The BEATLES Bring It In For A Landing |
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- The Beatles toiled the month of January 1969 without a clear vision of what the Let It Be /Get Back Sessions were supposed to be. This video which picks up on January 29, the day before the rooftop concert, shows the band tired but relieved they have and ending to execute. Listen to their dialog as they bring these sessions in for a bumpy landing.
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These discussions and your analysis reveal a story that was never clear, at least to me. Terrific work. Pointing out that the sessions began just ten weeks after the double album was released AND that Paul seems to have primarily had in mind a TV show, AND that it wasn't clear to anyone that they were in the process of making their next album on such short notice AND the ensuing confusion/frustration with the situation -- the puzzle pieces fit quite well. The promo for the film and album back then gave the impression their project was clear, back to roots, etc. And to think, the original TV idea becomes a reality a mere 50 years later. Thanks very much for this, Matt! Nicely done.
My pleasure, syater. You've summed it up quite nicely.
Agreed. Also, something which may not be clear to younger viewers, the fact that they were aiming for a live performance of some kind tended to dictate what the music could be. Other than playing to backing tapes, there was no way of remotely reproducing live much of the types of music they they had been making since they had stopped touring. Even some of their more straightforward-sounding later songs needed multiple overdubs and tape effects. Limiting the players to just themselves and Billy Preston severely restricted what they could do live.
In retrospect, they would probably have been happier simply performing those of their most recent songs, and there where quite a few on the White Album, which could reasonably have been done live - perhaps with some other guest musicians. They could then have had longer to prepare for their next proper album.
@@johnnhoj6749 Yes, agreed. The live approach was definitely part of it. I'm still am not sure whether the original idea was to film songs from the White Album or earlier songs, as it seems it may have been, rather than starting work on a new batch of songs. I curious what Matt's impression is concerning that development.
What I had always understood for the past 50 years is that this album was supposed to be a no-frills, no overdubs, no studio tricks album and that was the agreement from the start. The idea that the film was planned to be a concert of music from the White Album is a revelation (to me), which now fully explains why they came into the studios in Twickenham without new music or direction for what became Let It Be.
The tapes reveal that they weren't in fighting all the time and if anything, in this instance, John is the one who is open and realises that they have to do something. Maybe all of them knew deep down they were reaching the end. Hence why, for the first time in a long time, they are connected as they were in the late 50s and early 60s.
A bigger revelation, already revealed, is they were open to another album. I feel their idea was similar to The Doors or Bee Gees - have a break, recharge, do their own projects and then do a post Abbey Road album?
“A f***in’ miracle”, love it! John’s contribution to the discussion is so touching to hear, he is so often portrayed as sarcastic or dismissive, but here he’s guiding the other fellas through a fraught period. Wonderfully done with great insight Matt, thank you 👌🏼
Lennon doesn't sound like the stoned-on-heroin addict we've been led to believe! Thank you for the kind words, Gavin.
I agree with you. I'm glad to hear them all talking friendly love this Thankyou so much. I miss their voices so much. ❣️
Shocked and delighted me as well. John was so professional and not so erratic as we traditionally view him in the later years of the band. Very eye-opening and makes me proud of John.
@@popgoesthe60s52, is "ALLRIGHT" the American spelling of "ALRIGHT"?
John was always the lead guy that they all looked to.
Another great video Matt. The most fascinating thing about this tape in particular is that this is certainly not a band which is fighting or on the verge of breaking up. John seems like the one actually pushing to go on stage with seven songs. He is also the one asking the others to get ready for the next LP for June/July (the one that eventually turned into Abbey Road) which is a big surprise for me as I always thought that by this period he was not into the Beatles anymore. He's actually the most enthusiastic of them in this and Paul is the least pushing. A revelation considering how over the next decades the narrative changes so much to make Paul look like the one pushing everyone to get into the studio and John the lazy one who wanted out. Things were much more complicated than that.
Yes, as I dove deeper, the things they were saying became more and more interesting. I'm glad I dug so deep!
@@popgoesthe60s52 true - thanks so much!
In fairness, Paul was reluctant to do the rooftop concert, because he wanted something bigger!
This album came out when I was 15 and I’ve always loved it imperfections and all. These audio sound bites are a peek behind the curtain with insight we didn’t have back then. When the film came out it was bleak at best and we all blamed one person for the demise. But these clips show that they got along very well during this time and unfortunately it was time to move on for them. People always say would they have gotten together again ? I do believe if John had lived there would have been a reunion at least for a cause like live aid. Great work on this and all your videos.
Thank you, Onteo!
agree . If John had lived they would've reunited somehow .
John just wanted to play. I never knew this side of it. Seems like Paul was thinking too much about it.
Not really, he just wanted to do something different. They had just done an album, he wanted to create, be creative, can’t blame him for that. It just wasn’t to be, luckily they and we got an inadvertent album out of it.
The whole intent of the project was to do something different than just make another album. Paul didn't want to just give in to that, he wanted more out of it. It seems he was always the one pushing them to do more. And that has always been overlooked IMO.
In my opinion it was a perfect album as all there albums were/are. I love let it be its raw and heavy and bluesy and rockin and some were live which blows my mind how good they were!!! Till this day some of those live stuff they did on that album is kinda complicated yet still pleasant and easy to listen to. I fukn love this band. There will never be another Beatles.
I’ve just discovered your channel and the get back let it be series you’ve been doing may be my favorite thing I’ve heard on the Beatles ever. I always felt a strong pull to this album as well, and in hindsight, all the art, music and speculation over the past 50 years that came from an ill prepared 17-day session is nothing short of a miracle.
