Sound Pictures: the Life of Beatles Producer George Martin, the Later Years, 1966-2016

Having read and enjoyed the first volume of Kenneth Womack's biography of George Martin, I was keen to read the second one. My anticipation was richly rewarded with this excellent second volume, which takes us from 1966 to Martin's death 50 years later. I've read many Beatles books and was surprised how much new information I learnt about Martin. The section on the formation and running of AIR studios was very illuminating. Womack is very fair in discussing Martin's flaws (and which human doesn't have any?) but the portrait that emerges is that of a highly talented and thoroughly decent human being.

They didn’t realise it at the time, but the Beatles got a lucky break when they were turned down by Decca in 1962. Because, had Decca spotted their talent and had the wit to persevere with them, the Beatles would undoubtedly have had some hits, because they were already a terrific rock band. I doubt, however, that they would ever have created Eleanor Rigby and Strawberry Fields Forever in the shape those records appeared had the Beatles not gone to Parlophone and been given a chance by producer George Martin – the subject of this second volume by Kenneth Womack. To understand the Beatles musically, this is the book you really need to read

Bought as a gift. Recipient says it is a great book.

If you want to read about George Martin working with The Beatles, that's fine but if you want to know more about George Martin, producer of other artists and more about his life, then this isn't 'that book'. Yes, there's lots of facts and information but the writing feels 'stodgy' and the over use of the word 'bandmates' drove me mad. I'm glad I read it but after volume 1,this, disappointingly, isn't quite the book I'd hoped for.

The second volume of Beatles historian Kenneth Womack's two-part biography of producer George Martin picks up the story at a crucial moment. The Beatles are getting restless, they've become increasingly frustrated by EMI's inability to make their records //sound// are good as the American discs they can't get enough of. Martin, meanwhile, has quit EMI and set himself up as an independent producer.As with the excellent first volume, Womack has the ability to tell a great story, backed up with years of intensive research, and a thorough understanding of his subjects.Sound Pictures is an excellent read, filtering an accurate and engaging telling of the Beatles' tale through the eyes of the person closest to them