The Beatles: Get Back (1 Viewer)

[Truebluey]

RIP Denis O'Dell, the Apple Films producer who arranged the Twickenham Studios lease that was the backdrop for Get Back. O'Dell also had film production credits on It's A Hard Day's Night and Magical Mystery Tour.

I was just watching a part of it with Denis in it today. Sad. Condolences to his family.

Has anyone mentioned the amazing alternative lyrics to "Get Back" where it turns out it was a song inspired by anti-immigration rhetoric at the time? My children were fascinated, and asked me why they never released that original version. I don't know why. But I loved the bit about "Dirty Enoch Powell knew he was a loner".

 

[Ted Lange as your Bartender]

RIP Denis O'Dell, the Apple Films producer who arranged the Twickenham Studios lease that was the backdrop for Get Back. O'Dell also had film production credits on It's A Hard Day's Night and Magical Mystery Tour.

“Denis” was also an accomplished lounge singer of whose name we know, and whose number we looked up

 

[Guido Merkins]

I'm sorry that I'm just getting around to posting about this.  I haven't read the comments because I didn't want to ape anyone (I'll read them after), but I'm sure I'm repeating what others have said. I'm sorry.

1.  I was worried that it was gonna be a total whitewash.  I was wrong.  Ending Episode 1 with George walking out was brilliant.  I like that PJ showed the tension between Paul and George and John's total disinterest until later (more on that in a bit).  John and Paul's fly on the wall was very illuminating.

2. I was worried that it would be too long and I would be bored.  I was wrong.  I was glued to my TV.  Even my wife and daughter, who are far more casual fans than me were glued to the TV

3. I think Paul has gotten a bad rap over the years for these sessions in particular.  Paul was the only one that seemed to give a #### early on.  Ringo didn't seem super interested, but at least he showed up on time ready to play.  George seemed pissed off the whole time.  John, seemed like he could care less.  Having these sessions so soon after the White Album was released was a mistake, but you get the feeling that Paul thought that if they didn't get onto something else right away, they would fall apart.  He was right.

4.  After George leaves the group and the fly on the wall and they move into Saville Row, the entire vibe changes.  Why?  IMO, it's because John takes control.  We've heard for years that John was the leader of the Beatles and I think this is the proof.  Paul had the idea, but it was John's responsibility to see that Paul's vision came to fruition.  George, for one, didn't seem to resent John leading the way he resented Paul leading.  This could be a question of style of leadership or a question of their group dynamics (an entire book could be written on just this), but John becoming engaged changes the entire vibe. 

5.  Billy Preston was exactly what they needed.  Not only is he a brilliant musician, but they all seem to love and respect him and, of course, you always act a bit better when "company comes over."  You don't want them to see you #####y all the time.

6.  Paul literally making up a #1 song and rock classic "Get Back" on the spot is unreal.  I mean, Get Back, Let It Be, and The Long and Winding Road are careers for a lot of people.  Paul did all of these on one album in a 30 day period in 1969.  Unbelievably talented.

7.  The rooftop sessions are great.  Those that say they Beatles can't play live, you are wrong. One After 909 isn't a great song, but their performance is just stellar

8.  Ringo is REALLY REALLY solid.  Not sure how the "Ringo sucks" thing got started, but he's always getting the exact right feel and tempo almost immediately.  He's not a technician, but so what.  He's inventive and rock solid.

9.  Paul and John may have been dismissive of George, but in the case of All Things Must Pass, it seems like they were maybe looking for some direction from George and he didn't give it.  At least that's what I see unless there is more footage somewhere.  I mean, they did a bunch of takes of it and still didn't release it, so I think John and Paul thought it was a good song.  Would love for somebody to ask Paul point blank about that song in particular and why they didn't finish it.  It's certainly better than the two songs George did for the project and Something clearly isn't ready yet.  Would love more information on this one in particular.

10.  Don't Let Me Down, the one on the roof, should have been on the final album.  It is better than the released single.  Let It Be Naked has it, even though they cleaned up John's flubbed lyric.  Spector could have done something similar it would seem to me.


Anyway, those are my thoughts.  Really enjoyed it.  Now I'm gonna go read the other thoughts on this....

 

[MrJimiT]

I'm sorry that I'm just getting around to posting about this.  I haven't read the comments because I didn't want to ape anyone (I'll read them after), but I'm sure I'm repeating what others have said. I'm sorry.

1.  I was worried that it was gonna be a total whitewash.  I was wrong.  Ending Episode 1 with George walking out was brilliant.  I like that PJ showed the tension between Paul and George and John's total disinterest until later (more on that in a bit).  John and Paul's fly on the wall was very illuminating.

