Watching Paul just casually slapping on his bass and then suddenly hear "Get Back" being born is like watching a planet forming from space dust. Absolutely amazing especially if you're a songwriter.
What struck me was, as it happens, George lets go with a full body YAWN, like "oh, here goes Paul being effortlessly brilliant. AGAIN." And yes, I know it was probably just because he was three cups of tea shy of being fully awake..
There’s a moment where Ringo shares the chorus from Octopuses Garden and then says, “That’s all I got.” Then George Harrison sits down and helps him in the most patient and respectful way. Then, George Martin comes over. Everyone just helping each other. The lack of ego on Ringo and George was amazing. And the camaraderie even between Paul and John was next level. Loved this. ❤️
That was indeed a beautiful moment btw those who would forever have to content to be 'also-travellers' in the greatest popular songwriting duo of all time.
Harrison and Starkey would have been the brightest stars in any other sky but they just had to share this one with Lennon and McCartney. I loved that the film showed this creative moment between them.
That was a wonderfully charming moment in the film. George Martin couldn't help but smile when that was going on. That was a nice catch by the camera man.
Ringo definitely was that but far more... As a pro drummer I can say that Ringo was/is a very "well rounded" drummer who knew many styles. His own awesome style was always present..Very cool.👍‼️🙂
💯. Once asked "Who was the hardest working Beatle?" & he said, without hesitation or cracking a stone face, "Me." So damn true! All the others are wandering about, getting drinks, handing over their tunes... Ringo's always behind his kit, ready to rock
At some point, Paul was asking if Let It Be needed more words and you can hear George on the back saying "When I find myself in times of trouble CAPTAIN MARVEL COMES TO ME".
George is hilarious... my personal fave, after they've been working on I've Got A Feeling for quite a while, he deadpan drops in with "Is that one called I've Got A Feeling...?"
I wasn't a big Beatles fan before and started watching Get Back just because I love to watch creative people create something. I loved the series for this alone. It still hit me real hard when part 3 was over. I can't imagine what hardcore fans must have felt. I'm currently deep into their catalogue, kicking myself for not doing so earlier, but happy still. Better late than never.
Im curious how old you guys are. Im 60 wasnt born till 1963 but a huge beatle fan. Im also a musician so ive always loved them. My daughter is 26 and also loves them.
One of the most wholesome things I’ve ever seen is when Ringo got the courage to show them Octopus’s Garden on the piano. Then George without skipping a beat comes over immediately and starts working it through with him. I just loved that part.
I found the relationship between Paul and Linda's daughter incredibly touching. Ringo teaching her to play drums was also a real tearjerker. They were truly just a big family.
This doc proved how underrated and patient ringo was . He never missed a frickin beat even when they were screening around . Not once did they need to give him direction as what to do for a song . Very stable and backbone of the bands . Much props to ringo ( and he never bitched and complained either )
Ringo's playing on about fifty different songs also proves how underrated he is. But I'm sure you recognize that. It stuns me that people could feel any other way about him!
Agree that Ringo is awesome, but they TOTALLY gave him direction on multiple songs. What impressed me the most was how humble he was when receiving that feedback.
Ya you both right I just base that iffy he doc I watch I honestly never paid much attention to him I listen mostly death metal and diffrent style of drummer , this doc just very impress me with ringo style and how on point through the he was
@@jmsclbwmn They were all down to earth but Ringo always struck me as being the most mellow and humble. In the film you can see how Paul can come off as being controlling at times and he had some very specific feedback about drum parts (thinking of the footage on the beginnings of "Something" in particular) but rarely do great things get accomplished by committee :-)
Well in this series you could actually see Mc Cartney giving some few directions to Ringo albeit not that many. But for the most part, yes you are right, he didn't need directions🙂
One of the things that struck me the most in the films was how patient and humble Ringo was throughout all the sessions. He didn't once look bored or disengaged despite having very little active input into the songwriting process. He knew his role and he just got on with what he did best when he was needed. There was the occasional bit of footage where he was playing in between songs where you really got a glimpse of how fantastic a drummer he was. It was also really cool to see him and George working up parts of Octopus's Garden together.
I loved seeing that Ringo was relaxing and screwing off when the boys were working up lyrics and horsing around but when they were working on the actual groove of the songs you could see he was totally involved and engaged.
@@blujay9191 ...and yet when someone was ready with a tune, Ringo was ready with amazingly creative content that perfectly fit each one. He was never just slacking off.
Ringo! One of the biggest take-aways for me was how steady Ringo was. ALWAYS there, ready for the next step. Solid as a rock. Not only that, he's an incredibly subtle drummer. Artful, tasteful and consistent. I guess cuz I grew up on their music I've not paid much attention to his playing. But now that I'm old(er), I appreciate how rock-steady AND how subtly artful Ringo played.
I think a key part of the show is when they are talking about the rooftop concert and Ringo says "I'm going". He says it so firmly after basically saying nothing and expressing no opinions it is like the rest of the band just looked at him and at that point, the concert on the roof was happening.
Even as an amateur drummer, I can understand why so many pro drummers admire Ringo. He was the final piece required to take the Beatles to the next level. All legendary, successful bands share the common element of having great drummers.
There were lots of genuinely touching moments during the documentary but, for me, the most moving was seeing Paul and John, during their most intimate, creative moments, staring into each others eyes. It was almost like they were communicating telepathically! Astonishing!
I also noticed Alan Parsons in the control room, as tape operator. He was 21 at the time and three years later was working on Dark Side of the Moon. Amazing.
"...then there were two.....". Chilling when you realize that the two missing from the morning meeting that day were the two no longer with us now. Watching Paul visibly shaking and near tears before getting up and walking off camera was the single most emotional scene for me.
Seriously, I had the same reaction. Also, no one knows how to talk to the drummer intelligently. "Hey Ringo, play bop bop bedoop bedoopa dop dop. Got that?" "Sure Paul. Got it."
The fact that Paul said “in 50 years” about the break up of the Beatles being because Yoko sat on an amp and also when he said “And then there were 2” 😯 prophetic
There were countless precious moments in this fantastic documentary, but the greatest thing for me was the effect on my 81 year old, Beatle-loving father (who saw them live in 1963 just before Beatlemania), who I showed it to over the weekend. He was literally overjoyed just to see them so young and actually in the process of creating magic and having fun doing it. It was a true revelation.
@@spartanguitarist6579 I think my dad would have loved the film. He was conservative, so a lot of the hippie politics of The Beatles pissed him off. I didn’t catch too much political content, other than when they tried to sing about immigrant rights-but my dad wasn’t anti-immigration. He was a Yoko hater also, but Yoko just seemed like a clingy shadow to Lennon. Plus McCartney seemed to enjoy jamming while Yoko did her screeching thing.
I really like the magic that Billy Preston brought to their songs, it was immediately evident and very clever.... fitted so well with their arrangements.👍🇬🇧
Drummer here (I loved how Ringo in early stages of song development just kept it bare minimum basic. Just holding the tempo, giving space for the guys to work out the music. When the guys stopped so did he. He is such an example.
I was just amazed about how quiet he was most of the time. Haven’t seen any MUSICIAN ever being that ready to be flexible and play whatever was thrown at him. Not necessarily too happy by one or two of those songs (based on his body language), but he wouldn’t even wink and think about them twice. Best “let’s get it done” musical attitude I’ve seen, ever.
In all seriousness, what Peter Jackson created here is beautiful and a joy for every serious musician and Beatles fan. I was constantly reminded of the fun it is to come up with music and I honestly have to admit that it brought more than one tear to my eyes. Bravo. Didn’t expect anything less from Jackson! That is something I will forever cherish
To those who haven't seen it, his doco They Shall Not Grow Old on world war one with colourised footage, lip readers adding in the specific accent matched to the region of where the soldiers were from etc and some of the old soldiers themselves recalling things is absolutely terrific also. It also feels as real as you get, seeing some of those faces laughing and smiling, and then seeing the same face dead in the mud later.
Not sure how this came about, maybe Jackson knew about it and thought it should be seen by people? I guess getting all the rights sorted and legal stuff was a big part of this? Bit of a marathon of spotting all the video and going through the audio ..
As John Cleese describes in his book on creativity, the secret to being creative is to play around, like a child, have fun, be goofy etc. This is what they do all day. The results speak for themselves.
I got chills when Paul started strumming and Get Back started to emerge right in front of my eyes. The other thing that stood out to me is that I know the final takes so well that I'd recognize them when they played them. My ears would prick up and it was almost unconscious.
Ringo and george had the same relationship and loved eachother. Thats what made the Beatles so awesome. 2 pairs of bandmates that cared for eachother and had good deep understanding about the needs of eachother.
@@robotube7361 I agree. George & Ringo were/are immensely talented. The shear volume of legendary music that George and Ringo created with and after the Beatles is stunning.
Fantastic documentary! Three of the Beatles were who I thought they were, but watching this totally changed how I think of John. He and Paul had their little scuffles (which always happens when two alphas are in the same group), but he was much more likeable and upbeat than I thought he was. And it was very obvious that he and Paul loved each other like brothers.
In a radio interview in 1980 before it went live on air a female staff asked John how he feels about Paul (this was during that time when they were supposedly feuding) and John said: "I love him!" That didn't go on air though.
I've only seen the first episode, but so far what stands out to me is just how jaw droppingly talented Paul was. They're all great of course, but Paul just completely blew away my misconceptions.
true. He seemed - at least at that time - to be the driving force, and the creative force. Like Rick said, him coming up with "Get Back" and the evolution of that great song, was a blast to watch! I'm so glad I got to see this.
Funny, that part didn’t really surprise me. I dabble in music and he has always struck me as the elite talent in the band. As you say they are all talented but he really has a musical gift. His sense of melody in his songs (Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Penny Lane, Let it Be to name a few) is on another level. His bass lines are incredibly creative and melodic. His vocal versatility is off the charts, starting with his 5-octave range. I once read that he recorded the vocals for Yesterday and I’m Down on back to back takes. Simply incredible! Heck, he even plays drums on several of their songs including Back in the U.S.S.R.
I always thought it was George Martin playing the piano on Martha My Dear. Then he explains it making it sound so effortless and unlimited in possibilities- if you're Paul. Also, the definitive version of Let It Be is from these sessions. In later years, as he did with most of his Beatles material, he would alter the phrasing to way diminished effect. On its face, Let It Be is a fragile melody. Phrase it wrong or without the nuances Paul had back in the day; the low register and the high register; the elongated phrasing of living in the world agree and you have a shmaltzy non- ernest rendition. Due to voice constrictions or playing the tune ad nauseum and thinking it needed reworking(WRONG!), he lost the freshness of those benchmark recordings.
@@howardfischer1915 No question as to the true musical genius of the group. Lennon, was definitely a special artist; Ringo a brilliant orchestral conceptual drummer; George, the right complimentary piece- not Clapton; but you can't throw genius around lightly and Paul had it- fleetingly,but significantly- similar to Stevie Wonder. They seemed to take their collective brilliance for granted, but there were several moments where Paul shows the bandmates a new tune and the world just effing stops.
It is astounding to realize that they did it all before they turned thirty years old. They changed the world of music and in many ways they changed the world. I have been a Beatles fan since 1963 when I was seven years old. Seeing this documentary reminded me how incredibly talented they were.
I wish Lennon was still around so much it hurts. He died 20 years before I was born but there’s no man that draws me in as much as Lennon, so smart, so aware and so charismatic. RIP 1940-1980 what a shame ✌️
I've been into the obscure trivia with The Beatles for more than 30 years, and another part in "Get Back" that really stood out to me was how Mal Evans was involved with so much of the day-to-day stuff - especially running errands, striking an anvil, note taking, and writing down lyrics on the fly. It confirmed to me that, from the very early Liverpool days to the very end, he was and continued to be the most trusted "normal" person in their small inner circle.
