The Beatles Let It Be Naked...Worthy or Worthless? 

Of all the various releases on various media to emerge from the Get Back sessions, none of them feels satisfyingly official - least of all Phil Spector’s elaborate remix which, lest we forget, came out after the Beatles broke up. Let It Be Naked is the closest thing to the original brief, and it’s the version I turn to when I fancy listening to these songs. If we can allow the American version of Magical Mystery Tour to become canon and let the original EP fade into obscurity, then this album too has the ability to surpass the Specterrifying version from 33 years earlier.

I want this one on vinyl so bad.. It's a pricey one though! Had the CD for years. I'm shocked/disappointed this wasn't reissued for the recent Let Be 50th anniversary boxset. Thanks for the video Andrew!

I'm a former session player who did some production/engineering work, being at my 'peak' during the technical revolution that was the change from analogue to digital recording and related methodologies, meaning I had a solid foot in each camp. A few years ago, I was contacted by old friends at both Sony BMG and UMG to 'remix' or 'remaster' old analogue recordings from the 60s through to the early 80s for re-release as 'Best ofs' and other collections, or just straight albums re-released in a digital format from those eras. The reason I got asked was because I was known to understand both analogue and digital eras and their crossover period, whereas many younger techs and producers brought up entirely in the digital age with a fixation on compression, digital EQ and NR, did not...basically precisely because of the issues you raise in this video. It's been a very nice little earner in my semi-retirement years, and next year, I'm going to teach a few younger (in their 40s!) engineers what I know. Point is, you're right - anything recorded before say, 1981 is at the mercy of engineers and remastering producers who don't understand the nature of the source material.

Honestly, my go-to version of Let it Be is the highlights disc included in the 2 cd set that came out last year. It compiled a lot of the best material from the bigger boxset and made it into a nice collection of tracks. It feels kind of like an alternate version of the Let it Be album, even if that wasn't the intentions.

This was the first Beatles' album I ever bought, and my go-to version until the 2021 Mix came out. It's the best of the "reimagined" Beatles' albums, the second being "Yellow Submarine Songtrack"

Love this album. Bought the CD on release. Sounds great. I was even listening to it last week.

I like all three versions of the album, because it's a different listening experience... However, it's nice the alternate takes of "The Long And Winding Road" and "Let It Be" used on Naked, got another "remix" for '21. Awesome video, as always 🎶

I have said before that I would love to have your hearing. I virtually lost my hearing overnight about 4 years ago. I hear everything in mono and slightly distorted. I used to love listening to all the subtle differences on beatles tracks, but my impaired hearing has given me a strange ability to recognise the clearer beatles recordings. "Let It Be...Naked" for me is at the top of the tree. The equivalent for me anyway of your Hor Zu "Magical Mystery Tour". Wonderful video again Andrew

I bought the CD when it came out, most of it is amazing. It is my favorite over the original version The long and winding road brought tears to my eyes when I heard it clean

The cd of Let it Be Naked was my only copy of Let it Be for years, and the first version of the album I got into as a teenager. It’s the best version of the record IMO and I’m still waiting patiently for a vinyl reissue.

I consider Let It Be Naked to be the much better and authentic version of the Let It Be sessions. Apart from the order of the tracks, which I personally find more sensible, I also think the remixes are very good, although they may be a bit thin in sound. The voices are much clearer and more precise. For you Blue seems natural, bluesy because the acoustic guitar wasn't cut out. The Long and Winding Road in particular has such a beautiful sound, thanks to George's soulful Leslie guitar playing and Ringo's drums, which is a bit too much in the original version. Not to forget Billy Preston's piano playing, which gives the song another bell-like sound. His piano solo is also a blessing. Overall, the take from January 31st is much cleaner and doesn't seem as downplayed as the original. Paul's singing is also softer and more beautiful. This version shows how great these four can sound together, plus Billy Preston as a special guest on top. This doesn't need any orchestra and choir overdub. I've got a feeling sounds better in my opinion because of the mix of the two takes. John's guitar playing is more reserved in take 2 of the rooftop performance and therefore not as dirty. Paul's vocals are mostly cleaner in take 2. Because of the remix, the version sounds much more like soul. That's what I like about it. Across the universe sounds wonderful and authentic, thanks to the right speed. The atmosphere is perfect due to the Hammond organ and the tanpura. I'm sure John would have been happy with this version. N let it be, I like the mix of the two takes. This not only provides for the different guitar solo, but also for small differences in Paul's vocal part and the organ. I like Let It Be Naked much more than the original, but that's because I knew this version first, which I'm sure we all feel the same way about. Keep up your great, informative and professional videos, Andrew. I hope you might have a say in the future remixes of the Beatles albums😉

If Paul hated the added orchestrations for Long And Winding Road, then why was he doing the song that way at his concerts?