Agreed! There has been some opinions by unhinged Beatlemaniacs that the Jackson film will be a complete whitewash. This they say with out even seeing the film! Well, I thought these recordings would shut them up.
@@popgoesthe60s52 I agree!
Great video. I can only imagine The Beatles staying together after 1970. What masterpieces we would have had with the FAB Four contributions.
Thanks again for watching!
This is a phenomenal TH-cam series
Thank you , Patrick. I appreciate the comment.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Thank you for the content. I thought I knew everything there was to know about The Beatles, but I was wrong. This is fascinating stuff
I just love the heck out of these "conversation" video's.
Thanks, Mike - more to come.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Excellent! I will say further that it is maybe almost unprecedented that a 60's band can rule the year 2021. I've spent money I don't have on pre-orders for the Get Back book and the deluxe CD Let It Be. No other group, and that includes individual Beatles, that I'd to that for.
Oh my I just love these guys
You know what gets me about this? Hearing John talk about the roof top concert and wanting to do it... knowing now that they would never play as a band again... breaks the heart. Imagine if they were all here today and having a concert??? Oh my god!
Thanks for the great analysis. What a pity John and Paul didn't share the intellect of Bjorn and Benny. There was no reason for The Beatles to officially break up. Bjorn and Benny were clever enough to know what they had and how stupid it would be to actively bring it to a close. ABBA never officially broke up. The members just took a long sabbatical and always left themselves the option to pick up at any point. The Beatles should have done the same. Go off and work their solo projects. Leave open the option of getting back together. I'm reminded on Glen Frey's great quote "For the record, we never broke up, we just took a 14-year vacation".
Born and Benny didn't have to contend with being Beatles, Allan Klein and the Eastmans, John's heroin addictionand infatuation with Yoko, one partner buying up shares without telling the others, their songbook being sold off under their noses, a record label and business collapsing underneath them and 3 song writers moving in different directions, one of whom was understandably feeling increasingly undervalued and disenchanted
Ideally, I feel Paul could have realised what was happening, been the bigger person, and said "look, I'm sorry, the band matters and I think I'm upsetting everyone, but I love you all. Can we take time out and just get back to being mates for a while and see how that plays out." A looser collective may have emerged - Beatles and friends, or whatever.
The others may well have unloaded on Paul at that point, but I can't see any other way that band was going to make it into the 1970s.
I think it was in Pt @ or 3 that George actually did voice his thoughts to John about the members having the freedom to go to do seperate projects and then come back and continue as the Beatles. He brought up that he had a lot of material about 10 albums worth and it he would like to do a solo album.
"Drugs, divorce and a slipping image" is directly from the Get Back film (episode 2 @1:01hrs.) where Paul is reading about 'them' from a newspaper.
I didn't think it was possible, but you actually made me even more excited about the Peter Jackson film. Thanks so much.
I am totally looking forward to this. At 6 hours, I expect it to take us through the good, the bad, and the live!
It was brilliant to hear these tapes and the timing is unbelievable. I have just finished reading Kenneth Womack’s “Solid State” which chronicles the Fab Four during the recording of Abbey Road. The book starts with the end of the “Get Back” sessions (‘Let It Be’ sessions as they are down known) leading into the rooftop concert and then what happens from that point. To hear the four guys discussing the issues really brings to life everything I have recently read. Throughly enjoyed this video.
Thank you, Stephen!
LET IT BE is a damn fine Beatles album and there was no disastrous outcome of their collective efforts. Your transcriptions of the conversations are brilliant. Excellent work and analysis!
Thank you, Alan!
Hi Beatles people!! I lost a good friend at 68 biggest Beatles fan, Jimmy Anianatis RIP Jimbo 🌹
REALLY well done and expertly presented. Bravo!...
Thank you kindly!
GREAT episode! I really enjoy your insights…Well done. 👏🏻
Great presentation there. It's a great way to represent overlapping dialogue. I have always had a lot of sympathy for Paul in the face of John's unpredictability and scorn, but you can see other tendencies at work here. Paul's instinct to always innovate is terrific, but the Beatles didn't need another Mystery Tour film. It's a good observation that John's leadership skills are evident here.
Thanks for the comment, Kevin!
another excellent video, please make more of this era!
Your "fucking miracle" comment made me laugh out loud! So, true!
The Beatles at their least productive still beats most other bands at their most productive.
I think Paul's 'vision' was to take the band back on the road under a different guise(suzi and the redstreaks), and he was a bit coy/careful of suggesting this. A vision that he ultimately did fulfill with the first formation of Wings once the Beatles snubbed it and then split.
John: 'I think you're mad...'
Great video. :)
Thanks for watching, Andy!
Great video!
Slight correction: At 1:35 I think George says "Sorry I'm late". I think he was the last one to arrive at Apple that day.
Apart from that, amazing video. Been watching all the Let It Be videos. Really appreciate them.
Julian from Poland
Thank you Julian for that correction. I have quite a bit of Polish heritage so welcome! I'm glad to have you here.
