Let It Be
The final Beatles album was first released on 8th May, 1970, just prior to the launch of the cinema film of the same name.
Rehearsals and recording sessions for the album had taken place in January, 1969 first At Twickenham Film Studios and later in the basement and on the roof of their Apple headquarters in London’s Savile Row.
A single comprising of “Get Back” and “Don’t Let Me Down” was released in April, 1969 but as The Beatles focussed their energies on a new album mainly recorded at Abbey Road, The “Get Back” album as it was then called remained unreleased.
Once Abbey Road had been issued and the completion of the documentary film now imminent, it was noticed that rehearsals of George’s song “I Me Mine” featured prominently in the film but had not been recorded in the studio. This was remedied on 3rd January, 1970 when George, Paul and Ringo performed it without John who was in Denmark. A second single from the album, which was now titled Let It Be appeared on 6th March.
Up to now the idea behind the album had been to capture the group “live in the studio” without overdubs or effects but this changed when producer, Phil Spector was brought in to re-produce the tracks. The Long And Winding Road, which had been given a new musical arrangement featuring orchestra and choir, was released as a single in the US and other markets but not the UK and became the group’s final # 1 single.
The album reached no. 1 for a three week stay during its 59 week chart stay. In the US, the album enjoyed a four week stay at #1 during an initial chart life of 55 weeks.
Facts
Wikipedia
- Name
- Let It Be
- Type
- studio
- Artist
- The Beatles
- Released
- 8 May 1970
- Recorded
- February 1968, January 1970, and March–April 1970; Abbey Road Studios, London, United Kingdom; January 1969, Apple Studios, Savile Row
- Genre
- Rock
- Length
- 35:13
- Language
- English
- Label
- Apple
- Producer
- Phil Spector
- Reviews
- Allmusic Rated 4.5/5 link Blender Rated 2/5 link Robert Christgau (A-) link Q Rated 5/5 Rolling Stone (Negative) 1970 Rolling Stone Rated 3/5 2004
Let It Be is the twelfth and final studio album by the English rock band The Beatles. It was released on 8 May 1970 by the band's Apple Records label shortly after the group's announced breakup. Most of Let It Be was recorded in January 1969, before the recording and release of the album Abbey Road. For this reason, some critics and fans, such as Mark Lewisohn, argue that Abbey Road should really be considered the group's final album and Let It Be the penultimate. Let It Be was originally intended to be released prior to Abbey Road at some point during mid-1969 under the title Get Back but the Beatles were unhappy with this version of the album, which was mixed and compiled by Glyn Johns, and it was temporarily shelved. A new version of the album was created from the studio tapes by Phil Spector in 1970 and then finally released as Let It Be. The album acts as a soundtrack album for the 1970 motion picture of the same name, which is a documentary film of the band rehearsing and recording the album. While two songs from the sessions were released as singles prior to this album's release, "Get Back" and "Let It Be", the songs were remixed by Spector for release on this album. The rehearsals and recording sessions for the album did not run smoothly due to the increasing level of acrimony between the four Beatles. The group bickered and argued throughout the album's production. George Harrison, at one point during the rehearsals, walked out and quit the group after severely arguing with both Paul McCartney and John Lennon, only to be coaxed back some days later. The film version is famous for showcasing a number of conflicts between the group members and has frequently been referred to as a documentary intended to show the making of an album but instead showing "the break-up of a band". Critical and fan reaction to the album on its release was fairly negative. Opinion on the album today is largely divided, though most critics appear to regard Let it Be as weaker than most of the Beatles' previous works. Despite receiving a largely negative review from Rolling Stone magazine at the time of its release, the album was later ranked number 86 in the magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time in 2003. McCartney oversaw the release of Let it Be...Naked in 2003, an alternative version of the album where McCartney's personal vision replaces that of Spector.
Comments
-
Miss_McCartney on 5th Jan 13:
“Perfect”
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JohnLego on 4th Dec 12:
“Ranking Let it Be
Get Back
Two of Us
I Me Mine
Dig a Pony
One After 909
Let it Be
I've Got a Feeling
For You Blue
Long and Winding Road
Maggie Mae
Dig it” -
Fan Beatle 19 on 15th Sep 12:
“tambien tengo ese album es uno de los ultimos que estoy escuchando y es bueno, aunque los beatles ahi... estan feos”
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john lennon boy on 11th Aug 12:
“Beautiful album, but sad, because it was their last :(”
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EleeC on 23rd Jul 12:
“The other day I found the vinyl record of Let It Be! I am very happy! I spent all day talking about my great find!”
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hippypeaceguy on 11th Jun 12:
“Why can't they even try to remaster the Glyn Johns mixes of the original album, Get Back! (P.S, that's what I'm exactly trying to do!).”
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MccartneyPlus789 on 11th Oct 11:
“This album makes me depressed...”
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soapy33 on 28th Aug 11:
“sad album beacause it was ther last album”
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RingoPlaysDrums on 12th Aug 11:
“This is 100% the most spiritual album. The song that really brings it together, aside from Let It Be, is definitely Across the Universe.”
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teddy123 on 16th Jun 11:
“It would be a nice treat to rerelease the film as well as the original 'GET BACK' Glynn Johns version....although I'm already asking too much for the film to be rereleased!!!”
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Related History
Related Images
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Paul plays a lap steel guitar during the "Let It Be" sessions -
Filming of The Beatles' final public performance, on the roof of the Apple offices -
The Beatles' final public performance, on the roof of the Apple offices -
Ringo behind his drum kit during the "Let It Be" sessions -
Ringo during the "Let It Be" sessions