2. I was worried that it would be too long and I would be bored.  I was wrong.  I was glued to my TV.  Even my wife and daughter, who are far more casual fans than me were glued to the TV

3. I think Paul has gotten a bad rap over the years for these sessions in particular.  Paul was the only one that seemed to give a #### early on.  Ringo didn't seem super interested, but at least he showed up on time ready to play.  George seemed pissed off the whole time.  John, seemed like he could care less.  Having these sessions so soon after the White Album was released was a mistake, but you get the feeling that Paul thought that if they didn't get onto something else right away, they would fall apart.  He was right.

4.  After George leaves the group and the fly on the wall and they move into Saville Row, the entire vibe changes.  Why?  IMO, it's because John takes control.  We've heard for years that John was the leader of the Beatles and I think this is the proof.  Paul had the idea, but it was John's responsibility to see that Paul's vision came to fruition.  George, for one, didn't seem to resent John leading the way he resented Paul leading.  This could be a question of style of leadership or a question of their group dynamics (an entire book could be written on just this), but John becoming engaged changes the entire vibe. 

5.  Billy Preston was exactly what they needed.  Not only is he a brilliant musician, but they all seem to love and respect him and, of course, you always act a bit better when "company comes over."  You don't want them to see you #####y all the time.

6.  Paul literally making up a #1 song and rock classic "Get Back" on the spot is unreal.  I mean, Get Back, Let It Be, and The Long and Winding Road are careers for a lot of people.  Paul did all of these on one album in a 30 day period in 1969.  Unbelievably talented.

7.  The rooftop sessions are great.  Those that say they Beatles can't play live, you are wrong. One After 909 isn't a great song, but their performance is just stellar

8.  Ringo is REALLY REALLY solid.  Not sure how the "Ringo sucks" thing got started, but he's always getting the exact right feel and tempo almost immediately.  He's not a technician, but so what.  He's inventive and rock solid.

9.  Paul and John may have been dismissive of George, but in the case of All Things Must Pass, it seems like they were maybe looking for some direction from George and he didn't give it.  At least that's what I see unless there is more footage somewhere.  I mean, they did a bunch of takes of it and still didn't release it, so I think John and Paul thought it was a good song.  Would love for somebody to ask Paul point blank about that song in particular and why they didn't finish it.  It's certainly better than the two songs George did for the project and Something clearly isn't ready yet.  Would love more information on this one in particular.

10.  Don't Let Me Down, the one on the roof, should have been on the final album.  It is better than the released single.  Let It Be Naked has it, even though they cleaned up John's flubbed lyric.  Spector could have done something similar it would seem to me.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.  Really enjoyed it.  Now I'm gonna go read the other thoughts on this....

Very nice breakdown and assessment. I'm almost in lock-step with your thoughts on it as well. However, in #4 above, I didn't quite come away with the John taking control/leadership vibe as you did. But I may have to give it another look. At the very least, he was more engaged that's for sure and everyone seemed to fall in line with John's attitude. My overall feel was, that George, John and Ringo didn't really give a rip about any of it...and Paul with more a of stick-to-it've-ness attitude. But it varied over the filming. A pretty decent reflection of band dynamics - and THEY had already made it big!!

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Very nice breakdown and assessment. I'm almost in lock-step with your thoughts on it as well. However, in #4 above, I didn't quite come away with the John taking control/leadership vibe as you did. But I may have to give it another look. At the very least, he was more engaged that's for sure and everyone seemed to fall in line with John's attitude. My overall feel was, that George, John and Ringo didn't really give a rip about any of it...and Paul with more a of stick-to-it've-ness attitude. But it varied over the filming. A pretty decent reflection of band dynamics - and THEY had already made it big!!

That's how I took it as well, with regards to Paul leading the way.

Awesome review @Guido Merkins 

 

[Guido Merkins]

Very nice breakdown and assessment. I'm almost in lock-step with your thoughts on it as well. However, in #4 above, I didn't quite come away with the John taking control/leadership vibe as you did. But I may have to give it another look. At the very least, he was more engaged that's for sure and everyone seemed to fall in line with John's attitude. My overall feel was, that George, John and Ringo didn't really give a rip about any of it...and Paul with more a of stick-to-it've-ness attitude. But it varied over the filming. A pretty decent reflection of band dynamics - and THEY had already made it big!!

That's how I took it as well, with regards to Paul leading the way.

