Born in 1994, never been interested in the Beatles despite the fame. Tonight I've been listening to this new 2021 mix of Let It Be trough Tidal, and man what a journey! Feels like I heard them for the first time. Not just the notes, but their energy, passion and mixing ideas. Instruments separation, voice clarity, and the tonality of the assemble.. How can this possibly be 51 years old?
@@keplermission4947 "How can this possibly be 51 years old?" is just an expression. Yet, you literally took it literally! (And I was just redundant. Repeat-- redundant.)
Steve, in 1970, I was 13 years old. I had a small reel to reel tape recorder that my older brother gave me, and I would record music off the radio all the time. When I heard that KTSA radio was going to have a "Big T Exclusively" which was The Beatles new album "Get Back, I set up my recorder and recorded as much as I could of the new album. I still have that tape and listened to it about a month ago. So I can say, without a doubt, that the "Get Back" CD that is included in the box set is not the original "Get Back" album that they were going to release in 1969-70. It is close, the closest they have ever gotten, but not the Glyn John's original. For one thing, "Maggie Mae" was not on the original configuration of the album, for another, they cleaned the feedback that was heard in the original "Teddy Boy" mix. I know that there are four different compilations of the Glyn John "Get Back", and with this one it makes five, but it is not as Glyn John mastered it. I actually do have a copy of the original "Get Back" that I heard on the radio. After many years of looking for it, I found a bootleg copy of it on CD about 20 or so years ago, and I can compare it to the recording I made in 1969-70, and can verify it is the original. But I do love the sound of the one on the new release. Just thought you'd like to know. Thanks for the review.
Thank you for reminding me about this 2021 mix, which is now out on Tidal. I consider Ringo’s high hat on Let It Be to be one of the most beautiful percussion sounds ever recorded. It sounds phenomenal on this mix.
Great to see your enthusiasm for this album. Brought back memories of buying Beatles music (albums and 45s) in the 60s as they were released and how we all got worked up waiting for release day. We'd then buy the new piece, go home and play the hell out of it, which is why many of us still know the words to their songs by heart 50+ years later.
Thank you Steve! I love your enthusiasm. I raced to my local record store and bought the LP yesterday. I’m thoroughly enjoying it. To me, the Beatles music is timeless. It always amazes me about how innovative the Beatles were given the state of recording equipment in the 1960s. I’ll be listening to these outtakes for years to come.
As a 30+ year audiophile I appreciate your honest assessment. The fact that you said the new version blows away your 1970 vinyl pressing is to me, mind blowing. All too often we hear that digital sounds digital and that vinyl is the way to go. I bought the download from HD Tracks but your review has me thinking about by buying the 6 disc set. Thank you for an in-depth and heartfelt review!
Great review Steve , thank you. Your quote : “What a body of work The BeaTles created …”, & here’s what blows me away when I think of of that is the fact that when they broke up they were still in their twenties !!!! When I let that sink in, all of those incredible songs they created they did while they were in their twenties ! It’s absolutely mind boggling.
I am sooo glad to know that through all your 'audiophilia', you are a true Beatles' fan! The only thing missing from this excellent box set is: 'You Know My Name Look Up The Number'!
I bounced around on it on Spotify last night in the studio, through my ATC monitors. It sounded fabulous. It was so much fun, as it brought back vivid memories of listening to the songs for the first time when the album came out, at my friend Eric's house. Funniest part was listening to them talk about whether they were going to get sauce with the cauliflower that was part of the catered meal being brought in for supper.
@@keplermission4947 My ATC SCM 25A studio monitors are only a year or so old, so they must not be the ones you're referring to. But the songs sounded fabulous through them. I've been playing parts of the new album this morning (again, via Spotify) through my Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3s on my home stereo, as I do chores around the house. It's a little different sound, less detailed, and more "orchestral," I guess I'd say. But so much fun to listen to, especially with memory bringing back the emotions of being a teenager and trying to figure out, on my pawn-shop guitar, exactly how they were playing things.
