"Get Back" Beatles Documentary

[Clonefan32]

Anyone else take this in over Thanksgiving?

I'm about half way through and thus far I've found it interesting. More than anything else I've appreciated being able to see their creative process. For someone like me who doesn't have an ounce of creativity I'm enamored by the process of composing a song. Particularly, I loved the clip of Paul coming up with the guitar and melody for "Get Back" with about 3 minutes of messing around with his bass.

Other than that, I think the documentary has done a good job providing insight into each member's personality. Paul was clearly genius musically, but you can see how he'd become overbearing. He certainly did not appear open to much conversation beyond John. John and Ringo both appeared pretty checked out to me. As for George, he came off as a bit petulant but it's easy to see why. He was essentially ignored.

Interested to hear everyone else's take.

 

[Gorm]

I can't wait to watch it.

 

[TXCyclones]

I watched it and enjoyed it. After years of hearing about the animosity in the band it just simply didn’t show up in the way I expected. Paul & John got on great. George got mad and left but came back. You can see, at 28-ish each, they were starting to drift to their own lives. Overall, I enjoyed seeing the process.

 

[Clone up North]

We just finished Part One last night and I agree that seeing their creative process is really interesting. It’s also fascinating to see the Beatles and all the people involved in this production discuss what and where the live performance should be. I found myself anxiously waiting to see who comes up with the idea to simply do a performance on the roof. They’re talking about doing a show on a boat or in Libya, John is fixed on the idea of some clear plastic boxes and in my head I just keep thinking, “someone just suggest the roof! Please!”

 

[madguy30]

Is there a reason why Beatles stuff comes out during the Thanksgiving time?

I remember when there was a big doc in 1995 and some unreleased songs. It was really good, but was at the same time of year. Maybe it's just a time when people have a chance to view it.

Looking forward to it.

I wish there was similar footage of Jimi (or is there?).

 

[matclone]

Anyone else take this in over Thanksgiving?

Huge Beatles fan here. No. I didn't see it. I don't have Disney Plus.

I especially wanted to see the creative process, and their playing of the instruments. They were brilliant, and could create great music at the drop of a hat. I believe their being together as a band, helped foster the creativity and made the music better.

 

[beentherebefore]

I watched it and really enjoyed it. One thing that I kept thinking over and over was that "Let It Be" and "Get Back" and "The Long and Winding Road" were being created in that film. Watching each Beatle actually PLAY and SING the songs that I have been listening to since I was a little boy was simply amazing.

And they all were under 30.......

 

[WalkingCY]

Watching Paul McCartney give birth to "Get Back" is possibly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in my life.

 

[dahliaclone]

Is there a reason why Beatles stuff comes out during the Thanksgiving time?

I remember when there was a big doc in 1995 and some unreleased songs. It was really good, but was at the same time of year. Maybe it's just a time when people have a chance to view it.

Looking forward to it.

I wish there was similar footage of Jimi (or is there?).

Perfect time of year for millions to not only watch it but buy a bunch of Beatles stuff for loved ones for Christmas.

 

[Clonefan32]

Also doesn't do much for the Yoko broke up the Beatles narrative. While you can't know what was going on behind the scenes, she certainly didn't insert herself much in the musical sessions. From best I can tell she literally just sat there the entire time.

 

[HFCS]

Is there a reason why Beatles stuff comes out during the Thanksgiving time?

I remember when there was a big doc in 1995 and some unreleased songs. It was really good, but was at the same time of year. Maybe it's just a time when people have a chance to view it.

Looking forward to it.

I wish there was similar footage of Jimi (or is there?).

Hendrix family shuts down absolutely everything. Opposite of some other estates.

 

[KnappShack]

Random thoughts

-They all looked like they could use a shower.

-Yoko should never, ever be allowed near a mic

-I'm not sure what happened when they went to lunch after George took off, but the fellas were "energetic" upon their return

-The fella who played the anvil was shot and killed by the LA police a few years after this

-Paul was obviously the driving force during this period. John seems quiet

-I'm a Ringo fan now

 

[1UNI2ISU]

It makes it pretty clear that there wasn't much true animosity between them, they just all wanted different things.

Paul wanted to go back on the road and become the touring artist he was with Wings and still is but he wouldn't just come out and say it. He was also very clearly the guy in charge during all those sessions.

George wanted to spread his wings and figure out who he was as an artist. Crazy that he had 'All Things Must Pass' written at this point and was asking for Paul's help and guidance with it.

