what a top shelf artist / musician
IMO saved the "live" recordings from sounding flat and joyless
the electric piano is on-point
Preston was great on those songs. I got an electric piano hoping I could play a little like that, but unfortunately I lack the talent!
shareI like how George Harrison just happens to be friends with one of the best keyboardists in the world (Preston). And one of the best guitar players in the world (Clapton). Seems like he was friends with everyone, joining up with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty to form the Traveling Wilburys (who never traveled). And friends with the director of Cirque de Soleil, which led to the creation of the Beatles: Love show in Las Vegas (amazing, see it if you can).
And I like how Preston was a fan of the Beatles from early on, in their Hamburg days. And when they see him again they immediately crank out his favorite song from back then (A Taste of Honey). And how he seemed like the happiest guy in the world to finally get a chance to play with them. And then totally killing it.
good point regarding George.
he seemed to really dig/respect the artists around him
Speaking of things that came from Harrison's friendships: Harrison was also friends with the Monty Python guys, which led to him partially financing the brilliant "Life of Brian" when their original source of funds fell through. Which in turn led to the creation of Handmade Films and Harrison's second career as a film producer, the subsequent making of such classics as "A Fish Named Wanda" and "Nuns on the Run", and the British film industry not dying.
He really was a remarkable guy in his own right, and I hope Lennon and McCartney realized that at some point. They didn't, when the documentary footage was shot.
Yeah, Billy Preston was a great musician,
but so was Nickie Hopkins as a brilliant keyboard player.
I really felt for him when he came into the studio, it's pretty clear he was trying to play cool and act like he belonged, but his heart was hammering and his inner voice was screaming "OMG OMG OMG THIS WILL MAKE OR BREAK YOUR CAREER!!!!!".
And the Beatles were so casual it seemed a bit callous, but then I suppose a straight guy would rather die than have other straight guys acknowledge his insecurity.
He already had a great career.
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