I interviewed the red headed kid (Kevin Harrington) who carried all of The Beatles' gear up on the roof. He's a great guy and I think you'll dig it. Here's one of the videos. th-cam.com/video/DQ5H8spatu8/w-d-xo.html
Watched the interviews with Kevin. Loved hearing his anecdotes relating to his front row seat at the greatest show on earth, the Fab Four… Keep up the great work Otis. Your videos are a musician’s wet dream. 😎
My biggest takeaway from Get Back is that Paul was constantly giving direction to John and George, but not once to Ringo. Ringo intuitively knew the perfect groove for each song. Mad respect for Ringo.
He most certainly did give direction to Ringo, and you can see it in 'Get Back' - at one point he says something like, "And you must play this on the cymbals" (it might be with regard to 'Let It Be', but I cannot remember).
Yeah, he did give direction to Ringo but not as much as say with George and John. But to your point I think you were probably amazed as I was how he came up with unique drumbeats that nobody but Ringo would have come up with given the riff or little bit of the song he was shown, and it completely transformed the song as we know it today. Can’t remember the specific song, it was big and it was amazing to see the genius of Ringo.
I remember as a kid a new Beatles album would be released every year it seems and each one sounded like a different, but better band. It was the best time to grow up, imo.
Love hearing from Tom. I agree, the rooftop performance was awesome. I don’t know why, but I was also struck by the bit where George was helping Ringo write “Octopus’s Garden”. It was a cool moment.
I'll be seventy in a few weeks and and am a lifelong Beatles (and Stones) fan, I saw them live all three weeks on the Ed Sullivan Show and play bass because of 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand', which was their first American hit single in early 1964. Every single they released sounded completely different than the preceding one, it was a magical time to be alive, Beatlemania was amazing to live through. I believe the 60's ended the day we all found out they had broken up. It was unbelievably depressing, but we all clung to the 'fact' that they would get together again someday. When Lennon got assassinated we mourned him and also mourned the fact that The Beatles would never again play together, the dream was over. We do have their music though.
I remember the 1st show on Ed Sullivan, I might have felt we had just watched a Really exciting Show, but the memory that sticks out the most was my Parents, esp. MOM, oh my Gosh look at their Long Hair. My Dad might have said they all look like MOE of the 3 Stooges. LOL. I did not become a BIG FAN til about 66, but remember those Times so well, the anticipation for the next Record.
@@ksharpe10 I fell hook, line and sinker right after my cousins showed me 'Meet The Beatles'; being the ten year old little brat I was I said I didn't like them (without hearing them) but that planted the seed and shortly afterward I was hooked, still am.
I was amazed and loved every minute of Get Back. I did not go in with any preconceived notions that they walked on water, or split the seas. I knew they were 4 guys who just loved music. All 4 were songwriters, and all 4 had normal amounts of brat, adolescent angst, and personal shit. I was just so happy to get a glimpse of them being them.
They were truly Blessed, 1 by the 5th Beatle George Martin, and by the GOD you mentioned, the one who walked on water, or split the seas. And it was a Blessing To Us.
The Billy Preston comment is soooo on-point. I love the part in the doc where he shows up and sits down at the piano and just fits right in and elevates the whole thing. It was like he lightened the whole vibe- "no big deal, man let's just play some music" The camera cuts to Paul (I think?), and he just gets this huge smile on his face like "Goddamn, this guy is GREAT".
Yes, that was amazing, they were somewhat floundering and a bit down at that point and right after he sat down at the electric piano it was beautiful-so cool. Everybody lit up with that great vibe--yeah Paul was grinning! All that time Billy played with Ray Charles I think rubbed off on him because there's that "I'm here to make it happen and support you guys regardless, show or tell me the changes". Love that!
Alright Otis! You got some gems of interviews with Tom, man. Best assessment ever of The Beatles in general but of the Get Back documentary especially. Billy Preston absolutely brought about a million percent to those sessions and the rooftop performance.
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Paul and Ringo should hook up with Tom Bukovac, Alan Parsons at the board, and record an album that would cause a rift in the music/time continuum and bring back the greatness of music through a cosmic wormhole and save the universe from autotune and soul-less recycled formulaic production.
Holy shit man. Out of the millions of Beatles conversations that have taken place, the soft playing acoustic guitar because of being singers is by far the most interesting points ever made about them.. Cool.
Yeah that was truly original, but he neglected that the Gibson with the pickup was Actually miked up into their Vox amps. and recorded that way. Listen to some of those old songs, they sound pretty Good.
Thank you, Otis! I appreciate Tom's insights and his appreciation for The Beatles and music in general. Great stories and interview as always Be good to you 🤍💛
If you take a close look at McCartney's Martin - its just been turned around from a right handed to a leftie. So all those songs he played on that Martin D-28 he did not do anything to it really. So intonation was way off :) Just look at it in the Get Back film.