Loved Mal's expression when The Beatles told him to find a hammer and an anvil while they went to lunch. You could almost hear him say " where the Hell am I going to find that?" They came back from lunch and he had it all set up. Also making him go find bow ties. I think George did it just to give him grief in a loving way.
Mal is fascinating. He was VERY tall and served as a bodyguard. He was good friends with Paul, was often at his house, and was the guy who personally cleaned up Paul's messes, such as throwing out the groupies when Paul was done with them. Mal had a very strange and shady death that is never talked about. SO I agree that he was Paul's most trusted person, but not John's. John had a bit of jealousy. Paul did not get along with Neil. I'm not sure who John's most trusted was, maybe it was Neil?
Loved how Billy Preston completely changed the whole mood in the studio. Simply amazing how bringing the right guy in can turn something so tumultuous into total harmony.
He was always known as the 5th Beatle yet he just got inducted into the RRHOF and the Fab Four are each in there twice. One of my favorite performances of Billy’s was when he sang “My Sweet Lord”, at the Concert for George. I doubt John or Paul would have allowed another artist to record one of their songs of that caliber before they did themselves. Then again they didn’t have many of that caliber and they were both in it for the fame and fortune when George was clearly about the music first.
When Billy showed up and started playing it gave me goosebumps. It also lightened the mood of the room because Billy seemed to be so happy when he was playing. Really a cool sight to behold.
I'm an amateur musician in bands for 55 years. Aside from being entertaining, this documentary is a master class in 1. Band member dynamics and how to manage their impossible tangents; 2. The varied styles of both individual and collective song creation; 3. The appearance of "goofing off" and seeming uselessness of jamming that ironically is the requirement for making amazingly different neural connections and subsequently amazing songs; 4. The masterful velvet glove of a producer like George Martin (also reflected in others around the Beatles); 5. The power of one individual/instrument (Billy Preston on keys) to alter a creative direction and musical experience; 6. The amazing combination of hard work, repetition, serendipity, and luck in how professional musicians work and how so many of the folks around the stars contributed, not to mention how open to such suggestions The Fab Four were; AND 7. The power of the surrounding environment to help or hinder creativity. Jackson did at least as much for the world's musician community as he did for the Beatles' Admiration Society!
When they were making fun of their own songs, even those freshly written, reminded me of Nirvana. Kurt Cobain, a huge Beatles fan himself, did the same to his own songs.
I thought it was like being there for the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Just unbelievable to see such a work coming together, in real time. I felt for George, and laughed with John. Paul was a force of nature, and Ring was just so chill. They all seemed to be able to play everything. During the concert on the roof, I was amazed just how good a live band they were. I marveled at what charisma Paul and John had live.
McCartney’s vocals on the rooftop take 1 of I’ve got a feeling are insane ….he absolutely let’s rip ,his voice is like a chameleon he just changes to suit whatever he wants to do
Jackson has re-written the history of the end of the Beatles. I saw very little animosity. These guys were friends from the time they were 13-14 years old...they got along like longtime friends. Even Paul and Ringo have gone on record this week as saying they allowed "Let It Be" the movie, to alter their memory of the end of the band, and Jackson's film reminded them what a great time they still had together at this time. The thrill for me was to be able to actually watch the Beatles work in the studio for hours.
Yes, at first I didn't realized it was a "serious" argument between Paul and George. It's just because they were a bunch of polite, decent and very likeable people. I enjoyed the films a lot more than I thought I would.
So true, it is a rewrite in that we don't have to listen to memories or recollections . We can see it for ourselves and draw our own conclusions. Even Paul and Ringo observed it in a fresh way like we did.
I've never seen anything like it: Paul doesn't play the bass, he caresses it. I am/was a formally trained classical bass player and there is not a single move that Paul plays that resembles anything like what I spent years and years perfecting. It's wild! Thumb usage, flat fingers across the strings, no curvature to target notes, and much much more! We all love and know Paul and no-one knows me, so there you go. So much for technique!!!!
Leland Sklar (no slouch on the bass) has a video here on youtube explaining that the Hoffner bass was very hard to play. He said that Paul was the only one he knew who could get such a rich tone out if it and that it required a very soft touch.
Rick, you’ll probably never see this comment but I just wanted to compliment the way you pass on your knowledge with such joy and enthusiasm. It’s a rare privilege to witness someone who can teach and generate such excitement in his audience in today’s cynical world. You make me feel like a kid again and I feel such gratitude towards you for taking me back to the late sixties and the seventies to revisit a time I was blessed to have experienced. Thank you…thank you!!!!
I believe he has the same passion for music as I do (as many of us do), but it's knowing that he has the knowledge behind it that I appreciate. Sure, I want him to love the music and the band (I was close to naming my son Lennon), but I'm well aware that he knows way more about music theory and production than I ever will. It's that insight that is either interesting or helps bolster my appreciation for him, his opinions, and the subject. He can explain aspect of their music that I never thought of or noticed but couldn't explain. He can look at it from a more critic-centric viewpoint. He can show how music transformed under the Beatles and where the influence led to later music and the industry. We all can watch, listen, feel, and critique all we want, but it's different to have that educated, experienced, well versed view and then explain it to us!
Ringo said Paul was the most important member because he was their work ethic. He said "we only would have released 2 albums without him" and he said Paul was the one who was always calling them up and trying to get them into studio. You can see that in Get Back. He was a workaholic and very driven to be prolific and produce a lot of music. Some people think he's being bossy or egotistical but he's just pushing them to produce and to be great.
@@mat5473 Paul had practically the perfect mix here. At times I could see the others wanting to punch him in the head, and others you could tell that they'd be nowhere without Paul's drive.
Gotta keep in mind, that despite their young age, they were really seasoned musicians, playing their entire teenager years day in/day out in clubs, be it Liverpool or Hamburg. It's how they got all their craftmanship. You could tell, they are talented, but talent without work is not enough. And these lads worked hard! ❤
The complete package. the paying their dues / workin' the strips band, the super pop sensations , the studio magicians and the innovative band ahead of uts time. They earned every bit if their fame. They're just so talented that it looks easy. Plus they were confident enough and maybe stoned enough to let Ringo sing a few songs. and what happens? Little Help from my Friends becomes arguably the anthem of a generation or two. Wow.
@@tarunpopu yes but most are good for two, maybe, maybe three albums. These cats just made better and better albums each time. Weezer, 2 albums, Radiohead, 2 albums, everyone else usually has just one good album or just one or two good songs on an album. "good" of course, is subjective.
I think the movie is a master class in songwriting. A lot of it looks like play is casting off the restraints so they can access ideas. Also, in playing all these oldies, at the same time they are honing harmony and practicing their instruments. I loved how Paul was checking the writing, “flowing more freely / freer”, etc.
The most amazing thing to me was their musical arc. They began with songs like "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me", and ended with "Come Together" and "Something". And they did it in roughly 6 years. Unparalleled musical maturation.
If that's the case, the very same coud be said for The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Pretty Things, The Moody Blues, for example. The Beatles certainly were not unparalleled in terms of musical maturation - they recorded Octopus's Garden and Teddy Boy, both juvenile nonsense.
@@apollomemories7399 Listen to the first Beatles album and then listen to Abbey Road. It's like two completely different bands. That degree of musical growth within that timeframe was not achieved by the bands you mentioned. I like those bands a lot, but from a writing and recording standpoint, it's not close.
@@sanddab That's hardly any kind of revelation or a big deal as there are umpteen instances of that exact same progression by a multitude of UK bands. So, by the same token, what you're saying is that you don't recognise the degree of musical growth between The Who''s 1965 'My Generation' album and their 1969 'Tommy'. That's incredible. I'm not so sure you've paid anything like enough attention to anything other than The Beatles. Oh yeah, "from a writing and rcording standpoint" what about 'The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society' from 1969?
@@apollomemories7399 totally disagree. Firstly, they didn't officially record Teddy Boy but those songs they did record that you would probably call "juvenile" such as Octopus's Garden, Yellow Submarine, Obla-Di etc were an important part of their appeal - every song doesn't have to be deep and meaningful, some can just be fun! And none of the groups you mentioned matured musically all that much in their first 7 years of recording, not even more obvious candidates like the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan.
I had never been a Beatles fan but as a music-lover I was transfixed to this documentary. What's obvious is the love between them. I'm now a Beatles fan.
I like the Beatles enough and I like documentaries, but I imagine I could watch a documentary like this of ALMOST any band just to see the creative processes.
@@Drewzer154 But watching the greatest band of all time creating music is sublime. Imagine if we could see The Beatles creating Revolver - that would be unsurpassed!
What's always baffled me was that from Please, Please me being released, there was 7 years, 1 month, 16 days until they released Let It Be. Think of everything they did with those 7 years, all the styles they created, rules they broke, recording inventions. It's mind blowing. They were beyond unique.
You have to really be cut off from what other bands were doing *before* the Beatles to think the Beatles were "creating styles, breaking rules, inventing recording techniques." They were never first as far as I know. They were superb melodists, fine lyricists, and had two excellent vocalists--and very wisely hired George Martin. These are considerable merits, but innovation wasn't in the cards for these boys.
Sgt. Pepper was the first ever concept album. They created the format that gave us Aqualung and Dark Side of the Moon .But their biggest gift to music was their journey from juvenile pop rockers to serious message bearers. How many other groups managed that kind of musical growth? If you're looking for something utterly without precedent I recommend The Shags.
@@kreek22 Being first wasn't necessarily what made them special when it came to inventing recording techniques, breaking rules etc..but they sure took what they found and put it out there and used it to its fullest potential. I think people need to understand that the Beatles were not necessarily a 60's band as much as a late 50's band that mutated by "breaking the rules" and rewriting what a band could and couldn't be through the 60's. They borrowed elements from folk, country, classical, rock-a-billy , prog rock etc...They didn't pigeon hole their music. They made it okay for other bands to follow suit, if they could. They are the bridge from Elvis to Elton John. There is no substitute.
@@mortygoldmacher "Sgt. Pepper was the first ever concept album." That must have involved a remarkable time reversal. Pet Sounds was released in 1966. And I very much doubt that even Pet Sounds was the first concept album. The rule of thumb with the Beatles is: Never First.
@@DoggieNYC "They made it okay for other bands to follow suit" I agree that they very successfully conventionalized the revolutions instituted by the vanguard bands of the 60s. No doubt this helped Elton to find his yellow brick road.
Besides George helping Ringo compose, my favorite moment is late in the film when they're arguing about whether to do the rooftop show or not. Ringo has been silent, and he suddenly says, "I want to do it." The others all turn to him in shock, is if they'd forgotten he could talk. It's just a quick funny moment that I am pleased was captured on camera.
But Ringo was always like that and all the other three respected him so much as a musician. You have to remember that back in the Hamburg days Paul, John and george thought Ringo was a better musician than they were, and he was. Then it is no surprise that they always respected his opinion and Im glad they did. The result was amazing songs with amazing drum lines, In My Life is one example, only one of many
Good points. Plus, the movie shows how he was the peacemaker, like when John and Paul figure they'd better go check on George after he's stormed off. And Ringo says, "Oh, I was already planning to do that." I came out of this video loving Ringo a lot more even than I did after seeing Hard Day's Night. @@eduardocervantesaca
When ever Ringo spoke, they all listened. That is why Ringo played on albums by John, Paul and George as solo musicians, and them all play on his Récords. Add to that the fact that Ringo was the coolest of all when it came to dressing.
Loved it, too. What I found incredible was how insanely talented Paul was, as you saw him just come in with fairly fully developed versions of Let It Be, Long and Winding Road, Golden Slumbers, etc, on the piano. Hard to imagine folks hearing him play those songs didn’t feel immediately awestruck when he played them.
I loved it when Heather McCartney was in the studio, got right in with Ringo was playing the high hat. I love the expression on heathers face when Yoko started screeching, a few minutes later got in tight with John Lennon and started screeching her self, Yoko did not look pleased.
yeah that was very sweet seeing her interaction with all of them. everybody was completely cool, even when she's banging away on ringos hi-hat when they're playing! in time too mind you! paul seemed to have a great bond with her. Lennon's conversation with her about eating cats was hilarious.
