Norman “Hurricane” Smith, 1923-2008

This is my third, and saddest, post about Norman Smith. My previous posts are here and here. When I first heard the name Hurricane Smith, I didn’t know it was the title of a 1952 Yvonne DeCarlo movie, and I still don’t know for certain if Smith borrowed it for his pseudonym. But before I … Continue reading Norman “Hurricane” Smith, 1923-2008

Separated at Birth?

Here is actor Alan Rickman… …and below is Beatles recording engineer Norman Smith, who was a recording artist himself under the pseudonym Hurricane Smith. From Recording the Beatles © 2006 Curvebender Publishing Norman Smith first joined the Abbey Road staff in 1959 as an assistant and quickly progressed to Balance Engineer. He served as the … Continue reading Separated at Birth?

HELPing In The Studios

[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Movies/Wordpress/DEC06/HELP.flv 400 300] Previously I offered studio take 6 of the Beatles’ “I Feel Fine.” The audio player has takes 1 through 5 of “HELP!” The vocals weren’t introduced until take 9. [audio:http://www.dograt.com/Sounds/Wordpress/DEC06/Helptake1.mp3,http://www.dograt.com/Sounds/Wordpress/DEC06/Helptake2.mp3,http://www.dograt.com/Sounds/Wordpress/DEC06/Helptake3.mp3,http://www.dograt.com/Sounds/Wordpress/DEC06/Helptake4.mp3,http://www.dograt.com/Sounds/Wordpress/DEC06/Helptake5.mp3] John considered this song to be a personal breakthrough, because it was a sincere cry for help. For all of the Beatles … Continue reading HELPing In The Studios