An insider’s look into the creative process

I just finished reading the accompanying book to the documentary “The Beatles: Get Back” that was produced in 2021, directed and produced by Peter Jackson. 

The book is told in The Beatles’ own words and is illustrated with hundreds of previously unpublished images of various and sometimes variable quality, including photos by Ethan A. Russell and Linda McCartney. 

It covers the making in early 1969 of the Beatles' 1970 album Let It Be (which initially had the working title of Get Back) and some of Abbey Road, and is made from unused footage and audio material originally recorded by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. 

I haven’t seen the very long docu-series (8 hours) that was broadcast on Apple TV that I don’t subscribe to, but eventually would love to watch. 

In it it shows the rather laborious creative of process of making songs and, with it, the strange way creativity works in spite of the best efforts, will and cooperation of people inside and outside. It short, creativity can’t be managed well. 

More than anything else, it shows that in spite of what we’ve been told over and over, the tensions between the “Fab Four” were largely overshadowed by an upbeat atmosphere coming from all members and this is heartwarming. 

The photo-album book is only too heavy to ready comfortably, but a treasure to a Beatles fan like me!