Let it Be, released in May 1970, was The Beatles’ final album before the group’s break-up. The Beatles Get Back is the official account of the songs created for that album. The book depicts the songwriting, recording sessions, and conversations during the project. It includes photos by Linda McCartney and Ethan A. Russell. Interest in The Beatles does not wane. Peter Jackson’s documentary film on Disney accompanies this book.
There is a special poster edition of Get Back. The poster shows a bird's eye view of The Beatles' final concert on the rooftop of their office. It is contained in an envelope at the back of the book. Priced at $45 with free shipping for US customers, the poster edition is only available on AbeBooks. The book is hardcover, 9.8 x 11.8 inches, and has a wrap-around bellyband featuring portraits of the band.
The book begins in January 1969. The Beatles are recording an album and also preparing for what they think will become a TV show. Cameras and tape recorders capture their work. They'll end the project with a concert.
They may all realize that the band will break up soon. The Beatles write, rehearse, rewrite, rehearse again, and plan their next steps over 21 days. They start working at Twickenham Film Studios and struggle to be creative. In the second section of the book, the mood lightens when they switch to the Apple building. The third section describes the rooftop concert above Saville Row on a cloudy day.
We see Yoko Ono at John Lennon’s side and Paul McCartney leading the creative process. The book includes images from the footage used in Jackson's documentary.
Hanif Kureishi, author of The Buddha of Suburbia, provides the introduction. Music writer John Harris edited the transcriptions of the conversations. He listened to more than 20 hours of sound recordings. We hear jokes, tea breaks, frustration, false starts, and moments of genius.
The chat between the band is revealing. John comments on the brilliance of Fleetwood Mac after seeing them on TV. Paul and George Harrison lament the death of their manager Brian Epstein in 1967. Harrison leaves the band for several days during the project.
The arrival of keyboard player Billy Preston is a highlight as the band warm to his presence. Surrounded by business people, they relish having another musician in the mix. The concert is also a highlight, especially when a man in the street complains that the music is too loud.
The arrival of the police, who have received complaints from neighbors, is high comedy. As concert ends, John Lennon, ever the joker, says: “I hope we passed the audition.”
Yes, John, you passed the audition.