I'm with Tom. I've loved the Beatles music since I was literally a baby. When I uttered my first syllables, some of the first words out of my mouth were, "She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah". I know this because my mom recorded it. 😄 It's the pure genius of the instrumentation and their use of sound that gets to me more than anything else. I'm in awe every time I listen to their music.
Listen for the use of the PLATE reverb on their Records. George Martin really knew what he was doing. And the Gibson was a plugged into their AC30 Vox amps, and Miked, most likely at least it sounds like it.
Otis sent us over to his channel. I hadn’t heard of Tom before seeing him on this channel. Great story voice, as you said. He also has just the greatest expression on his face when he plays.
Excellent! Finally you got it, Paul was actually the one that really cared and was more evolved, Lennon...a true co-dependant of the rest of them, George frustrated etc, and Ringo actually quit! Paul is the one that kept the train rolling
Gibby 160e, those ones that the Beatles used were laminate back and sides and ladder bracing…if you try a solid wood one and x bracing they sound pretty good, the scale is a bit long because of the pick up though, so there’s not as much sustain.
❤ always always appreciate your content Otis, and without saying Tom Bukovac is my favorite guitar player and I like the way he presents musical life on video, and now I have to go watch the rooftop concert, but that’s a good thing
IMHO - they were all about songwriting and singing- the J-160E allowed Lennon to exhibit his new song composition to the band with just plugging in. In similar fashion I'm convinced they used Hofner Beatle Bass, and Epiphone Casino guitars on tour in 1966 because they could compose in hotel rooms acoustically - without amps
I heard a producer say almost the exact same thing about working with The Rolling Stones. He said they would mess around and jam and play for hours and hours, and they sounded terrible, as bad or worse than amatures. And then all of a sudden, something would click, they'd hit a groove, and there they were, THE Rolling Stones in full glory, churning out another rock and roll masterpiece. It's inspiring to hear these stories and learn that the greatest bands of all time were confident enough and loose enough to experiment and just let things flow. They didn't try to make gold or turn rocks into diamonds, but rather just panned and mined patiently until the precious metals and gems were uncovered. That is a genius of its own kind, as is the ability to edit and recognize what's great. Separating the wheat from the chaff without getting too attached to the chaff. Always love these interviews Otis, and Uncle Larry is a GREAT storyteller (and even better musician). Thanks for bringing these to us. 🤘🤘🖖
I think John and Ringo were the only two that were 30 years old when they split up. I think that if they did not go to Hamburg Germany when they were so young and played like a full time job 8 hours a night. They might not have become who they became.
I absolutely love all your Beatles-related videos. I couldn't agree more about the rooftop concert. It really struck me how John, especially, got his act together for that performance. He went from sort of jerking around half the time in the studio to being the same John Lennon that awed tens of millions watching them on the Ed Sullivan Show in February '64.
I'm becoming a Colts fan from listening to these Uncle Larry videos. I knew Jim Irsay was a different kind of owner, but had no idea he was as cool as he sounds.
Yeah very good point. And from An audio engineer perspective they follow that in the “mix” as well. Vocals are way up front, and then bass is actually louder and more prominent than the guitars and even drums too (except the snare on SOME songs). And the only times the guitars get pushed up front is during the little interlude “hook” parts that temporarily become the focal point. Then after that’s gone it’s back to vocals bass in front. And that’s why you never have any problem singing along to Beatles songs.
I never wanted to spoil their magic in my heart of hearts, I haven't watched it yet. They mean too much to me. When I was 8 or 9 I was smitten by the Beatles after seeing Hard Days night. Ran straight home and begged my Dad to let me have his Sears silvertone.
Yep. Very astute and honest and frank, perceptive comments. Get Back--what a great contribution, perhaps the greatest, about the Beatles' process and relationships. Great comments--thanks to Otis and Tom. Thanks.
I would love to hangout with ole Unkle Larry and drink some whiskey and talk music . Unk looks so damn relaxed here LOL . That cozy fire going , ole T B has the YuengLEAN HAHA . He works hard , takes care of his kids . He deserves to knock a few back and relax .
Great perspective. Very interesting, and about the acoustic guitars. And absolutely right about it being all about the singing. The Get Back doc really grew on me. Hard to grasp at first, but it really blew my mind over all. I'm a backline guy, so the even all the tech stuff was fascinating to me. I enjoyed the interviews Otis did with Keven before I watched Get Back, so that was really cool to have that perspective too. I don't think there's no way to overestimate Billy Preston's contribution to the effort, both musically, and to the over all vibe. Might have been how the final edit presents, but IMHO everything turns around and moves forward when Billy shows up.