Regarding your question about the "fixing" of John's vocal for one note and another of John's guitar fretting on this album vs. not employing this technique of the "Let It Be" remaster is easily explained. "Let It Be Naked" was a complete remix, while "Let It Be" was only a remaster. In a remix, each track is pulled apart, EQed and mixed individually before putting it all back together, while remastering involved using finished full mixes and does not go back to each individual track. Also, "Let Is Be Naked" was not "canon". In other words, it was not one of the original albums and, therefore, in a sense a new creation. I am not saying I agree with the the changes, but rather trying explain it. Cheers!

Hey Andrew, I'm with you on this one. I prefer the original release of 1970. I love the orchestration and originality that Phil Spector added to the album. It's like lennon once said about giving Spector the biggest load of badly recorded shit with the worst feel to it. I often wondered why people would often knock Spector for creating an album that actually sounds like you are on the set of the film watching The Beatles. My favorite vinly pressing of this is the MFSL version which sounds nice and punchy through my system. The Giles Marting version, while it has more detail, is a bit over the top for my taste. I bought the Giles set just to have the Glyn Johns Get Back version. Thanks for a really great video. How about doing a video on what was going to be The Capitol Albums CD box Volume 3. I have spoken to some of the staff at Sterling Sound mastering and they tell me that Vol. 3 was indeed done and was ready to be sent to the pressing plants when it was stopped by the folks at Capitol. Somewhere in the Beatles archives, there exist a 4 CD set just waiting for release.

I bought it on release day and thought it was interesting, and a great addition to the collection. But that is all it is - an addition to the collection. Otherwise, I hate everything about this horrid record, with the exception of the "Don't Let Me Down" addition. I hate "The Long and Winding Road" the most. My first Beatles anything was Let It Be in 1979 when I was 11. "Goodnight Tonight", Back to the Egg and "Blow Away" had come out and I was obsessed, and my father gave me a copy of Let It Be and it will forever be my go-to Beatles record. The remixes were extremely welcomed, and beautiful in every way. But Naked just tore it all down and spit it out as if we needed that. My copy of Naked just sits there and gathers dust.

This was my #1 preferred version until the official release of the "Glynnis" version in the box set. The version of 'Let It Be' on there with Billy's gospel organ turned up to 11 cannot be topped for me. It's like there was something missing, and I didn't even know until I heard it.

Changing the “because” pitch is honestly insane.

I like having it as an alternative way to listen to the album.

I have kept Let It Be... Naked as my Defacto version of Let It Be in my collection for years. I have three copies of the original on vinyl, one being the latest remaster and now a remixed version. At this point I've listened to the original version more over recent years and forgotten about Let It Be... Naked, but in many ways it's like revisiting what should have been since they merely omitted Don't Let Me Down which is the biggest thing against it despite Phil's overbearing production and the sped up and incorrect sounding Across The Universe. It's one of those albums that doesn't feel like it has the right version of itself. The Beatles themselves were in disarray and broken up at the time so it's hard to say how different a unified effort would have worked in the album's favor. Most likely it would be similar but with different takes, songs, sound, and track listing.

I remember seeing stacks of Let it Be Naked vinyl for a mere $12 at HMV USA....and they couldn't give them away. Oh how times have changed haha

I didn't know about the noise reduction. To my ears it simply sounded a bit weak which I guess is what the noise reaction does....

I don’t mind Spector’s take on “Long and Winding” either. I think it’s fashionable to hate on it. Also, if Paul hates it so much, why does his live versions sound much more “Phil” than they do “Naked”? I’ve wondered that for a long time starting with when I saw his show in ‘02.

Knowing this video was coming, I relistened to the CD. The thing I think would have made it better would have been to sequence the songs in the same order as the original Let It Be album.