@@orwhat24 - Thanks, it's a photo of my '68 hardtail, which I subsequently made a nice (and fun) living with, having saved up all the money I had at the time, to buy it for $210. (I had to come back to the music store the next month to buy the case)
@@StephenSpelman Yeah you should have gone to another store to buy the case, might have found a better one. There's a natural Law that says we'll always find a better price and a better product elsewhere, once we bought something else. Yet if you check every store first, they don't have anything as good as you bought. These better items always seem to turn up after the sale, maybe rich people go around buying better instead of just seeing it everywhere. Rich people I found never had the best stuff so you know? Maybe some people are just luckier?
Nice job. Your enthusiasm for the Beatles is great. I’ll get the LP to start. I was recently listening to the Beatles 62-66 red double album and really impressed how much better they sound than the copy I bought in the late 70’s. Recommend it “highly”. No one can touch the Beatles still.
Yes, I'm a bass player and I would have loved to play with Ringo. He isn't a virtuoso, he is creative and musical which is much better and much more importantant to crafting a song. Ringo rocks!
Try to imagine the beatles songs without Ringo’s signature chops & fills, I find that hard to imagine & if more drummers were like Ringo, there wouldn’t be a need for those annoying click tracks
@@glenlapwing8468 I can't imagine that. Ringo's drum parts are as iconic as the guitar riffs and vocal harmonies. It was really a magical chemistry between those four lads.
Love this short-form review of this iconic album. Also enjoy hearing about how it moved you when it came out 50 years ago. I still remember almost all the lyrics. No one home right now, so I am singing out loud. Thanks ever so much Steve, John, Paul, George and Ringo and Billy Preston too!!!!
I got the vinyl deluxe set and have just listened remixed original and part of the Glyn Johns version. I’ll get the deluxe CD box set later as I want the Blu-ray version. Some of it I really like, some not so much. A lot of guitar on "Dig A Pony" that’s been subdued too much for my taste. Remember well my friend's mom buying "Let It Be" for him the day it was released and we listened to it a couple of times that day. Later his mom took us and his little brother to our local pizza joint where they had a jukebox with the single "Let It Be" in it. Naturally we played it only to discover the guitar solo we loved…gone. Anyways great memories for an eight year old. Oh btw, I got a Ortofon 2M blue cartridge, really loving it so far.
The HDTRACKS version (which is pretty cheap) is all hi-res and has spectacular sound to my ears. No need for fussing with a blu-ray disc and player to get this nice hi-res sound (as mentioned at 9:00). And a good DAC will produce much better sound than the mid-fi Oppo player. This Let It Be release has awesome music and awesome sound quality and I love it. It deserves to be heard in hi-res.
I also worked in a movie theater in 1970 when "Let It Be" was released, but as an usher. Our theater was only open on weekends (two shows per night), so I "only" got to see the movie six times. Absolutely magical!
Thanks for reminding me how awesome the Beatles were! (and their music still is!) Listening to the MQA version via Tidal right now... Massive goosebumps... And a (renewed) revelation on how influential the Beatles were on bands that followed in their footsteps... Listening to 'Across The Universe' for instance, makes me wonder if Blur would have come to existance if it wouldn't have been for this album/song...
I was not a Beatles fan back in the day... but as I aged, I found that I appreciated the craft of their work more and more. Now, in my 60s, I want to have their material in my library. So this video, Steve, is timely and I'll use it as a guide to adding the 50th Anniversary recordings to my collection. Point of fact, I believe that HDTracks has the 96/24 digital versions for sale. I use flac/alac format on my system (Apple), so this will work for me. Thanks Steve!
2 Of Glyn Johns "Get Back" mixes have been available in Bootleg form in excellent sound for decades! Any Beatles fan have had most of these songs on Bootlegs for decades starting with "Sweet Apple Trax" back in 1976.