There is so much here to unpack #2. I also think Lennon had the most sensible solution to this problem. In short, do half of it now, wrap it up and then do the other 'half' at another time. What this indicates to me is an argument about two things, One, should the 'album' just be from this project or have this be the first part of two halves. At some point they had to resolve this issues. The recordings in the spring show that , perhaps, the idea to join two sets of recoding together was winning the day. However at some point, the idea to just use these get back songs and then cobble on some extra tracks and use those together won the day. Meanwhile, the April recordings were used for a single and the Abbey Road Album. There is so much here to unpack #3.This discussion(and others) also shows that George Martin was a part of this process. He wasn't sidelined or replaced by Glynn Johns. George Martin was still a part of the recording team during the Let it Be Sessions. Also, Billy Preston is NOT part of these discussions. I live Preston, but some publications seem to indicate that there was some momentum for having him join the group. This obviously was not so.There is so much here to unpack #4. I also like that John acknowledges to Glnn Johns that there WAS turmoil within the group during this process. They all seem to confirm that Twickenem was not a great place to be and that the Apple Studios were much better. I think it’s important not to swing back the other way too much when looking at this period. Certainly, the story we have been present with up to this time was far darker than it really was. However, this is not a sunny day at the beach either. George DID walk out. Yoko WAS an awkward addition to the environment. George Martin and Gylnn John’s roles WERE il-defined. Twikenem studios were a bummer. John was shorthanded song wise. George was still unconfident with his material and he isn’t getting THAT much help with it. Paul’s ideas and plan are hopelessly vague and unfocussed. But most importantly, we aren’t seeing or the moments of turmoil within the band. Audio and visual cannot tell us what is happening within each group member. And, of course, just like any heavy discussion, they are less likely do have hard arguments in front of strangers. The Beatles on a bad day is still pretty awesome. But I think Ringo says it best, when it came to the music, the bullshit went out the window and they focused on making music.
Martin's involvement was minimal. Johns was the producer of record and there is a piece of dialog I left out where Paul is slightly rude to Martin, which is interesting. However, Johns certainly didn't want to step on Martin's toes either. Martin was at Twickenham to potentially build a sound booth there for a live show, which never happened, so in the end Martin basically offered moral support during this time. I totally agree with the Preston point you make. HIs involvement is overblown. George Harrison added to the idea that once Billy was brought in, the mood lightened. But after listening to 90+ hours of this, the mood was often light. You are also right about the turmoil... not possible to catch it all. In fact, they missed the row between George and John! Also, George's wife walked out on January 4, so it's not like they didn't have extenuating circumstances outside of the band. Great comments, Christian!
“Pakistan. The moon. I’ll still be there singing Don’t Let Me Down.” Lennon!
Maaaaan, this stuff is FASCINATING for a Beatles geek, like me lol...where do you find these at???
17 Days In January.
A Rooftop Too Far
What If They Gave A Concert And Nobody Came?
Not to start war or say I'm right but when I take the best album question, my 5 candidates are: Revolver, Pepper, White, Abbey, and ... Let It Be. I suffer mockery for the 5th one. But whether it's above those other 4, Jesus Christ, the title song alone!! Long and Winding! Across the U! Jo jo! And the supporting cast, like I Me Mine, I Dig A Pony, these are great Beatles songs, even if you dislike Maggie Mae(like me) or if you didn't like the 909 retro. Two of Us is as good as Cherry album songs. So IMO it IS a great one, albeit often mocked, usually for "technical reasons."
Despite its flaws, its been fashionable to piss on this record. I do think the album invites us into their process more than their other albums, which is why I've always found it warm.
It sounds like Paul wanted to be a "star" beyond the albums. And the rest of them were disenchanted by the whole magilla.
Let It Be is such a great album; one of my top five Beatles album. But watching scenes of the tension and bickering in the documentary always makes me sad.
Who's excited for Peter Jackson's "Get Back" (albeit on Disney+)?
Where can you watch the Let It Be movie/documentary?
The original is not available anywhere except on bootlegs or old VHS & laserdiscs. The original will be re-released at some point soon according to Michael Lindsay Hogg.
What did Lindsay-Hogg mean when he said the documentary was going to be like "No Exodus"?
I'm not sure what he meant. I thought it might be another film but i couldn't find it.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Ah, cheers. Love these videos. Hope you plan to do a recap/review on the Jackson series as it’s released!
@@popgoesthe60s52 And thank you for helping correct the record on their breakup. It seems early 70s Lennon had an outsized influence at Rolling Stone (and other places) and shaped the narrative going forward. I’m sure Lennon thought he was right about Paul’s intentions, but unless he was performing on these tapes, Paul was conciliatory above all.
The whole Beatles career the dime a dozen common nay-sayers were constantly looking for them to fail and even though The Dream is Over , in reality they never did.
Hope the 6 hrs coming will be on DVD
This is just fascinating....it's like you're a fly on the wall listening in.
That’s coincidentally the name of the bonus disc on the Let It Be…Naked Album
Fascinating how little English has changed in 52 years
A fly on the wall couldn't make heads or tails of what went on.
@@Redhotshawntexas I love the disc. Whenever I need cheering up, it's one I'll pop on, just to hear John say to Ringo, 'The Queen of Sheeba wore falsies'. 😅
Isn’t it weired 51 years on and they have more fans now than ever. Their just the greatest
Absolutely - timeless songs 👌😎
*They’re just the greatest.
Fans of every age! In 1963 not everyone loved them, but thru all of us playing their music for our kids and grandkids, there loved by generations! ♥️
Mozart has more over a longer time frame. Really weird.
Weird not weired.
@@gogoyubari366 most of the time those are simple mistakes they know the right word. This is supposed to be fun don’t be that guy.
It was a 17-day miracle because The Beatles were miraculous. They and their music still have us by the throat some 60 years after they began.
Couldn't have put it better.
