Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Everyone remembers the argument between Paul and George featured on the Let It Be film. However, those of us who have The Black Album are able to see this moment VERY differently! I wish I can find the track, but I can’t right now. I would have to sit and listen the whole thing, and anyone who owns this record, knows this is a painful experience. The track I’m referring to has the argument we’re all familiar with, but this track is longer, reveling that the “ROW” was not as big as Michael Lindsay-Hogg portrayed. The film version of this event ends when George says “Whatever it is that pleases you, I’ll do it.” The track on The Black Album is longer. After that quote, George actually says “Well why don’t we try something else then. How about Maxwell’s Silver Hammer?” Very interesting to learn this was over blown by creative editing. I suppose this didn’t really matter because the movie was released after the break up. I don’t like it though, for it portrays them to be madder at each other than they were. I know George left during these sessions, but from what I’m reading in The Beatles Diaries, the real beef was between George and John. I was surprised to learn that after George left, John insisted on keeping him out and replacing him with Eric Clapton. That proposal was immediately refused by Paul, who threatened leave himself if that happened. Interesting..

Does anyone have any other light to shed on this?

I have a copy of The Black Album, this I know. Will try to dig it out.

kennyhowes wrote:I have a copy of The Black Album, this I know. Will try to dig it out.

Ken, it's a HOLY ****!!! moment!

I seem to recall that the words exchanged in the "row" were actually published in the Get Back book (mostly pictures, but some text of the film score) that accompanied the initial release import Let It Be albums from the UK. I know I've got a copy of the book somewhere in my Beatles archives ...... I'll check.

Nobodys got anything on this huh? Darn! Maybe I should just look at the very fresh "GROOVY BEATLES PICTURES" thread! Maybe I could add the 89,648,332nd post.

"George actually says “Well why don’t we try something else then. How about Maxwell’s Silver Hammer?”

George knew how to hurt

Wolfgang

wolfgang wrote:
George knew how to hurt

He did know how to hurt! I wonder how long it took for Paul's ears to stop bleeding while workng on, Love To You, You Like Me too Much, Piggies, Whithin You Without You, Long... Long... Long..., Blue Jay Way, Think For Yourself, etc, etc, etc.....

Shall we continue? George recorded 12 solo albums we can pick apart......

Rick,

The reference to maxwell's Silver Hammer says to me that George was really making a dig at McCartney. I would love to hear the black album and the entire version. As for John and George going at it, I don't know all the specifics but by late 1970 he and John seemed to be united in their feeling towards Paul. At that time it was pretty clear that John had a friend in George.

Of course later when George's book "I, Me, Mine' came out John was deeply hurt that there was only one reference to him.

I guess at one point or another they were all pretty ****** at each other.

I don't think the movie was edited to the point that it changed the mood of the ocnversation or the attitudes of the participants.

simer4001 wrote:Rick,

The reference to maxwell's Silver Hammer says to me that George was really making a dig at McCartney. I would love to hear the black album and the entire version. As for John and George going at it, I don't know all the specifics but by late 1970 he and John seemed to be united in their feeling towards Paul. At that time it was pretty clear that John had a friend in George.

Of course later when George's book "I, Me, Mine' came out John was deeply hurt that there was only one reference to him.

I guess at one point or another they were all pretty ****** at each other.

I don't think the movie was edited to the point that it changed the mood of the ocnversation or the attitudes of the participants.

I understood your reference. Wiki has a couple of comments in its entry about the song that well relay the feelings of John and George at the time.

"John Lennon later recalled, "I hate it....He did everything to make it into a single, and it never was and it never could have been." According to Lennon, the band spent more money on that song than any other on Abbey Road, though this is contested[1] as it lacked the expensive orchestral overdubs of some of the other songs on the album. Lennon, who did not participate in the recording, derided the song at the time as a prime example of McCartney's "granny-style" writing.[4]

George Harrison described it in 1969 as "one of those instant whistle-along tunes which some people hate, and other people really like. It's a fun song, but it's kind of a drag because Maxwell keeps on destroying everyone like his girlfriend then the school teacher, and then, finally, the judge." In 1977 Harrison was more candid, describing it as "so fruity" but added "we did a good job on it". [5]

The length of time it took to record the song created tension between the Beatles.[citation needed] Paul McCartney commented: "The only arguments were about things like me spending three days on Maxwell's Silver Hammer. I remember George saying, 'You've taken three days, it's only a song.' - 'Yeah, but I want to get it right. I've got some thoughts on this one.' It was early-days Moog work and it did take a bit of time"[6]."

George was quite a bit more diplomatic than John .... and he was right, they did do a good job on it. Even if one doesn't like the song, there's no doubting the quality of the work.

hi,
what is The Black Album ?? first time I hear of it.

Zurdo wrote:hi,
what is The Black Album ?? first time I hear of it.

The Black Album was a bootleg of all out-takes of the never ending Let It Be album.

I've always thought that the 'Let It Be' sessions were actually less acrimonious than many people think. Yes, there were arguments, and yes you can see how they were going their separate ways, but there are a lot of clips where they are getting along very well and having fun.

congerz83 wrote: The Black Album was a bootleg of all out-takes of the never ending Let It Be album.

Thank you congerz83, is this Black album available anywhere?

brammy wrote:I've always thought that the 'Let It Be' sessions were actually less acrimonious than many people think. Yes, there were arguments, and yes you can see how they were going their separate ways, but there are a lot of clips where they are getting along very well and having fun.

and their playing dexterity was also excellent, take for example "Dig a Pony", "I've got a feeling", "I me Mine".

My complaint about Let it Be is the SOUND. it was/is an awful cheesy sound, why, even The Silver Beatles album sounds better!
( I also think an EXCEPTION is "I me mine" ).

Zurdo wrote:My complaint about Let it Be is the SOUND. it was/is an awful cheesy sound, ... ( I also think an EXCEPTION is "I me mine" ).

That's because it's more of an Abbey Road-type recording than a Let It Be recording. It was the last song the Threetles recorded before the Beatles broke up (John did not participate).