When one is this excited about a piece of music, all the fancy electronics and the exotic speakers tend to fade into the background, and left is just great music that will sound great on whatever equipment you use.
This album has always been considered the “black sheep” of the Beatles albums and unfairly so. I have always recognized its merits and have always loved the “unfinished “ and “rough” character, feel, and atmosphere of the album, the very thing that draws the ire of fans and critics alike. Yes, this album isn’t the polished extravaganza that Sgt. Pepper and Abbey Road and Revolver are, but that’s where its charm lies. I love that very aspect of it, that unfinished, work-in-progress, rough feel the album has. An underrated and often unfairly maligned album.
Just my two cents here-love to hear the original winding road since you mentioned it-Paul said he was not thrilled with the Phil Spector touches-changed the feeling or vibe it originally had
It's funny you should say this. As I said on a previous comment, around 20 years ago, I did find a bootleg copy the original Glyn Johns "Get Back" on CD in a used CD shop, and it includes the rooftop concert from the "Let It Be" movie. It also had the same cover as the new release, almost identical. I have enjoyed that CD for many years. But the new one does have better sound quality.
I was never super into The Beatles but I have heard their “talking between songs” and outtakes and I think it’s awesome. Why don’t other bands (not watching Metallica, thanks) do this?
Octopus' Garden really stood out to me as a child, hence I always seem to have a high regard for Ringo in terms of songwriting when placed up against John and Paul. The notion of being "under the sea" and "under the shade", was for me like draping the sheets over my head while in bed and pretending to man a space-ship. It was the act of removing one's self from the world using your imagination. That's why I also adore Yellow Submarine so much, too !!
A word about how Let It Be Naked fits in to the new package would have been interesting. Interestingly, it also has a different set list order than the original.
While the rehearsals (which were recorded in mono on Nagra tape machines) took place on a soundstage at Twickenham Studio in early January, the recording of this album took place at Apple Studio ( on eight track tape in the basement of the Apple Building on Saville Row). The tracks performed on the building’s roof were also recorded in that basement studio thanks to cables running down the staircase.
Hi there, Love your enthusiasm. I am as enthusiastic as you are. I think what the world needs now is the Beatles Let it Be/Get Back event. Thank the Lord for music... for the goodness of this music. Look forward to all of the formats..... the movie and the book. A great album and will finally get the respect it so deserves. God bless and keep well, Tino
Lovely review. I've always felt Let it Be...Naked was the most overlooked and underrated of the Beatles' albums, and for many of the reasons you cite here: it restored the "Get Back" ethos of the original project. It also restored Don't Let Me Down of course, which is vital when fixing of the failures the original mess of an album. I consider Naked to be my canonical version of LiB. I don't think Naked is part of this new release, but I kinda feel it should be in there. An important document of the entire GB/LiB project(s).
Hey Steve. I have one right up your alley. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on the Glyn John's mix of "Get Back. Basically the complete roof top concert and some radio promos for The Beatles Get Back album, and it actually sounds really good.
I've always loved the album since I've started to listen to the Beatles but after the Remixed Version... I can't stop listening to it. Three or four times a day! I came to the point where I'm not angry anymore about Maggie Mae and Dig it being on the album instead of Don't let me down. Every song is pure and raw magic. And finally we have the original Get Back Cover. Can't wait for Peter Jacksons Version. Thanks for the review!
Man I can't wait till they give earlier records (at least the ones where it's technically possible) the same tratment, imagine a Revolver 5.1 remix or a proper stereo mix of Rubber Soul
@@fredericmorris2931 I don't have the means to actually play vinyl at all, but I've heard the mono mixes as well, and I agree, they are my preferres option for their early stuff. I just thought having a proper stereo mix of some albums (especially Rubber Soul) would be neat
Alternatively, bluray HiRes releases of the original mixes would be nice, but just a rescan, not a remaster so that we can hear the tapes as they are, it's been done before with other artists, either option would be a nice finish to these anniversary projects
Three #1 million dollar selling singles from the album, and arguably another two potential #1 singles if they had been released as singles, Across The Universe and Don't Let Me Down, wow!
