Let It Be / Get Back (the movie)
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Just finished Part 1 and here are some of my random thoughts.
All you ever hear about is the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership and it takes something like this documentary to remind you how well they sounded together vocally.
I knew Paul smoked but it seems he liked cigars which I did not know.
One of my favorite scenes is Paul playing piano (Let It Be) with Mal Evans and Ringo with him and Linda McCartney taking pictures.
Years ago in the movie "Let It Be" I thought Paul came off as bossy to George, now I think it was partly George being too sensitive. I was shocked to hear George say he did not want one of his songs to be in live performance.
Was fun to hear the beginning of songs that would eventualy be on their solo albums.
How would you have liked to have been a "fly on the wall" and know what Yoko Ono and Linda McCartney were talking about to each other?
When George walked off and said he was leaving the band, they seem to carry on and having fun without him -lol.
This documentary is not for a casual fan, you really have to be into the Beatles to get the full enjoyment IMO.
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Totally agree Yankeefan! This is not for the casual Beatles fan! I've watched all 3 parts and it gets even better. I love all the times one of them mentions something in the past that only a die-hard Beatles fan would catch the meaning of, like when John was "threatening" to beat somebody up (Glyn Johns?) and said "Remember Bob Wooler?" They left out one line of John's in the part where the Beatles had started a take, then Glyn stops them because he wasn't rolling tape and John says"We're bloody stars!" and Paul says "Listen F@#kface!" John also said "This isn't the Jacaranda!"
And I was surprised that John (and Ringo) both initially said "I want to go on the roof." John saying he would was enough to sway Paul and George.
I'd like to watch it again if I can find the time. If not, will wait for the Bluray/DVD.ETA: And did you catch where Glyn Johns says it was confirmed his wife was pregnant? She must have delivered close to the time Linda had Mary! Doesn't say what date, but he had a boy in 1969: (he produced Paul's album NEW!)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Johns
P.S. Glyn Johns is still alive, age 79, born Feb. 15, 1942.
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The whole thing was magnificent.
I'll have to Get Back on my favourite bits...
But those Keystone Cops keep cracking me up... even more incompetent than I remember.
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I love little Heather listening and watching Yoko doing her annoying bit into the mike.... and then doing the same thing into the mike.... well, that's the way I saw it...
Bloody funny.
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In episode One....
John seemed to have no interest in the project... Ringo was just doing his bit... watching... listening... working out what he needed to do with his drumming.
Paul was, of course, the driving force... no surprises.
But George was offering all sorts of advice... he was invested... he was offering all sorts of advice... and getting largely ignored... but, he was great. The "shy" one was offering more than John, who was lucky to get into the studio on time.
And I can understand why George got pissed off... because Paul just kept ignoring him, and kept looking to John... even when John looked like he couldn't give a shite...
So I don't blame George for getting pissed off.... he was trying to help and be constructive... and getting dismissed... even if it wasn't deliberate.
Episode One was the Beatles in their misery through the recording... at Twickenham.
And then Episode 2 & 3.... they looked like they were enjoying themselves.
Two-thirds of this movie is the Beatles having fun!.. albeit, tinged with uncertainty and doubts.
But the Peter Jackson project throws far more "light and bursts of colour" on the time than that of the original Let it Be movie.
No prevailing dark colours... All colour and fun!
This is awesome!
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
Just finished Part 1 and here are some of my random thoughts.
All you ever hear about is the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership and it takes something like this documentary to remind you how well they sounded together vocally.
I knew Paul smoked but it seems he liked cigars which I did not know.
One of my favorite scenes is Paul playing piano (Let It Be) with Mal Evans and Ringo with him and Linda McCartney taking pictures.
Years ago in the movie "Let It Be" I thought Paul came off as bossy to George, now I think it was partly George being too sensitive. I was shocked to hear George say he did not want one of his songs to be in live performance.
Was fun to hear the beginning of songs that would eventualy be on their solo albums.
How would you have liked to have been a "fly on the wall" and know what Yoko Ono and Linda McCartney were talking about to each other?