Indeed. After all this time I hadn't realized that the time span was a mere 17 days. They were incredibly prolific. Of course.
+September Sapphire+
To me the Beatles were like the equivalent of a musical tsunami. We've never recovered, we were swept away.
I agree. No other band has had a number one album 50 years after they quit touring. Unbelievable.
It makes me sooooo happy that this group is still so relevant to others as much as me. It's nice to share a love of something that you don't have to explain and convince ppl to check out. It's like so many people get it and vary in age. There music and vibe is timeless.
They are endlessly fascinating! Thanks for the comment, Mina.
Another great video. I totally agree. This project was a fucking miracle. So much came out of it. Just listen to the A/B Road sessions. Just a treasure trove of material both audio and visual.
It's strange that in retrospect some could only see the negative in these recordings. Quite a lot of positives came out of this! Thanks Williams!
Such nostalgia for me listening to their voices, I first saw them in the Cavern with the original drummer Pete Best in 1962, fantastic atmosphere and wonderful memories.
Original drummer ? Pete Best was drummer no. 3 or 4. Hé is the most famous pre Beatles drummer, that's true.
@@paulbakker6765 Don't be so pedantic.
I can’t wait for the next episode. As a 19 year old just learning about The Beatles now this channel has been so helpful. Thanks so much. Much appreciated!
I'm always inspired to hear young people interested in older music. That is why I started this channel was to appeal to a younger audience in the hope of having them carry the torch and spread this music around. Thanks for watching, Don!
Me as a 14 years old I listen to Beatles 4 years ago
@@ishimreyes2911 You have good taste!
@@popgoesthe60s52 yeah it because I can relate on the meaning of there song like in my life and let it be
@@popgoesthe60s52 As another 19 year old, your videos are probably the best out there for 60s bands, your overviews on bands are a good way to get the most out going through their catalogues, hope you cover the Doors, the zombies or Jefferson airplane soon.
A 17 day miracle....I'd never had the chance to see it from this perspective...you hit a home run with this one.. Too many critics don't look at the facts...only the results...and even then miss the boat. Thanks for your in-depth approach.
My pleasure, Terry. Thank you for the nice comment.
...And the results were miraculous as The Beatles always were!!
Not ever being on the receiving end of themselves, I don't think the Beatles ever knew how extraordinarily incredible they were.
They knew how good they were. When George Martin said they didn't think they could make Hey Jude a single cause it was a 7 minute song and it might be an engineering problem John replied " They'll do it cause it's us" that said it all.
Was it George H who said many years later, "We would have tried harder if we knew we were going to be 'The Beatles'"? Obviously they were the Beatles, but he was referring to the growth of the legend, and the unparalleled level of scrutiny they would receive. So, in a way, they didn't see it.
John said, "When I was a Beatle, I thought we're the best fucking group in the goddamn world." They knew they were great, but I agree with you, they couldn't experience themselves like we experience them. Even Paul, when asked what it was their music did to people, had to admit, "We don't know, really."
Brilliant.
Paul described it as like being in the eye of a hurricane. They could see the chaos as they were walking through it, but were never a part of it. "It was a lot more fun for all of you than it was for us".
Paul obviously missed playing live, hence his "this is just another album". He wanted a TV special, with an audience , something more elaborate than the amateurish Magical Mistery Tour. The rooftop gig, though iconic now, and imitated many times (including by Paul himself), in his mind then must have been a total compromise between his grandiose and abstract ideas (like "you can have cameras floating, and then flow into Ringo's face"), and the reality of the Beatles playing to a camera crew in a cold and windy january day.
I find it telling that John is the one really behind this. We have always ben told it was Paul, but John seems to be the one who is enthused the most.
Yes, all these years we've been given a bum steer from biased biographers and lazy journalists. It's nice to get more clarity from the primary sources! Thanks for stopping by Brian!
Interesting isn't it
Paul wanted a full-on show, while John was eager to do something. The ones against the project were George and Ringo, who linked up and said no to everything that meant leaving the studio building. John's asserting leadership by playing peacemaker, and Paul is grudgingly going along, seeing the Roadhouse vanish in a puff and not assuaged by this lunch-break rooftop idea.
Well in this conversation at least...
Actually I was shocked at Harrison reply about a live show and was worried about " A bunch of c_ _ ts showing up. Not cool!!
I love this. You always hear how disconnected John was at this point in their career but he's very involved in the discussions. I loved his "One After 909" comment, about throwing it in because they suddenly feel that they need another album right now. John was even saying they had planned on starting a new one that summer, which is what they did for Abbey Road. These conversations really explain why the Let It Be album sounds less cohesive than the others. But I'm judging it against other Beatles LPs. Any other band would give anything to have an album this good.
Thank you, Kirbygene - I appreciate the comment.
True. "Let it be" is not one of the best albums of the Beatles, and still is one of the best albums ever. That's the level of that band.
I'm eternally grateful that John went with bringing back his One After 909. I love the song, and it's perfect for the rooftop gig.
@@waynej2608 It's amazing how grounded and succint John sounds, considering as the story goes, he was a drugged out junkie at this point in time. I hear a man who has a solid point of view and knows what he wants for his band.
I love what you say "a disaster, this thing is a fucking miracle". Absolutely right. Your series has made me look at all of this in a new light
Very interesting hearing John and Paul converse. Actually very nice.
They are like this through the entire month. After listening to 97.5 hours, it seemed their relationship was pretty tight.
@@popgoesthe60s52 exactly what I thought. Clearly there's a mutual respect between them. After all that success, why not? destroys the myth of the constantly turbulent Let it Be sessions.
