Sound Pictures - by Kenneth Womack (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The second book of two, Sound Pictures traces the story of George Martin and the Beatles' incredible artistic trajectory after reaching the creative heights of Rubber Soul. As the bandmates engage in brash experimentation, creating 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. Eventually, though, all roads lead Martin back to the Beatles.

Review Quotes

"Even though Paul McCartney dubbed him the 'Fifth Beatle, ' George Martin was always more than the Beatles' producer, and Kenneth Womack's highly detailed and immensely readable second volume again captures the talent, determination, and warmth of one of popular music's great innovators and true gentlemen."--BRIAN SOUTHALL, author of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

"Through a generous helping of firsthand accounts and his insightful storytelling skills, Kenneth Womack brings to life the creative process by which the Beatles' late music was presented to the world. Covering 1966 to the end of George Martin's life, Sound Pictures captures the imagination, expertise, and humor in the Beatles' partnership with their production and engineering team, connecting the dots with interpretations of Martin's important side projects and post-Beatles work. Fascinating reading!"--WALTER EVERETT, author of The Beatles as Musicians

PRAISE FOR MAXIMUM VOLUME

"They seemed an unlikely partnership--the Beatles, who knew everything about rock and roll music, and their classically trained producer George Martin, who knew very little. But as Kenneth Womack uncovers in this engrossing and forensically detailed biography, the recording studio became a 'magic workshop' and George Martin a musical wizard when it came to the Beatles' songs. A fascinating read." --Ray Connolly, author of Being Elvis

"An authoritative account of pop-music history and the man who helped shape it." --Kirkus Reviews

"George Martin transformed the role of 'producer' as much as the Beatles transformed our idea of a 'band, ' so Kenneth Womack's engaging account of Martin's life fills a major hole on pop music's shelf. For a rich, illuminating understanding of how the Beatles catalog transcends song, performance, and arrangement, jump through this hogshead of real fire: tonight, George Martin tops the bill." --Tim Riley, author of Tell Me Why and Lennon: Man, Myth, Music

"A marvelous magical mystery tour behind the wizard's curtain--one that leaves us with a deep understanding of one of the key architects of pop culture. Essential reading for anyone who's ever had a soundtrack to their dreams." --Vivek J. Tiwary, author of The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story

"The book contains enough fresh information and informed insight about the group's early years to satisfy the most devout Beatlemaniac."--ForeWord Reviews

"Beatles fans will love this and look forward to Womack's continuation of the Martin story." --Booklist Online

About the Author

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. Womack is dean of humanities and social sciences at Monmouth University, where he also serves as professor of English.