This is by far the best Let it Be version on vinyl. I prefer this version to any of the other mixes by far. Its also my favourite version of the Let it Be single. thumbs up for sure 👍

Great video Andrew. I've been enjoying and watching your videos for some time now. It may be worth noting that when Let It Be...Naked was released in 2003 it was also released on cassette. In fact, this was the last Beatles album that had an official Apple/Parlophone cassette release in Europe. I actually have a sealed copy of the European cassette release. The only other offical Apple/Parlophone cassette release after this was The Beatles Love album, but this was only available in Indonesia.

There should be an audio plug-in called "De-spectorize ! "

When the "let ir be... naked" was released, I had complains about it a lot because I missed all the noise and talking beetwen the tracks. Now, in retrospect, I think Phil Spector made a wonderful job editing and selecting the best performances. Compared with the "Get Back" by Glyn Johns, Spector production is far way better, in my opinion. Nowadays, I think the "Let it Be" remixed is the best of two worlds - better sound without removing all the boys talking and noises. [Sorry for my english, I'm not a native speaker]

It’s become more relevant now as it relates closely to what you hear when watching Get Back, inasmuch as there are no orchestral parts.

Great points, Andrew. Thanks for the video! All of this considered, 'Let It Be Naked' is my favourite incarnation of all of the 'Get Back' material as it is concise and ditches 'Maggie May' and 'Dig it'. I was lucky to pick up a brand new vinyl version for AUD$25 in 2005 when vinyl was on the outer.

I think naked captures the essence of the project of leaning toward a striped down sound which was played live in the studio with the Beatles playing and performing as a unit. I agree with Paul that Spectors production added unnecessary bloat with strings and choirs that don’t work.

You are quite right about the dry sound quality, and it somehow doesn’t sound right without the snippets of chat. I’m with you on the orchestrations too - I think Spector actually did a good job on the original, although I understand Paul’s criticism in the context of the group politics of the time.

The sound of Billy Preston’s Fender Rhodes on the “Naked” version of “I’ve Got a Feeling” is dismal. It’s so much fuller and warm on the other available versions.

The Naked album is sort of Paul's re-imagining of the Let it Be album originally produced by Phil Spector. No doubt Paul was never happy with the end result from Spector. In my view Naked is alright and I like the mix but I also like the original done by Spector because thats what I remember buying and listening to despite its eccentric treatments from Spector it was still good.

Interesting as always. I would say the only track on this project that stands out to me now and makes my playlist is “Across the Universe”. They got a little conceptual with the end, but I don’t mind so much. While I do like the version of “Let It Be” here, the guitar solo should have been the LP solo. This one just doesn’t get it. Obviously then I do prefer the new Let It Be over the Naked one…but the original is still the best overall.

@11:33 - to be fair though.. what was on PSYCHEDELIA at ABBEY ROAD was worth the $10 for a Car Player - it sounded great on the road. I seek out original 45 singles anyways if I REALLY want the music .. so that was a 'throwaway' gem to me. - I never heard the other releases in that series (HOLLIES ECT) and I never compared it to the original sides at the time - I wonder if they went back in and did a better job with some VInyl reissues - and at that time it was very hard to deal with not many Vinyl issues going on that was the drought period. Not that it would have been better on Vinyl with the NR. You brought up BRP .. now that I reminicse.. there was a few 'warbly' sounding tracks sounded almost like they were trying to make pseudo stereo out of Mono mixes.. maybe that was BRP ? I'm familiar with CEDAR NR from that period. Long lost the CD so I can't reference it anymore.

I love this version of the album. But I am also a fan of the original Glyn Johns version. I had that on bootleg for years until the official release of Let It Be Super Deluxe. But McCartney's vision of the album I think is more personal. It is a most worthy album. I always found the Spector produced version to be more than a bit depressing. It was the end, after all, and at the time, the original film release of Let It Be only showed how dark things had become. Thanks to Peter Jackson's "Get Back", I no longer find it dark or depressing. But I still detest Spector's over-the-top orchestrations on "The Long and Winding Road" and prefer the stripped down and more intimate version on "Naked", which was obviously what Glyn Johns also had in mind. Naked is a great album.

Have to disagree. I bought my cd back when it was originally released. I prefer it over the Let it Be album and would have loved the version of Let it Be from the movie with the verse that includes “ There will be no sorrow, Let It Be.” To me Naked seems fresh and alive without the Wall of Sound Spector added.