Many think that Let it Be was the last album The Beatles recorded...it is not, Abbey Road is their last album, it was just released ahead of Let it Be. It's a very interesting story.
I heard the whole pre-release Glyn Johns "Get Back" in August, 1969. I always remembered the version of "Teddy Boy" into which John interjects the square dance calls.
I too heard it then, and recorded some of it. Did you notice they removed the feedback that was on "Teddy Boy" in the original, that Glyn Johns left there on purpose because he was trying to stay true to the original idea of showing "The Beatles in their raw state.
@@jnagarya519 In reading about the Get Back album, I've read that The Beatles rejected the first version of the Glyn John's lp because it sounded amateurish, with feedback, and the talking between the tracks, and would make them look bad. But anyway, I do love the new cd, and am very happy with it.
I remover buying compact cassette of Let it be in 1970 - only time I bought original Beatles album it came out. I have got all deluxe box set of Beatles albums but this is the best version yet - it is so good that I bought both cd and vinyl deluxe box sets of Let it be. I think best 5.1 mix is DTS mix - for once Dolby Atmos was not spectacular. This album includes lots of songs where the Beatles share lead vocals.
I had the original film on laserdisc about this album. I'm looking forward to the new mega-documentary. I definitely need to get this lp set, because I loved the original release of Let It Be! Thanks, Steve!
The sound is incredible. I compared the 24-bit to the 2009 and it blew them away, you can especially hear the difference in 5.1 which is very immersing. Was the early pressing you have a Columbia release? They're notoriously bad pressings from what I've heard. I think they only finished the album after the band broke up, as I recall there were 3 songs they had to complete without John.
Cant wait to see Jacksons 3 part series. Apparently its on Disney. Lost my appeal for that lot when Walt died. But now, Well, I'm gonna subscribe.If there's an LP release of this as well, I'm in.
The original way I heard the Beatles, 1965 through 1968, was through cracking old mono speakers through loudspeakers at outdoor public pool and outdoor megaphone speakers at outdoor ice rink. Their music always takes me back to the way it once was.
Thanks for this overview. Very interesting. I have been collecting Universal Music's Pure Audio blu-rays and comparing the PCM 24/96 tracks from balanced outputs on my Panasonic UB9000 and my CD player's balanced outputs. The difference is usually subtle on my system, but the PCM 24/96 is always better.
Listening to this box set shows a different side to the Beatles. I have also been enjoying the David Crosby and CSNY anniversary releases and it strikes me how similar the raw sessions sound on both these projects. Have you done a video yet on the 'All things must pass' anniversary set ? There are early versions of all the best known tracks and (Day1, Day2 or Day 3) and they sound fantastic. The album was done in 3 days ! But so much time was spent re-recording, over-dubbing and generally messing about just like the Let It Be project.
Between the quality of the remix and the "take" version of some of the recordings ( better than the actual release imo) definitely feeling the electricity.
One correction… they didn’t record the album on a soundstage. They just filmed the rehearsals there. The album itself was recorded at the Apple studios, both in the studio and on the roof.
Steve, you owe it to yourself to pick up a vintage British pressing of ‘let it be’. I have owned & resold several different tape sourced UK Vinyl pressings over the years, all are stellar. The original 1987 CD is also very similar in tone and dynamics
Thanx for the review. For years i listen to Let it be the naked version. What is the differences between the 2 versions.? The studio recording from The long an winding road is also my favoriet.
Thanks Steve - I’m of your generation so share the fond memories of the record. Looking forward to your thoughts on the new LP. Ken Micallef shares your enthusiasm, but was not so happy with the vinyl.