@@Gardosunron The Let It Be sessions were only turbulent when the Beatles were recording at Twickenham. Once they moved to Savile row - Apple headquarters, the atmosphere changed. It is documented in Pete Brown's book, and John mentioned it during Anthology I think.
Yes, they had a mutual love and respect for each other. Naysayers, not withstanding.
most interesting aspect of this video to me is despite all you hear about Lennon being disengaged or "checked-out," at this point, no one in the room talks over John. that's not to imply that Paul and George didn't have mutual respect for each other, but both almost instantly ceded the floor to John when he saw fit to make a point. perhaps it was refreshing to them that Lennon was finally asserting his opinion, but i think it also provides a really interesting view into their dynamic as friends.
Yes, the oft-repeated narratives of Lennon hating this period and being out of in on heroin take quite a beating when we hear what he actually says in context of the sessions. He clearly is the leader and we hear Paul defer to him constantly. There is a great conversation that is barely audible of Paul and John at lunch discussing George's leaving. Lennon is completely engaged and rational about the goings on and understanding the years preceding the issues. I may try to do something with those recordings.
@@popgoesthe60s52 That would be great!
@@popgoesthe60s52 Oh, please do it!
It's interesting to become aware of the physical strain it is singing and playing an instrument for an extended amount of time. I tried to learn guitar and it really is true. Non-musicians might not realize that.
More than 50 years and we're still grieving over the loss of The Beatles.
We are? I've never grieved. If I want to listen to them, I listen to them. No grieving involved.
I'm really glad that even after 50 years we love them just as we did then. The Beatles are epic and historic. Thank you so much for this video. By the way, what's the source of this audioclip? I mean, is it in any downloadable format?
I've collected these sessions over time and they are not always available.
• Currently, there is a set on ebay (ebay.to/2XlWw2n) and I've seen them listed for as high as $1,400.
• A guy on TH-cam (AdamBound) posted day-by-day 7-hour+ recordings but they were taken down. Some are now back up.
• Here is a website where much is available for download: archive.org/details/A_B_Road
@@popgoesthe60s52 Thanks, really appreciate your work.
@@popgoesthe60s52 As of today, November 27th, 2021, that website is showing that the content has been removed.
Amazing!! The prodigious Beatles in 17 days giving us content for our lives and future generations. The Beatles are the most creative force in the history of recorded music.
What I noticed listening to those short pieces is first off, George known as the quiet beatle had plenty to say here. I also noticed that John ultimately got his way, didn’t he cuz they went up on the roof. Ringo said nothing, and Paul who did Sgt Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour, innovative ideas said he wanted something more creative, innovative because thats how he is. Ultimately George refused to play his songs on the roof, though they practiced “All Things Must Pass” relentlessly, It was not refused. The roof concert was on pretty special afterall but I agree with Ringo, they should have made a deal with the police to have them come up there and arrest them, that would have been the icing on the cake. I can’t blame Paul he was always trying to push them to new heights.
Hard to blame anyone here given the results. They could be blamed for being a tad over ambitious! Thank you for the great comment, Linda.
@@popgoesthe60s52 That was my point I don’t think Paul was being overly ambitious as you say. Honestly the let it be film kind of flopped..
That is one of the reasons for Get Back is it not? Ringo said on Howard Stern if not for Paul,s workaholicism The Beatles would not have made as many albums as they did. And I would have loved the idea for a television show.
George was great but I'm glad he wasn't the leader of the band
Matt, best episode ever! I loved how you captured the drama of indecision which was The Beatles state of mind at this time. Paul was trying to steer the ship to a movie /t.v show but what I hear is a very practical reasonable Lennon trying to come up with a solution.
Thank you, Trunk. It's always fascinating to hear their meetings.
"This is a f'in miracle!" Woah! You startled me😁
Passion.
Great video. In addition to all they accomplished for just 17 days of work (and you listed plenty), don’t forget the Oscar for Let It Be - in the original song score category. Also a Grammy - best original score. Not too bad in the end for a “disaster”.
Thank you for those additions. Much appreciated, Vicbert!
As always, the way you 'animate' the conversations is REALLY helpful in achieving some comprehension about what's going on, so many thanks for your hard work with that. I also wholeheartedly agree that the results were much more miraculous than disastrous for the reasons you outline. Seventeen days and they came up with all this? Jaw dropping!
The evidence from the Beatles themselves (the most primary of sources) really blows much of the biographical and journalistic record out the window! Thanks for the comment!
The Beatles simply were itching to perform for an audience again and didn’t realize it. Their last concert was August 1966. They should have done a live concert broadcast on the BBC and USA television simultaneously.
Maybe a small audience devoid of screaming 14 yr olds as well
Yes, if the audience would’ve shut their damn mouth and listen to the songs, we would’ve had more live stuff. Sad really.
It's too bad they only got a chance to do about 2 songs on the roof before the local business establishment came crashing in. I'm sure the work being done in the local offices was more "important." (grimace). The powers-that-be stymied a wonder of nature never to be seen again: the four Beatles playing live together for the last time.
Funny how every time you hear about this period it's always The Beatles are at each other's throats, John is smacked out, Yoko keeps butting in. Listening to all these conversations seems to destroy those myths
Yes, those old narrative seem ridiculous when one actually hears their conversations.
It’s so easy to forget how short this session was! 17 days! Fuckin’ miracle indeed.