I don't mind this album. I really wished they would have put get back out instead of this album back in a day period now if they remastered this album, maybe it won't sound as dry? The fly on the wall. I love that extra disk. It's very interesting. My only real. Thought is Fly On The Wall could have been a bonus 12th thack NOT a separate CD! I bought it when it came out

Oh, I guess that since I bought a 1969 bootleg prior to the official Phil Spector release, I have always preferred the stripped down version better.

I see it as a good thing to have 2 versions of this fine album. I still prefer Spectors version I like the strings on TLAWR and the brass band on I Me Mine, but that's just my personal choice. I miss John's jokes on Naked version but I like the fact there is an extra John song.

I gave this album a listen a little while ago and I can't say I noticed any sort of sterile sound. But then, I was listening on Bluetooth headphones.

Another fantastic video, thank you Andrew! Well loved it from day 1 and still do. Removal of strings from TLAWR is the highlight of course but I’m happy with the feel of the whole album, the welcome inclusion of DLMD and I can live with the slightly dry feel to be honest.

I purchased this on CD when it came out and was interested to hear the versions 'as originally intended' but for some reason I never really enjoyed it. I think I know why now...

Thanks. Excellent video. My first impression when hearing it back in,,,,,,when did it come out? To me it sounded like Paul McCartney wagging his finger and saying, "...and another thing," 30 years after he had already lost the argument. And that this was not a very good followup rebuttal. I didn't even buy it when it came out for that reason. A girlfriend of ours, gave me a freebee because she worked at the distribution warehouse and it was marked down. First impression was it was very dry and dead sounding. No balls at the bottom and George's guitar was pulled way back. I liked the album pretty much for the fly on the wall disc. I love Spector's Let It Be! It has a big beefy sound. The rock group songs are vibrant. The bum notes are charming. He got rid of the really scrappy stuff that Glynn Johns had on his versions which made his versions appear amateurish. Phil's version is full, charming, vibrant and,,,, that's it really. Did Winding Road suffer from strings and choirs? I suppose that's an opinion question but I grew up with it sounding like that. It was the dramatic conclusion to the Blue album in 73. It's great. Let It Be is great. That's another thing: Phil put the 'rock' guitar solo on the lp version. The naked version used the leslie solo like on the single? Yep. Naked is a dead loss in my mind. The new box set and Peter Jackson's Get Back more than make up for anything you might miss from Naked. BTW I love the Beatles as a casual fanatic might with an undercut of threatened violence. And I love Paul McCartney and his writing and that voice! My god that voice! Oh well......

I was happy to have the NAKED CDs, especially to hear the naked version of "The Long And Winding Road": Otherwise, most of the songs were rather similar to the original release.

How far will all this go? Will we eventually get 14 different "improved" mixes of every Beatles album? Every outtake of every song? Every conversation they ever had while walking to the bathroom? Will they piece together the best phrase of EVERY take to reassemble EVERY song? I **LOVE** the Beatles....but it's reached the stage of insanity.

I need to listen to this again. At the time I got it back in the day, I remember not being too impressed. I didn't like the fact that they changed takes from the original Let It Be or that the dialog was cut out. When I got the bootleg Kum Back that became my preferred version to listen to and later a much cleaner cd version of the Glyn Johns' mix. And when it comes to Paul's The Long and Winding Road, i prefer the live version on Wings Over America.

I prefer the version of ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ on Naked. It takes away Macca’s over-enthusiastic squealing on the track. A composite as you said! Perhaps not strictly to the original ethos of the original ‘Get Back ‘ album. It’s subtle and very well done.The Fender Rhodes seams higher in the mix throughout ‘Naked’ and the reverb wash is dialed back,overall.It is great to have George’s Acoustic in the mix on ‘For Your Blue’.

My oldest sister bought me the CD version of LIB...Naked for Christmas, 2003 . I've listened to it and the Fly On The Wall second disc a handful of times, though I don't seek it out as a must listen. The tracks on LIB Naked could have been on Anthology 3. I also noticed the tracks didn't have the same energy (i.e."dry") that the original LIB had. I kind of wondered if Peter Cobbin had been allowed to have his way with LIB Naked like he did for Yellow Submarine Songtrack. How would that have been like in terms of sound quality??

Thay should of released everything in the whole situation....their was so much Beatles songs....Thay should redo The Hey Jude album with Sour Milk Sea and What's the Mary Jane....that would be great!!!

It’s fine but perhaps no longer an essential get. The ‘fly on the wall’ disc is what was always of greater interest to me and my pals often remind that I had predicted the ‘get back’ documentary project by remarking that fans would want to hear much more of the lads conversations in the years ahead.