From what I read, George was pretty much done because just about every tune he suggested was shot down... After they broke up he put those tunes on the best post Beatles album...
Tom's observation on those Gibson J-160's is spot on. Years ago I eagerly grabbed one of the wall at the Gibson Showcase at Opry Mills and began strumming away....and i was stunned to find it completely uninspiring and very quiet. I persisted for ten minutes or so until i caught the eye of my friend who had been wandering around the store . She gave me a really ugly look????I I said what ????? She said I don't like that guitar ! But this is the guitar that the Beatles used on many of their early records . She said.....I don't care it doesn't sound good ! And to be honest.....I was already thinking the same thing ! I've tried a few others since then with the same result . Uninspiring and no volume . I don't know how they recorded those guitars to get such a great sound ? It really is a mystery . If i were a Beatle and was looking for a guitar that would inspire and record well.....the J-160 would not be it !
All your stuff is cool, no doubt. However I've '"discovered" Mr Bukovac and Several others all damn Good from you Otis, THANKYOU! I've viewed many of Tom's videos & really dig so much about Tom! SO both'yall AND the subject matter makes this Top Shelf of your stuff I really, really love! Thanks Otis!
I am glad to know that I didn't get a bad 160. I thought I would love it but I have never warmed to my Gibson J160. I thought maybe something was wrong with mine but it was described to a T.
The roof top....much respect. Considering the compromise that it resulted from. Wow!! Plus, it was dang cold!! I wish they showed more of the shlepping of equipment up there. Twins weigh a ton!!!
Our dear, sweet Uncle Larry is just the best. So insightful and deeply experienced, yet always with that child's sparkle in his eye. On the J-160E, if Jerry Hammack got it right in his The Beatles Recording Reference Manual, referring to A Hard Day's Night, Norman Smith blended an acoustic signal with an amplified signal "to create a unique acoustic guitar tone." One of the many things which are so impressive about the rooftop performance was John's lead on Get Back. Ever try to play it? Damned hard to do and is yet another example of John's sense for unusual rhythm and that incredible right hand of his.
Paul recorded with an Epiphone acoustic. How do I know? I was at a benefit dinner/concert for minefield victims hosted by Paul and Heather. They auctioned off the leftie Epiphone acoustic Paul played in the studio in the early days. A dude paid $50k for it. True story.
Heck, I signed up for Disney+ just to watch it! It has also served as a dividing line between friends. Kind of along the lines of people who say "I don't like cats" where the only sin of the cat is that it is not a dog. Don't like the Beatles? Fine, nice knowing you.
Same here...when they came around in 64 I never cared about other singers....I never got into anyone else until after 1970. ..then everyone else came along including the Stones.
Good point on the acoustically quiet J160e, but plugged in> look out! All those songs. It is the one guitar used on every record, for the record. No pun intended.
I think people forget that the songwriting process seen in 'Get Back' is one part of the way they wrote songs - and not a major part (in terms of how they did it most of the time). Similarly, Paul was a "brat" - to use Tom's word -in the video interview here - especially to George during the 'Let It Be' / 'Get Back' sessions. Paul was insufferably rude and condescending to George - not even responding when George asked him a question at one point; forgetting the titles of George's songs. And giving very short shrift to some of George's songs which were superior to some of the dross that Paul was coming up with (e.g., 'Teddy Boy'). And it must be said that The Fabs' instrumental parts are so memorable; perfect - I think that gets overshadowed by the beauty of their singing. And if you listen to some of the stems for their other (non-'Get Back') tracks, you won't think they played softly - Ringo in particular was whacking the hell out of his drums. 'Helter Skelter' - so many very loud tracks. And they were J160Es on their early records.
Epiphone Texans and regular old Gibson J45 & J50 guitars(slope-shoulder) are all over the Beatles mid-era recordings. They are quieter, but sweeter guitars(and better sounding than the dreadful J160E).
I remember reading a story (30 years ago?) about a guy in Arizona that answered a "Martin guitar for sale" ad. He went to the address and it turned out to be Paul selling a D-28 I think. Maybe too loud? :^)
George being a brat was that he’d had enough of the Beatles and really wanted out back in ‘66. He didn’t want Paul to tell him what to do anymore. That’s one of the reasons he opposed Paul’s ideas.
Tom is right about a J-160e. I bought a 1965 one in 93 and returned it after two days as it sounded poor. No sound unless plugged in and then it was electric.
We desperately need to get Tom in a room with Paul so he can ask all the important questions and report back. The specific questions that haven’t been asked. Then life will be complete.
