New Beatles "Let It Be" Due - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 01-30-2003, 02:38 PM

This is old news, but it has some new information.

New Beatles "Let It Be" Due

Apple Records to release a stripped-down version of the 1970 LP

By John Harris
Rolling Stone

The Beatles' Apple Records is planning a new version of Let It Be, the 1970 album that was released as the group's swan song, for the fall. Though the album will feature the same track listing as the original, the music it contains has been stripped of the orchestration that was added by legendary producer Phil Spector -- thus restoring Paul McCartney's "back to basics" concept that originally underpinned the project.

"It's the de-Spectorized version," says Ringo Starr. "Same tracks, same people. I was listening to it recently, and it was really great. I've been away from it a long time too. It fills my heart with joy to hear that band that I was a member of. They were just great. And also, the quietness of the tracks: It's a beautiful CD."

Most of the Let It Be material was recorded in early 1969 for an album and movie originally to be called Get Back. Though the project was intended to showcase the Beatles' returning to their roots as a four-piece rock band, it instead captured the band in the throes of its breakup. The album was temporarily abandoned, and the film, retitled Let It Be, was released the following year.

At John Lennon's insistence, Spector was later brought in to compile an album from the hundreds of hours of tape. However, his work, undertaken after the group had effectively split, has always been a source of massive irritation to Paul McCartney, who took particular exception to the string arrangement on his composition "The Long and Winding Road."

"Paul was always totally opposed to Phil," says Starr. "I told him on the phone [recently], 'You're bloody right again: It sounds great without Phil.' Which it does. Now we'll have to put up with him telling us over and over again, 'I told you.'"

Starr also says that George Harrison approved the release the stripped-down version of Let It Be before his death in 2001. The project has been underway for at least two years, and it instigated the recovery of the missing Let It Be audio reels by police in the Netherlands on January 10th.

Along with Starr and McCartney, another figure who will welcome the Let It Be reissue is veteran British producer Glyn Johns, who engineered the original sessions. "My version of [the song] 'Get Back' actually was released fairly quickly as a single," he says. "And my version of [the song] 'Let It Be' was also released, before Phil Spector puked all over it. And I hope you quote me on that. If you hear 'The Long and Winding Road' without all that schlock on it, it's fabulous just like it is."

The Let It Be movie will be released on DVD to accompany the new CD, although it's currently unclear whether any unreleased footage will be included. Fans can also look forward to the summer DVD release of the 1996 The Beatles Anthology documentary -- replete with unseen interview material, much of it drawing on the one occasion when McCartney, Harrison and Starr were interviewed together.

(January 29, 2003)

AKA · 01-30-2003, 03:06 PM

My opinion - if one wants to hear the non-"Spectorized" version of "The Long And Road," one needn't look any further than "The Beatles Anthology 3." And I also can't help but think this release goes against John's wishes, especially considering what he has said about the non-polished tracks in the past.

But it will be great to hear the Glyn Johns versions of the rest of these tracks in non-bootleg form. I just wish that instead of going with the "Let It Be" order (kind of a cop-out), they'd go with the original "Get Back" tracklisting:

1. One After 909
2. Rocker
3. Save The Last Dance For Me
4. Don't Let Me Down
5. Dig A Pony
6. I've Got A Feeling
7. Get Back
8. For You Blue
9. Teddy Boy
10. Two Of Us
11. Maggie Mae
12. Dig It
13. Let It Be
14. The Long And Winding Road
15. Get Back (reprise)

And even though "I Me Mine" was recorded a year after the "Get Back" sessions (and thus wasn't included as part of the original proposed album), maybe they can mix the track in there somewhere.

laceyinthesky · 01-30-2003, 11:48 PM

I don't know how anyone could possibly make "The Long and Winding Road" sound good without tossing the music and writing a new one using the same lyrics, but I guess I'll give it a listen when it comes out.

AKA · 01-30-2003, 11:53 PM

Lacey,

Listen to "The Long And Winding Road" on Anthology 3. It's the exact recording used on the album, but without the overdubs. I think it makes it much better. The song used to bore me to tears before I heard the stripped-down version.

I felt the same way about "The Fool On The Hill" until I heard it in mono.

laceyinthesky · 01-31-2003, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA
Lacey,

Listen to "The Long And Winding Road" on Anthology 3. It's the exact recording used on the album, but without the overdubs. I think it makes it much better. The song used to bore me to tears before I heard the stripped-down version.

I felt the same way about "The Fool On The Hill" until I heard it in mono.

Yeah I've heard the version on the Anthology, but I still don't like it. I've never been fond of that song. It's probably my least favorite Beatles song ever.

Penny Lane · 02-01-2003, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by laceyinthesky

Yeah I've heard the version on the Anthology, but I still don't like it. I've never been fond of that song. It's probably my least favorite Beatles song ever.

