles?
Thankfully the decision was taken out of my hands when I received it as a Christmas gift.
The book itself comes in a cardboard slip-case designed to replicate the boxes that spools of reel-to-reel tape used to come in. A nice touch and being quite sturdy, the slip-case should help to protect the dust jacket from getting scuffed or torn when being taken from or returned to book shelves. The book itself is almost the dimensions of an LP record sleeve but is considerably thicker, weighing in at a hefty 11lbs.
There are four main sections. One serves as a detailed introduction to EMI Studios, Abbey Road including descriptions and illustrations of the layout of the building. Also the key individuals who helped to capture and define the sound of The Beatles are introduced. Part Two is quite technical, featuring as it does the various equipment that was used in the studios. Something that may be of more interest to the technically minded.
The third section covers studio effects, in-house instruments used and also the other London studios utilised by The Beatles at various times. Finally the fourth section, which is by far the largest and most accessible, takes the reader on a year-by-year journey through the recording sessions while giving in-depth details of how some of the tracks were actually recorded and produced.
Clearly, like Mark Lewisohn's 'The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions', this is not a book one would necessarily wish to read from cover to cover. As the authors make clear, it is a reference book. But like Lewisohn's work, it is immensely readable and absolutely perfect for dipping into while researching a particular period or just randomly browsing over a cup of coffee. The weight may make it difficult to pick up, but the book is also difficult to put down.
Throughout there are great photographs and illustrations. Many of the photos have never been published elsewhere and if nothing else, that should appeal to many aficionados of The Beatles work.
As the hectic activity of the past couple of weeks become memories, I now have the coffee machine fired up, The Beatles on the hi-fi and the books laid out before me.
Now, where do I begin?
One of the highlights of last year for me, was a visit to see the inside of Abbey Road Studios. You can read about it and see my photos here - http://eddie-graham.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/abbey-road-studios.html
It's therefore great to see that another crowd of people are getting the opportunity over this weekend. Once more Abbey Road experts Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan are delivering their lectures to eager audiences inside the hallowed walls of Studio 2. If you have just found out about it, I'm sorry but all six sessions have sold out.
Perhaps next year. Why I may even have to go back myself.
Meanwhile console yourself with this interview with the pair.
http://www.sabotagetimes.com/music/channeling-abbey-road-brian-kehew-kevin-ryan/
