Rating: 10/10

Track Amount: 10

Running Time: 38 minutes and 32 seconds

Genre: Classic Rock

Personnel: John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar), George Harrison (backing vocals, lead guitar), Ringo Starr (drums), Billy Preston (electric piano)

Producer: Sir George Martin

Recording Location: Apple Corps Headquarters rooftop, London, UK

Record Label: Apple Records

Art Direction: Unknown

Best Tracks: Don’t Let Me Down – Take 1, Get Back – Take 2, One After 909

Quick Verdict: One of the very best live performances to be recorded and filmed

The recording of this album was actually done way back on 30 January 1969. It was the final live performance of The Beatles as a group on the rooftop of Apple Corps, their own record label building. It was a short piece that was their final gig before having it shut down by the London Metropolitan Police due to noise concerns from local businesses. The main idea of this gig was to, indeed, get back to what The Beatles had not done for some years, which was to perform live and to create spontaneous music as well. It is kind of sadly ironic that The Beatles stopped touring properly back in 1966 and did not really do it again until this performance. The idea of this final live performance was indeed John Lennon’s. The band differed in their opinion of whether or not it should go ahead, but they all reluctantly agreed to do the live performance in the end. All in all, this is a live performance that is now considered legendary and which was also filmed as well, later to be released. Billy Preston also features on electric piano on this performance, who accepted The Beatles’ invitation to play with them live. There are also multiple takes of songs present, mainly from what would become their final album release in 1970, Let It Be. Nonetheless, let’s jump back in time to 1969 and hear this legendary performance, and hopefully it will be sufficiently entertaining.

1. Get Back – Take 1 launches into it with some shouting about cameras from the film producers and some chatter by the band as they get ready for this monumental piece of history. This takes a while, and the band gets into action slowly and gradually with some tuning of their instruments. They quickly launch into action, and Paul McCartney sings gloriously on this song. It sounds absolutely fantastic, and is a legendary song that really comes alive here. The whole band obviously sound a little nervous here, but they do a fantastic job of making some fantastic music, as always. It sounds extremely awesome. The Beatles proved that, after all, they could still make some truly amazing music years into their career. The infectious music, lyrics and melodies sound truly wonderful to listen to in general. The lead guitar work is sensationally great as well, with John Lennon doing the duties on this song for that. A seriously inspired and timeless song that must be heard. Paul’s screaming is absolutely divine to hear. Truly wonderful. It ends with some clapping and chatter by the band. This leads into the next song.

2. Get Back – Take 2 begins with some more chatter and leads into a beefier-sounding version of this classic song. Paul McCartney sounds more aggressive on this song, and he delivers an outstanding vocal performance. Hearing this again isn’t a bad thing at all. These four men play some special and wonderful music that sounds truly pretty and unique. Billy Preston’s efforts on the electric piano also sound really awesome. A top tune that proves that, even in 1969, as the group was falling apart, they could still hold it all together. A swampy, bluesy-sounding tune that sounds joyous and infectious. A great, great song to listen to and to enjoy in general. Very, very lovely music. Paul sounds crazy on the vocals right at the end, followed by some chatter as the band gets ready for the next delivery.

3. Don’t Let Me Down – Take 1 is a rarity by The Beatles, as it was not on any of their albums. It begins with a quick count-in and launches into a gorgeous and passionate song by the group. Paul McCartney and John Lennon sing in unison on this song, and this song is an absolute joy to listen to. A very sweet and lovely tune that really deserves to be heard more often. John’s nasal and wonderful singing is upbeat and pleasant throughout, with some aggression on the vocals in general. A great little number to add onto this live set, and it sounds like a piece of history from a simpler and better time in human history. Absolutely awesome and fine music by a group on their last legs musically. Very sweet and tender music. It wraps up with some lovely harmonies and playing by the group. Awesome. It segues straight into the next song.

4. I’ve Got A Feeling – Take 1 sounds fantastic from the start. Paul McCartney sings fantastically over the top of some crunchy and fantastic electric guitar playing with some lovely singing to match it all. This is definitely a great listen, worthy of mention in the history books about music. The whole group are absolutely fantastic in their operation, and it is sure a sweet song. Not to be missed are the rhythm section, and Ringo Starr’s drumming is perfect for this music. A magical and timeless song with some neat co-singing by John Lennon. An absolutely sensational listen in general, and a great glimpse of what made the 1960s so special musically. A mixture of fantastic music and an energetic live performance that works wonderfully. The electric guitars are driven and ecstatic-sounding by George Harrison here. It ends with some clapping and chatter by people, as the group gets ready for the next tune ahead.