I Love Let It Be Naked,sound is Great and first of all is natural.

The problem I have with let it be naked is, for me it's unnecessary-ness. I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason and that people shouldn't mess with past material, regardless if they are making it "better". This is a prime example of that, as in some instances it makes the songs worse in my opinion. Like why in every compilation of the song 'let it be' do they remove or hide the guitar solo??? To me that's downright criminal. So for me this record is a neat idea but nothing beats the original.

I must say that I prefer the Naked version. Yes it sounds sterile somehow but it sounds more authentic to me. More like you’re sitting inside the studio with the band during that process of recording. And I must say that this version have changed my opinion on all these songs since the first listening. A few years before the documentary which has that similar vibe like this version.

I prefer the 2021 reissue but I would welcome a remix of "Let It Be...Naked" - that is, if they can let it hiss.

Another great and informative video Andrew. I remember being very excited by this album when I heard it was coming out, but I was ultimately disappointed with it and now I now one of the big reasons why, that damn noise reduction! You described it perfectly by calling it sterile. Another big disappointment for me was the use of the alternate take of the Long and Winding Road. In the Glynn Johns version, it's the album version without all the Spector orchestration and that version is so moving and beautiful, but the version used on Naked was just not as good for me.

I bought the CD shortly after release but just didn't connect with it at all. After one listen I gave it away to a friend. Sorry Mr Mr McCartney, but I prefer the Spectorised versions of the tracks except for Get Back and Let it Be. On those, George Martin's skillfully laid back approach on the single releases are superior in my opinion.

It's next to worthless. The only interesting thing is "L&W Road" deSpectorized. I can die a happy man without the rest. I was given the CD as a gift and remember thinking people are milking this for all its worth, aren't they. Oh, well Paul's original conception of "L and W Road" is quite charming. It takes some getting used to but the Spector drivel takes something away from its yearning by the singer to be understood.

Another great video! Thanks for this. I never knew about the small corrections on John’s vocal and guitar. Laughably unnecessary really. I have loved Let It Be Naked since it’s release and while I think as a whole it is better than the original in many ways, having baked the original into my brain for so long, that will always be the definitive version- flaws and all. I think my idea of the “perfect” version of the album would be to make two changes- add Don’t Let Me Down and dial back the orchestration on Long and Winding Road as Giles did. 👌🏼 I still put LIBN on the turntable from time to time and always enjoy it immensely. Quite glad I picked it up when it came out as prices keep rising and I think a reissue is somewhat unlikely.

McCartney's motive for Let It Be Naked was to de-Spectorize the album, tighten it up, remove the false starts & abrupt endings, the non-Beatle backup singers and make it sound like a proper studio album. It is a nice listen in that it does sound like the Beatles making a studio record and not capturing live performances. Still, despite the flaws of the original album," the live feel " was the strength of the original Let It Be.

This is my preferred version of the album. I personally think that the echo-reverb on John's voice at the end of Across the Universe fits well (with the cosmic theme) and sounds nice

Let It Be Naked has become my preferred version of literally all of these songs. It's excellent!

Yeah, bought this on LP when it came out. I like the archival spirit of this album, and I'm glad McCartney finally got an official release of Long and Winding Road that makes him happy. For me personally, I'll always be partial to the original Let It Be mix that I heard as a kid in the 70s, murky, funereal vibe and all!

I had a strong phase with this album when it was released, first on CD and then I bought the vinyl and loved the oversized booklet on it. Everything sounded so clean and at the same time very fresh. The versions of Don't Let Me Down and The Long And Winding Road just blew my mind. But I have to admit that I did miss the roughness of the original versions of I've Got A Feeling, One After 909 and Let it Be itself. for that reason I adore both albums and choosing one over the other is a matter of the mood I have at the moment.

Thanks Andrew. I had an opportunity to talk to Beatles author and project advisor Bruce Spizer at The Fest For Beatles Fans in Chicago 2008. I mentioned to him that the engineers really needed to back off on the use of noise reduction. Told him that the original tapes were not that noisy to begin with. He listened and maybe the word was passed around. Whether or not my discussing the situation with him had any bearing on the remasters the following year, it sure felt good to let someone in The Beatles camp know how me and many others felt.

I always thought Glynn Johns idea of including group chat in between the tracks was brilliant, helping the live in the studio vibe. It is sadly missed in Let It Be Naked!