I'm only 3/4 through the first episode but what strikes me is the humanity and ordinariness of their interactions. It's just like any original songwriting situation I've ever been in. These guys were so ordinary and breathtakingly extraordinary at the same time. Seeing the genesis of some of those classic songs is a privilege. Untouchable group of musicians/songwriters.
I don’t know a ton about Beatle history so I never realized how in sync Lennon and McCartney were. They practically share a brain. And Paul just pouring out all these songs and lyrics like it’s nothing. WOW. Just blown away!
@@ianbartle456 If you're referring to the theory that the right brain is the seat of logical functions and the left brain is the creative side, then no, it's nothing like that at all.
Throughout the documentary Paul wanted to play live again and you can see the pure joy on his face when they finally start playing on the roof. Such a great feel good moment!
@@pcatful John too eventually caught that vibe. Paul had it from the count-in but John picked up on the energy and soon the joy was shared. Less with George who I don't think was keen on being exposed to the elements. He supported the others, but he really hadn't wanted to go up at all. Ultimately it was a group triumph though - he played his part and played it well.
i admire george for standing up for himself and stating he wanted to make an album of only his songs by himself. as you said he was only 26 st the time but knew what he wanted. bravo george! 🌸
@RockMeAmadeus Then you should consider making something of yourself, rather than judging arguably the most influential musicians of the last 100 years. By the time Harrison was 26, he had already released 10 large studio albums, was working on his final two with the Beatles and a solo project, had been in the band for well over a decade, was outrageously wealthy, and had already been married for several years. Don't blame being "modern" for your own short comings
"All band's break up." "Or at least they should, at some point." I love it. The Beatles are over here. Everyone else, and I mean everyone else, is over there. You are the best Rick.
The world needs to see a conversation between Rick and Paul, and preferably with Ringo too. It would be a thing of beauty and wonder. How can we make this happen soon?
@Rick I'm going to be honest with you & say I've never been a Beatles fan but....watched the Documentary and now have a new outlook at their craft & approach. I was wrong to ignore them for so long! 👍🏻
Was looking at some reviews online and there's a handful of people who complained that the show was unnecessarily long and repetitive. I guess they aren't obsessed with the Beatles like us 😂 But I do agree that the documentary might not be friendly and digestible for new and casual Beatles fans
Everything you said, I absolutely agree. I'm not a fan of the Beatles, but since I saw the documentary, I listen to them more every day and the song "the long and wide road" filled my soul with how it began to take shape. And I was shocked when I read "and this was his last live performance." great documentary
And another thing: George turning his amp back on after the police showed up and Mal had shut it off was absolutely gangster. It was almost like “don’t f with my equipment”
It was fun to see, but I'm sure it was also a bit of, "I'm a Beatle and it's unlikely I'll be held in a jail cell for long and will probably spend the majority of my time just signing autographs."
@@bearfoot007 I don't think anyone really cared at that point. George pretty turned it back on after roughly five seconds so I doubt it did any damage.
When you realize that McCartney came up with Get Back, Let It Be, The Long And Winding Road, and I've Got A Feeling all in the same week it really blows your mind.
I think one of the mayor things to come from this is that not only were they a studio band ,but the best band live at that time ,as proved on the roof magical !
The moment in the first episode where Paul McCartney literally conjures Get Back out of thin air in a mixture of defiance and frustration at the lack of material they have at that point is one of the most magical things I’ve ever seen. Also the look on George and Ringo‘s face when it slowly starts to become something it’s priceless. However the cherry on top is when John arrives having turned up one hour late to hear the three of them already rehearsing the basics of the song that he has never heard of his life up until that point!
Rick. I remember when a friend of my mother's ran into our house, and in his hand was Sgt. Pepper. He said to all of us, stop what you're doing, you've got to listen to this. And we did. I love the Beatles. I miss them. They were a part of my growing up. But, since I am a musician, I appreciate their musical ability.
Maybe the reason why The Beatles broke up is they stopped arguing. It just became a humdrum everyday job that had a massive burnout workload to pull off what was achieved in a few short years. The stress of achieving would have been crushing.
@@dongvermine I wouldn't say it's entirely wrong tho, although it's not a 100% true either. They surely were all burnt out of being in The Beatles and especially John and George were often frustrated in the end... Idk man, hard to say these things when you're not there
I was pretty surprised how accepting everyone was of Yoko as well. Paul even says, "they just want to be around each other and who are we to say otherwise?" I thought that was pretty classy
Slightly disagree with this take of Yoko. In the same conversation that you quote here, Paul confesses that Yoko is breaking up the band and that their wives and girlfriends should probably not be allowed in as a result. Also the way John kept asking her if she's ok and reminding her that she's on camera....none of that seemed healthy. Just my observations though...I suppose others could look at those scenes and not think much of them.
@@vanillatwice true, taking snippets and judging what others are thinking is probably not accurate. But Paul has said in other interviews somewhat the same thing that he respected John's feelings for Yoko. He also said that it was John's decision to break up the Beatles. But I think that whenever you have a group of people spending that much time together with differing styles and approaches to work, that eventually, people will move in seperate directions. George to me was the most willing to walk away. And John seemed indecisive about what he wanted to do at the point in time of the doc. Paul and Ringo seemed to be the only ones wanting things to stay as they were. It's a very interesting glimpse into the dynamics of the band.
Yoko’s audio was removed. As owner of the John Lennon estate she only agreed to the documentary so long as she was able to have her voice removed where she wanted.
@@vanillatwice see an above comment that Yoko had just had a miscarriage. I hadn't heard that, only that they were devastated about it and then consulted a chinese dr who told them no drugs, as well as to go on the macrobiotic diet and then conceived Sean.
I feel exactly the same as you do Rick. This is a fascinating look at the creative process with the most influential band in the world! One thing I want to highlight about the equipment is that they had no care at all about their, ‘tone’ as long as they could hear it. Plus the environment that they were working in was very crude. They didn’t even wear headphones while they were recording! Nowadays, we guitar players are so obsessed with finding our, ‘tone’ and having the right, ‘feel’. These guys showed that none of that matters. The only thing that matters is the song. They all live to serve the song! Amazing documentary!
While I was definitely blown away by the way they worked together in the studio, I was left astounded by how good they sounded playing on the roof. Paul and Ringo were locked in like a rhythm section so tight and they hadn't played in front of people for three years at that point. They must have had the jitters...I mean you can see it when they first get up there but once they got playing they were incredible. I guess you could say that they were doing tons of live takes in the studio throughout the documentary but on the roof they had to give a performance and you could just see that all those days and days of playing in Germany for hours and hours never went away. Just listen to the groove on I've Got A Feeling. Amazing.
what I find most fascinating is the level of trust they had in each other. there is nobody ever embarrassed to improvise the most ridiculous lyrics to their song fragments and there is noone ever questioning or even asking about the sometimes very intimate lyrics that ended up in the finished songs. imagine doing this kind of work with so many people around, girlfriends, assistants, photographers. there is no judgement. what a time for music this was.
All four completely trusted each other. It started twelve years earlier with John and Paul growing up together with complete musical trust. It's an incredibly beautiful friendship.
I binged it over the weekend and just could not take my eyes off it. Found it thoroughly enjoyable, insightful and made me understand even more deeply how talented they all are. I will say Billy Preston saved them in that session/album….everything changed when he showed up.
I’m 44. So for my entire life these classic Beatle tracks like Get Back, Let It Be, One After 909, Don’t Let Me Down, and I’ve Got A Feeling always existed. They were just there as a part of my growing up with my Mom’s album collection and on the radio. They were just always around, like the car. I never knew a world without them. So to watch this series and put myself into that time where no one ever heard of a Let It Be album, in an era where the Beatles hadn’t yet broken up, in a time when John Lennon was still with us (I was 3 that fateful night in Dec 1980 so I do not remember it) is so captivating. Throughout watching all of this I kept telling myself “no one outside these 4 walls had ever heard these songs and here they are cultivating them from scratch. Out of thin air”. The most enjoyable moment for me is the full rooftop concert. Where we finally see and hear the complete gig. Again, I put myself on Saville Row on Jan 31, 1969 as anyone working in that business district in a normal business day, going about my work…… when all of a sudden out of the blue you hear echoing in the distance John counting in and that now legendary driving beat intro in A to Get Back - and no one at the time had ever heard of the song. They knew it was Paul McCartney singing. Man what a thrill it had to be for those folks down on that street that day!!
My dad was working in that area of London the day of the rooftop concert and I have a memory of seeing it on the news that evening. I was just a boy, not quite 9. My family then moved to the USA in September of 1970. Funny enough my dad also worked on the design for John Lennon’s swimming pool at his home in Weybridge a few years before then - probably around ‘65 I think. He didn’t get to meet him though!
The main things that stood out to me were:- 1) John didn't seem to be leading the group half as much as I thought he would be. He seemed not to be particularly bothered which direction they were going, or what their end goal was. It was just an opportunity to goof around and leave the group management up to Paul. He did of course massively contribute to the songwriting though of course, but I think they would have got things done a lot quicker if he wasn't goofing around so much and messing up the takes. 2) You could tell they all respected each other, but the respect between John and Paul and their songwriting partnership outshone anything else. When they were discussing something, it was almost like the other two band members didn't exist. 3) When Billy Preston came and joined in, you could see that immediately everyone got inspired to work harder giving them a new purpose to create something special, it was a joy to watch......
Goofing around was completely intrinsic to all of them as individuals and part of The Beatles, too, though. They were all Scousers and 'having a laugh' is basically intrinsic to the Scouse/Liverpool way of life. I believe it played a part in why Pete Best was let go, despite being a firm fan favourite at the time. He just didn't have the same Liverpudlian/Scouse sense of humour that the other lads had. John was the leader of the group, too so he often took the lead in that, but as far as this series goes, especially after part one was done with, [and especially following the 'secretly recorded' one on one convo with Paul] after which his whole attitude seemed to change, and to me, revert back to his former/normal role.
Did anyone else find this experience surreal: the urge to suggest the song lyrics, so common to us now, to Paul or John when they were struggling with coming up with them for their new tunes that would ultimately become emblazoned in our collective minds? It's sort of a "Get Back to the future" experience.
I agree. pleasantly weird. something was the biggest one for that. "attracts me like..." i've been stuck on this lyric for 6 months lads! the lyrics are so part of our culture now, it's amazing to hear versions where they weren't finished. the bit where they are trying to get sweet Loretta "martin" as well. ha!
It was fascinating to see their creative strategy on full display. Their hyper-repetition gave them full opportunity to improvise and explore. Their continual exchange of instruments kept them fresh. And their constant humour injected love into the music. This was such a rare opportunity to see great artists at the very moment of inspiration.
all my life thinking they hated each other during the Let It Be sessions. It was such a nice thing watching them getting along, being friends. I'm so glad this came out, I've a whole different image of The Beatles now.
Well, keep in mind that the studio was their last refuge at that point. Outside the studio the band was rapidly falling apart, mainly because of Lennon’s immature and erratic behaviour.
The part the hit me the hardest is when Paul and Ringo are having a conversation with a bunch of others too, John and George aren't there, and Paul makes some comment like "no one in 50 years is going to say the Beatles broke up because Yoko sat on an amp." It's the most prophetic thing ever, a little spooky. Loved the moment where Ringo is working on Octopus's Garden. Paul pulls Get Back out of nowhere, John helping George with the lyrics for Something, all the goofy antics. Every time, Paul would start it, and John would join in while the others laughed. Also there was a fun moment in the first part where they are talking about how cool Billy Preston is, then later he shows up and they're like come jam with us. Then they're like how would like to be on this album? Unfortunately Billy did say much (or it wasn't captured on camera). But damn his keyboard playing added so much.