It's just now coalescing in my mind how much pressure Paul felt to be a leader to the group at this point in the band's career. You can really feel his discomfort at not being able to define their goals or get the others behind his (Not quite fully formed) ideas. His silence and diplomatic tone say it all, he knew the group was disintegrating
I dunno, I think you're reading a bit too much into it. As pointed out, John was also taking a bit of a leadership role, and not being obstructionist - "I'm saying yes to every suggestion". They were just trying to reconcile the Ringo's movie schedule with the need to have some kind of show on film before he left. The Beatles were "The Beatles" until John pulled the plug that September.
@@aquamarine99911 absolutely.
@@aquamarine99911 I think it's more in the context of long-term plans versus immediate solutions. John's attitude seems to be, "Look, let's just get through this, and then we can worry about what's next," whereas Paul seems like he's looking for longer-term strategy, which you can hear when he voices his concern that once this album is done, everyone will just wander off and be resistant to getting back together for the next project, whenever that might be. Neither one of them are taking an unreasonable position, but you get a situation where John stays in place as the leader of the band, saying, "Look, we need to just get through this album first," while Paul continues to try to backfill the managerial position left vacant by Brian Epstein's death, going, "Okay, but what about the film, and what comes after that?" It's a really interesting clip because you can see those two dynamics at play so clearly.
When I first saw " Let It Be" in the theater around 1970 I was shocked at how bad some of the music sounded when they were rehearsing but slowly they started to sound better. The music on the rooftop though except for some minor mistakes sounded great. The Beatles still sounded good enough to play to a live audience and the musicianship especially from Harrison and Preston was up to par with most bands around in 69. The Beatles were a wonderful group.
I totally agree. A lot of the doodling around rehearsing and goofing off sounds pretty bad, but when they're on the rooftop, they know that they're ON, like on stage in front of an audience. Obviously, that was a big difference in their attitudes.
It's funny now to think Paul felt they needed a new approach and were producing "just another album".
If only we could go back and tell him: " This is musical alchemy mate, keep doing it. No one will ever come close."
But the others knew.
Hearing them, I now wonder why they went their own ways. They seem to be interested in creating, and recording more music together. They certainly seemed to have fun on the rooftop.
The Klein/Eastman conflict is looking more likely every day.
As far as I understand it, the business/legal problems along with just wanting to do something different (doing the same thing with the same guys for ~10 years isn't everyone's cup of tea) are the main contributors
@@JonahNelson7 Yeah...it's a weird situation. I would have thought that they would get together just for FUN, every once in a while. If I walk away from someone I have known for 15 years, someone that was like a brother, and never bother to get together again...there's a reason. Musically, they were not as good apart, as they were together. At least ONE of them must have really been upset..IMO.
@@bondojoe8161 Divorces can be amicable until lawyers get involved. Not so much after.
It seemed to come out of the blue
I like that they all are still friendly at this point anyway. John is very calm and reasonable here. Paul is worried and apprehensive.
Cocaine vs heroin lol
Agree. Yet they are being very collaborative and respectful of each other’s opinion as well. It’s remarkable to listen in on this discussion.
...I don't think Paul wanted 'the ride' to end......never....
"Let It Be..It Was a Fucking Miracle!" Should be the name of the history that actually tells the true story. Let It Be was a great album...and I can't wait to see the Peter Jackson film. Thanks for this... :)
It kind of goes counter to the 50+ years of Rolling Stone magazine reporting!
@@popgoesthe60s52 That's a service to mankind in itself.
I love and appreciate the old RS Record Guide, especially, for leading this former kid to great things like "Village Green Preservation Society", and many others- but god, the Rolling Stone ethos gets tiresome. Their ownership of the narrative on everything is an anti-trust violation.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Rolling Stone wrong on everything. See also their takes on Led Zeppelin.
The Beatles were SO cool!! What other band in history would just throw this album on a shelf for two or more years? ANY other band would have put Let It Be out as a single NOT counting all the other songs!! I mean most of those songs would make a CAREER for another band!! The Beatles just said “ screw it”.... “Next”!!! The GOAT.
Oh man, once again, you NAIL it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "it's a fuckin miracle!". Bravo man, bravo!!!
In one of the Twickenham sessions, John was asked about his absence on the group decisions and he said: "Yoko and i have the same opinions, if she speaks for me it's because i let her, she speaks for me because i let her do it.". Also, George said during an interview: "The band had many problems before Yoko came along, many problems...", but it's easier to blame the woman no matter what the members themselves say, easier to do that to someone who wasn't even part of the band, and ignoring the situation they were in, with the constant silly disagreements on studio. People move on, and get tired of things.
Looks like Ring is holding a mouse at 0:09
That's what I thought! Which then got me thinking what the Beatles would have done with digital resources.
These dialogue segments are fascinating, Matt. Another great one. Thanks.
PM: "We work on novelty." Love that line - - really the group's motivation has always been innovation, to find something ground-breaking. Calling it 'a novelty' instead of looking for a ground-breaking innovation is a way of making the challenge not too daunting and it's the folksy provincial idiom of his roots. Shea Stadium was a novelty. Psychedelia on 'Revolver' was a novelty. Feeedback on 'I Feel Fine' was a novelty. Pepper was a novelty. (Mr Kite's was a 'novelty act' come to that.) And hitting the rooftops to give London a last taste of the Sixties was, excepting Jefferson Airplane in NYC, a novelty. It's a British working class way of putting it. PM sounds downer than in other Nagra tapes here, getting fed up of the inertia in the objective and having to motivate them. And GH just wants a day off and for the day to last a week and for the week to last a lifetime. What Peter Jackson should get straight, if it isn't too late, if he hasn't been a Company Man and made Let It be an all dancing all laughing show from start to end to appeal to our modern shallow avoid-negativity-at-all costs market, is that the 'story' here isn't the album, it's the phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes narrative arc. It's a band struggling with their playing and struggling with each other and struggling in the aftermath of a decade that promised much and was finally beaten back by the establishment. Their struggle was as always a signal of the way society was struggling in Britain and beyond and where society was heading - - downhill. And against the odds to hit the roof and give us that last 40 minutes of exhilaration in a countdown to to the end of the Sixties was a bigger triumph than if the band had it all together all the time throughout Twickenham filming.