They were the best harmonizing group in all of the music business, even today. it's funny because their voices are different when they are talking? but the harmony is perfect when they were singing. George Harrison had a lot of guitars that he really liked a lot. but he always gravitated back to his Gretsch guitars. Ringo Starr could also sing, but he was more suited for baritone songs like Ob bla di ob bla da.
I agree with Tom very good except give Ringo some credit He wrote some good songs but was never given the chance to sing background. Billy Preston was the icing on the cake.
The doorman at the Dakota Hotel called in sick the day Lennon was murdered. Check out who he was replaced with. Yoko doesn't say he, killed John, she says they.
In my opinion the fact only John & Paul got writing credits plus 90% of the Album exposure George handled himself with great restraint. The BEATLES were 4 great musicians. They all worked collectively and should have cut the pie equally. Problem solved. Look at all the great groups ruined because one member individually took full credit. The Band were monster talent but Robbie took full ownership. There was soooooo much money.... why not share with your band mates?
And if you notice, he arrives at exactly the midpoint of the 2nd part, after they'd reached the darkest time. As soon as he hit that keyboard, the lights went on!
I just saw a J-160E on Reverb for $17,469.84. Do you think I should pull the trigger? 😆 Ever since I watched this video yesterday, I've been thinking about Bukovac's comments about the great acoustic sound on early Beatles tracks, and how he thinks it's impossible to get that great sound out of those monstrosities. Well, I wouldn't be so sure. Remember how Keith Richards got an amazing dirty "electric" sound by overloading a Phillips cassette recorder with an acoustic guitar? Along those lines, maybe one of those super quiet Gibsons sounds amazing in a band context, when it's recorded by a pristine U47 and mixed by a genius like Geoff Emerick?
I think this is the acoustics the 4 lads used... 1965 Epiphone Texan Flat-top-79, 1967 Martin D-28, Gibson J-200 , J-160E, and a 1965 Martin D-28 Cheers Fellas
Uncle Larry is right, they were not recorded with those Gibsons, but they used similar Epiphones and Framus. Speaks volumes of how good recording engineers were then. I recommend Jerry Hammack's guide to know what all the instruments were but it starts in 1965.
John and George, knew Paul from their teenage years, having said that the Beatles knew how to make great music, with or without Paul bossing them around, and there’s no way Paul wasn’t acting differently with cameras rolling? They could see through each other’s large egos, and Paul wanted everyone to know he was running the show, and he may have by this time, but that’s not how John and George wanted him behaving for all the world to see? Like John said in some interview, we were becoming Paul’s sideman?
I interviewed the red headed kid (Kevin Harrington) who carried all of The Beatles' gear up on the roof. He's a great guy and I think you'll dig it. Here's one of the videos. th-cam.com/video/DQ5H8spatu8/w-d-xo.html
I saw that when you posted. He's a funny guy, but a great voice on the history of the Beatles.
What a charming guy! How the heck does one get to be a roadie with the world’s greatest band? I’d love to hear that tale.
That's a great interview.
Watched the interviews with Kevin. Loved hearing his anecdotes relating to his front row seat at the greatest show on earth, the Fab Four… Keep up the great work Otis. Your videos are a musician’s wet dream. 😎
Tom is as good a story teller as he is a brilliant musician.
I love me some more Buko please !
My biggest takeaway from Get Back is that Paul was constantly giving direction to John and George, but not once to Ringo. Ringo intuitively knew the perfect groove for each song. Mad respect for Ringo.
He most certainly did give direction to Ringo, and you can see it in 'Get Back' - at one point he says something like, "And you must play this on the cymbals" (it might be with regard to 'Let It Be', but I cannot remember).
Yeah, he did give direction to Ringo but not as much as say with George and John. But to your point I think you were probably amazed as I was how he came up with unique drumbeats that nobody but Ringo would have come up with given the riff or little bit of the song he was shown, and it completely transformed the song as we know it today. Can’t remember the specific song, it was big and it was amazing to see the genius of Ringo.
Everyone forgets how young the Beatles were when they were creating some of the best music ever.
I remember as a kid a new Beatles album would be released every year it seems and each one sounded like a different, but better band. It was the best time to grow up, imo.
Love hearing from Tom. I agree, the rooftop performance was awesome. I don’t know why, but I was also struck by the bit where George was helping Ringo write “Octopus’s Garden”. It was a cool moment.
I'll be seventy in a few weeks and and am a lifelong Beatles (and Stones) fan, I saw them live all three weeks on the Ed Sullivan Show and play bass because of 'I Wanna Hold Your Hand', which was their first American hit single in early 1964. Every single they released sounded completely different than the preceding one, it was a magical time to be alive, Beatlemania was amazing to live through. I believe the 60's ended the day we all found out they had broken up. It was unbelievably depressing, but we all clung to the 'fact' that they would get together again someday. When Lennon got assassinated we mourned him and also mourned the fact that The Beatles would never again play together, the dream was over. We do have their music though.
