The Beatles January 1969

Title: Filming "Let It Be" Day 13 (Let It Be/Get Back)
Type: Feature Film
Filming Location: Apple Studios, Twickenham, England
Filming Date: January 23rd 1969
Broadcast Date: May 13th 1970 (New York); May 20th 1970 (London); November 2021 (Get Back)
Country Of Broadcast: UK/USA
Duration: 39:51 Minutes
Quality: B+
Source: "The Savile Row Sessions" (Adam Bound)
Other Sources: "The Beatles Get Back Chronicles Vol 2" (FAB Productions)

Notes: The day was focused on the development of the track "Get Back." The presence of keyboard player Billy Preston, who joined
the sessions the previous day, added new energy to the band`s work, shaping the song significantly. Ringo Starr`s drum
pattern and George Harrison`s guitar rhythm began to solidify, while John Lennon`s guitar solo and backing vocals took form.
Paul decided to simplify the structure to include just two verses, omitting an earlier third verse about "Pakistanis." Instead,
a keyboard solo from Preston and a second guitar solo from John were incorporated. These explorations brought the
arrangement closer to its final version, although the iconic coda and the "Beatles break" were still to come.

The group rehearsed "Get Back" extensively, performing 43 takes throughout the day, at least ten of which were recorded with George Martin as producer.

The sessions also marked renowned engineer, producer, and musician Alan Parsons debut as a tape operator.

Beyond "Get Back," the band dabbled in other songs, including "Oh! Darling," which would later feature on the "Abbey Road"
album, and Ringo`s "Octopus`s Garden," then a simple three-chord piano sketch. Brief, playful renditions of "Please Please Me"
in an atonal form and "Help!" in a slow swing style were also performed. Paul McCartney also attempted Eddie Cochran`s "Twenty Flight Rock," though he struggled to remember the lyrics.

Thanks to The Paul McCartney Project for the notes.