This led to other ideas about reflecting on that time and the end result was to get as many of these celebrities to talk about that event. So it was an amalgamation of ideas that put this collection together. However, I give Paul total credit for coming up with the initial (idea) for the second cd. JV: How difficult was it tracking everyone down, and what kind of recording equipment did you use for this historic package? EP: Getting in touch with the celebrities was a very difficult task because it's a process of finding out their agents/managers, then writing to them, then waiting for the reply. Because these are all very busy people, it was difficult to secure dates. Having said this, they all, without exception, wanted to do an interview. Dustin Hoffman was the first to get back with a date so then I had to coordinate the other artists based in L.A. to fit around the same time. In LA I managed to interview Dustin Hoffman, James Coburn, Denny Laine, and Al Courty who was the promotions president of Capitol Records. In the UK I interviewed Christopher Lee, Michael Parkinson (TV celebrity and writer), John Conteh (Ex boxing champion and now a writer), Kenny Lynch (actor, TV celebrity), Clement Freud (Writer, TV and radio celebrity, celebrity chef). Everyone really got into the spirit of the whole venture, you've only got to listen to the second CD to know how enthusiastic they all were about it. Some of Paul's interview was
done in 1985 with Mike Read for the BBC and the rest was recorded in Paul's studio. All interviews (except Paul's) were recorded on a Sony DAT walkman TCD-D7. A wonderful machine. JV: It must have been fun going through all Paul's tapes. Were the "demos" in good shape, or did you have to spend time cleaning them up? And, if so, what was the process? EP: Because there were a little or no out takes or other versions of songs from the Band On The Run sessions, Paul asked me to go through some rehearsals/sound checks of the songs pertaining to Band On The Run album. Again, giving the fans great value. It was difficult choosing which takes to use because they were all skull crackers. When we finally made the choice they were then re-equalized because they were basically monitor mixes but because the fire in the performance was so great it made the job easier. It was Paul and Geoff Emerick that did the re-equalizing through the sound desk. JV: The disc was mastered by Steve Rooke and Geoff Emerick at Abbey Road Studios. Did you give them a finished product, or did they piece it together from your instructions? EP: I gave Steve and Geoff the finished product and we all went through it for the mastering in Steve's mastering suite at Abbey Road Studios. JV: For CD-1 the disc says "re-mastered by Greg Calbi and Geoff Emerick at Sterling Sound", is this in reference to the vinyl "Band on the Run" or this 25th Anniversary edition? EP: Because I wasn't involved with CD1, I understand from Geoff that Sterling Sound was used for both the Vinyl and the CD. JV: What is Sonic Solutions (Abbey Road Studios) on CD2 ... were there two different mastering jobs
for each CD? EP: Sonic Solutions is a digital Mac based computerised system for mixing and editing. You feed the content into the computer and if the sound waves appear on the screen. From this image all work necessary can be carried out. JV: Does MPL Communications choose a cd pressing plant, or does EMI
handle this? EP: As far as I know EMI deal with all pressing. I believe a test pressing is always made for Paul's approval. JV: The packaging is exquisite, especially the out-take of the famous cover of the CD which is included in the booklet (also used for the promotional poster). Did you oversee the booklet and artwork? EP: I had nothing to do with the artwork. Paul always works closely with the artwork director and always had tremendous input in this area. JV: What was the immediate response in the UK? EP: The response in the UK was five star. This is a classic album, a milestone in popular music, one of Paul's greatest works and it received the applause it deserves. JV: What was your involvement with Yellow Submarine? EP: I had nothing to do with the re-mixing or re-mastering of the DVD or CD. I produced a two hour In Flight programme for British Airways and also a two hour show for radio. These contain new up to date
interviews with Paul, George, and Ringo which Laura Gross conducted. JV: What is the next project you are working on for Paul? EP: At present, I have just finished mastering a second CD for Paul which will come out with his new album, Run Devil Run. This CD is purely an interview, again carried out by Laura Gross. Paul talks about the making of the album and how he went back to the method of recording which he used with the Beatles and much more. JV: Eddy, thanks so much for your time, and for the incredible work you do. Beatles fans everywhere are lucky to have you bringing us these treasures from the vaults. (C)1999 Joe Viglione, Visual Radio-Television, all rights reserved. | 
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