Rating: 
Summary: As unique as his producing
Review: There are very few memoirs published by record producers, especially producers as important as George Martin, producer and ?discoverer" of the Beatles. I do call it a memoir because that's what it is - much more is covered than the Beatles. This is a book about George Martin, through and through.
The first 100 pages or so recount Martin's early history in the British military up through his first job in the recording industry. There is staggering detail to this, naming even the most insignificant people he met along the way. But since we know this is all contributing to what would become Martin's genius, it really isn't all that tedious. Eventually we come to the chapter on the Beatles - how he discovered them, how he recorded them, and then single by singe, how they became the biggest band in the world. Whether he intends it or not, there is an epic quality to practically every word Martin writes (or rather, has ghostwritten for him).
Being a professional in today's music industry and seeing literally all music being recorded on computers, it's fascinating to see the technology they were working from. He writes of actually recording to *wax records*. It's also nice to see someone getting so excited about the advent of stereo recording. It's something we don't even think about today, but to the producers of Martin's era, recording in stereo was as profound as recording to hard drives today.
I also was amazed to learn that he made almost no money off the Beatles records. Today, a comparable producer - say Glenn Ballard, Alanis' former producer - has probably made in the dozens of millions of dollars. Martin didn't earn any royalties on those records, and he also refused an ownership stake in the publishing company set up exclusively for Beatles songs. This probably cost him upwards of $50,000,000 if not more. He goes on to say that he has no regrets in refusing the ownership, and whether or not you believe him, he does lay out a pretty impressive spiel about not doing it for the money. I arrived at the conclusion, however, that while a genius producer he is possibly the world's worst businessman. Hundreds of people made millions off the Beatles and the one closest to them - Martin - managed to make almost nothing. That is truly staggering.
This is the kind of book that's a must-have for a Beatles fan or aspiring musician, and will proselytize everyone else. A classic book from a classic producer.
Rating:
Summary: Ever Wonder How A Strange Sound Got On A Beatles Album?
Review: This book as the answer. It was written by their producer who sometimes had to work from insane directions. The Bealtes were not the only ones working hard on thier songs. George Martin contributed to the group as well. The parts on the early days are fascinating too. The chapter on the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is hysterical. By early days, I mean his early days as a producer of comedy records, and when he first started working with the Beatles. He has an interesting perspective on them, and their music. It never becomes more of a musical study then his story, which is a definite plus. This is worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: An educational story of the life of Sir George Martin
Review: This book is highly informative in what it takes to be a record producer, however, I bought the book becaue I was looking for information about his work with the Beatles. That information is not vast, and he rarely includes them in the book. I was hurt to find that on the cover George portrays himself as the "genius behind the Beatles" and shows a picture of himself and the Beatles, yet fails to mention them as he should. If you are looking for information on the recording process this is the book for you, but if you are looking for information about the Beatles I feel you will be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This is a blandly written book, that should have more of the Beatles in it. And Martin is so full of himself, John Lennon was right when he complained that those who worked WITH the Beatles thought they WERE the Beatles. And Martin basically makes that claim when he says, "John and Paul were the big talents in the Beatles. George, Ringo and I were also-rans." To include himself as being as important as George and Ringo in the Beatles' success shows nauseating conceit. LET IT BE is a great Beatles album, and Martin had NOTHING to do with its production. The Beatles might have been successful without George or Ringo, but I doubt they would have been enduring phenomenons. But I can still see them having been phenomenons without Martin.
Rating:
Summary: "ALL YOU NEED IS EARS" by George Martin
Review: This is an excellent "must read" book for both the professional musician,recording engineer, music producer and music enthusiest. Giving insight to the producer of one of the worlds most influentcal bands in history.
Rating:
Summary: "ALL YOU NEED IS EARS" by George Martin
Review: This is an excellent "must read" book for both the professional musician,recording engineer, music producer and music enthusiest. Giving insight to the producer of one of the worlds most influentcal bands in history.
Rating:
Summary: among my favorite autobiographies
Review: This is one of my favorite autobiographies because its author doesn't tell about just himself, he teaches you about orchestration, recording, and the history of the British recording business. (There are some amusing Beatle anecdotes as well. I particularly enjoyed John Lennon's trouble with saxophone notation.) My only quibble: It should called itself "All You Need ARE Ears", not just because verbs must agree with their subjects, but also--mostly--because a title that distances itself from its allusion is more graceful.Also recommended: PENTATONIC SCALES FOR THE JAZZ-ROCK KEYBOARDIST by Jeff Burns.
Rating:
Summary: Wrong Title
Review: This is one of the best music books I have read by far. Shame about the title, I think it is the publishers' mistake, trying to sell on the Beatles manis. Fact is, that book is about George Martin's incredible understanding of music. He is a genious and it shows that it takes more than talent (Beatles) to make great records. Fantastic book,
Rating:
Summary: Wrong Title
Review: This is one of the best music books I have read by far. Shame about the title, I think it is the publishers' mistake, trying to sell on the Beatles manis. Fact is, that book is about George Martin's incredible understanding of music. He is a genious and it shows that it takes more than talent (Beatles) to make great records. Fantastic book,
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