Although it is a very beautiful song I thought it kind of boring ! I'm looking forward to this latest release. Sounds interesting!

Ian · 02-01-2003, 06:17 PM

OT: Hey Lacey, nice avatar!

I look forward to its release, should be interesting.

laceyinthesky · 02-01-2003, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JOHN LENNON LIVES
OT: Hey Lacey, nice avatar!

I look forward to its release, should be interesting.

thankyou!

01-30-2003, 02:38 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	New Beatles "Let It Be" Due This is old news, but it has some new information. New Beatles "Let It Be" Due Apple Records to release a stripped-down version of the 1970 LP By John Harris Rolling Stone The Beatles' Apple Records is planning a new version of Let It Be, the 1970 album that was released as the group's swan song, for the fall. Though the album will feature the same track listing as the original, the music it contains has been stripped of the orchestration that was added by legendary producer Phil Spector -- thus restoring Paul McCartney's "back to basics" concept that originally underpinned the project. "It's the de-Spectorized version," says Ringo Starr. "Same tracks, same people. I was listening to it recently, and it was really great. I've been away from it a long time too. It fills my heart with joy to hear that band that I was a member of. They were just great. And also, the quietness of the tracks: It's a beautiful CD." Most of the Let It Be material was recorded in early 1969 for an album and movie originally to be called Get Back. Though the project was intended to showcase the Beatles' returning to their roots as a four-piece rock band, it instead captured the band in the throes of its breakup. The album was temporarily abandoned, and the film, retitled Let It Be, was released the following year. At John Lennon's insistence, Spector was later brought in to compile an album from the hundreds of hours of tape. However, his work, undertaken after the group had effectively split, has always been a source of massive irritation to Paul McCartney, who took particular exception to the string arrangement on his composition "The Long and Winding Road." "Paul was always totally opposed to Phil," says Starr. "I told him on the phone [recently], 'You're bloody right again: It sounds great without Phil.' Which it does. Now we'll have to put up with him telling us over and over again, 'I told you.'" Starr also says that George Harrison approved the release the stripped-down version of Let It Be before his death in 2001. The project has been underway for at least two years, and it instigated the recovery of the missing Let It Be audio reels by police in the Netherlands on January 10th. Along with Starr and McCartney, another figure who will welcome the Let It Be reissue is veteran British producer Glyn Johns, who engineered the original sessions. "My version of [the song] 'Get Back' actually was released fairly quickly as a single," he says. "And my version of [the song] 'Let It Be' was also released, before Phil Spector puked all over it. And I hope you quote me on that. If you hear 'The Long and Winding Road' without all that schlock on it, it's fabulous just like it is." The Let It Be movie will be released on DVD to accompany the new CD, although it's currently unclear whether any unreleased footage will be included. Fans can also look forward to the summer DVD release of the 1996 The Beatles Anthology documentary -- replete with unseen interview material, much of it drawing on the one occasion when McCartney, Harrison and Starr were interviewed together. (January 29, 2003)
	Last edited by AKA; 01-30-2003 at 03:29 PM.

01-30-2003, 03:06 PM	#2
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	My opinion - if one wants to hear the non-"Spectorized" version of "The Long And Road," one needn't look any further than "The Beatles Anthology 3." And I also can't help but think this release goes against John's wishes, especially considering what he has said about the non-polished tracks in the past. But it will be great to hear the Glyn Johns versions of the rest of these tracks in non-bootleg form. I just wish that instead of going with the "Let It Be" order (kind of a cop-out), they'd go with the original "Get Back" tracklisting: 1. One After 909 2. Rocker 3. Save The Last Dance For Me 4. Don't Let Me Down 5. Dig A Pony 6. I've Got A Feeling 7. Get Back 8. For You Blue 9. Teddy Boy 10. Two Of Us 11. Maggie Mae 12. Dig It 13. Let It Be 14. The Long And Winding Road 15. Get Back (reprise) And even though "I Me Mine" was recorded a year after the "Get Back" sessions (and thus wasn't included as part of the original proposed album), maybe they can mix the track in there somewhere.

01-30-2003, 11:48 PM	#3
laceyinthesky Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 13, 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,906	I don't know how anyone could possibly make "The Long and Winding Road" sound good without tossing the music and writing a new one using the same lyrics, but I guess I'll give it a listen when it comes out.

01-30-2003, 11:53 PM	#4
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Lacey, Listen to "The Long And Winding Road" on Anthology 3. It's the exact recording used on the album, but without the overdubs. I think it makes it much better. The song used to bore me to tears before I heard the stripped-down version. I felt the same way about "The Fool On The Hill" until I heard it in mono.

02-01-2003, 06:17 PM	#7
Ian Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2000 Posts: 1,235	OT: Hey Lacey, nice avatar! I look forward to its release, should be interesting.