Get Back: The Unauthorized Chronicle of the Beatles' " Let It Be" Disaster
by Doug Sulpy, Ray Schweighardt
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Book Summary Information
Author: Doug Sulpy, Ray SchweighardtEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1999-01-15
ISBN: 0312199813
Number of pages: 336
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Book Reviews of Get Back: The Unauthorized Chronicle of the Beatles' " Let It Be" Disaster
Book Review: Across the Universe
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent book that is well researched. As an inveterate Beatles fan, I found it very interesting and was sorry to see a good thing come to an end. I loved the glimpse behind the Beatle curtain during rehearsals and the details of each scene of the 1969 movie, "Let it Be." The movie was released in 1970 and has since been regarded as the end of an era.
I was glad to see that there was no criticism of Yoko and I did not find her intrusive at all. In fact, her original observations added to the appeal of this work! Paul's family scenes with his wife Linda and daughter, Heather, then 6 lent a gentle touch to the movie. Paul clearly was in his element with them and seeing him so loving and natural made a good thing even better.
Over the years, Paul has been harshly criticized during this period. Instead of refusing to allow the other Beatles room under the spotlight, Paul asked John repeatedly to bring in contributions so they can collaborate. In watching the movie and reading this book, one is under the impression that John is reticent about working with Paul. Since the Beatles allowed this film to be made of them in their natural state, dispensing blame is not only harsh, but counterproductive. There is no way for anyone to know the motives and thoughts of the Beatles. Speculation is one thing, but it does seem strange to declare those speculations as Gospel truth.
In one well-known acrimonious exchange between George and Paul, George tells Paul that he'll "play [guitar] if Paul wants him to and he won't play if Paul does not want him to." Paul even said in the Beatles' "Anthology" that he was by nature a hard worker and he encouraged the other Beatles to work with him. At no time did I ever come away with the impression that Paul was doing anything other than to create music as a group.
The question of George's leaving is treated as a response to John. The tapes that cover this period are missing in action, so there is really no way to prove this point either. George has said over the years that it was friction with Paul that prompted his departure and this book does not address that fact at all.
Paul was and remains a Class Act. He is the ultimate entertainer, completely at home performing. That is all to the good. Paul has even said in more recent years that he was driven and is a workaholic. Indeed, his dedication and hard work have proved successful as did the combination of his talents along with those of his bandmates. Paul also has the ability to comport himself with dignity and aplomb which reflects well on him. Even so, there probably have been times when Paul, in less than stellar moments made decisions and behaved in ways that upset others. It is part of the human condition. People are too complex to be confined to an image or set of consistent behaviors.
Clearly, the underplayed Harrison-McCartney friction is addressed by George Harrison himself in reviewing this period. He said he would never, under any conditions be in the same band with Paul McCartney, but he had no qualms about working with John Lennon. Even in his autobiography, "I Me Mine," Harrison barely mentions his former bandmates.
Pointing fingers and saying one member is to blame and excusing another is neither accurate nor helpful. Each Beatle directly involved, in this case Harrison, Lennon and McCartney have to take owership for his own actions. Each one contributed in his own fashion to the strife and tension that was rippling through the group during this period.
Each Beatle aimed darts at one or another; John's infamous dig at Paul was "How Do You Sleep;" Paul countered John with "Too Many People;" Ringo's dig at Paul was "Back Off, Boogaloo" and George's were "Wah-Wah" and his minimal mention of Lennon and McCartney in his autobiography.
All in all, barring the subjective opinions, this is an excellent book that will provide rich detail about the Beatles' filming of "Let It Be" during January 2 - 31, 1969 and the wrapping up of the group. You will also want to read the Beatles' "Anthology" and listen to bootlegs of the "Let it Be" period. I've got a feeling, a feeling deep inside oh yeah that this is a book that will be treasured by many and the words of the Beatles continue to resound Across the Universe.
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