On the Record, Nov. 12
By Casey Gillis on Nov. 12, 2008
By Bradford Brady and John Maron
Q: I am trying to find an unedited version of “Get Back” from the Beatles’ live rooftop performance in 1969. Does one exist?
A: One of the Beatles’ most popular songs, “Get Back,” has been released in many different versions. The Beatles began recording “Get Back” in late January 1969. Over the course of a few days they recorded many takes, some with a false ending and coda, and some without. On January 30, the band went to the rooftop of Apple Studios for an impromptu live concert and among their 10 performances, they played “Get Back” three times. The last performance was stopped when the police intervened. At the end of this performance, Paul can be heard saying, “Thanks Mo,” followed by John saying “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we passed the audition.” The commercially released versions of “Get Back” contain pieces and parts of these recordings. The version that was released as a single included a false ending and a 30-second coda. When the “Let It Be” album was released, chatter from the rooftop performance, including Paul and John giving thanks, were added to the single version and the false ending and the 30-second coda were removed. The version on “Anthology 3” is the last of the three performances on the rooftop and includes moments in which John and George’s amps were unplugged. When “Let It Be… Naked” was released in 2003, the chatter, false ending, and coda were all removed. The version that was included in the “Let It Be” film was an edited version of the first two performances from the rooftop. With all these variations, the only unedited recording of “Get Back” from the rooftop performance can be found on “Anthology 3,” although with all the interruptions from the police, it is far from being the best recording.
Q: I hear that the Pretenders have a new album out with some new musicians. Who is Chrissie Hynde playing with these days?
A: Although they have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 2005), it’s hard to believe that, with the release of “Break Up The Concrete,” the Pretenders have only recorded nine studio albums since the band burst on the music scene in 1979 with their seminal debut album. The original lineup included singer/songwriter/guitarist Chrissie Hynde, guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. Tragically, both Honeyman-Scott and Farndon succumbed to drug overdoses within 10 months of each other following the release of the band’s second album, “Pretenders II.” Chambers left the band following their third release, “Learning to Crawl,” but would later return during the mid-90s. The band’s latest release features a whole new lineup, although Chambers will serve as drummer when the band goes on tour. Joining Chrissie on “Break Up The Concrete” is her long-time bassist, Nick Wilkinson, and legendary session drummer Jim Keltner, guitarist James Walbourne, and pedal steel guitarist Eric Heywood. Keltner has played with many of rock’s deities, including John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Neil Young. Walbourne has spent time with indie-rockers the Pernice Brothers, whereas Heywood has lent his talents to Son Volt, Ray LaMontagne and Alejandro Escovedo. The album, consisting of 11 songs, was recorded in only 12 days and has a definite rockabilly edge to it.
What’s the name of that song? Where are they now? What does that lyric mean? Send questions to or visit http://www.musicontherecord.com. Brady and Maron are music writers based in Raleigh, N.C.
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