The Beatles January 1969

Title: Filming "Let It Be" Day 12 (Let It Be/Get Back)
Type: Feature Film
Filming Location: Apple Studios, Twickenham, England
Filming Date: January 22nd 1969
Broadcast Date: May 13th 1970 (New York); May 20th 1970 (London); November 2021 (Get Back)
Country Of Broadcast: UK/USA
Duration: 03:18 Minutes
Quality: B+
Source: "The Savile Row Sessions" (Adam Bound)
Other Sources: "The Beatles Get Back Chronicles Vol 2" (FAB Productions)

Notes: On this day, The Beatles continued the "Get Back" sessions at Apple Studios in London. This marked the second day at
their new studio and the 13th day overall for the project.The day proved pivotal, due to the arrival of a special guest, Billy
Preston, who would profoundly influence the tone of the remaining sessions.Billy Preston first met The Beatles in Hamburg in
the early 1960s. He was in London for some concert and TV appearances with Ray Charles.

George Harrison encountered him and invited him to the Beatles sessions. Preston joined the band after lunch, contributing
electric piano and keyboards. His playing immediately enhanced the sound of the sessions, particularly as the project continued
to adhere to a strict "no overdubs" rule. His presence also had an energizing effect on the group, encouraging them to play with renewed focus and enthusiasm.

For a time, the earlier tensions of the Twickenham sessions seemed a distant memory.For this session, The Beatles concentrated
their efforts on three songs: "Don`t Let Me Down," "I`ve Got A Feeling," and "Dig A Pony." Repeated rehearsals, recordings,
and playbacks of these tracks formed the core of the day`s work. Preston quickly adapted to the material, inspiring the band
to push themselves creatively. Versions of "I`ve Got A Feeling" and "Dig A Pony" from this session were released on
"Anthology 3" in 1996.A take of "Don`t Let Me Down," and different takes of "I`ve Got A Feeling," and "Dig A Pony," from this
day were also selected by engineer/producer Glyn Johns for his "Get Back" album, though the project was ultimately shelved until its release on the 2021`s "Let It Be" 50th anniversary reissue.

The band also dabbled in cover songs, far less than in the previous sessions, showing a greater focus on recording their new
songs. Attempts included Fats Domino`s "I`m Ready" (also known as "Rocker") and "Save The Last Dance For Me," both of which Glyn Johns included in the multiple iterations of his "Get Back" album.

Thanks to The Paul McCartney Project for the notes.