Awesome review @Guido Merkins 

Jimi and Bronco, I think we agree on #4 except you've worded it better than me

Paul, without a doubt, was the leader by this time musically.  He cared the most.  All the ideas were coming from him.  Nothing gets done without him.  John and George were absolutely checked out and Ringo just went along with the others

What I meant is that a fully engaged John kind of took the pressure off of Paul to have to be in charge.  John was the nominal leader and if he wasn't engaged it forced Paul to play boss man, which kind of got under the others skin.  Also, John, of all people, IMO, acted as a buffer between Paul and George who kind of had almost a brotherly rivalry going on.  For example, I think John is JUST as dismissive of George's songs as Paul, if not more, because at least Paul participated in George's songs.  If you look at the last few years of the Beatles, John contributes very little to George's songs, whereas Paul contributes a lot. But George takes Paul's slights far more personally than he does with John.  This would be a brilliant study in group dynamics!!!

This thing between Paul and George probably goes back to when they were kids.  George was closer in age to Paul and viewed him as a contemporary, whereas he probably viewed John as a hero figure.  Also, Paul and George competed for John's attention. 

Just my .02

 

[BobbyLayne]

This thing between Paul and George probably goes back to when they were kids.  George was closer in age to Paul and viewed him as a contemporary, whereas he probably viewed John as a hero figure.  Also, Paul and George competed for John's attention. 

Just my .02

As you noted in an earlier post, the band dynamics are fascinating. Lately I've been reflecting on how they are almost like a perfect illustration of birth order/sibling relationships.

John was the older, cooler one. He was 17 and already drinking when he met 15 year old Paul. Paul, being 18 months or so older than George, well that's a huge gap when you've barely in your teens. McCartney probably always looked down on him a bit without being conscious of it. Even years later, that's still the subtext, the layer beneath, just as brothers would do to one another a decade or more out of grammar school. Then there's the stepbrother, Ringo. He's a nice enough lad, but he kind of came in late. Even if they said in the beginning we're all equals and we'll all write the songs, he was never on quite the same level.

I've been binging a bunch of movies and docs about them in the last six weeks or so. Really has given me a fresh perspective and renewed appreciation of their brilliance. 

 

[McBokonon]

I've been binging a bunch of movies and docs about them in the last six weeks or so.

Mind suggesting a couple of your favorites?

 

[BobbyLayne]

Mind suggesting a couple of your favorites?

• John & Yoko: Above Us Only Sky (Netflix)
  
• George Harrison: Living in the Material World (HBO Max)
  
• Good Ole Freda (Amazon)
  
• The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (Hulu)
  

Those 4 are all docs. Also found an obscure but enjoyable film that is mostly about John. Abandoned by his mum, raised by his Aunt.

• Nowhere Boy (Amazon Prime)
  

 

[Godsbrother]

9. Paul and John may have been dismissive of George, but in the case of All Things Must Pass, it seems like they were maybe looking for some direction from George and he didn't give it.  At least that's what I see unless there is more footage somewhere.  I mean, they did a bunch of takes of it and still didn't release it, so I think John and Paul thought it was a good song.  Would love for somebody to ask Paul point blank about that song in particular and why they didn't finish it.  It's certainly better than the two songs George did for the project and Something clearly isn't ready yet.  Would love more information on this one in particular.

There is certainly some truth to John and Paul being dismissive of George's songs but it was not the case with All Things Must Pass.  There is a video on youtube where this guy breaks down sessions where they are working on ATMP and John and Paul are very much engaged and encouraging George who clearly wanted to move on.

In fact George was so disinterested in the Get Back project that he says on multiple occasions that he doesn't have any songs ready and he isn't interested in doing any of them live.   However later in the film he says he has so many songs that it will take years to get them all out if he has to wait to put them on Beatles records.   Obviously he was right and it is clear that he was eager to move beyond the Beatles.  In my opinion it was George that pulled ATMP out of contention for a Beatles record.

And I do agree with the idea that Paul was much more prominent on George's later songs than John.  John is basically a no-show on a lot of George's post Sgt. Pepper Beatles songs.

 

[MrJimiT]

There is certainly some truth to John and Paul being dismissive of George's songs but it was not the case with All Things Must Pass.  There is a video on youtube where this guy breaks down sessions where they are working on ATMP and John and Paul are very much engaged and encouraging George who clearly wanted to move on.

In fact George was so disinterested in the Get Back project that he says on multiple occasions that he doesn't have any songs ready and he isn't interested in doing any of them live.   However later in the film he says he has so many songs that it will take years to get them all out if he has to wait to put them on Beatles records.   Obviously he was right and it is clear that he was eager to move beyond the Beatles.  In my opinion it was George that pulled ATMP out of contention for a Beatles record.

And I do agree with the idea that Paul was much more prominent on George's later songs than John.  John is basically a no-show on a lot of George's post Sgt. Pepper Beatles songs.

