UNDER THE VOLCANO: Music History in The Most Unassuming of Places

If you’re like me, you might be aware that Sir George Martin (who died in 2016) was one of the few who could credibly claim the title of “The Fifth Beatle.” His indelible contributions included the string arrangement on “Yesterday” and the iconic sped-up piano solo on “In My Life.” During his illustrious career, he oversaw the comedy records of Peter Sellers, many famed British Invasion acts, and burgeoning ’70s talents like America.

Despite all of this, somehow I’d never heard about how he bought a piece of land on a remote Caribbean island to set up his own recording studio. But it’s true. Under The Volcano chronicles how the esteemed producer set his sights on the tranquil island of Montserrat in The West Indies.

Although the doc is mostly concerned with this specific period of his life, what becomes clear about Martin was the prevailing professionalism about him. It feels quintessentially British and yet, simultaneously, he maintained a “Pythonesque” crazy — something you wouldn’t expect at first. He also cherished tranquility, and after the seismic phenomenon of The Beatles finally broke up and he was subsequently let go by EMI, he endeavored to continue his producing and arranging by cultivating a more artist-friendly environment. Enter Air Studios.

What’s most telling is how Martin seemed to have more than commercial aspirations. He had already accomplished so much with The Beatles. What Air Studios represented was a long-held dream (if not pure folly). He strived to take people out of their typical high-intensity environment and put them in nature for greater dialogue and new ways of thinking. Because these could become the conduits for renewed forms of self-discovery and artistic expression.

The Cast and Crew

A great deal of the fun involved with Under The Volcano comes with taking in the staggering breadth of musicians who all came down to Monserrat either to work with George Martin or, at the very least, to use his state-of-the-art studio. For many, it was a welcomed respite from the daily grind of touring and international stardom. It’s amazing to watch the stills and home movies flood by with every name imaginable showing up on the island paradise.

Jimmy Buffet and Earth, Wind, and Fire came down. Paul McCartney reunited with his old collaborator just a few weeks after John Lennon‘s murder. Amid this tumultuous period, he crafted the Montserrat-infused tune “Ebony and Ivory” with Stevie Wonder. Wonder became something of a legend by performing at the local bar until well nigh four o’clock in the morning! For his part, Elton John‘s reputation preceded him thanks to his dancing, an open tab, and a very generous spirit.

But one of the most delightful elements of the whole documentary is realizing how this kind of simpatico was reciprocated. These larger-than-life stars became beloved and the locals who worked in the studios in some cases became like friends and family. It’s really a film about music, yes, but also relationships formed.

A perfect example is a man named Danny, who taught Sting how to windsurf. During this same period, The Police would ultimately record “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.” On a later session they would follow it up with “Every Breath You Take.” Montserrat was literally at the epicenter of some of the most groundbreaking bands of the ’80s also hosting the likes of Duran Duran and Dire Straights at the height of their respective powers.

The island also played a small part in rebooting The Rolling Stones, by getting Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to be friendly again and reconvene in the recording studio. It’s true their album in 1989 would be the last completed before Hurricane Hugo totally devastated the island. This proved to be the end of an era.

Conclusion: Under The Volcano

Although this is a relatively obscure piece of music history, fans will no doubt relish getting to know a bit more about George Martin‘s one-of-a-kind recording mecca. If not apparent already, it was really a force at the forefront of the 1980s Renaissance of studio recording.

There’s also something apropos about some of the locals getting some time in front of the camera to reminisce; it’s a pleasure to see how they became local celebrities and drinking buddies on a first-name basis with some of the world’s most famed performers from Elton John to Keith Richards.

It is possible to get a little queasy watching all these rich, white westerners turning this rural island into their own slice of paradise; the echoes of colonialism aren’t too hard to forget. However, Montserrat is a place with its own unique identity, and a strikingly different history than the rest of the Caribbean, even as it managed to maintain its own forms of vibrant culture.

The fateful volcanic eruption feels like an event out of a fable helping define events very definitively. Sometimes good things come to an end, and we can only look back at them fondly. Life is made up of these crystallized moments in time. It just so happens Montserrat became home to some fairly extraordinary ones. It seems like a very special place. Not just for the music it inspired, but for the many people it brought together. The magic of meaningful relationships cannot be minimized in the creative process. George Martin knew that as well as anyone.

Were you aware of Air Montserrat and the recording history there? Please let us know in the comment below!

Under the Volcano will be released in theaters in the US on August 17, 2021.

Watch Under the Volcano