2017 has been a phenomenal year in music; the sheer volume and quality of new releases, remasters and film scores has been overwhelming. It fills us with pride to know that the amazing Abbey Road team played their part in making it all happen.
Now as the days get shorter, the weather turns nasty and 2017 draws to its inevitable close, we can’t help but feel a tad reflective and look back on the year that’s passed.
So, we asked around Abbey Road Studios to find out the highlights of the year for our engineers and studio staff – their favourite projects to work on, the favourite albums of the year, and of course, what they want to get for Christmas.
Simon Gibson, Mastering Engineer.
Highlight of 2017: Carly Paoli – Singing My Dreams / War Horse – The Story in Concert / Choir of King’s College, Cambridge – Vaughan Williams & Bernstein / Take That - Wonderland Tour Live 5.1 / Voces8 – Equinox
Favourite Album of 2017: Sgt. Pepper - 50th anniversary reissue
Favourite Christmas song: The Christmas Song by Thomas Hampson
All I want for Christmas is: Some decent snow this winter!
Tip for 2018: No.4 – Master It Loud, running in the 2.30 at Cheltenham on March 18th.
Sophie Ray, Studio Bookings Assistant.
Highlight of 2017: Moving from Reception to the Studio bookings team has been a total joy and my year has completely flown by. If I had to pick a particular highlight it would be Harry Styles’ live recording and filming in Studio One back in April. Helping to organise this was a huge undertaking (and massive learning curve!), but Harry was a lovely guy and his voice genuinely blew me away.
Favourite Album of 2017: Mr Jukes God First – I absolutely LOVE this album.
Favourite Christmas song: Mariah Carey All I Want for Christmas – without a doubt my favourite singalong Xmas anthem.
All I want for Christmas is: Mulled Wine, friends and chocolate – simple pleasures!
Tip for 2018: Jade Bird – I have been following Jade for a few years now and am so pleased to see she is on the longlist for the BBC Sound of 2018. Her voice is effortless and the music is country-inspired bliss. And Tom Misch – One of my favourite artists of 2017 and the feature on many of my playlists. His music is uplifting and he constantly surprises me with different influences, collaborations and remixes.
Fiona Gillott, Studios Manager.
Highlight of 2017: Obviously the historic opening of our new studios; Interviewing Hugh Jackman on the music for Greatest Showman, meeting the legendary icons of Prophets of Rage and talking about our new studios with George Clooney.
Favourite album of 2017: LANY LANY - love the Californian Electro Pop sound. I See You by The XX – brilliant new direction for an incredible band.
Favourite Christmas Song: Step Into Christmas by Elton John – classic jingle time song
All I Want for Christmas is: SNOW GLORIOUS SNOW!
Tip for 2018: New emerging artists like Dave and Scarlxrd.
