Winter of Discontent - A Beatles Podcast

A bonus episode before we get into the meat and potatoes of January 10th. Here's me talking to Martin Quibell on his Pods Like Us podcast a few years back. It's an informal chat with yours truly info dumping all the way through. Enjoy it as an appetiser before the musical main course.

A brief mini episode updating you all on the story of Paul's missing 1961 Hofner Bass, how it came to be stolen and how it was eventually returned.

After spending virtually no time on George's new composition, the Beatles spend their final hour and a bit arranging Paul's Let It Be. Sure it's a great song but you may not want to hear the intro for a while after listening to this. Denis talks movies with Ringo, John asserts himself in the most hilarious way yet! Paul tries to be more collaborative and George wants an early night. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

A short seasons greeting with an additional feature left over from episode 51 and a little musical free gift www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

It's the afternoon of January 9th 1969, John is having fun, and Paul is loving it. This however, is at the expense of rehearsing George's new song. Instead what we get is a selection of the most controversial material the band ever recorded. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

Restored missing episode 18

Refreshed and buoyant after lunch the Beatles jam their way through an early version of Get Back with some controversial lyrics. George name drops The Band again, John has another go at one of his favourite compositions and Paul is reminded of a song he gave away.

January 9th 1969 - The Beatles run through more of their completed songs starting with Don't Let Me Down. John is in a joking mood, Paul is sweating the small stuff, George is too loud and Ringo is the drummer. But they end the morning upbeat before going to lunch. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

It's still January 9th 1969. The Beatles have finally begun rehearsing. They start running through the songs they know but end up spending a long period fixing some issues with the first song they try. They also discuss ways to improve the onstage sound.

It's January 9th 1969. George has a new song to show everyone. Paul and George jam on Piano and Drums respectively. John and Yoko arrive and the Daily Mirror is the main topic of discussion.

It's January 9th 1969. Paul has arrived and brought a guest with him. Mal is looking to take dictation. Ringo has changed his mind and George is late.

January 8th 1969- Paul has a couple of new songs to teach George and Ringo. Michael and Denis try to get a decision about the show. Ringo moves to Yugoslavia and George puts his foot down.

Day 5 - January 8th 1969. Rehearsals for I Me Mine conclude. Paul tries again to interest the band in The Long and Winding Road. Denis makes an appearance with some design ideas from the Art Department and Michael uses all his powers of persuasion on Ringo. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

January 8th 1969. Part 2 of 3 focussing on I Me Mine or at least the procrastination surrounding it's development. Michael almost gets buy in for the show, Paul tries to interest them all in a new song, John loses his cool and George tells a story about meeting an old friend. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

George teaches his band mates a new song. John and Yoko dance, Kevin has gone missing. And we learn what John and Yoko did in that Bag.

January 8th 1969. George shows John “I Me Mine” but there's a delay in rehearsals as they try out a new piece of equipment. George toys with using a new guitar. John auctions a painting and Paul introduces a new song.

Returning from lunch the Beatles get their teeth into Maxwell's Silver Hammer. The song begins to outstay its welcome for the first time. We also learn about an encounter from their pre fame days that's not so well known. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

January 8th 1969. It's George's turn to lead the band thru rehearsals of All Things Must Pass. Buoyed by the mornings dress rehearsal John is more active and impatient than he's been since the start of the sessions. He also brings in a New/Old song. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

January 8th 1969. The Beatles give a dress rehearsal of the songs they have so far. It's the most positive, upbeat and productive they've been so far. We also learn about a certain publishers interest in cocktails. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

Day 5 of rehearsals begins. George shows Ringo a new song. They discuss last nights TV and the origins of the song. Denis O'Dell arrives on set after a stressful morning and chats racehorses with Paul. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

This Summer I made a pilgrimage to Liverpool and recorded my observations while I was there. I visited a number of Beatles related historical sites as well as some of the city's unique buildings and monuments. This is an audio travelogue of my trip.

The finale of season 4. In the absence of any new material John runs through some old favourites, has a quick rehearsal of Don't Let Me Down and plays the acetate of unreleased Across the Universe. We explore telepathy and nonsense 40's hip speak in this one. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

January 7th 1969. It's John's turn to lead rehearsals but his indecisiveness quickly drains the energy out of the session.