Ringo just appeared to be along for the ride. New respect for him because John or Paul would just shoot him a very vague idea and he just kind of knew what they were looking for. Will never get the respect he really deserves.

John was just.....kind of there and high as a kite while Yoko sat there opening her mail.

Also, Billy Preston was the man. Sat down with zero direction and put stuff in there like it was perfectly planned and written in.

Go out of your way to watch it. The creative process is fascinating and amazing.

 

[matclone]

Crazy that [George] had 'All Things Must Pass' written at this point and was asking for Paul's help and guidance with it.

And ultimately had to turn to others (including Ringo) to finish that music.

Ringo just appeared to be along for the ride. New respect for him because John or Paul would just shoot him a very vague idea and he just kind of knew what they were looking for. Will never get the respect he really deserves.

Ringo always seemed to fit in. Still does.

John was just.....kind of there and high as a kite while Yoko sat there opening her mail.

I'm pretty sure that was during John and Yoko's brief period of heroin addiction. But (just from watching trailers) hear him sing and play the guitar.

Also, Billy Preston was the man. Sat down with zero direction and put stuff in there like it was perfectly planned and written in.

That's the way God planned it.

 

[cyclones500]

Finished the series yesterday.

As others already noted, it’s worth watching to see the creative process, if nothing else.

Random observations (Even this is possibly tldr; I could write a full review if I had to):

* Run-time seems a little too long (even for me, a Beatles completist/enthusiast), BUT the upside of that, when it’s finished, you feel like you lived through the month along with them during the creation/recording.
* (Semi-spoiler if you haven’t seen all 3 parts) Part 1 is the most similar in tone to the doldrums of “Let it Be” (the movie), the other 2 parts show a much more positive vibe and camaraderie.
* Related: It shows some group squabbling, but several of the positive-interaction moments gave me The Feels.
* Compelling to see/hear them do songs that would end up on “Abbey Road” or their solo records. Ex: “Jealous Guy” (Lennon) had the same music, but completely different lyrics. (I was unaware he had written the music to that by late-68/early-69 - song released in ’71.)
* Road manager Mal Evans looks like a kid in a candy store while playing the anvil on “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” (footage from this also appears in “Let it Be,” but it might’ve been different shots and I don’t recall him being so giddy … haven’t seen that film in a couple of decades).

 

[cyclones500]

Additional note to my already lengthy note -> specific to the creative process, thinking how many times I've heard all these songs, watching them built from scratch or seeing the polishing process, is still fascinating -- like hearing them new all over again.

 

[Cyclones1969]

[QUOTE="cyclones500, post: 8049929, member: 9437"
* Road manager Mal Evans looks like a kid in a candy store while playing the anvil on “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” (footage from this also appears in “Let it Be,” but it might’ve been different shots and I don’t recall him being so giddy … haven’t seen that film in a couple of decades).
[/QUOTE]


every other Beatle hated that song, and were pissed at Paul for trying to make it a hit, even Ringo, who had no opinions on anything

 

[algonacy]

Am 2/3 of the way through and absolutely love it. The day 6 section of part 1 was worth it all by itself. Wow. Pretty much agree with things already written so I won't re-hash, but I will add for confirmation that everyone says John was addicted to heroin during this phase of time, so take that for what it is worth during the show. I wonder how much of that Paul innately knew and why he took such a leadership position (that he was clearly overbearing..... and usually right at the same time is a horrible dichotomy).

 

[cyclones500]

Another ramble (then I'll try to shut up for a while) - although Paul & John had begun to grow apart, it's a joy seeing them try to crack each other up (such as when they're improvising lyrics to their songs or cover tunes). (George & Ringo seem to get a kick out of it on occasion, too). ... Also amused when Paul reads excerpts from a magazine/newspaper article about the band, over the top of the others jamming. Avant-garde-ish.

 

[Frak]

Watching Paul McCartney give birth to "Get Back" is possibly one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in my life.

That was just jaw dropping to watch...knowing the song now and seeing it come together from scratch. McCartney was just a musical genius. The same way Prince and Springsteen were/are. The other guys would be screwing around and talking business and Paul would be tooling around and coming up with songs. Just amazing.

Seems to me that he had to take more of a leadership role with Lennon kind of out of it between Yoko and drugs. They probably should have let George have more input, as he was a great musician and songwriter in his own right, but when you have two of the best of all time in the band with you, it's tough to get your ideas in.

One thing that stuck out to me...Ringo says while watching Paul "I'd watch and hour TV show just of him playing piano". He's right. It was almost mesmerizing.