Wow - Peter Jackson's "Get Back", nearly 9 hours on the Beatles making of Let It Be album

[NewHendoLib]

On Disney Plus. I remember our teacher playing "Meet the Beatles" for our class back in 1964 (I was born in 1956) - I've loved the group ever since, became a guitar player because of wanting to emulate George Harrison (and was in some pretty bad bands as a teen!).....for a Beatles enthusiast, and for anyone who found "Let it Be" incredibly depressing that wants to see the real situation behind the recording of that album, this is a must. Yes, it is long - but watching the amazing encyclopedic knowledge of pop songs come through as the group ripped off all sorts of impromptu stuff, watching how George felt belittled by John and Paul (and watching how Paul, in general, kind of bullied things along at that time)....seeing John sing, his relationship with Yoko, seeing how great a guitar player HE was, Ringo's self effacement and charm and humor. What an amazing experience.

We are most way through part 2. In part three the entire 45 minute rooftop concert is supposedly included. Sound and video quality are amazing.

Anyone else enjoying it? What an amazing creation this is.

[femmedem]

1. Mr. Femmedem and I are enjoying it, too.

He plays in a band and has always loved the Beatles so it's an especially great experience for him, although I'm enjoying it, too.

We're not as far into it as you are--about 2/3 of the way through Part I. So far, we haven't seen Paul as bullying but as stepping into a leadership void left when Epstein died, because someone had to. I thought he was doing his best to keep people focused when they only had a few weeks to pull together an album's worth of material and a show. I did think that some of the tension may have been that he had a different creative process than they had, more hearing it in his head than finding it through noodling.

Pure magic when they are improvising or taking joy in their harmonies. I loved hearing Paul work out Let It Be on the piano while everyone else was talking about possible locations for the concert.

Maybe some people would find it a little slow-paced, but I've found every second fascinating. And the pace reflects what they went through during the rehearsal period. What a crazy amount of pressure they were under.

[NewHendoLib]

2. Yes indeed!

You made a great point about stepping into the Epstein void - Paul working out Let it Be - and Get Back (just from riffing on his bass) was pure magic. I am simply in awe of the way their brains worked. But also, on what you noted and expanding a bit - it is fascinating to see their four distinct personalities working together. Whether the differences were a strength or a weakness for them, it certainly worked.

You are going to just love it more and more and more as you get into it. No spoilers, but there are some little details that are remarkable as it all unfolds.

I am really saddened, still, that we lost John and George so young.

[bif]

3. I finished part one a couple days ago.

The amazing thing to me is just to watch Paul and John noodle around with a melody and some lyrics as they cobble a song together. And not just any song, a Beatles hit! You feel like you're there in the room with them. It's not nearly as depressing as the original movie. Lots of joking around. I know it gets a bit darker, but that's life.

Can you imagine what kind of film it would have been if Peter Jackson filmed it?

That said, I think you have to be a huge Beatlemaniac to watch the entire 9 hours. (Hand raised!)

[NewHendoLib]

4. hands raised here too!

what a joy to see so many of the songs from the great Abbey Road - and All Things Must Pass - show up being conceived/played around with on the spot!

They were so ridiculously talented!

[luvs2sing]

5. I am both fascinated and irritated.

Which pretty much describes my general feelings about The Beatles over the years.

Loved the Billy Preston stuff, love Ringo’s personality and coolness with all the insanity going on around him. I always love George and feel bad for him. Pretty much love Paul, even though he comes across heavy-handed at times. Someone had to step in. John and Yoko irritate me, always have. John reminds me of the hyperactive kid in school who could be quite endearing, but most of the time you just want to smack him. Being a band wife, I can’t imagine sitting right next to Hubster while he’s rehearsing. If I were even there, I’d be off to the side somewhere with my knitting.

Hubster is loving this, of course. He’s a huge fan. But I was only a fan up to Rubber Soul, then they lost me with all the psychedelic stuff. So, I waffle between enjoying it and being annoyed with it.

[NewHendoLib]

6. it's the great thing about art - it is just how it hits us each personally

The later stuff is my favorite, but I loved it all. Still do, even at 66, even as I now listen to lots of jazz, alternative and ambient. The Beatles I can go back to and enjoy. The Stones and Kinks and similar - not so much.

It all makes me realize I need to pick up my guitar again - it is way too dusty!

[luvs2sing]

7. Never let the guitar gather dust!

I actually enjoy most rock music more now than back in the day. I’m a couple years younger than you, and I liked early Beatles and Dave Clark Five, but hated the rest of the British stuff. I listened mostly to soul and country during my childhood and teen years. I actually like The Stones and Kinks now. Hubster and I also listen mostly to jazz these days. We’ve been heavily into bebop for a while now.

[NewHendoLib]

8. Kind of Blue!!!

Davis and Coltrane are often playing on our Alexa.

Also hugely into ECM label jazz

[luvs2sing]

9. Yes, here, too!

[bif]

10. Another huge ECM fan

From when the label launched! Just about everything they've put out has been outstanding.

[NewHendoLib]

11. I had the first 200 or so in vinyl, hundreds more on CD.

Sold all the vinyl when we moved a few years ago, and most of the CDs. We stream now on Alexa.

Saw Metheny 20 times live over the years...Garbarek too. Stanko my current fave, and Carla Bley trio.

[bif]

12. Manfred Eicher is such a genius

He can sure pick the talent, that's for sure.

[NewHendoLib]

13. So sad we finished it - wanted it to keep going on and on and...

the rooftop concert - what an absolutely thrilling end.

Loved every second of it. Well worth the time and occasional patience to be there and watch the "creative process" of conceiving an album of songs over just a few weeks.

What musical geniuses they were