Loved the movies. I was born in 1961 in Liverpool and was brought up with them as our (local) heroes. My teens were the 70s so I was about 10 years too late to enjoy them at their height but this was fascinating. I now play and sing myself and to see the creative process in play was amazing. Every songwriter is different but there were 4 top-of-their-game writers and performers there all enjoying the process. Particularly love the exchange between George and John when George was trying to get lyrics for Something... GH: "Something in the way she moves. Attracts me like da-da-da-da-da... Not sure what it should be there?" JL: "Just sing anything and it'll come to you. "Attracts me like a cauliflower" Pure joy
The thing that blew me away was how good they were when they quit screwing around. One second they're a bunch of kids hacking, the next they're the freaking Beatles. Amazing.
i think in some way they knew screwing around would make writing and rehearsing the songs over and over more fun, and then they could save the serious performances for later when the songs were solidifying and get good takes.
Ringo really sticks out to me as a total professional. He gets his drumming takes down first time every time. For a guy who's so unfairly received so much stick over the decades for being lucky to be in The Beatles, it really opened my eyes.
Ringo is a genius too. To me, he saw the drums kinda like a producer sees a song, which led him to create incredibly original drum lines. Not to mention he was a perfect fit for the band... such a simple playing and yet so RAW, just like the other bandmates.
There was a moment where Paul stood up and demonstratively showed Ringo how he wanted a certain drum part to go, and Ringo proceeded to completely ignore him and play the same 2 and 4 backbeat for the next 5 minutes. That was the part where Ringo "spoke up." (or it could've been edited out of sequence, I suppose... nah.)
my god Rick, the way you talk about them is really lovely, i watched the documentary and listened to the records daily for almost a month and a few things that you talked i felt it too, really touching, thank you!
I'm a lifelong Beatles fan, and I'd even heard much of this material on bootlegs. But "Get Back" really captured the process of a song's evolution, and it was so cool in the film to hear a familiar song gradually emerge. Ordinary listeners aren't normally privy to the process of creation - but Peter Jackson gave it to us.
The segment where Paul is strumming on the Hofner trying to come up with an idea for a song is probably the most amazing thing in the series. Its like an artist scribbling on a piece of paper until an image comes to his mind. The evolution of the song Get Back, from Paul's manic strumming, to rough outline is genius!
I've watched the documentary twice already. Just loved how much fun they had as they were creating history. It was fascinating how good of musicians they all were. Literally they could play musical chairs and where they sat they could play that instrument.
Watching the song “Get back” start as Paul just slamming that Hofner like a guitar, than humming the melody, than as the series went on to see the lyrics and all the rhythm and lead parts get written was absolutely spine tingling joy. I shed a tear at the awesomeness of seeing that song blossom right in front of me.
I binged the entirety of Get Back, and the fun and camaraderie that the lads had in those days, as well as the MILD bickering - made me severely miss playing in bands. I'm so glad this footage was released (and curated so well by Peter Jackson), it's a breath of fresh air when we've all been sitting for decades with the idea that the Let It Be sessions were just a horrible downer. Rick's 100% right, that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm gonna watch it all again.
I love the moment where Billy Preston first adds his performance and you got that reaction shot from Paul that basically said, without words "my god, that's perfect". :D
I was fascinated by the interaction between Lennon and McCartney as they worked through the development of a song. Get Back was a primary focus and they played it three times on the rooftop. But you mentioned Paul and John both played the piano. So did George! The sequence where he was working out Old Brown Shoe (?) was pretty amazing. And even Ringo could play the piano!
I too was fascinated by much of this. I was 9 in 1964 and grew with the Beatles. I sang all the lyrics and was heart broken when they broke up. Started guitar lessons in 1967 because of them and still play today (although a bit more unplugged!). I enjoyed watching you light up as you described your reaction. I felt the same way but in some ways it made me a bit melancholy. While I still get goosebumps when I listen to their music it's not likely we will ever see such a phenomenon again.
I love how they resurrected "One After 909" from the old days of the band, realized it was a great rocker, and polished it into a nice number for the album. So fascinating to see their creative process in such intimate detail.
Yes - I've always loved the almost childlike joyful simplicity of that one. John gets that lovely authoritative low end growl in his baritone just like in the best of the old days. Great harmonies, really effective bass, nice solos. Seeing the rooftop version and that point where they get to the solo and Paul just digs in and drives the band with unbridled joy! Should be required viewing for any aspiring bassist. OR if you already play bass and are starting to fall out of love with it.. watch THIS! It's one of my 4 or 5 top moments in the whole world. Are you with me??!!
@@ianbartle456 Oh, absolutely! I've been playing bass for a good while, but I NEVER get tired of blazing through this tune. Paul is one of my bass heroes, no question. Happy Holidays :-)
I think people forget that these guys were still KIDS in their mid to late 20's when this was shot...so it's totally understandable how playful they were. I LOVED this thing...and even after 6 hours, I wanted more. I literally cried when Billy Preston started playing the keyboard for the first time. I don't think a film has ever hit me as hard as that did for some reason, and I have no idea why it hit me that hard LOL.
I had the same reaction to his first keyboard riff. Peter Jackson built up so much tension of chaos and frustration, and then Billy comes in like an angel with exactly what they needed, nailing that first riff, lifting the band and us.
No one has mentioned that Billy Preston came within a whisker of being invited to join the Beatles. When he started playing it lit a spark in the Beatles that they'd been searching for for days, and they all cheered up and became productive. Paul said in one of those side chats "we should have him join the Beatles. Become the Fab Five"
George Harrison recorded "Something" on his 26th birthday. The tune appears on the last recorded Beatles album Abbey Road. It is amazing how young they were even at the end.
Also amazing, is how they showed glimpses of future solo endeavors - John's "Gimme Some Truth"', George's "All Things Must Pass" and Paul's "Another Day". I couldn't help but wonder how great a Beatle album with those songs would have been.
@@kristopherguilbault5428 yeah the lyrics and titles change. On the white album super deluxe its called child of nature. I think i prefer these lyrics to the jealous guy version tbh.
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The argument between George and John had happened just before George left but it wasn't filmed.
@@vhollund No, it's John's song.
@@vhollund No, No, No you're wrong,
How good is Billy Preston though?
He’s awesome!
He was so filled with joy getting to play with them. I felt it turned the whole session around.
Always deadly
I strongly believe he was the backbone for the last two albums. That's just made more evident in the documentary
I live his song “Outa-Space
Watching Paul just casually slapping on his bass and then suddenly hear "Get Back" being born is like watching a planet forming from space dust. Absolutely amazing especially if you're a songwriter.
What a great way to describe that moment! I was completely amazed.
what a great description! thank you
What struck me was, as it happens, George lets go with a full body YAWN, like "oh, here goes Paul being effortlessly brilliant. AGAIN." And yes, I know it was probably just because he was three cups of tea shy of being fully awake..
It struck me as he looked like he was channeling the song from the netherworld.
I have not seen it all yet, but that was the best part so far................
There’s a moment where Ringo shares the chorus from Octopuses Garden and then says, “That’s all I got.” Then George Harrison sits down and helps him in the most patient and respectful way. Then, George Martin comes over. Everyone just helping each other. The lack of ego on Ringo and George was amazing. And the camaraderie even between Paul and John was next level. Loved this. ❤️
That was indeed a beautiful moment btw those who would forever have to content to be 'also-travellers' in the greatest popular songwriting duo of all time.
Harrison and Starkey would have been the brightest stars in any other sky but they just had to share this one with Lennon and McCartney. I loved that the film showed this creative moment between them.
That was a wonderfully charming moment in the film. George Martin couldn't help but smile when that was going on. That was a nice catch by the camera man.
@@guitarmusic524 You capture that - snap! Timeless - just how much more can you gawp at those guys for their utter brilliance?
@@johnkennedy5528 do you actually mean gawk and not guap
Ringo was a rock. No ego. He was just there to provide the beat for whoever had a song to present.
Ringo definitely was that but far more... As a pro drummer I can say that Ringo was/is a very "well rounded" drummer who knew many styles. His own awesome style was always present..Very cool.👍‼️🙂
He was a constant, the backbone of the band.
Lol
💯. Once asked "Who was the hardest working Beatle?" & he said, without hesitation or cracking a stone face, "Me."
So damn true! All the others are wandering about, getting drinks, handing over their tunes...
Ringo's always behind his kit, ready to rock
@@abc456f
100
My favorite part, Paul McCartney: "I feel like this song needs something ". (The Long and Winding Road)
George: "Yeah, words".
George sense of humour was unique. Remember the way he solved the "there will not be Traveling Wilburys volume 2" issue.
@@maikolmaru1902 my fav was his „as long as John Lennon is dead….“
At some point, Paul was asking if Let It Be needed more words and you can hear George on the back saying "When I find myself in times of trouble CAPTAIN MARVEL COMES TO ME".
George is hilarious... my personal fave, after they've been working on I've Got A Feeling for quite a while, he deadpan drops in with "Is that one called I've Got A Feeling...?"
I liked it when John sang, 40 years in the desert he couldn't find his balls
I wasn't a big Beatles fan before and started watching Get Back just because I love to watch creative people create something. I loved the series for this alone. It still hit me real hard when part 3 was over. I can't imagine what hardcore fans must have felt. I'm currently deep into their catalogue, kicking myself for not doing so earlier, but happy still. Better late than never.
Life got better!
This sums up exactly how I’ve gotten into them the last 2 months or so
@@AlexLopez-dd7ym same as you
Im curious how old you guys are. Im 60 wasnt born till 1963 but a huge beatle fan. Im also a musician so ive always loved them. My daughter is 26 and also loves them.
@@royhobbs2425 23, I knew barely any songs and only got into them a few months ago, def changed my previous view of them
One of the most wholesome things I’ve ever seen is when Ringo got the courage to show them Octopus’s Garden on the piano. Then George without skipping a beat comes over immediately and starts working it through with him. I just loved that part.
George made Octopus's Garden happen.
Still a terrible song though I'm afraid :/ not quite as bad as the musical turkey that was Maxwell's Silver Hammer.
I love this song too, in a different way, it's so Ringo. George gave it a life. Loved it as a kid, in sesame street.
Yes. One of my favourite parts.
@@truefunksoul8638 They’ve got loads of mediocre songs. That really wasn’t my point.
I found the relationship between Paul and Linda's daughter incredibly touching. Ringo teaching her to play drums was also a real tearjerker. They were truly just a big family.
Agreed
He cucked himself inheriting another man's offspring !!
Even Paul looked pretty irritated with her eventually 😆
I lol'd when Linda's daughter did an imitation of Yoko.
@@nothenryporter81 She thought that that wsas how to sing after watchinhg Yoko do her thing
I cried. They've been part of my life since I was 14. I'm seventy now. RIP John and George.
it had the same effect on me - Beatles4ever.
I'm right there with you. Best part of middle school and some of high-school
I'm 70 and feel exactly the same. They Beatles really were in a class of their own.
I’m 73 and could not picture my life without the Beatles in it.
59 years and counting, for me!
This doc proved how underrated and patient ringo was . He never missed a frickin beat even when they were screening around . Not once did they need to give him direction as what to do for a song . Very stable and backbone of the bands . Much props to ringo ( and he never bitched and complained either )
Ringo's playing on about fifty different songs also proves how underrated he is. But I'm sure you recognize that. It stuns me that people could feel any other way about him!
Agree that Ringo is awesome, but they TOTALLY gave him direction on multiple songs. What impressed me the most was how humble he was when receiving that feedback.
Ya you both right I just base that iffy he doc I watch I honestly never paid much attention to him I listen mostly death metal and diffrent style of drummer , this doc just very impress me with ringo style and how on point through the he was
@@jmsclbwmn They were all down to earth but Ringo always struck me as being the most mellow and humble. In the film you can see how Paul can come off as being controlling at times and he had some very specific feedback about drum parts (thinking of the footage on the beginnings of "Something" in particular) but rarely do great things get accomplished by committee :-)
Well in this series you could actually see Mc Cartney giving some few directions to Ringo albeit not that many. But for the most part, yes you are right, he didn't need directions🙂
Dear Sir Paul: If you’re reading this, please let Rick interview you. Thank you.
