John Jones Music

For many years I have been a fan and a student of the Beatles and all who sailed their ship. But, there was one person on the team I knew little about – Norman Smith, the musician, engineer, producer, recording artist and the 6th Beatle!

Norman recorded the Beatles from the very beginning through the Rubber Soul album. At the end of 1965 George Martin founded A.I.R. with his EMI producing partners and Norman was promoted to producer and took over the Parlophone label from George.

Norman signed Pink Floyd in 1967 and produced and engineered three of their first four albums, including Ummagumma, and then in 1971 went on to have a #1 hit in America as recording artist Hurricane Smith!

When I was in London a few years ago recording Joey Niceforo and the Steve Sidwell orchestra in Studio One at Abbey Road with Steve Price, I met Richard Hale, longtime engineer at E.M.I. Studios. I’ll save Richard’s story for another day, but suffice to say that he regaled me with tales of Norman Smith, and lent me a copy of Norman’s “auto biography” – John Lennon Called Me Normal.

Norman was in the glider division of the Royal Air Force in the last year of World War II. Fortunately for him he was never deployed and ended up spending a couple of years in a jazz band playing on the roof top of a hotel in Venice, Italy.

But, the best part for me is finally seeing the man himself, and he is fantastic, and definitely the missing link in all the stories of the greatest band of the 1960’s!

©2021 johnjonesmusic

A few weeks back I decided to put together a 15 minute “podcast” of various demo recordings that I have produced over the years. I have had the luxury of recording everyday since my parents bought me a Sony Sound-On-Sound real-to-reel tape recorder in the 1970’s, so I have recorded hundreds of songs in my life. Quantity over quality!

This week’s A Pint With jjfrazz II is a flock of covers, special to me, but not ready for prime time. Here are they in all their one take demo goodness.

The first episode of A Pint With jjfrazz – featuring original song demos.

Thanks to Ken Roberts for a rebirth of my song Lost Without You with his Level IX mastering system.

This track is my 1993 demo mix from Hammerwood with Steve Ferrone grooving along in 1996 at Record Plant, Hollywood!

What an amazing time we had in old Pasadena thanks to Jason and Alan and Becky and everyone who helped to get so many great friends from all over the world together to celebrate Stephen’s 60th birthday.

The list of friends who came to play included Nathan East, Greg Phillinganes, David Pack, Brian Auger, Alex Ligertwood, Benmont Tench, David Garfield, Malik Pointer, Steve Postell, Danny Halperin, Tim Scott and many others.

Songs included Josie and the Biggest Part of Me and some very serious funk!

I managed to commandeer the piano in the sitting room for the gentle after hours show. After a few Beatles and Beach Boys numbers we floated back to earth. Happy Birthday Steve!

©1995-2019 jibjones-johnjonesmusic – All Rights Reserved.

Note to God, written by Diane Warren, is the latest single and video from Joey Niceforo’s new album Priceless, which was produced by me, Sam Reid, and Steve Sidwell, who also arranged and conducted the orchestra, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London by the late Steve Price.

We recorded Jill Marie Cooper using Source Connect between London and Newmarket.

Priceless goes on sale April 13

Enjoy this first song and video from Joey’s new album that I co-produced in Canada and in London at Abbey Road Studios. Steve Sidwell wrote the brilliant arrangements and conducts the orchestra. I was standing fifteen feet away, in awe!

“Winner Takes it All” – Joey Niceforo

This is my song, “Never Let Us Go”. It was re-mixed with my brother, guest artist and “Loop-Meister” Mark Dwyer, in 1992, in Hammerwood, East Sussex.
Mark and I created many of the loops that were used on Duran Duran’s Wedding album. I loved going to the club on Saturday night after an afternoon tweaking at the farm!

Jones & Dwyer – London 1993

All Recording and Instruments by J. Jones & M. Dwyer.
Produced by John Jones & Mark Dwyer.
Written by J. Jones ©1992 John Jones Music.

Here is the long lost episode of the BBC’s “Science in Action” program from 1987. In this segment we discuss the Fairlight CMI Series III in Studio 5 at AIR Studios Oxford Street, and I show how to sample using a Casio sampler.
We sold the Series III to J. J. Jeczalik of the Art of Noise a few weeks after taping…

Here is a decent article about Sir George Martin and AIR Studios history, printed during George’s In My Life tour.

From the April 11, 1998 edition of Billboard magazine.

A special E.S.P. Rainbow for Dee!

Magentalane by Klaatu was recorded at E.S.P. Studios, Buttonville.