Peter Jackson has to get it straight that Let It Be is the opposite narrative arc to King Kong, which is why I always felt he was a bad choice. When Kong took to the roof it spelled doom. When the Beatles took to the roof it justified all the struggles, everything.
Nice points mentioned here.
Although Jackson has said that he will show the McCartney/Harrison row in its entirety; enabling us to understand what was said and how it resolved - quickly.
@@_SliK_ Good to know. In the Beatles at BBC bŏok there is a 1969 transcript of a radio interview where GH is saying the group will continue and he's amenable to whatever suggestions come up and he uses the same phrase as the dispute in the film with reverse intent this time, something like: 'whatever it is we agree on, I'll do it.'
10:04 'And you've come in on the most difficult album ever, y'know, sort of, people-wise between us. I mean you've gone through all that with us. [Someone's deep sigh, possibly PM] It hasn't been easy.' That's the trajectory of the film right there, spelled out by someone whose input will be absent from the new cut. P-r surrounding the imminent release has been how jolly the Mop-Tops were behind the 'myth' of how depressed or discordant things were portrayed in the original film. I'd like Jackson to square that with what Lennon is saying right there. That's not Lennon summarising it for Rolling Stone in a debunking of The Beatles in 1970. That's Lennon talking a day before the rooftop gig about the filming so far. Is Jackson going to say Lennon was just in a drug funk when he said that so we can insist the group was solid? Are we gonna get a Monkees film? Anti-negativity in our culture is so asinine, part of the dumbing down of at least two generations, that I'm on sentry duty watching out for that in the new version.
I think Jackson is well aware of the repercussion of an overly sanitized version, so hopefully it gives balance within the new cut. I like the comparison to King Kong - I never considered that!
I can just imagine George Martin being very frustrated with all of this.
I suspect George Martin felt like things were spinning out of control at that point. He's more of an observer during all this, but when they decided to do 'a proper album' and ask Martin to produce it, then well it all comes back into professional order and we get Abbey Road, a technically difficult album like Pepper.
I love both versions of the Long and Winding Rd. from the movie AND the album.🎶🎶
"these guys called it a disaster, this is a f'n miracle" - great line and couldn't agree more. when I watch the Jackson trailer for the sessions, i think all these years we thought they hated each other in the end, looks to me like they were still getting along pretty well those last sessions. looks more like it just fizzled, no place to go, nothing new. this Get Back doc will show the truth and how we were mislead. excited for the release.
Great insight here Matt. It sounds like they where just trying to squeeze out every last bit of energy and creativity knowing deep down inside the Beatles were coming to an end and it couldn’t be helped. After all they had given so much for so long how much longer could it have gone on? It sounds like they were drained-and had every right to be. Thank you for another great video Matt. This is by far the best channel on TH-cam.
Thank you, Jimmy!
When the Beatles attempted to be more "visual", they created the film "Magical Mystery Tour". Suffice to say, sometimes it's best to stick with what makes you brilliant instead of returning towards the direction where you have historically failed.
They also did the "A Hard Day's Night" movie - which even though it is not cinematic masterpiece, was a success for what it was meant to be. They also did many music videos to fill for the lack of live performances - from "Help!" to "We Can Work it Out" to "Hey Jude" and obviously other things like the "Yellow Submarine" animation. They were always reinventing themselves for the screen and 'historically' they didn't fail in that respect. On the contrary, much of what we have in our collective memories of The Beatles comes from these visual experiments.
@@olivarionline - You reference films that others wrote & directed. That was not the Beatles' vision. "Magical Mystery Tour" was the film they wrote & directed.
@@shyman99 True but they were trying new stuff all the time - whether they wrote and directed them or not. Some things were bound to be better than others and some things would ultimately be considered a dud with hindsight, especially when compared to more successful stuff that they did.
Yes, all that video, even though it doesn't match the quality of the music, is essential to how we picture them in action.
@@popgoesthe60s52 - Don't get me wrong, I love all of the video. Even "Magical Mystery Tour". But when expanding their vision gets in the way of making music, then I would say dump the vision and focus on their music brilliance.
“Drugs, divorce and a slipping image” is a quote from an article on the Beatles in the newspaper the Daily Sketch. Paul reads from the article in the studio during the Get Back sessions while the others provide musical effects. ☺️ If you’ve got your audio of the sessions catalogued by date you should be able to find this among the January 22nd recordings.
It’s also the title of a bootleg CD series of Get Back session performances.
Edit: found the audio here on YT. The source dates it to January 21.
th-cam.com/video/ns8buOPJx-M/w-d-xo.html
You're in luck as this is also in the Get Back movie
Lennon usually is credited for being the visionary, but this conversation reveals McCartney to be the conceptual innovator. "Let It Be...Naked" (2003) bears out McCartney's concept by his having the temerity to dispense with the treacle Phil Specter slathered on the new tunes. Thank you for revisiting the creative process among The Beatles themselves rather than through the smudged lens of the journalists.