5. One After 909 gets going with some preparations for the performance, and enters into a powerful and driven performance at hand. This is fantastically upbeat and lovable throughout, with a classic feel by The Beatles that sounds really wonderful and beautiful throughout. A good swampy-sounding tune about travelling abroad. Nonetheless, this is an absolutely wonderful live performance that showcases the power and beauty of The Beatles in general. The guitar solo by George Harrison on his Fender Telecaster sounds truly amazing. A very cool and wonderful song that should make one sit up and listen carefully. Very electrifying overall. Lovely music. It ends with some hilarious singing, and the band gets ready for the next song.

6. Dig A Pony begins with some loose instrumentation as the band gets ready, and they launch into a good cover of the song that they were working on at the time. Unfortunately, there is a false start here as the microphones seem to have a problem. Some chatter ensues, and the group gets started again. This eventually launches into the song at hand, which sounds really neat and great. Some lovely singing by John Lennon emerges and the group does a wonderful job of executing a song about love and getting it on. It sounds absolutely fantastic, once again. This performance does bring out the best in The Beatles, and it is a cool, catchy and cleverly delivered tune that has some really great musicianship on it. A wonderful and inspired piece of late 1960s beauty that simply works incredibly well. A nicely driven music jam that sounds really sweet and pretty. John Lennon’s singing is spot on, and the music throughout is magically inspired. A cool listen in general. A very neat tune and something that The Beatles should be proud of. It sounds warped in a good way. It ends with some neat singing to conclude with, followed by applause, and the band get ready for the next song.

7. God Save The Queen – Jam is a bit of a strange one to have on this album as a song choice. Nonetheless, it launches into a weird and strange jam that plays the British royal theme. Surprising to have on here, and very brief.

8. I’ve Got A Feeling – Take 2 launches into action with some loose instrumentation, Ringo Starr doing some neat drum fills, and Paul McCartney doing some nimble bass guitar work. This is very interesting, alongside some guitars being tuned up. It does sound very neat, and very much has the band getting into action musically. This jam eventually begins moving into action and has some nice electric guitar work by George Harrison. This song then launches into the stratosphere and sounds absolutely wonderful. A sweet and lovely song at its core, with the entire group sounding in fine form. The singing, in particular on this song, is really amazing to hear. Paul, in particular, sounds really inspired and amazing on his lead vocal on this song, and The Beatles shine brightly. Very, very cool music. John Lennon sings well on his part as well, and the group sound really fine and fantastic musically. A great live representation of the group. It finishes up with a mixture of vocals by John and Paul, sounding superb. A really great tune to listen to. Just lively and pure of spirit. Neat. It ends with some great singing by Paul McCartney.

9. Don’t Let Me Down – Take 2 has a false start and John Lennon interacting with the crowd. Soon enough, this song gets into action and sounds really great and driven throughout. A sensationally driven version of the song, once again, as The Beatles get into their groove. A really awesome tune with some powerful sounding music, glorious singing and awesome sounds by the group as well. This has a different music section with John Lennon screaming nicely into the microphone. A really joyous and pleasant listen, and this is a great live set by the group, even if they hadn’t played a live set in years. The singing is infectious and catchy, too. A truly divine song to listen to. There is a certain power in music that makes an impression for life, and this is something that should not be disregarded. Music such as this will last forever. Great song.

10. Get Back – Take 3 launches into a rough and ready jam to finalise the live performance. This is a slightly faster and more aggressive version of the song, as the band knew that their time was short for obvious reasons on the rooftop. Nonetheless, a seriously wonderful song to listen to. The electric piano solo by Billy Preston is also really cool and fantastic, too. Paul McCartney sounds really great and wonderful throughout on lead vocals. An absolutely wonderful song that deserves respect from any music fan out there. A seriously refreshing listen with a pounding and furious sting at the cops who were now on the roof at the time. Nonetheless, a killer listen overall. It ends with some cheering and applause, and John Lennon making a joke about passing the audition. The album wraps up very nicely as they pack up their gear.

This is a monumental and wonderful live performance that, yes, is not absolutely perfect. But then again, what live performance really is? However, for a group that had not played live in nearly three years at this point and who made a slice of history in the process, this is totally worth the journey, even if the London Metropolitan Police shut the gig down. It goes to show the joyous, essential and upbeat nature of The Beatles and their music. Without a doubt, you need to listen to this album. It is a genuinely awesome listen.

If you like this article, please like, share, comment and follow me on The Ultimate Music Library. Thank you, Chris Airey.