I felt exactly the same way about the 60s ending when they broke up. Life was suddenly a little darker.
I remember the 1st show on Ed Sullivan, I might have felt we had just watched a Really exciting Show, but the memory that sticks out the most was my Parents, esp. MOM, oh my Gosh look at their Long Hair. My Dad might have said they all look like MOE of the 3 Stooges. LOL. I did not become a BIG FAN til about 66, but remember those Times so well, the anticipation for the next Record.
@@ksharpe10 I fell hook, line and sinker right after my cousins showed me 'Meet The Beatles'; being the ten year old little brat I was I said I didn't like them (without hearing them) but that planted the seed and shortly afterward I was hooked, still am.
I was amazed and loved every minute of Get Back. I did not go in with any preconceived notions that they walked on water, or split the seas. I knew they were 4 guys who just loved music. All 4 were songwriters, and all 4 had normal amounts of brat, adolescent angst, and personal shit. I was just so happy to get a glimpse of them being them.
They were truly Blessed, 1 by the 5th Beatle George Martin, and by the GOD you mentioned, the one who walked on water, or split the seas. And it was a Blessing To Us.
The Billy Preston comment is soooo on-point. I love the part in the doc where he shows up and sits down at the piano and just fits right in and elevates the whole thing. It was like he lightened the whole vibe- "no big deal, man let's just play some music" The camera cuts to Paul (I think?), and he just gets this huge smile on his face like "Goddamn, this guy is GREAT".
Yes, that was amazing, they were somewhat floundering and a bit down at that point and right after he sat down at the electric piano it was beautiful-so cool. Everybody lit up with that great vibe--yeah Paul was grinning! All that time Billy played with Ray Charles I think rubbed off on him because there's that "I'm here to make it happen and support you guys regardless, show or tell me the changes". Love that!
Yeah I used to think of Paul as kinda the more pop, lightweight element of the band but Christ that guy was amazing.
Alright Otis! You got some gems of interviews with Tom, man. Best assessment ever of The Beatles in general but of the Get Back documentary especially. Billy Preston absolutely brought about a million percent to those sessions and the rooftop performance.
Subscribe to Tom's channel and tell him Otis sent ya. It's one of the best things on the internet.
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Paul and Ringo should hook up with Tom Bukovac, Alan Parsons at the board, and record an album that would cause a rift in the music/time continuum and bring back the greatness of music through a cosmic wormhole and save the universe from autotune and soul-less recycled formulaic production.
Holy shit man. Out of the millions of Beatles conversations that have taken place, the soft playing acoustic guitar because of being singers is by far the most interesting points ever made about them.. Cool.
Yeah that was truly original, but he neglected that the Gibson with the pickup was Actually miked up into their Vox amps. and recorded that way. Listen to some of those old songs, they sound pretty Good.
Thank you, Otis!
I appreciate Tom's insights and his appreciation for The Beatles and music in general.
Great stories and interview as always
Be good to you 🤍💛
If you take a close look at McCartney's Martin - its just been turned around from a right handed to a leftie. So all those songs he played on that Martin D-28 he did not do anything to it really. So intonation was way off :) Just look at it in the Get Back film.
I'm with Tom. I've loved the Beatles music since I was literally a baby. When I uttered my first syllables, some of the first words out of my mouth were, "She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah". I know this because my mom recorded it. 😄 It's the pure genius of the instrumentation and their use of sound that gets to me more than anything else. I'm in awe every time I listen to their music.
Listen for the use of the PLATE reverb on their Records. George Martin really knew what he was doing. And the Gibson was a plugged into their AC30 Vox amps, and Miked, most likely at least it sounds like it.
Ringo has said on numerous occasions if it wasn’t for Paul, they would’ve made 5 fewer albums.
what a wonderful and insightful interview. I really enjoyed his comments about the prominence of singing requiring low volume of the instruments.
I agree with Tom about Paul, "let's get down to biz!" On the other hand, a friend of mine saw him as a taskmaster (?)
I know Chuck Berry wrote the book on Rock'n'Roll guitar licks, but John Lennon's guitar line on Get Back is the best. Dirty, slinky, immortal.
Tom has the coolest voice ever !
Otis sent us over to his channel. I hadn’t heard of Tom before seeing him on this channel. Great story voice, as you said. He also has just the greatest expression on his face when he plays.