When George walked off and said he was leaving the band, they seem to carry on and having fun without him -lol.
This documentary is not for a casual fan, you really have to be into the Beatles to get the full enjoyment IMO.
Linda was new to Paul, so she was new to the others. I doubt she had ever met Yoko before that day. But who knows what they were saying to each other. It all seemed new to them to be chatting together. George was "too sensitive" because he was fed up with being totally ignored...by both Paul and John, especially since he actually brought songs to the sessions. John seemed to only have "Don't Let Me Down," which he sang constatly...that and old rock n'roll songs....as if the pending deadline for new material didn't exist. Paul dismissed George almost totally as far as I could see....merely pretending to have any interest in what songs George might have....or to give a sincere listen. I sorta loved when Paul sang over and over and over the words......"I've Got a Feeling." Finally, George deadpanned....."So, it's called I've got a Feeling, is it?" lol Paul deserved some sarcasm from George....IMO....particularly when he told Paul he would do whatever Paul wanted him to do...."If you know what any of that is." But....Paul had to be the taskmaster. It seemed to be his role and he took it very seriously. And he obviously had tons of songs. Both Glynn Johns and Lindsay-Michael Hogg...or is it Michael-Lindsay Hogg??... were the same age as the Beatles....except for George who was maybe 3 years younger. Didn't quite know that before. It was interesting to see George Martin enter now and then, more or less just observing. I wonder what he was actually thinking???
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toris wrote:
I love little Heather listening and watching Yoko doing her annoying bit into the mike.... and then doing the same thing into the mike.... well, that's the way I saw it...
Bloody funny.
That WAS very funny! Heather thought screeching was how you do it! LOL!
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When Paul tears up early in Part 2 it shows just how much The Beatles & the guys meant to him. Ringo teared up too. Paul says & then there were 2...exactly what we have now.
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LOL!
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oobu24 wrote:
LOL!
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Nancy R wrote:
jl4761 wrote:
Hi Nancy! They should have made a 90 minute rooftop concert and not have all of the rehearsal BS in the film!
HaHa! Yeah - they might have froze to death though!
....plus they only knew six songs to play on the roof so its a wonder they made it to the 45 minute mark let alone 90 minutes.
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Beatles4Ever wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Just finished Part 1 and here are some of my random thoughts.
All you ever hear about is the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership and it takes something like this documentary to remind you how well they sounded together vocally.
I knew Paul smoked but it seems he liked cigars which I did not know.
One of my favorite scenes is Paul playing piano (Let It Be) with Mal Evans and Ringo with him and Linda McCartney taking pictures.
Years ago in the movie "Let It Be" I thought Paul came off as bossy to George, now I think it was partly George being too sensitive. I was shocked to hear George say he did not want one of his songs to be in live performance.
Was fun to hear the beginning of songs that would eventualy be on their solo albums.
How would you have liked to have been a "fly on the wall" and know what Yoko Ono and Linda McCartney were talking about to each other?
When George walked off and said he was leaving the band, they seem to carry on and having fun without him -lol.
This documentary is not for a casual fan, you really have to be into the Beatles to get the full enjoyment IMO.
Linda was new to Paul, so she was new to the others. I doubt she had ever met Yoko before that day. But who knows what they were saying to each other. It all seemed new to them to be chatting together. George was "too sensitive" because he was fed up with being totally ignored...by both Paul and John, especially since he actually brought songs to the sessions. John seemed to only have "Don't Let Me Down," which he sang constatly...that and old rock n'roll songs....as if the pending deadline for new material didn't exist. Paul dismissed George almost totally as far as I could see....merely pretending to have any interest in what songs George might have....or to give a sincere listen. I sorta loved when Paul sang over and over and over the words......"I've Got a Feeling." Finally, George deadpanned....."So, it's called I've got a Feeling, is it?" lol Paul deserved some sarcasm from George....IMO....particularly when he told Paul he would do whatever Paul wanted him to do...."If you know what any of that is." But....Paul had to be the taskmaster. It seemed to be his role and he took it very seriously. And he obviously had tons of songs. Both Glynn Johns and Lindsay-Michael Hogg...or is it Michael-Lindsay Hogg??... were the same age as the Beatles....except for George who was maybe 3 years younger. Didn't quite know that before. It was interesting to see George Martin enter now and then, more or less just observing. I wonder what he was actually thinking???
