The Abbey Road documentary If these walls could singby photographer and filmmaker Mary McCartney (who also happens to be the daughter of a famous Beatle of the same last name), chronicles 90 years of music made in the world’s oldest and best-known recording studio.
Originally known as EMI Studios (they changed to Abbey Road after the Beatles recorded an album of the same name there), these hallowed halls feature primarily symphony orchestras and classical soloists, rock and pop artists, world music avatars and multiple soundtracks houses John Williams’ work Hunter of the lost treasure and war of stars sequels.
McCartney interviews several rock legends who recorded in the studio, including pre-Beatles British rock pioneer Cliff Richard, who more or less set the tone and demand for studio recordings of pop music. The two surviving Beatles – Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr – get plenty of screen time, of course. There are comments from Oasis’ Liam and Noel Gallagher trying to follow in the Beatles’ footsteps by going through their albums in the studio.
Roger Waters, Nick Mason and David Gilmour discuss all aspects of Pink Floyd’s time on Abbey Road, including recording their debut album in the studio at the same time as The Beatles in 1967 Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. You also talk about the making of The dark side of the moon.
Also featured are Jimmy Page and Sir Elton John of Led Zeppelin, both of whom worked as session musicians at the studio. Page plays acoustic guitar on the instrumental version of “Goldfinger,” the theme song for the 1964 James Bond film, while John is called on by Hollies for his piano work in “He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother.”
Given the history of this studio, it was probably very difficult to fit it all in, although the documentary adequately covers its beginnings as well as the full range of music recorded within its walls.
Cellist Jacqueline du Pré, who is known to have recorded Haydn’s C major and Bocccherini’s B flat major with Daniel Barenboim at Abbey Road in 1967, is featured extensively. So are sessions with Nigerian Afrobeat artist Fela Ransome-Kuti and Cream drummer Ginger Baker.
Much of the document revolves around the Beatles – which is understandable given the filmmaker’s lineage and the group’s prolific, highly successful recordings in the studio – but there’s also a glimpse into the future with producer Niles Rodgers and several up-and-coming artists.
I would like to give a special thank you to producer George Martin and some of the studio’s engineers, although I would have liked to have had a closer look at the studio’s engineers such as Norman Smith, Alan Parsons, Tony Clark and Ken Scott to name a few. They are the true unsung heroes of any well run studio that has lasted as long as this one.
Mainly, If these walls could sing, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, provides an informative and balanced overview of Abbey Road. Music history buffs, recording enthusiasts, Beatle maniacs, classical music lovers, musicians, and fans of all kinds of music will all find some form of viewing satisfaction If these walls could sing.
~ Ralph Greco Jr.
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