my dear pal and magno performer Al Kooper (fellow Aquarian, born just five days after moi) sent this writing and video. it's from a very special moment in our shared (that's all of us) of our shared musical pleasure and history. the beatles and billy preston and "get back", plus a few guests.... enjoy and thanks al. best, o
from al:
"Hope you all enjoy this as much as I did. The history of the song made it even more interesting.
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Here's a clip you likely have never seen. The recording of 'Get Back' for the 'Let It Be' album. In their early days, The Beatles played in clubs for hours most nights, but by 1967, they stopped touring. This single was advertised as "The Beatles as nature intended."
McCartney: "We were sitting in the studio and we made it up out of thin air... we started to write words there and then... when we finished it, we recorded it at Apple Studios and made it into a song to roller coast by."
The character "JoJo" was based on Joseph Melville See Jr., Linda McCartney's first husband. He was from Tucson, Arizona, and killed himself there in 2000.
The missing verse from Get Back: "Meanwhile back at home there's nineteen Pakistanis, Living in a council flat/Candidate for Labour tells them what the plan is/Then he tells them where its at". ("Council flat" is the British equivalent for "housing project"). Early versions include the line "I dig no Pakistanis." The song began as a commentary about immigration, telling people to "Get Back" to their own countries. It was meant to mock Britain's anti-immigrant proponents. Paul McCartney thought better of it and made the lyrics more obscure.
Paul looked at Yoko in the studio when he sang the line "get back to where you once belong." John thought he was disrespecting her. There was a rare quote by Paul that said "I don't take any notice of her. She's John's wife so I have to respect her for that, but I don't think she's the brightest of buttons. She's said some particularly daft things in her time. Her life is dedicated to putting me down but I attempt very strongly not to put her down." They eventually became friends even if it did have to be after John was murdered. Ringo was the only one who would accept Yoko in the beginning when she first came in picture, during and after The Beatles.
Billy Preston played piano and became the only guest artist to get a credit on a Beatles single - "The Beatles with Billy Preston." George Harrison had left the recording session one day and saw Preston in concert with Ray Charles. The Beatles had met Preston back in 1962 when they were both playing in Germany, but they hadn't seen each other since. Harrison asked Preston to come by the studio the next day. Having him in the studio eased the tension and made it easier for The Beatles to put personal conflicts aside and record the album.
On the clip you can briefly see a young Mick Jagger & Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones in the booth. Phil Spector was the guy with the glasses."
and thanks to jason mcphail, the trainspotting bestest sammy glick of a manager from glasgow this side of wee alan mcgee, for reminding us how great the johnny burnette rock and roll trio, rip into " honey hush".
The Underground Garage is proud to introduce another feature in our ongoing efforts at increasing the level of communication between Steven, the UG crew and you, the listener. The first DJ aboard is Andrew Loog Oldham. Andrew broadcasts on weekdays from 8-11am EST, Saturday from 4-8pm, and Sunday from 12-4pm. He started his life as a PR for early UK rock'n roll tours representing the Beatles; Chris Montez; Little Eva; Gerry & the Pacemakers; Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas ; Sam Cooke; Little Richard and the first UK visit of Bob Dylan. From 1963 to 67 he managed and produced the Rolling Stones and Marianne Faithfull. His Immediate Records gave the world important recordings by the Small Faces; John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers ; Rod Stewart; Chris Farlowe; the Nice ; P.P. Arnold; Jimmy Page; Jeff Beck; Eric Clapton; the Amen Corner; the McCoys ; the Strangeloves; the Keith Richard Aranbee Orchestra; Humble Pie. He has recorded Jimmy Cliff; Donovan; los Ratones Paranoicos; the Andrew Oldham Orchestra and Charly Garcia. He is the author of two acclaimed editions of autobiography, Stoned & 2Stoned and brings that wealth of experience daily to the very foundation of the UG. Enjoy !