YES YES!!!!!!! watched the Brian May and sting interviews with Rick and hes great! would LOVE to see him interview more major icons!
Yes! Loved the Rubin series.. and this must happen!!
Yes, please.
At this point leave poor Paul alone and let him be
OMG Yes
One of the things that struck me the most in the films was how patient and humble Ringo was throughout all the sessions. He didn't once look bored or disengaged despite having very little active input into the songwriting process. He knew his role and he just got on with what he did best when he was needed. There was the occasional bit of footage where he was playing in between songs where you really got a glimpse of how fantastic a drummer he was. It was also really cool to see him and George working up parts of Octopus's Garden together.
I loved seeing that Ringo was relaxing and screwing off when the boys were working up lyrics and horsing around but when they were working on the actual groove of the songs you could see he was totally involved and engaged.
Ringo wasn't the original drummer so maybe that is why .
He was really sweet with the kids, too. Not quite sure who they belonged to.
@@ct6852
Paul I think.
@@blujay9191
...and yet when someone was ready with a tune, Ringo was ready with amazingly creative content that perfectly fit each one. He was never just slacking off.
Ringo! One of the biggest take-aways for me was how steady Ringo was. ALWAYS there, ready for the next step. Solid as a rock. Not only that, he's an incredibly subtle drummer. Artful, tasteful and consistent. I guess cuz I grew up on their music I've not paid much attention to his playing. But now that I'm old(er), I appreciate how rock-steady AND how subtly artful Ringo played.
I think a key part of the show is when they are talking about the rooftop concert and Ringo says "I'm going". He says it so firmly after basically saying nothing and expressing no opinions it is like the rest of the band just looked at him and at that point, the concert on the roof was happening.
Except for when he was sleeping...but when he awoke, he was right back into it.
Even as an amateur drummer, I can understand why so many pro drummers admire Ringo. He was the final piece required to take the Beatles to the next level. All legendary, successful bands share the common element of having great drummers.
Yes, all 4 were far different than I thought they were. Ringo seemed to have it all together more than the others.
There were lots of genuinely touching moments during the documentary but, for me, the most moving was seeing Paul and John, during their most intimate, creative moments, staring into each others eyes. It was almost like they were communicating telepathically! Astonishing!
The hidden microphone during their lunch meeting was great.
@@ebkesq72 amazing convo!!
The look John gave Paul after that first acoustic take on The Two of Us. (Part 2). The that is really good look. Yes the bond was incredibly strong.
I also noticed Alan Parsons in the control room, as tape operator. He was 21 at the time and three years later was working on Dark Side of the Moon. Amazing.
There's also Chris Thomas who mixed Dark Side of the moon (among countless other legendary album including Nevermind the bollocks).
Glad someone else noticed him!
Pretty odd to start at the top. It use to be the other way around.
"...then there were two.....". Chilling when you realize that the two missing from the morning meeting that day were the two no longer with us now. Watching Paul visibly shaking and near tears before getting up and walking off camera was the single most emotional scene for me.
This documentary reminded me that it doesn't matter who you are, even if you're the Beatles, band practice is also fucking chaos. I loved it.
Exactly! Lol
@@mchaggis622 They goof so much around that you almost miss the point that they came up with so many memorable songs in just 2/3 weeks.
And isn't that half the fun of being in a band?
Seriously, I had the same reaction. Also, no one knows how to talk to the drummer intelligently. "Hey Ringo, play bop bop bedoop bedoopa dop dop. Got that?" "Sure Paul. Got it."
Loved when they were struggling with the PA. Lol
The fact that Paul said “in 50 years” about the break up of the Beatles being because Yoko sat on an amp and also when he said “And then there were 2” 😯 prophetic
There were countless precious moments in this fantastic documentary, but the greatest thing for me was the effect on my 81 year old, Beatle-loving father (who saw them live in 1963 just before Beatlemania), who I showed it to over the weekend. He was literally overjoyed just to see them so young and actually in the process of creating magic and having fun doing it. It was a true revelation.
That is wonderful! So happy your dad enjoyed it so much!
I thought about my dad constantly while watching this. He passed away years ago. I kept thinking about what he would have thought.
@@matt5415 what would he have said?
God bless your father. Many relationships with parents where music is a huge factor have The Beatles to thank.
@@spartanguitarist6579 I think my dad would have loved the film. He was conservative, so a lot of the hippie politics of The Beatles pissed him off. I didn’t catch too much political content, other than when they tried to sing about immigrant rights-but my dad wasn’t anti-immigration. He was a Yoko hater also, but Yoko just seemed like a clingy shadow to Lennon. Plus McCartney seemed to enjoy jamming while Yoko did her screeching thing.
I really like the magic that Billy Preston brought to their songs, it was immediately evident and very clever.... fitted so well with their arrangements.👍🇬🇧
For me, the look that Paul gives when Preston does the chord run on I've Got A Feeling was my favorite part of the series. Magic.
Definitely now understand why he got the label, The 5th Beatle
Drummer here (I loved how Ringo in early stages of song development just kept it bare minimum basic. Just holding the tempo, giving space for the guys to work out the music. When the guys stopped so did he. He is such an example.
I also noticed how relaxed he looks on the kit. His posture and technique was spot on. I guess it had to be to play that much day after day.
I was just amazed about how quiet he was most of the time. Haven’t seen any MUSICIAN ever being that ready to be flexible and play whatever was thrown at him. Not necessarily too happy by one or two of those songs (based on his body language), but he wouldn’t even wink and think about them twice. Best “let’s get it done” musical attitude I’ve seen, ever.
I was waiting for him to find the gallop for Get Back for the first 5 hours lol
"They said what they needed to say, and the world is a richer place for it."
Beautifully put!
In all seriousness, what Peter Jackson created here is beautiful and a joy for every serious musician and Beatles fan. I was constantly reminded of the fun it is to come up with music and I honestly have to admit that it brought more than one tear to my eyes. Bravo. Didn’t expect anything less from Jackson! That is something I will forever cherish
To those who haven't seen it, his doco They Shall Not Grow Old on world war one with colourised footage, lip readers adding in the specific accent matched to the region of where the soldiers were from etc and some of the old soldiers themselves recalling things is absolutely terrific also. It also feels as real as you get, seeing some of those faces laughing and smiling, and then seeing the same face dead in the mud later.
@@Tom_McMurtryagreed! That was an intense documentary! This movie is the main reason I wasn’t really worried about this documentary
Not sure how this came about, maybe Jackson knew about it and thought it should be seen by people? I guess getting all the rights sorted and legal stuff was a big part of this? Bit of a marathon of spotting all the video and going through the audio ..
I held back the tears through most of it. The thought of what was and what will never be again, and what and / or who we have lost along the way.
Ringo the most intuitive drummer ever,always gives exactly what's required,no flash,no grandstanding,rock solid,underrated genius.
As John Cleese describes in his book on creativity, the secret to being creative is to play around, like a child, have fun, be goofy etc. This is what they do all day. The results speak for themselves.
I got chills when Paul started strumming and Get Back started to emerge right in front of my eyes. The other thing that stood out to me is that I know the final takes so well that I'd recognize them when they played them. My ears would prick up and it was almost unconscious.
Seeing Paul write Get Back for the first time was magical. He's a genius.
Exactly! Just mindblowing and incredibly emotional those moments.
It makes the hairs stand on the back of your neck those moments when you see the actual take
It was readily apparent how much John and Paul loved each other and making music together. That hit me hard.
Yep. Someone asked me what the highlights were, and I answered, every time John and Paul smiled at each other.
Ringo and george had the same relationship and loved eachother. Thats what made the Beatles so awesome. 2 pairs of bandmates that cared for eachother and had good deep understanding about the needs of eachother.
@@robotube7361 I agree. George & Ringo were/are immensely talented. The shear volume of legendary music that George and Ringo created with and after the Beatles is stunning.
Fantastic documentary! Three of the Beatles were who I thought they were, but watching this totally changed how I think of John. He and Paul had their little scuffles (which always happens when two alphas are in the same group), but he was much more likeable and upbeat than I thought he was. And it was very obvious that he and Paul loved each other like brothers.
In a radio interview in 1980 before it went live on air a female staff asked John how he feels about Paul (this was during that time when they were supposedly feuding) and John said: "I love him!" That didn't go on air though.
Wasn't it great to be anticipating something for so long, and then not to be let down or disappointed?
I love John's goofy dancing.
from the first time I heard it back in 70 or so, I'd always thought of "Two of us" as Paul's love letter to John.
@@marcob6880 Lovely!
I've only seen the first episode, but so far what stands out to me is just how jaw droppingly talented Paul was. They're all great of course, but Paul just completely blew away my misconceptions.
true. He seemed - at least at that time - to be the driving force, and the creative force. Like Rick said, him coming up with "Get Back" and the evolution of that great song, was a blast to watch! I'm so glad I got to see this.
agreed, it changed my mind about him also
Funny, that part didn’t really surprise me. I dabble in music and he has always struck me as the elite talent in the band. As you say they are all talented but he really has a musical gift. His sense of melody in his songs (Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby, Penny Lane, Let it Be to name a few) is on another level. His bass lines are incredibly creative and melodic. His vocal versatility is off the charts, starting with his 5-octave range. I once read that he recorded the vocals for Yesterday and I’m Down on back to back takes. Simply incredible! Heck, he even plays drums on several of their songs including Back in the U.S.S.R.
I always thought it was George Martin playing the piano on Martha My Dear.
Then he explains it making it sound so effortless and unlimited in possibilities- if you're Paul.
Also, the definitive version of Let It Be is from these sessions.
In later years, as he did with most of his Beatles material, he would alter the phrasing to way diminished effect.
On its face, Let It Be is a fragile melody.
Phrase it wrong or without the nuances Paul had back in the day; the low register and the high register; the elongated phrasing of living in the world agree and you have a shmaltzy non- ernest rendition.
Due to voice constrictions or playing the tune ad nauseum and thinking it needed reworking(WRONG!), he lost the freshness of those benchmark recordings.
@@howardfischer1915 No question as to the true musical genius of the group. Lennon, was definitely a special artist; Ringo a brilliant orchestral conceptual drummer; George, the right complimentary piece- not Clapton; but you can't throw genius around lightly and Paul had it- fleetingly,but significantly- similar to Stevie Wonder.
They seemed to take their collective brilliance for granted, but there were several moments where Paul shows the bandmates a new tune and the world just effing stops.
It is astounding to realize that they did it all before they turned thirty years old. They changed the world of music and in many ways they changed the world. I have been a Beatles fan since 1963 when I was seven years old. Seeing this documentary reminded me how incredibly talented they were.
So why didn’t they write better songs? They did in the past? Why not with this album?
@@lovetacos9165 There are fine songs from these sessions and that album.
The part where George and John were both gone and Paul says, “and then there were two”to Ringo was heartbreaking and foreshadowing 💔
That bit got to me too...but then there was Paul and John singing the two of us...it was all about them and they loved eachother!!
@@colinfinch8932 - Paul wrote Two Of Us about himself and Linda.
Paul has said many times Ringo is a gentle sensitive soul.
Paul was teary eyed.
@@dannyg7252 so was Ringo. 😢
I wish Lennon was still around so much it hurts. He died 20 years before I was born but there’s no man that draws me in as much as Lennon, so smart, so aware and so charismatic. RIP 1940-1980 what a shame ✌️
I've been into the obscure trivia with The Beatles for more than 30 years, and another part in "Get Back" that really stood out to me was how Mal Evans was involved with so much of the day-to-day stuff - especially running errands, striking an anvil, note taking, and writing down lyrics on the fly. It confirmed to me that, from the very early Liverpool days to the very end, he was and continued to be the most trusted "normal" person in their small inner circle.
