After many years of criticism over the Phil Spector studio souped rendition of the beatles "Let It Be". George Martin, and surviving members McCartney and Starkey have released us a landmark gem. Let it be...Naked.
The album takes the glam and studio filler that Spector so greedily put in...and replaces it with the bare bones tracks...the way they wanted it to be...
The result? A surprisingly better album/
What They Did:
- Rearranged Track numbers
- Removed Tracks 'Dig It' and 'Maggie Mae'
- Replaced 'Maggie Mae' with hit song 'Don't Let Me Down'
- Stripped pre and post song chatter and noise
- Removed Orchestra tracks
- Eliminated studio static and noise
- Included a second disk entitled 'Fly On The Wall' which is a unique insight into the beatles at work in rehearsal and in the studio during January 1969.
Now you may say that what they did was grave robbery...but let me assure you...this album has improved so much on its Spector version, it surprised even me... A huge beatles fan and purist.
Tracks
1.
Get Back - With the removal of the pre song chatter, this song kicks off right away...only complaint is they end the song early and exclude the famous ending "I would like to thank you on behalf of the group, and i hope we passed the audition" Other than that, the song is remastered and amazingly produced.
2.
Dig a Pony - Pre song start up has been removed to let the song begin without the false start. A very underrated beatles song...full of many Lennon'isms of Imagery and rock and roll magic.
3.
For You Blue - Harrisons 12 bar blues contribution to the album.. Other than remixing...no changes are clearly made. Great song to bring back the bluesy side of the Beatles.
4.
The Long and Winding Road - Most surprising track on the album... All orchestra and back vocals have been removed! leaving us with the four men, playing with all their heart. McCartneys vocals really stand out and make the song much more heartwarming than before...No Orchestra to glam the song out... Very Shocking
5.
Two Of Us - Pre song shouting by Lennon has been removed (even though it was the coolest part of the song) the song is remixed and the vocals are very sharp and the drum isn't as tinny.
6.
I've Got a Feeling - No as harsh sounding as the original...this track has been softened up a bit...but is still one of the groups harder rocking songs... Great remix
7.
One After 909 - Being the first song ever written by Lennon/McCartney they decided to put this on let it be...remixed and noise reduced makes for a good Pop Song.. Nothing special but still fab.
8.
Don't Let Me Down - One of the best hit songs from the group, that was never released on an album (just like Hey Jude). A very emotional song that is sang with heart...one of the most memorable songs from the rooftop concert. Great Track to replace 'Maggie Mae' which was just filler on the original.
9.
I Me Mine - A remix and some acoustic tracks are added...a good song with some cool timings... One of Harrison's true rockers...a good space filler.
10.
Across the Universe - Original version sounded like it was being sang into a tin can...this version has been remixed to perfection, making the vocals stick out...Once again, the orchestra has been removed to really focus on the beatles playing, and lennon's heart warming vocals.
11.
Let It Be - The ultimate song. The original version to this song had a HORRID guitar solo in it that seemed so out of place. 2000's release of the beatles "#1's" album fixed the solo and made it a better song... Let It Be (2003) version adds more soothing organ and some amazingly soft backing vocals and a brand new guitar solo that isn't as good as the #1 version/single...The song is turned into more of a sad ballad than a rocker in this version. Very Very Nice touch.
All in all both versions of this album have their ups and downs.... From the original chatter to portray the bands Humour...to this versions stripped down raw recordings.
I reccommend this album to anyone who loves to hear the beatles musically and vocally... Without all the bells and whistles of say "Sgt. Peppers.." or "Magical Mystery Tour" this is a fitting piece for the near end of the group
Note: The second disk is a collection of recordings of the Let It Be rehearsals...very neat idea...and very cool!
5/5
