Sound Pictures, Kenneth Womack
Sound Pictures, Kenneth Womack
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
Club: $14.99

Sound Pictures
The Life of Beatles Producer George Martin, The Later Years, 1966–2016

Author: Kenneth Womack

Narrator: Paul Woodson

Unabridged: 23 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/16/2018


Synopsis

Sound Pictures traces the story of the Beatles' breathtaking artistic trajectory after reaching the creative heights of Rubber Soul. As the bandmates engage in brash experimentation both inside and outside the studio, Martin toils along with manager Brian Epstein to consolidate the Beatles' fame in the face of growing sociocultural pressures, including the crisis associated with the "Beatles are more popular than Jesus" scandal.

Meanwhile, he also struggles to make his way as an independent producer in the highly competitive world of mid-1960s rock 'n' roll. As Martin and the Beatles create one landmark album after another, including such masterworks as Revolver, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles (The White Album), and Abbey Road, the internal stakes and interpersonal challenges become ever greater.

During his post-Beatles years, Martin attempts to discover new vistas of sound recording with a host of acts, including Jeff Beck, America, Cheap Trick, Paul McCartney, and Elton John, his creative breakthroughs followed by unprecedented commercial success. Eventually, though, all roads bring Martin back to the Beatles, as the group seeks out new ways to memorialize their achievement under the supervision of the man who has come to be known as Sir George.

About Kenneth Womack

Kenneth Womack's books include Long and Winding Roads, The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles, The Beatles Encyclopedia, and New Critical Perspectives on the Beatles. He delivers some fifty invited Beatles talks a year to audiences across the nation, while sharing his insights with media of all stripes, including National Public Radio, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Voice of America.


Reviews

Goodreads review by TMcB

A must-have addition to any Beatlemaniac’s “Fab Four” library. This is the second of a two-volume biography of the Beatles’ producer and the executive overseeing EMI’s Parlophone Records label from 1951 to 1965 before becoming an independent producer and studio owner. This volume covers Martin’s lif......more

Goodreads review by Shelley

Four-fifths of this book covers the final years of Martin working with the Beatles (1966-1970), and at first I thought it was kind of sad to have 46 years of such a distinguished life summarized in the final 100 pages. On the other hand, as a Beatles nut I'd naturally rather delve into pages of deta......more

Goodreads review by Paul

Does the world need another book about The Beatles? If you have to ask, then Kenneth Womack’s spirited, new book on Beatles producer George Martin, or any other book about the four Liverpool lads, is not for you. For the rest of us, the story never gets old. While Martin gets top billing, The Beatle......more

Goodreads review by Maurice

If you a Beatles fan – and really, who isn't – you'll enjoy Sound Pictures, the life of famed Beatles producer George Martin. If you're an audiophile – someone who loves the technical side of music reproduction – you'll enjoy Sound Pictures. If you're both (and you're British), well, you'll LOVE Sou......more

Goodreads review by Richard

This is the 2018 follow-up to the author's 2016 work "Maximum Volume" which dealt with the early years of George Martin's career up to 1966 when his main charges, the Beatles, decided to no longer be a rock and roll band, but recording "artistes" instead. Being a member of the Baby Boomer generation......more