January 7th 1969. After a break for lunch the Beatles return to rehearsing Maxwell's Silver Hammer with more enthusiasm than they've shown the rest of the day. www.buymeacoffee.com/Wodpod

Jan 7th 1969: After a lengthy discussion with the production crew, where the future of the project and the band were discussed, The Beatles decide to rehearse a little more before breaking for lunch. www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

January 7th 1969 - Part 2 of our two parter following a lengthy discussion between the group and the crew. This is the lowest point of the project so far with Paul and George openly discuss the break up of the Beatles. But we also learn about George's interest in existentialism from his days in Hamburg. Link: www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

January 7th 1969. John eventually arrives. Paul channels his muse and creates a number one single out of thin air. The band and some of the crew then have a discussion about the show - this is part one of a two parter on this, their lowest ebb so far in the project. It's a long one and it needs some concentration but we'll analyse everything at the end. Link: www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

It's the morning of January 7th 1969. Paul, George and Ringo arrive and as they wait for John, Paul plays through some ideas on piano. We also learn about John and Yoko's favourite restaurant. Link: www.buymeacoffee.com/wodpod

The conclusion of rehearsals on Jan. 6th 1969. It all ends on an upbeat note, Paul offers a new song to rehearse and this last hour is the most enjoyable of the day.

January 6th 1969. We're nearly at the end of today's rehearsals. Following a tortuous rehearsal of Don't Let Me Down and Two of Us, The Beatles begin work on George's All Things Must Pass. But George has another song he'd rather do.

The one with the argument. Paul steers the band through rehearsals of Two of Us having already tried everyone's patience. Tensions that were stirring during afternoon finally rise to the surface. This is the full unedited discussion which doesn't appear in this way in any of the documentaries.

Part 2 of our two-parter chronicling the evolution of the arrangement for Don't Let Me Down. Aware of the lack of time to get ready for the live show tensions rise. But in the end… whether they know it or not, a classic emerges.

Don't Let Me Down Pt.1 - The Beatles finally settle down to some serious work arranging John's song. Progress is made but it's a long laborious process, but we do get introduced to a pioneer of percussion.

The Beatles reconvene after lunch and a location scouting trip. A lengthy discussion with Yoko to the fore follows. Then the Beatles pick up instruments and still don't get any work done

Merry Christmas- here is a brief recap of the year plus an extra special feature. Just for you.

January 6th and the run up to lunch. But first The Beatles have some fun jamming and playing with some new gadgets.

January 6th 1969 - The Beatles pick up instruments and make some noise, not all of it productive. Ringo debuts a new song, Paul also has a new idea to present and John resurrects can old one.

January 6th 1969 - Paul and Ringo are eventually joined by John, Yoko and finally George. The main topic of conversation is last nights Cream show. The recording equipment arrives and we learn about a certain Greek electronics guru.

Back for Season 3. It's now January 6th 1969, Paul is the first to arrive. Michael, Glyn and possibly Tony share their opinions on a number of artists and discuss the Cream documentary aired the night before.

The finale of season two. It's tea-time January 3rd 1969 and The Beatles set about learning one more new song before finishing for the day. Paul switches to piano, George picks up a bass and Michael tries to spell out his concerns.

Jan. 3rd 1969. Work continues on All Things Must Pass. It's early evening so a glass or two is raised. And a conversation about jazz leads George to start talking about the great organist in Ray Charles' Band who'll soon become a major part of this project.

More work on All Things Must Pass, George settles on a guitar, John has a go at the drums, Paul finally gets involved and the Raelettes make an appearance.

It's late afternoon, January 3rd 1969. George is teaching the band ‘All Things Must Pass' but he's in for a shock! Paul also has his patience tested by Glyn Johns.

It's still January 3rd 1969. The Beatles work on Two of Us before lunch, adding ideas that they'd later use in another song instead. They return from lunch a little merrier, and procrastinate some more before George offers to teach them one of his songs.

Still Jan. 3rd 1968. The Beatles take a trip down memory lane, showcasing many unpublished originals; one of which is only ever performed here. George leads them astray with covers before trying to steer them back on track.

It's around midday on Jan. 3rd 1969 and The Beatles are relaxed and enjoying playing together. Now they're finally getting down to some serious rehearsal.

January 3rd - John and Yoko finally arrive. The Beatles start the session proper warming up by running through some good natured covers and parody's of their own songs. The most difficult dialogue so far to decipher; see how well I did.

It's still the morning of Jan.3 1969. George has arrived and while we wait for John the 3 Beatles amuse themselves with a copy of Beatles Monthly

It's January 3rd 1969; the second day of filming. It's a good opportunity to spend some quality time with Paul and Ringo at the Piano.

The story of Peter Sellers and the Magic Christian. We explore why this production was important to both Sellers and Starr.

We're finally at the end of the first day. George demos a new song, but instead of working on that Paul teaches the band a new tune of his own. We conclude season one with a summary of the first day - and I complain about my back