Linda made comment that she felt most comfortable around Ringo then the others which was interesting. George made comment that he did not want any of his songs used for the live show so maybe Paul figured why bother giving his songs a "sincere" listen. George used sarcasm to Paul ( I Got A Feeling) which was fine and I thought it was funny but did you see Paul get upset, I didn't -lol. Paul was the taskmaster because John did not appear into it and Paul only considered John his equal at that time. I give George credit for trying and was pleasantly impressed how involved he tried to be. Anyway, will try to watch Part 2-3 soon.
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Yoko Ono Vindicated in Beatles Doc Over Claims She Broke Up Band
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I know who broke up The Beatles.
Me.
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Kestrel wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
jl4761 wrote:
Hi Nancy! They should have made a 90 minute rooftop concert and not have all of the rehearsal BS in the film!
HaHa! Yeah - they might have froze to death though!
....plus they only knew six songs to play on the roof so its a wonder they made it to the 45 minute mark let alone 90 minutes.
Lord, they played Get Back like 3 times and Don't Let Me Down twice! Then they did I've Got A Feeling and The One After 909. What am I missing? Oh, Dig A Pony! Was there another one?
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oobu24 wrote:
When Paul tears up early in Part 2 it shows just how much The Beatles & the guys meant to him. Ringo teared up too. Paul says & then there were 2...exactly what we have now.
So true
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Nancy R wrote:
Kestrel wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
jl4761 wrote:
Hi Nancy! They should have made a 90 minute rooftop concert and not have all of the rehearsal BS in the film!
HaHa! Yeah - they might have froze to death though!
....plus they only knew six songs to play on the roof so its a wonder they made it to the 45 minute mark let alone 90 minutes.
Lord, they played Get Back like 3 times and Don't Let Me Down twice! Then they did I've Got A Feeling and The One After 909. What am I missing? Oh, Dig A Pony! Was there another one?
I've got a feeling they did I've Got a Feeling two times.... Oh, I'll have to watch it again just to be sure!.... I can hardly wait for the Blu Ray release!
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
Beatles4Ever wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Just finished Part 1 and here are some of my random thoughts.
All you ever hear about is the Lennon-McCartney songwriting partnership and it takes something like this documentary to remind you how well they sounded together vocally.
I knew Paul smoked but it seems he liked cigars which I did not know.
One of my favorite scenes is Paul playing piano (Let It Be) with Mal Evans and Ringo with him and Linda McCartney taking pictures.
Years ago in the movie "Let It Be" I thought Paul came off as bossy to George, now I think it was partly George being too sensitive. I was shocked to hear George say he did not want one of his songs to be in live performance.
Was fun to hear the beginning of songs that would eventualy be on their solo albums.
How would you have liked to have been a "fly on the wall" and know what Yoko Ono and Linda McCartney were talking about to each other?
When George walked off and said he was leaving the band, they seem to carry on and having fun without him -lol.
This documentary is not for a casual fan, you really have to be into the Beatles to get the full enjoyment IMO.
Linda was new to Paul, so she was new to the others. I doubt she had ever met Yoko before that day. But who knows what they were saying to each other. It all seemed new to them to be chatting together. George was "too sensitive" because he was fed up with being totally ignored...by both Paul and John, especially since he actually brought songs to the sessions. John seemed to only have "Don't Let Me Down," which he sang constatly...that and old rock n'roll songs....as if the pending deadline for new material didn't exist. Paul dismissed George almost totally as far as I could see....merely pretending to have any interest in what songs George might have....or to give a sincere listen. I sorta loved when Paul sang over and over and over the words......"I've Got a Feeling." Finally, George deadpanned....."So, it's called I've got a Feeling, is it?" lol Paul deserved some sarcasm from George....IMO....particularly when he told Paul he would do whatever Paul wanted him to do...."If you know what any of that is." But....Paul had to be the taskmaster. It seemed to be his role and he took it very seriously. And he obviously had tons of songs. Both Glynn Johns and Lindsay-Michael Hogg...or is it Michael-Lindsay Hogg??... were the same age as the Beatles....except for George who was maybe 3 years younger. Didn't quite know that before. It was interesting to see George Martin enter now and then, more or less just observing. I wonder what he was actually thinking???