Steve- nice review. I also played my original 1970 vinyl LP after watching and ordered the 2 disc reissue. The CD version is now my preference. The "wall of sound" LP version is sonically flat with poor sound stage (at least from my perspective). Disappointed the "Get Back" CD is not available standalone. Also, congrats on 200K subscribers....
I bought it and you're correct, it sounds great. Let It Be is the least important Beatles record IMO. Think of the competition with other Beatles records.
Hi i got the 1970 disc plus over here it was in a box set with the book you bought for a dollar ...yes its good too hear the remastered version but some of them tracks were never for the public i dont think so i wont pay 2oo plus pound out for it ill watch the series .. good vidio you done though
I was Thirteen when 1969 Let it Be or Get Back or whatever it was when recorded Most critics panned the Film then I hope the Get Back film will make it better.
Weird gate way for me : Maca made that comment their just a blues cover band - the Stoners - and it suddenly hit me - Get Back was better than anything by the Stoners ( subtract Mick Taylor ) . A song that's speed Punk with a Lou Reed lyric ( Walk on the Wild side . So yeah all these years later after Stoner boredom fatigue - there's this vibe psychic synchronicity around Let it Be ? And the kicker is - don't own a single Beatles record- but did see Paul live 2015 So like I said strange rabbit hole - imagine listening to the Beatles like their virtually a new band 50 years later - and that's the vibe for me . I'm all in for the rabbit hole! Can't wait ! 😊 It's also clarified my stoners addiction - Beggars and Bleed were the actual peak Stoners Albums ( subtract Mick Taylor ) ?
I caught the electricity too. It's a good vibration. Primary credit to the DeFranco Family and their song Heartbeat, It's a Lovebeat. Some secondary respect to the Beach Boys
Keen to hear your thoughts on the LP (once you get it) Steve in particular how it compares to the 24 bit version. Was the LP pressed from an original master tape or is it a digital remaster I wonder? 🤔
I would guess it would be from a digital remaster. But remember my original record from 1970 was a lot closer to the original master, and believe me it doesn’t sound that good.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Record pressing in the 1970 's was done by kids like myself at the time and we didn't really know what we doing . I remember that the older guys did the classical pressing . I'm sure that a lot of the problems back then was due to pressing .This is no longer an issue the as pressings are much better now a days . Remember most of the Beatles records were heard on a dansette so sound was not an issue as it is today .
Steve the song the long and winding road from the glyn Jones tapes or get back album is in the Beatles anthology 3 I bought the get back album on cd bootleg 20 years ago and I was happy to see the long and winding road on anthology 3 and now with the new release of get back can you imagine how I feel?
This release is fascinating... I will get it. In 2003, Paul McCartney released "Let It Be... Naked" His intention was to release something that was closer to the Beatles' original creative intent, without Phil Spector's "embellishments". It's a great alternative release. I presume this new release includes the "naked" mix. Sorry for the late comment, I've been meaning to post this!
where let it me needs to get forward where it should belong is in the form of a boxed blu ray set of ALL of the footage from the let it be sessions.if that happens i will buy it and maybe some other fans will,too.
My copy of the 5-LP box set is arriving today. I'm really looking forward to hearing the original Glyn Johns mix. If you order the new book from Target, they have a special version that comes with four lobby cards from the original movie. I do wish that the 2-CD version had included the Glyn Johns mix CD instead of outtakes/demos.
With the exception of certain spoken dialogue bits, none of the material on the 1969 "Get Back" album or the 1970 "Let It Be" album are from the Twickenham film studio. The music on "Get Back" & "Let It Be" are from the group's Apple Studios.
Steve listened to The Beatles’ album Let It Be over and over in 1970. Has anyone listened to a new album on Spotify, etc, over and over. ‘Get back’ with your thoughts.
I’m looking forward to getting this anniversary set and watching the upcoming documentary…..Does anyone know why the original Let It Be movie was unavailable for decades?