Awesome! Thank you Otis & Tom!Great cool vibes from both of y’all 😎✌🏼
Excellent! Finally you got it, Paul was actually the one that really cared and was more evolved, Lennon...a true co-dependant of the rest of them, George frustrated etc, and Ringo actually quit! Paul is the one that kept the train rolling
Paul has always been my favorite Beatle but I love them all. What a unit! And they rocked live too!
Gibby 160e, those ones that the Beatles used were laminate back and sides and ladder bracing…if you try a solid wood one and x bracing they sound pretty good, the scale is a bit long because of the pick up though, so there’s not as much sustain.
❤ always always appreciate your content Otis, and without saying Tom Bukovac is my favorite guitar player and I like the way he presents musical life on video, and now I have to go watch the rooftop concert, but that’s a good thing
IMHO - they were all about songwriting and singing- the J-160E allowed Lennon to exhibit his new song composition to the band with just plugging in. In similar fashion I'm convinced they used Hofner Beatle Bass, and Epiphone Casino guitars on tour in 1966 because they could compose in hotel rooms acoustically - without amps
The song ‘Because’ made me a beatles fan
I heard a producer say almost the exact same thing about working with The Rolling Stones. He said they would mess around and jam and play for hours and hours, and they sounded terrible, as bad or worse than amatures. And then all of a sudden, something would click, they'd hit a groove, and there they were, THE Rolling Stones in full glory, churning out another rock and roll masterpiece.
It's inspiring to hear these stories and learn that the greatest bands of all time were confident enough and loose enough to experiment and just let things flow. They didn't try to make gold or turn rocks into diamonds, but rather just panned and mined patiently until the precious metals and gems were uncovered. That is a genius of its own kind, as is the ability to edit and recognize what's great. Separating the wheat from the chaff without getting too attached to the chaff.
Always love these interviews Otis, and Uncle Larry is a GREAT storyteller (and even better musician). Thanks for bringing these to us. 🤘🤘🖖
How in the world did I miss this one!! Bravo to you both!
I think John and Ringo were the only two that were 30 years old when they split up. I think that if they did not go to Hamburg Germany when they were so young and played like a full time job 8 hours a night. They might not have become who they became.
George Martin played a big part in getting their songs as good as they are.
No question about it.
I absolutely love all your Beatles-related videos. I couldn't agree more about the rooftop concert. It really struck me how John, especially, got his act together for that performance. He went from sort of jerking around half the time in the studio to being the same John Lennon that awed tens of millions watching them on the Ed Sullivan Show in February '64.
Buk’s the man. Ps. The answer to every one of his many headscratching questions is: “George Martin.”😎🤙🏽
I'm becoming a Colts fan from listening to these Uncle Larry videos. I knew Jim Irsay was a different kind of owner, but had no idea he was as cool as he sounds.
Yeah very good point. And from An audio engineer perspective they follow that in the “mix” as well. Vocals are way up front, and then bass is actually louder and more prominent than the guitars and even drums too (except the snare on SOME songs). And the only times the guitars get pushed up front is during the little interlude “hook” parts that temporarily become the focal point. Then after that’s gone it’s back to vocals bass in front. And that’s why you never have any problem singing along to Beatles songs.
The Beatles are one of the best ever.But I still haven't seen the new show about them...
So true about trying to sing over a band, worse yet when dynamics go out the window and things get really loud
I like Tom's "glass half full" attitude on life. His look at the Beatles warms from that kind of view.
@otisgibbs thanks for introducing me to Tom B. Love these stories from him.
I never wanted to spoil their magic in my heart of hearts, I haven't watched it yet. They mean too much to me. When I was 8 or 9 I was smitten by the Beatles after seeing Hard Days night. Ran straight home and begged my Dad to let me have his Sears silvertone.
I don't think you'll be sorry if you watch it. It's really good, especially for true fans.
Yep. Very astute and honest and frank, perceptive comments. Get Back--what a great contribution, perhaps the greatest, about the Beatles' process and relationships. Great comments--thanks to Otis and Tom. Thanks.
I would love to hangout with ole Unkle Larry and drink some whiskey and talk music . Unk looks so damn relaxed here LOL . That cozy fire going , ole T B has the YuengLEAN HAHA . He works hard , takes care of his kids . He deserves to knock a few back and relax .
He really nailed the essence of that movie. Well said.
Uncle Larry is a gift!
Great perspective. Very interesting, and about the acoustic guitars. And absolutely right about it being all about the singing. The Get Back doc really grew on me. Hard to grasp at first, but it really blew my mind over all. I'm a backline guy, so the even all the tech stuff was fascinating to me. I enjoyed the interviews Otis did with Keven before I watched Get Back, so that was really cool to have that perspective too. I don't think there's no way to overestimate Billy Preston's contribution to the effort, both musically, and to the over all vibe. Might have been how the final edit presents, but IMHO everything turns around and moves forward when Billy shows up.