I agree with you on THIS. At least in the context of the Get Back film project, this was the one song of George's that Paul & John were actually constructively collaborating. It certainly did feel like George pulled the plug on it. As you mentioned, he might have been already looking down-the-road at doing his own thing post-Beatles and did not want to pass on publishing rights, etc. Who knows now?

As a side question: Has Paul or Ringo made any public statements regarding Disney's release of Get Back?

 

[Anarchy99]

I agree with you on THIS. At least in the context of the Get Back film project, this was the one song of George's that Paul & John were actually constructively collaborating. It certainly did feel like George pulled the plug on it. As you mentioned, he might have been already looking down-the-road at doing his own thing post-Beatles and did not want to pass on publishing rights, etc. Who knows now?

As a side question: Has Paul or Ringo made any public statements regarding Disney's release of Get Back?

LINK

 

[Guido Merkins]

Mind suggesting a couple of your favorites?

Boy have you come to the right place

If you can get your hands on the Beatles Anthology that is the ultimate source.  Honestly, however, I'm not sure that you can stream it anywhere.  And I'm not sure it's fully on Youtube.  I have the DVDs.  Maybe the library near you would have it

The other one is The Compleat Beatles.  I know that one is on Youtube for sure.  This one was my gateway drug.  Watched it over and over again.  Not as in depth as the Anthology, but a good 2 hour overview of the band.  They do a real good job of covering the pre fame Beatles in Liverpool and Hamburg

If you are into reading, Tune In Volume 1 by Mark Lewison is the first in a trilogy of books that will be written by Mark Lewison.  Volume One covers the pre fame Beatles from birth to the very dawn of their fame.  Lewison also wrote a book called The Complete Recording Sessions which is my favorite Beatles book.  If you want to know why people hold them in such high regard as recording artists, this is the book to read.

Have fun!!!

 

[Guido Merkins]

There is certainly some truth to John and Paul being dismissive of George's songs but it was not the case with All Things Must Pass.  There is a video on youtube where this guy breaks down sessions where they are working on ATMP and John and Paul are very much engaged and encouraging George who clearly wanted to move on.

In fact George was so disinterested in the Get Back project that he says on multiple occasions that he doesn't have any songs ready and he isn't interested in doing any of them live.   However later in the film he says he has so many songs that it will take years to get them all out if he has to wait to put them on Beatles records.   Obviously he was right and it is clear that he was eager to move beyond the Beatles.  In my opinion it was George that pulled ATMP out of contention for a Beatles record.

And I do agree with the idea that Paul was much more prominent on George's later songs than John.  John is basically a no-show on a lot of George's post Sgt. Pepper Beatles songs.

Thanks GB.  I'm gonna go find that video....

 

[BobbyLayne]

LINK

Read these comments awhile back, what a hoot eh. It’s one thing for fans to have “a different perspective” after viewing Get Back. Remarkable that Paul feels that way! Reminded him of how much fun and joy they experienced being around each other.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Boy have you come to the right place

If you can get your hands on the Beatles Anthology that is the ultimate source.

Lets pretend I’m not a fanatic. What is this?

On Christmas Day evening I played The White Album Super Deluxe - all 107 tracks. It was a delight. I’m not sure how often I would be in that kind of mood (or have the time.) I stopped buying physical music 15 years ago. 

Ancillary question - what would be the best biography or history of The Beatles if I wanted to read more about the lads?

 

[Judge Smails]

Loved it.  Learned a ton and I appreciate the Beatles like I never have before.  Especially McCartney but really all of them.  As musicians and people.  Mad respect

 

[Guido Merkins]

Lets pretend I’m not a fanatic. What is this?

On Christmas Day evening I played The White Album Super Deluxe - all 107 tracks. It was a delight. I’m not sure how often I would be in that kind of mood (or have the time.) I stopped buying physical music 15 years ago. 

Ancillary question - what would be the best biography or history of The Beatles if I wanted to read more about the lads?

The Beatles Anthology was a documentary film that ran over 3 nights in the mid 1990's about the history of the band.  This history, unlike other documentaries, was mostly told by the Beatles themselves.  Commentary by Paul, George and Ringo and archival commentary by John.  It was a really big deal at the time.  ABC branding themselves A-Beatle-C for those three nights.  The resulting Anthology CDs all sold millions of copies.  Two new songs were the result of this series.  Free As A Bird and Real Love with the other Beatles supplementing Lennon performances from cassette demos he made in the 70s.  