And I don’t think he ever got a pay raise.
Sad ending for him. Last call to John I believe.
Seeing Mal smiling between hits of the anvil during that rehearsal was just unbelievable. Can you imagine? I’m playing with the Beatles! Enchanting
Loved Mal's expression when The Beatles told him to find a hammer and an anvil while they went to lunch. You could almost hear him say " where the Hell am I going to find that?" They came back from lunch and he had it all set up. Also making him go find bow ties. I think George did it just to give him grief in a loving way.
Mal is fascinating. He was VERY tall and served as a bodyguard. He was good friends with Paul, was often at his house, and was the guy who personally cleaned up Paul's messes, such as throwing out the groupies when Paul was done with them. Mal had a very strange and shady death that is never talked about.
SO I agree that he was Paul's most trusted person, but not John's. John had a bit of jealousy. Paul did not get along with Neil. I'm not sure who John's most trusted was, maybe it was Neil?
Loved how Billy Preston completely changed the whole mood in the studio. Simply amazing how bringing the right guy in can turn something so tumultuous into total harmony.
He was always known as the 5th Beatle yet he just got inducted into the RRHOF and the Fab Four are each in there twice.
One of my favorite performances of Billy’s was when he sang “My Sweet Lord”, at the Concert for George. I doubt John or Paul would have allowed another artist to record one of their songs of that caliber before they did themselves. Then again they didn’t have many of that caliber and they were both in it for the fame and fortune when George was clearly about the music first.
I agree- he shook things up and placed some space in there and then put his grooves in that space. Amazing stuff.
Yes. I want to know how much he was paid. I’m so curious
When Billy showed up and started playing it gave me goosebumps. It also lightened the mood of the room because Billy seemed to be so happy when he was playing. Really a cool sight to behold.
YES!!!! What an amazing musician Billy P was...I'd be very interested to know what/if he got paid for his contributions there!!
I'm an amateur musician in bands for 55 years. Aside from being entertaining, this documentary is a master class in 1. Band member dynamics and how to manage their impossible tangents; 2. The varied styles of both individual and collective song creation; 3. The appearance of "goofing off" and seeming uselessness of jamming that ironically is the requirement for making amazingly different neural connections and subsequently amazing songs; 4. The masterful velvet glove of a producer like George Martin (also reflected in others around the Beatles); 5. The power of one individual/instrument (Billy Preston on keys) to alter a creative direction and musical experience; 6. The amazing combination of hard work, repetition, serendipity, and luck in how professional musicians work and how so many of the folks around the stars contributed, not to mention how open to such suggestions The Fab Four were; AND 7. The power of the surrounding environment to help or hinder creativity. Jackson did at least as much for the world's musician community as he did for the Beatles' Admiration Society!
All hail Peter Jackson. A master craftsmen. He's up there with Tarantino for me, my top 2
When they were making fun of their own songs, even those freshly written, reminded me of Nirvana. Kurt Cobain, a huge Beatles fan himself, did the same to his own songs.
Thank you ----- Glad someone said it. You nailed it.
Commenting to save this gem from Don
I was amazed at how hard they worked- end of the day their eyes were dark and faces drawn!
I thought it was like being there for the painting of the Sistine Chapel. Just unbelievable to see such a work coming together, in real time. I felt for George, and laughed with John. Paul was a force of nature, and Ring was just so chill. They all seemed to be able to play everything. During the concert on the roof, I was amazed just how good a live band they were. I marveled at what charisma Paul and John had live.
McCartney’s vocals on the rooftop take 1 of I’ve got a feeling are insane ….he absolutely let’s rip ,his voice is like a chameleon he just changes to suit whatever he wants to do
so much that you could see how much Paul loved live performance
What range he has!!!!
I loved his voice.
Yes! His voice is powerful, rocking, amazing!!
“The world is richer for it.” You nailed it, Rick.
Yup, this.
Jackson has re-written the history of the end of the Beatles. I saw very little animosity. These guys were friends from the time they were 13-14 years old...they got along like longtime friends. Even Paul and Ringo have gone on record this week as saying they allowed "Let It Be" the movie, to alter their memory of the end of the band, and Jackson's film reminded them what a great time they still had together at this time. The thrill for me was to be able to actually watch the Beatles work in the studio for hours.
Yes, at first I didn't realized it was a "serious" argument between Paul and George. It's just because they were a bunch of polite, decent and very likeable people. I enjoyed the films a lot more than I thought I would.
yeah it’s probably a deep fake lol
So true, it is a rewrite in that we don't have to listen to memories or recollections . We can see it for ourselves and draw our own conclusions. Even Paul and Ringo observed it in a fresh way like we did.
so kinda like Ken Burns' 'Jazz' - sorry, hadn't seen it either.
more of a correction than a rewrite
I've never seen anything like it: Paul doesn't play the bass, he caresses it. I am/was a formally trained classical bass player and there is not a single move that Paul plays that resembles anything like what I spent years and years perfecting. It's wild! Thumb usage, flat fingers across the strings, no curvature to target notes, and much much more! We all love and know Paul and no-one knows me, so there you go. So much for technique!!!!
Leland Sklar (no slouch on the bass) has a video here on youtube explaining that the Hoffner bass was very hard to play. He said that Paul was the only one he knew who could get such a rich tone out if it and that it required a very soft touch.
Paul best bass player n rock no contest
Rick, you’ll probably never see this comment but I just wanted to compliment the way you pass on your knowledge with such joy and enthusiasm. It’s a rare privilege to witness someone who can teach and generate such excitement in his audience in today’s cynical world. You make me feel like a kid again and I feel such gratitude towards you for taking me back to the late sixties and the seventies to revisit a time I was blessed to have experienced. Thank you…thank you!!!!
I believe he has the same passion for music as I do (as many of us do), but it's knowing that he has the knowledge behind it that I appreciate. Sure, I want him to love the music and the band (I was close to naming my son Lennon), but I'm well aware that he knows way more about music theory and production than I ever will. It's that insight that is either interesting or helps bolster my appreciation for him, his opinions, and the subject. He can explain aspect of their music that I never thought of or noticed but couldn't explain. He can look at it from a more critic-centric viewpoint. He can show how music transformed under the Beatles and where the influence led to later music and the industry. We all can watch, listen, feel, and critique all we want, but it's different to have that educated, experienced, well versed view and then explain it to us!
After watching this, Paul became, by far, my most favorite Beatles. He was so mature and talented!
And only 26!
By faaaaarrrrr
Ringo said Paul was the most important member because he was their work ethic. He said "we only would have released 2 albums without him" and he said Paul was the one who was always calling them up and trying to get them into studio. You can see that in Get Back. He was a workaholic and very driven to be prolific and produce a lot of music. Some people think he's being bossy or egotistical but he's just pushing them to produce and to be great.
@@mat5473 Paul had practically the perfect mix here. At times I could see the others wanting to punch him in the head, and others you could tell that they'd be nowhere without Paul's drive.
Oh, you mean Billy.
Gotta keep in mind, that despite their young age, they were really seasoned musicians, playing their entire teenager years day in/day out in clubs, be it Liverpool or Hamburg. It's how they got all their craftmanship. You could tell, they are talented, but talent without work is not enough. And these lads worked hard! ❤
The complete package. the paying their dues / workin' the strips band, the super pop sensations , the studio magicians and the innovative band ahead of uts time. They earned every bit if their fame. They're just so talented that it looks easy. Plus they were confident enough and maybe stoned enough to let Ringo sing a few songs. and what happens? Little Help from my Friends becomes arguably the anthem of a generation or two. Wow.
Quincy Jones disagrees. And he would know.
Admirable. But isn’t that the age every band comes up with their best records
@@tarunpopu yes but most are good for two, maybe, maybe three albums. These cats just made better and better albums each time. Weezer, 2 albums, Radiohead, 2 albums, everyone else usually has just one good album or just one or two good songs on an album. "good" of course, is subjective.
@@JBiggs54442 disagrees with what, sir?
I think the movie is a master class in songwriting. A lot of it looks like play is casting off the restraints so they can access ideas. Also, in playing all these oldies, at the same time they are honing harmony and practicing their instruments. I loved how Paul was checking the writing, “flowing more freely / freer”, etc.
The most amazing thing to me was their musical arc. They began with songs like "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me", and ended with "Come Together" and "Something". And they did it in roughly 6 years. Unparalleled musical maturation.
If that's the case, the very same coud be said for The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Who, Pretty Things, The Moody Blues, for example. The Beatles certainly were not unparalleled in terms of musical maturation - they recorded Octopus's Garden and Teddy Boy, both juvenile nonsense.
@@apollomemories7399 Listen to the first Beatles album and then listen to Abbey Road. It's like two completely different bands. That degree of musical growth within that timeframe was not achieved by the bands you mentioned. I like those bands a lot, but from a writing and recording standpoint, it's not close.
@@sanddab That's hardly any kind of revelation or a big deal as there are umpteen instances of that exact same progression by a multitude of UK bands. So, by the same token, what you're saying is that you don't recognise the degree of musical growth between The Who''s 1965 'My Generation' album and their 1969 'Tommy'. That's incredible. I'm not so sure you've paid anything like enough attention to anything other than The Beatles.
Oh yeah, "from a writing and rcording standpoint" what about 'The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society' from 1969?
@@apollomemories7399 totally disagree. Firstly, they didn't officially record Teddy Boy but those songs they did record that you would probably call "juvenile" such as Octopus's Garden, Yellow Submarine, Obla-Di etc were an important part of their appeal - every song doesn't have to be deep and meaningful, some can just be fun! And none of the groups you mentioned matured musically all that much in their first 7 years of recording, not even more obvious candidates like the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan.
I had never been a Beatles fan but as a music-lover I was transfixed to this documentary. What's obvious is the love between them. I'm now a Beatles fan.
It's like the Jordan era Bulls documentary, greatness is always fascinating.
I like the Beatles enough and I like documentaries, but I imagine I could watch a documentary like this of ALMOST any band just to see the creative processes.
Welcome aboard my friend.
Welcome to the family.
@@Drewzer154 But watching the greatest band of all time creating music is sublime. Imagine if we could see The Beatles creating Revolver - that would be unsurpassed!
What's always baffled me was that from Please, Please me being released, there was 7 years, 1 month, 16 days until they released Let It Be.
Think of everything they did with those 7 years, all the styles they created, rules they broke, recording inventions.
It's mind blowing. They were beyond unique.
You have to really be cut off from what other bands were doing *before* the Beatles to think the Beatles were "creating styles, breaking rules, inventing recording techniques." They were never first as far as I know. They were superb melodists, fine lyricists, and had two excellent vocalists--and very wisely hired George Martin. These are considerable merits, but innovation wasn't in the cards for these boys.
Sgt. Pepper was the first ever concept album. They created the format that gave us Aqualung and Dark Side of the Moon .But their biggest gift to music was their journey from juvenile pop rockers to serious message bearers. How many other groups managed that kind of musical growth? If you're looking for something utterly without precedent I recommend The Shags.
@@kreek22 Being first wasn't necessarily what made them special when it came to inventing recording techniques, breaking rules etc..but they sure took what they found and put it out there and used it to its fullest potential. I think people need to understand that the Beatles were not necessarily a 60's band as much as a late 50's band that mutated by "breaking the rules" and rewriting what a band could and couldn't be through the 60's. They borrowed elements from folk, country, classical, rock-a-billy , prog rock etc...They didn't pigeon hole their music. They made it okay for other bands to follow suit, if they could. They are the bridge from Elvis to Elton John. There is no substitute.
@@mortygoldmacher "Sgt. Pepper was the first ever concept album." That must have involved a remarkable time reversal. Pet Sounds was released in 1966. And I very much doubt that even Pet Sounds was the first concept album. The rule of thumb with the Beatles is: Never First.
@@DoggieNYC "They made it okay for other bands to follow suit" I agree that they very successfully conventionalized the revolutions instituted by the vanguard bands of the 60s. No doubt this helped Elton to find his yellow brick road.