Ringo watches Paul like a hawk while the others are joking and talking. Razor focus.
From what I read, George was pretty much done because just about every tune he suggested was shot down... After they broke up he put those tunes on the best post Beatles album...
Paul had the best post Beatles albums
Tom's observation on those Gibson J-160's is spot on. Years ago I eagerly grabbed one of the wall at the Gibson Showcase at Opry Mills and began strumming away....and i was stunned to find it completely uninspiring and very quiet. I persisted for ten minutes or so until i caught the eye of my friend who had been wandering around the store . She gave me a really ugly look????I I said what ????? She said I don't like that guitar ! But this is the guitar that the Beatles used on many of their early records . She said.....I don't care it doesn't sound good ! And to be honest.....I was already thinking the same thing ! I've tried a few others since then with the same result . Uninspiring and no volume . I don't know how they recorded those guitars to get such a great sound ? It really is a mystery . If i were a Beatle and was looking for a guitar that would inspire and record well.....the J-160 would not be it !
All your stuff is cool, no doubt. However I've '"discovered" Mr Bukovac and Several others all damn Good from you Otis, THANKYOU! I've viewed many of Tom's videos & really dig so much about Tom! SO both'yall AND the subject matter makes this Top Shelf of your stuff I really, really love! Thanks Otis!
I am glad to know that I didn't get a bad 160. I thought I would love it but I have never warmed to my Gibson J160. I thought maybe something was wrong with mine but it was described to a T.
I can listen to Tom all night long!!! Thank you so much for tuning me into him and his channel ✌️😎🙏
Mic a J160e (with flatlwound strings and the ones with the ceramic bridge) with a U48 and it instantly sounds 'like The Beatles'
loving these Buk vids Otis. new here, and like many, i could listen to Buk talk all day long.
The roof top....much respect. Considering the compromise that it resulted from. Wow!! Plus, it was dang cold!! I wish they showed more of the shlepping of equipment up there. Twins weigh a ton!!!
I love the part when George is working Octopuses garden with Ringo
The odds of the Beatles coming together were 32 billion to one.
Bwahahahaha, lol when Tom goes in on the Hard Day's Night Gibson acoustic guitars; this was so good
Our dear, sweet Uncle Larry is just the best. So insightful and deeply experienced, yet always with that child's sparkle in his eye. On the J-160E, if Jerry Hammack got it right in his The Beatles Recording Reference Manual, referring to A Hard Day's Night, Norman Smith blended an acoustic signal with an amplified signal "to create a unique acoustic guitar tone." One of the many things which are so impressive about the rooftop performance was John's lead on Get Back. Ever try to play it? Damned hard to do and is yet another example of John's sense for unusual rhythm and that incredible right hand of his.
Love that lead, its so perfect
Paul recorded with an Epiphone acoustic. How do I know? I was at a benefit dinner/concert for minefield victims hosted by Paul and Heather. They auctioned off the leftie Epiphone acoustic Paul played in the studio in the early days. A dude paid $50k for it. True story.
Heck, I signed up for Disney+ just to watch it! It has also served as a dividing line between friends. Kind of along the lines of people who say "I don't like cats" where the only sin of the cat is that it is not a dog. Don't like the Beatles? Fine, nice knowing you.
Same here...when they came around in 64 I never cared about other singers....I never got into anyone else until after 1970. ..then everyone else came along including the Stones.
Good point on the acoustically quiet J160e, but plugged in> look out! All those songs. It is the one guitar used on every record, for the record. No pun intended.
I think people forget that the songwriting process seen in 'Get Back' is one part of the way they wrote songs - and not a major part (in terms of how they did it most of the time).
Similarly, Paul was a "brat" - to use Tom's word -in the video interview here - especially to George during the 'Let It Be' / 'Get Back' sessions. Paul was insufferably rude and condescending to George - not even responding when George asked him a question at one point; forgetting the titles of George's songs. And giving very short shrift to some of George's songs which were superior to some of the dross that Paul was coming up with (e.g., 'Teddy Boy').
And it must be said that The Fabs' instrumental parts are so memorable; perfect - I think that gets overshadowed by the beauty of their singing.
And if you listen to some of the stems for their other (non-'Get Back') tracks, you won't think they played softly - Ringo in particular was whacking the hell out of his drums.
'Helter Skelter' - so many very loud tracks. And they were J160Es on their early records.
That opening chord of Hard Days Night to me is the closest thing to musically describing hip hopeful manifest destiny in rock
I was about to be blown away if uncle Larry started talking about jamming with John and George LOL.