Fascinating! Every time I hear one of these I have to reassess my ideas on the breakup. Here John is leading, really into the Beatles and wanting to do more records while Paul sounds more weary of repetition and is looking for new avenues for the band. The underlying problem though is that they needed a longer break after doing a double album. They sound mentally exhausted.
Paul sounds really down at the lack of direction, almost with a petted lip. John is in parent mode, pulling everyone along. Really weird to hear this transformation in attitude, but it speaks to his under-utilised HR and leadership skills.
cool vid
I can only agree , Let it Be is a fucking miracle ! Rooftop concert, Great ! Love Let it be “ Naked “ too . Best version of Long and Winding Road !
Brilliant piece, Matt! Just watched it for the third time. It’s like looking through a familiar window after someone has cleaned all the accumulated grime off it.
Thank you, David. Multiple views is a high compliment!
Wow...John seems alert, sharp. Contrary to much spread heroin junkie image over the years. Tv show Paul mentions...not just them making the album I guess ?
I'm 73, have loved the Beatles from just before their first Sullivan appearance and often fantasize of having a time machine to go back to just sitting quietly in their studio as they talked and recorded. What a blast that would be! This has been a glimpse. Very nice! Love and peace!
I can only wonder why nobody thought to go back to the cavern club with a hand picked audience of old friends.
Uhhh, most likely because of the mobs out in the street that couldn't get in to see that show. Do you really think something like that would have stayed quiet for long 🙄
@@mtradz yes. They had one day to decide what they were doing to end the film. They could of pulled it off.
I like that idea. The Cavern was closed 4 years after this so it would have been fitting.
@@markwestervelt9708 The Beatles were the biggest band in the world, even if they had one day to pull it off any hint or rumor of them performing at the cavern club one last time would have drawn thousands. You sound very young, smh..
@@mtradz Lol chill out Ok ok bad idea. Sorry it ruined your day. Wow. Talk about a drama queen.
The Beatles started in a basement. When you’re in a basement and you want to go up as far as you can, you climb up to the roof. When you reach the roof top, there’s nowhere else to go. Great show!
Nice analogy, Jim. They had reached the summit.
The audition was passed.
Its fascinating to hear them interact! Where did you get the audio? Great video!
Here are a couple of lead for you:
• A guy on TH-cam (AdamBound) posted day-by-day 7-hour+ recordings but they were taken down.
• Here is a website where much is available for download: archive.org/details/A_B_Road
• Also, there are multi cd sets on ebay available but they are pricy: www.ebay.com/itm/154611469888?hash=item23ff8fce40:g:VeEAAOSwR91djLho
Thanks for watching, Ed!
@@popgoesthe60s52 No longer available.
I believe Drugs Divorce and a Slipping Image was the name of an article in the newspaper about the sessions. It might have originally been Drugs, Divorce and a Sleeping Image. Great book, I don’t think that was the British version. The original US version had the same title and was renamed Get Back in future editions.
Ah, thank you for that correction. A strange title no matter where it was released!
I think one of the lads reads the article out loud ( in posh voice ) during a playback of get back…I think it’s on one of my yellow dog get back bootlegs. Funny stuff
It's Paul.
Hey Matt, SUPERB! Wow, what an inside look at what was going on at that time during the Let It Be sessions! Great analysis and narration, structuring it and developing the story in an understandable and enjoyable way!! Although, those 2 jams with Yoko I could have done without but we need to see, and unfortunately hear that to understand what the others must have been thinking!! 🤔🤨 Hats-off bro, I love this series!! Thanks and keep it up! ✌🏼😎✌🏼
Thank you, Jimmy!
I've always felt the Beatles should have taken a little more time off between the White Album and Get Back. Take a real break. And I wish they had waited just one more day to do the rooftop. My birthday is on the 31st.
As you know, the film ended with the rooftop songs, but if you have the book that came with the LP, at least it did here in the UK, the photos at the end of the book capture ongoing sessions, so it didn't just end with the Two of us bit filmed the day after the roof. I think they were working on I want you (released on Abbey Road). It would be good if the upcoming Peter Jackson film carries on like the photos did in the book and we get to see some of these later sessions.
I read that Abbey Road contained their final product because they were disappointed by the Let it Be songs.
I so look forward to your videos and usually is the first video I watch once it appears it my new videos feed. I loved being a fly on the wall on this conversation because in my mind it just humanizes them. Over the years they have morphed into a mythical god status free from the pressures of life that us mere mortals face. I would have loved to have similar taped conversations of them during the early albums discussing creative and business aspects which I’m sure they would have done. Just fascinating stuff in my opinion. It just shows that creating and recording their incredible library of songs in their short 8 years was not easy.
Great point! These discussions really do humanize them and allow us to get closer as humans instead of reading of the glorification or (in the case of the entire Let It Be project) vilification. Thank you, for the comment!
I've always liked this album. The only bummer for me was that "Don't Let Me Down" was not included on it. Thanks for the video, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
@TunesDoneByOne The excuse was that it was already released on a single. Flimsy excuse, so was the A side of the single "Get Back"! They could have used a different take or mix of "Don't Let Me Down" for the album.
That’s a top 10 all-time Beatles song for me.
@@rjaraneta913 I know "Get Back to Toronto" had an excellent take of it.
I don’t know about you but, I put on my Let It Be mix. Still figuring where it goes but it’ll land somewhere.