Discussion:
Emerick and the "Underwater Vocals" on "Yellow Submarine"
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Norbert
2024-08-07 17:32:31 UTC
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According to Geoff Emerick, there was much dope-smoking during the
recording of "Yellow Submarine." To simulate the sound of a submarine
submerging, Lennon blew bubbles into a glass with a straw, which were
duly recorded by Emerick. Lennon wanted to take things further; he
wanted a tank of water brought into the studio so that he could add
vocals while underwater.

George Martin attempted to dissuade John from this. Emerick intervened
with the proposal that Lennon might sing into a *microphone* that had
been submerged in water. Martin again disapproved, and warned Emerick
that is a mic was ruined by such a process, he (Emerick) would have to
pay for it. This warning had a "sobering" effect on Emerick, but he
believed it was too late to back out.

A milk bottle filled with water was fetched. The next problem was
waterproofing the mic. John called out to Mal Evans, asking him what he
had that would help. Evans, Emerick recalled, "carried around a
doctor's bag inside which he'd stashed all kinds of things -- picks,
guitar strings, flashlights, crisps, biscuits, even household items like
tissues." And on this occasion, Mal did not disappoint. He reached for
his bag, felt around, and produced a condom.

[End of summary.]

I love this anecdote, which illustrates the way the Beatles' entourage
would think on their feet to indulge Lennon's far-out whims. I'm
pleasantly surprised that they had Evans provide condoms -- presumably
usually for their regular purpose.
Blueshirt
2024-08-07 17:51:03 UTC
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Post by Norbert
According to Geoff Emerick, there was much dope-smoking during
the recording of "Yellow Submarine."
<shocked face> Really? Who'd have thought something like that
could happen... and... <gasp> whilst recording a song about
living in a yellow submarine!!!

I really am taken aback at these wild claims...
super70s
2024-08-07 18:27:21 UTC
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Post by Norbert
According to Geoff Emerick, there was much dope-smoking during the
recording of "Yellow Submarine." To simulate the sound of a submarine
submerging, Lennon blew bubbles into a glass with a straw, which were
duly recorded by Emerick. Lennon wanted to take things further; he
wanted a tank of water brought into the studio so that he could add
vocals while underwater.
George Martin attempted to dissuade John from this. Emerick intervened
with the proposal that Lennon might sing into a *microphone* that had
been submerged in water.
I don't get it. Were they all on acid as well (except Martin).
Norbert
2024-08-07 18:37:49 UTC
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Acid hasn't come up yet at this stage in the book, and the Beatles were
still making an effort to keep Martin in the dark about their marijuana
use, having Mal Evans burn incense and sneaking off into corners to
light up.
Norbert
2024-08-07 18:44:34 UTC
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I mean, we know John was taking acid by then. Lennon had yet, by the
time of "Yellow Submarine" to have showed up in the studio blatantly
fried and unable to function -- although I know that's coming soon.

There is a passage in Emerick's book where Lennon shows up in such an
acid-ravaged state. George Martin thought John seemed in need of a
breath of fresh air, and took him up to the roof -- only to leave him up
there. When the other guys realized Lennon had gone missing and asked
George Martin about it, they raced up to the roof to retrieve Lennon --
who fortunately hadn't persuaded himself that he was Jesus. Yet.
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