DVDs were sold which had more than the TV special showed, but I don't see it on any streaming servies

The best biography I have read of them is Mark Lewison Tune In, but this is only Volume One with the other two Volumes still not completed. This is the best biography I have read, for a person who has'n read a lot of Beatles biographies.  I find Lewison to be factual and unbiased.  He tells the history, good and bad and lets the reader decide.  If you are more interested in their recordings, his book The Complete Recordings is outstanding

I have not, believe it or not, read a ton of their biographies because I find most of them to be biased.  When I first got into the band, I read Shout by Philip Norman, but that one kind of turned me off on Beatle biographies, to be honest.  Norman was of the opinion that Lennon was 3/4 of the Beatles, which I think is ridiculous.  He also almost entirely dismisses any contributions of George and Ringo, equally ridiculous.  Paul gets the blame for everything and he just rod Lennon's coattails.  Now, Lennon is my favorite Beatle, but still.  The Beatles are greater than the sum of their parts.  All of them contributed in their own unique ways.  The other one or two biographies that I have read (or tried to read) are similar.  Loose telling of the facts and some axe to grind, other than the Lewison book I mentioned above.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Just finished it this morning. Revelatory. 

Much of what I would want to say about it has already been said in this thread, but my mind was blown that three of the rooftop renditions were actually used on the Let It Be album, and that they went back in the studio the next day to produce the versions of Two of Us and Let It Be that made the album. Ending the whole thing with the take of Let It Be that got released was perfect.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Just finished Part 1, and... wow.

The birth of Get Back out of absolutely nothing; Paul just noodling Let It Be in the background as the others are talking about the location and staging; the mindmeld of John and Paul; Eastman taking photos that I saw in an  exhibit of her work at the Smithsonian American History Museum; the beauty of Let It Be as a song; George's quiet frustration at still being the outsider; the anti- anti-immigrant version of Get Back (wonder if they wished they kept that one?), and, holy ####, GEORGE JUST QUIT THE BAND.

Seeing how young and alive they all were is emotional.  And seeing these songs spring into life is too.  Feels like I'm watching DaVinci paint the Mona Lisa.

 

[heckmanm]

Watched the first 2 back in November or early December, but didn't get around to part 3 until last night. 

Who is the redheaded girl with short hair and sunglasses about an hour in? I think she's sitting on the floor of the studio or control room?  Not sure why I have to know this.

 

[BobbyLayne]

Watched the first 2 back in November or early December, but didn't get around to part 3 until last night. 

Who is the redheaded girl with short hair and sunglasses about an hour in? I think she's sitting on the floor of the studio or control room?  Not sure why I have to know this.

Tomato red girl? Yeah I've wondered that myself.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Watched the first 2 back in November or early December, but didn't get around to part 3 until last night. 

Who is the redheaded girl with short hair and sunglasses about an hour in? I think she's sitting on the floor of the studio or control room?  Not sure why I have to know this.

I think her name was Rita. She wanted to tell Paul that his car was being towed away.

 

[heckmanm]

Tomato red girl? Yeah I've wondered that myself.

My first thought was Mia Farrow, since I think she was with them in India a few years earlier.  I think she was sporting short red hair in '69, based on google searches.

 

[otb_lifer]

Who is the redheaded girl with short hair and sunglasses about an hour in? 

maybe just a lucky Apple Scruff? 

whoever it is, she sure beats the hell outta that Krishna dood George had sponging about.

 

[Zegras11]

53 years ago today.

 

On 30 January 1969, the Beatles performed an unannounced concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row, within central London's office and fashion district. Joined by keyboardist Billy Preston, the band played a 42-minute set before the Metropolitan Police asked them to reduce the volume. It was the final public performance of their career.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Sixty Minutes did a segment on the documentary.

The Australia version's segment is a bit longer.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cameraman reveals what The Beatles were like behind the scenes | 60 Minutes Australia

Cameraman Les Parrott was one of the lucky film crew who spent three weeks with The Beatles during the making of their final album, Let It Be. While the equipment he used is now a relic, what he captured is timeless - only coming out of the band's vault now.

 

[BobbyLayne]

53 years ago today.

 

On 30 January 1969, the Beatles performed an unannounced concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at 3 Savile Row, within central London's office and fashion district. Joined by keyboardist Billy Preston, the band played a 42-minute set before the Metropolitan Police asked them to reduce the volume. It was the final public performance of their career.

55 years ago (January 30-31) they shot Strawberry Fields Forever - hard believe this was just a little more than three years after I Want to Hold Your Hand.

Their timelines are astonishing tbh. Five years from George joining the Quarrymen and Please Please Me. Little over six years from the first Ed Sullivan appearance to the breakup announcement. They've been part of the American conscious for 58 years, which is fifty years longer than they were together as a band.