Besides George helping Ringo compose, my favorite moment is late in the film when they're arguing about whether to do the rooftop show or not. Ringo has been silent, and he suddenly says, "I want to do it." The others all turn to him in shock, is if they'd forgotten he could talk. It's just a quick funny moment that I am pleased was captured on camera.
But Ringo was always like that and all the other three respected him so much as a musician. You have to remember that back in the Hamburg days Paul, John and george thought Ringo was a better musician than they were, and he was. Then it is no surprise that they always respected his opinion and Im glad they did. The result was amazing songs with amazing drum lines, In My Life is one example, only one of many
Good points. Plus, the movie shows how he was the peacemaker, like when John and Paul figure they'd better go check on George after he's stormed off. And Ringo says, "Oh, I was already planning to do that."
I came out of this video loving Ringo a lot more even than I did after seeing Hard Day's Night. @@eduardocervantesaca
When ever Ringo spoke, they all listened. That is why Ringo played on albums by John, Paul and George as solo musicians, and them all play on his Récords. Add to that the fact that Ringo was the coolest of all when it came to dressing.
Loved it, too. What I found incredible was how insanely talented Paul was, as you saw him just come in with fairly fully developed versions of Let It Be, Long and Winding Road, Golden Slumbers, etc, on the piano. Hard to imagine folks hearing him play those songs didn’t feel immediately awestruck when he played them.
Paul was indeed the most talented in a pure way.
Paul should have just recorded those songs with Bill Preston. The rest of the Beatles were sandbagging.
I loved it when Heather McCartney was in the studio, got right in with Ringo was playing the high hat. I love the expression on heathers face when Yoko started screeching, a few minutes later got in tight with John Lennon and started screeching her self, Yoko did not look pleased.
Heather’s expression made me laugh out loud.
@@ernestcerami she could also scream on pitch! - unlike Yoko.
yeah that was very sweet seeing her interaction with all of them. everybody was completely cool, even when she's banging away on ringos hi-hat when they're playing! in time too mind you! paul seemed to have a great bond with her. Lennon's conversation with her about eating cats was hilarious.
and she sang like Yoko!! It was PRECIOUS!
and let's not forget Lennon's recipe for cat pie.
I'm only 3/4 through the first episode but what strikes me is the humanity and ordinariness of their interactions. It's just like any original songwriting situation I've ever been in. These guys were so ordinary and breathtakingly extraordinary at the same time. Seeing the genesis of some of those classic songs is a privilege. Untouchable group of musicians/songwriters.
It also made me realize what a genius on the drums Ringo really is. I like the towel on the snare sound.
I don’t know a ton about Beatle history so I never realized how in sync Lennon and McCartney were. They practically share a brain. And Paul just pouring out all these songs and lyrics like it’s nothing. WOW. Just blown away!
John put it that they would be "writing songs nose to nose."
It's kinda like a right brain met a highly compatible left brain!
@@ianbartle456 If you're referring to the theory that the right brain is the seat of logical functions and the left brain is the creative side, then no, it's nothing like that at all.
Throughout the documentary Paul wanted to play live again and you can see the pure joy on his face when they finally start playing on the roof. Such a great feel good moment!
They all really showed a different persona when they got a chance to actually perform. Paul was stoked.
@@pcatful John too eventually caught that vibe. Paul had it from the count-in but John picked up on the energy and soon the joy was shared. Less with George who I don't think was keen on being exposed to the elements. He supported the others, but he really hadn't wanted to go up at all. Ultimately it was a group triumph though - he played his part and played it well.
i admire george for standing up for himself and stating he wanted to make an album of only his songs by himself. as you said he was only 26 st the time but knew what he wanted. bravo george! 🌸
@RockMeAmadeus What did you do by the time you were 26?
@RockMeAmadeus Then you should consider making something of yourself, rather than judging arguably the most influential musicians of the last 100 years. By the time Harrison was 26, he had already released 10 large studio albums, was working on his final two with the Beatles and a solo project, had been in the band for well over a decade, was outrageously wealthy, and had already been married for several years. Don't blame being "modern" for your own short comings
All Things Must Pass stands up to any Beatles album, IMO, save for the regrettable bonus tracks of awful jamming.
"All band's break up." "Or at least they should, at some point." I love it. The Beatles are over here. Everyone else, and I mean everyone else, is over there. You are the best Rick.
The world needs to see a conversation between Rick and Paul, and preferably with Ringo too. It would be a thing of beauty and wonder. How can we make this happen soon?
Hear Hear! Yes!
True thing. They should also jam and make an album, maybe instrumental.
Rick would sell his soul for this....and me too!!!
Too much to hope for.
Sting knows Paul! Make it be Sting!
@Rick I'm going to be honest with you & say I've never been a Beatles fan but....watched the Documentary and now have a new outlook at their craft & approach.
I was wrong to ignore them for so long! 👍🏻
Great to see so many people reacting so warmly to this documentary. It’s truly a revelation!
Was looking at some reviews online and there's a handful of people who complained that the show was unnecessarily long and repetitive. I guess they aren't obsessed with the Beatles like us 😂 But I do agree that the documentary might not be friendly and digestible for new and casual Beatles fans
Everything you said, I absolutely agree. I'm not a fan of the Beatles, but since I saw the documentary, I listen to them more every day and the song "the long and wide road" filled my soul with how it began to take shape. And I was shocked when I read "and this was his last live performance." great documentary
And another thing: George turning his amp back on after the police showed up and Mal had shut it off was absolutely gangster. It was almost like “don’t f with my equipment”
Yea :) George was the closest - Mal thought he was gonna get arrested ? what a douche
Word!
It was fun to see, but I'm sure it was also a bit of, "I'm a Beatle and it's unlikely I'll be held in a jail cell for long and will probably spend the majority of my time just signing autographs."
You don't just turn off a valve amp. It needs time to cool down organically ... :-)
@@bearfoot007 I don't think anyone really cared at that point. George pretty turned it back on after roughly five seconds so I doubt it did any damage.
The thing that struck me the most about Ringo, was seeing his admiration for Paul when Paul was playing and working out songs, so lovely to see.
When you realize that McCartney came up with Get Back, Let It Be, The Long And Winding Road, and I've Got A Feeling all in the same week it really blows your mind.
We don't know if that is true. Probably isn't.
I think one of the mayor things to come from this is that not only were they a studio band ,but the best band live at that time ,as proved on the roof magical !
The moment in the first episode where Paul McCartney literally conjures Get Back out of thin air in a mixture of defiance and frustration at the lack of material they have at that point is one of the most magical things I’ve ever seen.
Also the look on George and Ringo‘s face when it slowly starts to become something it’s priceless.
However the cherry on top is when John arrives having turned up one hour late to hear the three of them already rehearsing the basics of the song that he has never heard of his life up until that point!
that was magic. almost scary how he conjures it out of nothing
It's great that they captured that moment on film, but every song ever written has started with that same moment somewhere.
I don’t believe that get back creation part paul did was totally authenticate.
and if you listen carefully the line "..to where you once belong" is sung for the first time by Ringo
I don't think Get Back just came as he sat there ... it was just the first time it was recorded
Rick. I remember when a friend of my mother's ran into our house, and in his hand was Sgt. Pepper. He said to all of us, stop what you're doing, you've got to listen to this. And we did. I love the Beatles. I miss them. They were a part of my growing up. But, since I am a musician, I appreciate their musical ability.
"Stop what you're doing, you've got to listen to this!" Gotta LOVE that!!!
It's fantastic
😀
Maybe the reason why The Beatles broke up is they stopped arguing. It just became a humdrum everyday job that had a massive burnout workload to pull off what was achieved in a few short years. The stress of achieving would have been crushing.
Wrong entirely unfortunately
Huh?@@dongvermine
@@Jonas-jr7oq that’s not the reason they broke up at all…comment was extremely ignorent.
@@dongvermine I wouldn't say it's entirely wrong tho, although it's not a 100% true either. They surely were all burnt out of being in The Beatles and especially John and George were often frustrated in the end... Idk man, hard to say these things when you're not there
I was pretty surprised how accepting everyone was of Yoko as well. Paul even says, "they just want to be around each other and who are we to say otherwise?" I thought that was pretty classy
Well, his Mrs. was sitting next to him at the time.
Slightly disagree with this take of Yoko. In the same conversation that you quote here, Paul confesses that Yoko is breaking up the band and that their wives and girlfriends should probably not be allowed in as a result. Also the way John kept asking her if she's ok and reminding her that she's on camera....none of that seemed healthy. Just my observations though...I suppose others could look at those scenes and not think much of them.
@@vanillatwice true, taking snippets and judging what others are thinking is probably not accurate. But Paul has said in other interviews somewhat the same thing that he respected John's feelings for Yoko. He also said that it was John's decision to break up the Beatles. But I think that whenever you have a group of people spending that much time together with differing styles and approaches to work, that eventually, people will move in seperate directions.
George to me was the most willing to walk away. And John seemed indecisive about what he wanted to do at the point in time of the doc. Paul and Ringo seemed to be the only ones wanting things to stay as they were.
It's a very interesting glimpse into the dynamics of the band.
Yoko’s audio was removed. As owner of the John Lennon estate she only agreed to the documentary so long as she was able to have her voice removed where she wanted.
@@vanillatwice see an above comment that Yoko had just had a miscarriage. I hadn't heard that, only that they were devastated about it and then consulted a chinese dr who told them no drugs, as well as to go on the macrobiotic diet and then conceived Sean.
I feel exactly the same as you do Rick. This is a fascinating look at the creative process with the most influential band in the world! One thing I want to highlight about the equipment is that they had no care at all about their, ‘tone’ as long as they could hear it. Plus the environment that they were working in was very crude. They didn’t even wear headphones while they were recording!
Nowadays, we guitar players are so obsessed with finding our, ‘tone’ and having the right, ‘feel’. These guys showed that none of that matters. The only thing that matters is the song. They all live to serve the song! Amazing documentary!
One of the best moments I felt was George helping Ringo get the chord progression for Octopus’s Garden.
That was so sweet, caring, and helpful! I loved seeing that too!
George was so generous he gave total song writing credit for 'It don't come easy' to Ringo even though George had a big input into it.
While I was definitely blown away by the way they worked together in the studio, I was left astounded by how good they sounded playing on the roof. Paul and Ringo were locked in like a rhythm section so tight and they hadn't played in front of people for three years at that point. They must have had the jitters...I mean you can see it when they first get up there but once they got playing they were incredible. I guess you could say that they were doing tons of live takes in the studio throughout the documentary but on the roof they had to give a performance and you could just see that all those days and days of playing in Germany for hours and hours never went away. Just listen to the groove on I've Got A Feeling. Amazing.
what I find most fascinating is the level of trust they had in each other. there is nobody ever embarrassed to improvise the most ridiculous lyrics to their song fragments and there is noone ever questioning or even asking about the sometimes very intimate lyrics that ended up in the finished songs. imagine doing this kind of work with so many people around, girlfriends, assistants, photographers. there is no judgement. what a time for music this was.
Well put. You're never as vulnerable as when you're writing song lyrics.
All four completely trusted each other. It started twelve years earlier with John and Paul growing up together with complete musical trust. It's an incredibly beautiful friendship.
@@chrisedginton6996 9/10 Proctologists would disagree with you.
Oh there’s no judgment? “George quits the band halfway through the recording session”
@@lovetacos9165 and a few days later he was back.
I binged it over the weekend and just could not take my eyes off it. Found it thoroughly enjoyable, insightful and made me understand even more deeply how talented they all are. I will say Billy Preston saved them in that session/album….everything changed when he showed up.
I’m 44. So for my entire life these classic Beatle tracks like Get Back, Let It Be, One After 909, Don’t Let Me Down, and I’ve Got A Feeling always existed. They were just there as a part of my growing up with my Mom’s album collection and on the radio. They were just always around, like the car. I never knew a world without them.