Epiphone Texans and regular old Gibson J45 & J50 guitars(slope-shoulder) are all over the Beatles mid-era recordings. They are quieter, but sweeter guitars(and better sounding than the dreadful J160E).
They probably just used those Gibson acoustics live and normal, well mic'd, non-pickup acoustics in the studio.
I remember reading a story (30 years ago?) about a guy in Arizona that answered a "Martin guitar for sale" ad. He went to the address and it turned out to be Paul selling a D-28 I think. Maybe too loud? :^)
George being a brat was that he’d had enough of the Beatles and really wanted out back in ‘66. He didn’t want Paul to tell him what to do anymore. That’s one of the reasons he opposed Paul’s ideas.
Tom is right about a J-160e. I bought a 1965 one in 93 and returned it after two days as it sounded poor. No sound unless plugged in and then it was electric.
Great insights by Tommy as usual. His take on those crazy quiet acoustics and them being able to sing over them is gold!!
We desperately need to get Tom in a room with Paul so he can ask all the important questions and report back. The specific questions that haven’t been asked. Then life will be complete.
They were the best harmonizing group in all of the music business, even today. it's funny because their
voices are different when they are talking? but the harmony is perfect when they were singing. George Harrison had a lot of guitars that he really liked a lot. but he always gravitated back to his Gretsch guitars. Ringo Starr could also sing, but he was more suited for baritone songs like Ob bla di ob bla da.
I agree with Tom very good except give Ringo some credit He wrote some good songs but was never given the chance to sing background. Billy Preston was the icing on the cake.
J 160e had a laminated top and the Beatles used electric guitar strings on theirs. I Feel Fine was the J 160e
Totally agree with the J 160E insights. That is some magic recording technique to get them to sound like they do on the LPs.
The doorman at the Dakota Hotel called in sick the day Lennon was murdered. Check out who he was replaced with. Yoko doesn't say he, killed John, she says they.
I almost couldn't finish Get Back because it felt like it was the *last* thing we'll ever get from the Beatles.
Nice
Wow. if you ever saw The Beatles live the one thing that struck you is that they were LOUD.
In my opinion the fact only John & Paul got writing credits plus 90% of the Album exposure George handled himself with great restraint. The BEATLES were 4 great musicians. They all worked collectively and should have cut the pie equally. Problem solved. Look at all the great groups ruined because one member individually took full credit. The Band were monster talent but Robbie took full ownership. There was soooooo much money.... why not share with your band mates?
Paul called it and said they would pull it off when they got up on the roof, and they did. He knew.
Nailed w/ the LOUD playin', Unc.. Guilty... Mostly.
pretty sure the Epiphone Texan was used for a lot of the Beatles acoustic guitar tracks
You could see that everything changed when Billy Preston arrived. It seemed like the spark they needed to switch on the magic.
And if you notice, he arrives at exactly the midpoint of the 2nd part, after they'd reached the darkest time. As soon as he hit that keyboard, the lights went on!
I just saw a J-160E on Reverb for $17,469.84. Do you think I should pull the trigger? 😆 Ever since I watched this video yesterday, I've been thinking about Bukovac's comments about the great acoustic sound on early Beatles tracks, and how he thinks it's impossible to get that great sound out of those monstrosities. Well, I wouldn't be so sure. Remember how Keith Richards got an amazing dirty "electric" sound by overloading a Phillips cassette recorder with an acoustic guitar? Along those lines, maybe one of those super quiet Gibsons sounds amazing in a band context, when it's recorded by a pristine U47 and mixed by a genius like Geoff Emerick?
I think this is the acoustics the 4 lads used... 1965 Epiphone Texan Flat-top-79,
1967 Martin D-28,
Gibson J-200
, J-160E, and a
1965 Martin D-28
Cheers Fellas
Uncle Larry is right, they were not recorded with those Gibsons, but they used similar Epiphones and Framus. Speaks volumes of how good recording engineers were then. I recommend Jerry Hammack's guide to know what all the instruments were but it starts in 1965.
Uncle Larry is the coolest.
Thank you, Otis.
My takeaways from the film were exactly the same as his . Magic
They often recorded with the J160E's plugged into amps.
Ringo had the best background vocals.
I walked away from the film with a lot more respect for Paul as well.
Loved hearing this.. Tom for president!
Truely a high point in popular music !!!!
Another reason for me to like Tom! I feel and see the same things!
John and George, knew Paul from their teenage years, having said that the Beatles knew how to make great music, with or without Paul bossing them around, and there’s no way Paul wasn’t acting differently with cameras rolling? They could see through each other’s large egos, and Paul wanted everyone to know he was running the show, and he may have by this time, but that’s not how John and George wanted him behaving for all the world to see? Like John said in some interview, we were becoming Paul’s sideman?