Early life for The Beatles was not an easy one. Virtually
every record company had turned them down. Their style was confusing and their
harmonies didn’t fit rock and roll. Hard work and determination would drive
this group into music immortality.
By the 1964 The Beatles were on their way to super stardom.
With an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show under their belts the band “netted
four albums in a mere 21 months” as told by the book Sonic Alchemy.
The Beatles had many musical influences but their non- musical
influences helped them create beautiful music. They also served as a trust
factor. All four Beatles along with George Martin were avid Peter Sellers Fans.
In fact, George Martin produced Peter Sellers, which made both parties trust
each other. The other influence was drugs. Pot, pills and Lsd became a part of
the Beatles diet with Lsd becoming the basis for the song “She Said She Said”
As a producer I was impressed to learn how The Beatles used
their studio as an instrument. The
opening count off to Revolver brings the audience into the studio with them and
continues through out as your can hear little things happening inside the
studio.
There were many innovations in revolver. Like stuffing a
wool sweater inside of a bass drum or using a loudspeaker as a microphone to
enhance the sound of an instrument. Another innovation can be found in the song
“Tomorrow Never Knows” The signal from Ringo’s drums was sent through
compressors and valve limiters.
As a listener I found revolver very relaxing. This album
really opened up my mind as a fan. I imagined myself being a teen in the 60’s
and what this music represented. It represented a rebirth of Rock & Roll.
From the vast amounts of instruments being played to the delicate harmonies of
John and Paul.
As a professional I view this album as nothing short of
genius. The innovative recording techniques and the use adding the studio as an
element were superb. Sometimes I wonder how many other artists invited their
audience into the studio with them. I know if I were a teen in the 60’s and
witnessed this I would have been awe struck. Music is personal and The Beatles
were as personal as you can get with this release. I was overly impressed with
the making of Eleanor Rigby. With no bass, no drums or guitar the overall sound
is magnificent. It feels as if you are sitting in the pit with the orchestra as
they play.
In an interview from Paul Ingles Everything was Right: The
Beatles’ revolver, David Ganns is quoted saying “the Beatles did indeed give
everybody a license to experiment”
“They tried everything and they used unexpected chords and they used
unexpected rhythm changes” and
“invented stuff completely out of thin air and they made it all
work.” These innovations and
genius not only produced one of the greatest albums ever but it also made the
greatest Rock & roll band of all time.
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