Linda made comment that she felt most comfortable around Ringo then the others which was interesting. George made comment that he did not want any of his songs used for the live show so maybe Paul figured why bother giving his songs a "sincere" listen. George used sarcasm to Paul ( I Got A Feeling) which was fine and I thought it was funny but did you see Paul get upset, I didn't -lol. Paul was the taskmaster because John did not appear into it and Paul only considered John his equal at that time. I give George credit for trying and was pleasantly impressed how involved he tried to be. Anyway, will try to watch Part 2-3 soon.
Billy Preston showing up saved the day!!!! they all seemed to perk up and start taking it all more seriously. He instinctively knew what to play for each song. It was interesting to see how George's ideas for how Get Back could be improved...the structure, where and when solos be inserted...guitar and then piano. Paul listened then. They all seemed to waste endless amaounts of time. I guess I don't really understand the whole recording process. They seemed to record snatches of songs....go into the control boothe and give a listen and then add a bit more. It all seemed odd how songs are put together. There was so much time wasted during Part II that I really got irritated. Were I just a casual fan, I would have tuned out. Unless there were lots of bits not included, I could not get much of an idea of how the songs' structures came together. I finally learned why John played lead guitar on Get back...George had quit the group when that part was decided...and why George did not perform I, Me, Mine on the roof. He didn't want any of his songs performed. Was he just being stubborn..or was he nervous about performing, didn't want any concert, or what? When he returned to the band, however, he was much more invested...and not afraid to make his ideas known. I kind of wondered just what exactly Michael-Lindsay Hogg was doing, how any of it consisted of or was considered directing???? He mostly just laughed about whatever the Beatles were commenting about....and it was all over the place, especailly John's spouting off about whatever. It was nice when somebody finally said.....You have to do a good job, you're The Beatles!! I thought....thank you. They needed reminding of that, it seemed. Maybe they just knew they could and would pull it off.
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toris wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
Lord, they played Get Back like 3 times and Don't Let Me Down twice! Then they did I've Got A Feeling and The One After 909. What am I missing? Oh, Dig A Pony! Was there another one?
I've got a feeling they did I've Got a Feeling two times.... Oh, I'll have to watch it again just to be sure!.... I can hardly wait for the Blu Ray release!
I haven't seen the films so I'll need to wait for the blu-ray release but on my bootleg cd album "The Complete Rooftop Concert" the songs performed are (in order): Get Back / Get Back / Don't Let Me Down / I've Got A Feeling / One After 909 / Dig A Pony / I've Got A feeling / Don't Let Me Down / Get Back.
So there were five songs, not six as I originally stated. Sorry for the confusion.
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Just finished Part 2 and some random thoughts.
Billy Preston visiting and then playing on some sessions made the guys behave better (lol) and made them seem to enjoy playing together more.
Moving to Abbey Road studios also helped their mood due to better conditions and probably closer to where they lived.
Found it interesting that George asked Paul where his "Rickenbacker" bass was IMO implying it would be better for the "Get Back" than the Hofner bass.
Ringo constantly looks tired and is caught yawning several times, he is also very quiet and you barely hear a word from him. In addition, he seems to be the only one who is into wearing "jeans". I think he wore some type every day -lol.
Incredible period of songwriting considering songs they were doing would end up on "Let It Be", "Abbey Road" and their respective solo albums.
Got a kick out of Paul and Ringo checking out the "rooftop" for possible location of concert.
Unlike Yoko (lol), Patti Harrison is on camera a few seconds walking quickly to George and giving him a kiss.
Was cool hearing them chat about their trip to India with the Maharishi.