So to watch this series and put myself into that time where no one ever heard of a Let It Be album, in an era where the Beatles hadn’t yet broken up, in a time when John Lennon was still with us (I was 3 that fateful night in Dec 1980 so I do not remember it) is so captivating. Throughout watching all of this I kept telling myself “no one outside these 4 walls had ever heard these songs and here they are cultivating them from scratch. Out of thin air”.
The most enjoyable moment for me is the full rooftop concert. Where we finally see and hear the complete gig. Again, I put myself on Saville Row on Jan 31, 1969 as anyone working in that business district in a normal business day, going about my work…… when all of a sudden out of the blue you hear echoing in the distance John counting in and that now legendary driving beat intro in A to Get Back - and no one at the time had ever heard of the song. They knew it was Paul McCartney singing.
Man what a thrill it had to be for those folks down on that street that day!!
My dad was working in that area of London the day of the rooftop concert and I have a memory of seeing it on the news that evening. I was just a boy, not quite 9. My family then moved to the USA in September of 1970. Funny enough my dad also worked on the design for John Lennon’s swimming pool at his home in Weybridge a few years before then - probably around ‘65 I think. He didn’t get to meet him though!
The main things that stood out to me were:- 1) John didn't seem to be leading the group half as much as I thought he would be. He seemed not to be particularly bothered which direction they were going, or what their end goal was. It was just an opportunity to goof around and leave the group management up to Paul. He did of course massively contribute to the songwriting though of course, but I think they would have got things done a lot quicker if he wasn't goofing around so much and messing up the takes.
2) You could tell they all respected each other, but the respect between John and Paul and their songwriting partnership outshone anything else. When they were discussing something, it was almost like the other two band members didn't exist.
3) When Billy Preston came and joined in, you could see that immediately everyone got inspired to work harder giving them a new purpose to create something special, it was a joy to watch......
Goofing around was completely intrinsic to all of them as individuals and part of The Beatles, too, though. They were all Scousers and 'having a laugh' is basically intrinsic to the Scouse/Liverpool way of life. I believe it played a part in why Pete Best was let go, despite being a firm fan favourite at the time. He just didn't have the same Liverpudlian/Scouse sense of humour that the other lads had. John was the leader of the group, too so he often took the lead in that, but as far as this series goes, especially after part one was done with, [and especially following the 'secretly recorded' one on one convo with Paul] after which his whole attitude seemed to change, and to me, revert back to his former/normal role.
Did anyone else find this experience surreal: the urge to suggest the song lyrics, so common to us now, to Paul or John when they were struggling with coming up with them for their new tunes that would ultimately become emblazoned in our collective minds? It's sort of a "Get Back to the future" experience.
Yes! I would sing the upcoming part, but realize they simply haven't written it yet. So cool to see that process.
I agree. pleasantly weird. something was the biggest one for that. "attracts me like..." i've been stuck on this lyric for 6 months lads! the lyrics are so part of our culture now, it's amazing to hear versions where they weren't finished. the bit where they are trying to get sweet Loretta "martin" as well. ha!
@@hoojamaflicks Yes! Sweet Loretta “Marsh” just wasn’t going to cut it.
@@christianmani1730 When Paul sings it, it still sounds like "Loretta Modern" to me instead of "Loretta Martin," lol!
Yes! I'm literally thinking "TUSCON Arizona"...FOR some California grass" lol, like somehow they weren't going to think of it.
It was fascinating to see their creative strategy on full display. Their hyper-repetition gave them full opportunity to improvise and explore. Their continual exchange of instruments kept them fresh. And their constant humour injected love into the music. This was such a rare opportunity to see great artists at the very moment of inspiration.
all my life thinking they hated each other during the Let It Be sessions. It was such a nice thing watching them getting along, being friends. I'm so glad this came out, I've a whole different image of The Beatles now.
Well, keep in mind that the studio was their last refuge at that point. Outside the studio the band was rapidly falling apart, mainly because of Lennon’s immature and erratic behaviour.
The part the hit me the hardest is when Paul and Ringo are having a conversation with a bunch of others too, John and George aren't there, and Paul makes some comment like "no one in 50 years is going to say the Beatles broke up because Yoko sat on an amp." It's the most prophetic thing ever, a little spooky.
Loved the moment where Ringo is working on Octopus's Garden. Paul pulls Get Back out of nowhere, John helping George with the lyrics for Something, all the goofy antics. Every time, Paul would start it, and John would join in while the others laughed.
Also there was a fun moment in the first part where they are talking about how cool Billy Preston is, then later he shows up and they're like come jam with us. Then they're like how would like to be on this album? Unfortunately Billy did say much (or it wasn't captured on camera). But damn his keyboard playing added so much.
Loved the movies. I was born in 1961 in Liverpool and was brought up with them as our (local) heroes. My teens were the 70s so I was about 10 years too late to enjoy them at their height but this was fascinating. I now play and sing myself and to see the creative process in play was amazing. Every songwriter is different but there were 4 top-of-their-game writers and performers there all enjoying the process. Particularly love the exchange between George and John when George was trying to get lyrics for Something...
GH: "Something in the way she moves. Attracts me like da-da-da-da-da... Not sure what it should be there?"
JL: "Just sing anything and it'll come to you. "Attracts me like a cauliflower"
Pure joy
The thing that blew me away was how good they were when they quit screwing around. One second they're a bunch of kids hacking, the next they're the freaking Beatles. Amazing.
Yep, they were real pros at their craft.
The magic exploded when they got to the roof.
i think in some way they knew screwing around would make writing and rehearsing the songs over and over more fun, and then they could save the serious performances for later when the songs were solidifying and get good takes.
Ringo really sticks out to me as a total professional. He gets his drumming takes down first time every time. For a guy who's so unfairly received so much stick over the decades for being lucky to be in The Beatles, it really opened my eyes.
I always loved and defended Ringo, and this series really shows how good he was. Everything he played was tape ready. It's amazing.
Ringo is a genius too. To me, he saw the drums kinda like a producer sees a song, which led him to create incredibly original drum lines. Not to mention he was a perfect fit for the band... such a simple playing and yet so RAW, just like the other bandmates.
He showed nothing but a great and relaxed attitude. He just seems like a really good dude.
There was a moment where Paul stood up and demonstratively showed Ringo how he wanted a certain drum part to go, and Ringo proceeded to completely ignore him and play the same 2 and 4 backbeat for the next 5 minutes. That was the part where Ringo "spoke up." (or it could've been edited out of sequence, I suppose... nah.)
Statistically Ringo messed up the fewest takes in their recording career.
my god Rick, the way you talk about them is really lovely, i watched the documentary and listened to the records daily for almost a month and a few things that you talked i felt it too, really touching, thank you!
I'm a lifelong Beatles fan, and I'd even heard much of this material on bootlegs. But "Get Back" really captured the process of a song's evolution, and it was so cool in the film to hear a familiar song gradually emerge. Ordinary listeners aren't normally privy to the process of creation - but Peter Jackson gave it to us.
The segment where Paul is strumming on the Hofner trying to come up with an idea for a song is probably the most amazing thing in the series. Its like an artist scribbling on a piece of paper until an image comes to his mind. The evolution of the song Get Back, from Paul's manic strumming, to rough outline is genius!
That was one of my favourite moments too. You can almost hear the exact moment it went from noodling to a song.
It's like watching Michaelangelo paint the Cistene Chapel.
One more time, the story repeats itself. Another proof of why The Beatles are the greatest band of all time.
I've watched the documentary twice already. Just loved how much fun they had as they were creating history. It was fascinating how good of musicians they all were. Literally they could play musical chairs and where they sat they could play that instrument.
Watching the song “Get back” start as Paul just slamming that Hofner like a guitar, than humming the melody, than as the series went on to see the lyrics and all the rhythm and lead parts get written was absolutely spine tingling joy. I shed a tear at the awesomeness of seeing that song blossom right in front of me.
I binged the entirety of Get Back, and the fun and camaraderie that the lads had in those days, as well as the MILD bickering - made me severely miss playing in bands. I'm so glad this footage was released (and curated so well by Peter Jackson), it's a breath of fresh air when we've all been sitting for decades with the idea that the Let It Be sessions were just a horrible downer. Rick's 100% right, that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm gonna watch it all again.
I love the moment where Billy Preston first adds his performance and you got that reaction shot from Paul that basically said, without words "my god, that's perfect". :D
I was fascinated by the interaction between Lennon and McCartney as they worked through the development of a song. Get Back was a primary focus and they played it three times on the rooftop. But you mentioned Paul and John both played the piano. So did George! The sequence where he was working out Old Brown Shoe (?) was pretty amazing. And even Ringo could play the piano!
Yeah I was surprised by that too, they could all just play everything! And quite well too
When George's Les Paul "Lucy" fell over... whew, I felt that like a jump scare in a horror movie.
I too was fascinated by much of this. I was 9 in 1964 and grew with the Beatles. I sang all the lyrics and was heart broken when they broke up. Started guitar lessons in 1967 because of them and still play today (although a bit more unplugged!). I enjoyed watching you light up as you described your reaction. I felt the same way but in some ways it made me a bit melancholy. While I still get goosebumps when I listen to their music it's not likely we will ever see such a phenomenon again.
“They said what they needed to say…and the world is a better place for it”. Yes. Thank you.
I love how they resurrected "One After 909" from the old days of the band, realized it was a great rocker, and polished it into a nice number for the album. So fascinating to see their creative process in such intimate detail.
Yes - I've always loved the almost childlike joyful simplicity of that one. John gets that lovely authoritative low end growl in his baritone just like in the best of the old days. Great harmonies, really effective bass, nice solos.
Seeing the rooftop version and that point where they get to the solo and Paul just digs in and drives the band with unbridled joy! Should be required viewing for any aspiring bassist. OR if you already play bass and are starting to fall out of love with it.. watch THIS! It's one of my 4 or 5 top moments in the whole world. Are you with me??!!
@@ianbartle456 Oh, absolutely! I've been playing bass for a good while, but I NEVER get tired of blazing through this tune. Paul is one of my bass heroes, no question. Happy Holidays :-)
I think people forget that these guys were still KIDS in their mid to late 20's when this was shot...so it's totally understandable how playful they were. I LOVED this thing...and even after 6 hours, I wanted more. I literally cried when Billy Preston started playing the keyboard for the first time. I don't think a film has ever hit me as hard as that did for some reason, and I have no idea why it hit me that hard LOL.
I had the same reaction to his first keyboard riff. Peter Jackson built up so much tension of chaos and frustration, and then Billy comes in like an angel with exactly what they needed, nailing that first riff, lifting the band and us.
Same, here... I actually couldn't hold my smiles back when BP started up... so fun, and so insightful.
It was a magical moment. For me it was like "THERE it is!"
No one has mentioned that Billy Preston came within a whisker of being invited to join the Beatles. When he started playing it lit a spark in the Beatles that they'd been searching for for days, and they all cheered up and became productive. Paul said in one of those side chats "we should have him join the Beatles. Become the Fab Five"
George Harrison recorded "Something" on his 26th birthday. The tune appears on the last recorded Beatles album Abbey Road. It is amazing how young they were even at the end.
Also amazing, is how they showed glimpses of future solo endeavors - John's "Gimme Some Truth"', George's "All Things Must Pass" and Paul's "Another Day". I couldn't help but wonder how great a Beatle album with those songs would have been.
About as great as all their other albums probably lol
'Gimme some truth ' with Paul co writing .
Also completely different lyrics for the "Jealous Guy" demo. Called Road to Marrakesh? "I'm just a child of nature" Gorgeous
@@kristopherguilbault5428 yeah the lyrics and titles change. On the white album super deluxe its called child of nature. I think i prefer these lyrics to the jealous guy version tbh.
Yes Beatles would have made even better albums ... and waited until 1974 before they split.
They were incredible, just seeing how a song comes together, how it’s structured! Absolutely fascinating. Made my love for them even bigger!