Another great video Andrew! I was never a big fan of the original Let it Be album, especially the Spectorized The Long and Winding Road. I actually prefer the Anthology 3 version. To me, Let it Be Naked is much more listenable, especially with the rooftop Don't Let Me Down restored. Peter Jackson's Get Back movie totally changed how I looked at the Get Back sessions and I appreciate the music much more now.

It’s what Paul McCartney intended.

For me, these are / would be the definitive mixes/versions of the following tracks: 'Get Back' = Naked mix, with the coda from the single mix, but without the echo effect 'For You Blue' = Naked mix 'Don't Let Me Down' = Naked version 'I've Got a Feeling' = Naked mix 'One After 909' = Naked mix 'Dig a Pony' = Naked mix 'Two of Us' = Naked mix 'The Long and Winding Road' = Naked version 'Let It Be' = Single mix, with the guitar solos from the single and album mixes playing together, which was how the song was originally intended to sound, before the solo from the album mix was dropped 'I Me Mine' = Naked mix 'Across the Universe' = Naked mix, with all the instruments from the World Wildlife Fund mix, but without the bird sounds or groupie harmony vocals Both the single and naked mixes of 'Get Back' have their own strengths and weaknesses. The naked mix doesn't have the echo effect which gives it a rawer and cleaner sound. But the single mix has the coda. I wanted to include the naked mix of 'Get Back' on my 1969-70 Beatles compilation, but ultimately went with the single mix because of the coda. I initially preferred the naked mix of 'Let It Be' to the single mix, because I was going through a phase where the naked mixes and versions were better. But when I rediscovered Linda McCartney's backing vocals on the single mix, I eventually decided I preferred the single mix over the naked mix. The single mix ultimately became the mix I included on my 1969-70 Beatles compilation. I have come to admit that 'Let It Be' is the one track from the Get Back/Let It Be sessions that actually benefits from having orchestral overdubs added to it. One thing they could have done that they ultimately decided not to do was have the solos from the single and album mixes playing together. Both the World Wildlife Fund and naked mixes of 'Across the Universe' have their own strengths and weaknesses. The naked mix plays at the correct speed and contains an echo effect starting from the final verse which I really like. And it doesn't have the bird sounds or the groupie harmony vocals. But the World Wildlife Fund mix has fuller instrumentation. I did consider including the naked mix of 'Across the Universe' on my 1968 Beatles compilation, but ultimately went with the World Wildlife Fund mix, because I felt that it blended in better with the other tracks recorded in 1968.

I love this album. I am glad Apple put it out. You finally hear how it should be heard. I bought this on cd and it sounds fantastic. Thanks for reviewing it.

this is my favorite youtube channel. The amount of effort you put is insane. Keep on the good work! Thank you for contributing to the Beatles legacy.

I prefer Let it Be Naked, but I certainly agree with your criticisms. There is just something about the material The Beatles had at this time that almost demands a ‘Naked’ version! Very well put together video brother!❤

I read a great way to approach Let It Be a while ago: think of the Naked version as the studio album and the original version as a Soundtrack version. Then you can have both and they both have their value. Personally, I don't listen to the original version anymore - including the recent Giles Martin version. The Naked version is the only one I listen to. But that's just my personal preference.

Another great video Andrew. I preferred Naked to the Original. I loved the box set also so happy to have them both out there

Worth it for the beautiful mix of Across the Universe. The fade out at the end puts it above all other mixes.

From comments on forums the issue with it only seems to be the slightly dead sound cause by too much digital scrubbing and the idiotic quick fade outs. The reverb is kinda wonky also. I reworked this album by adding some harmonic enhancement and editing back on the full ending and the result is superb. They need to reissue this with the noise reduction dialed back a bit and restore the proper endings. Otherwise it's a fine album.

Definitely worthy - it’s a much more complete and polished album, and the stripped down tracks, especially The Long And Winding Road sound much better than the overblown originals. That said, I did enjoy the 2021 remix too - it sounded much, much better than the original mix in my opinion.

Produced by George Martin, overproduced by Phil Spector.

Very interesting video as always! I agree, the days of No-Noise / CEDAR overuse produced some very subpar masters. However, for all their faults, those EMI noise reduced CDs at least tried to retain the original dynamics of the recordings, which IMO makes them more pleasant to listen to than today's heavily brickwalled reissues.

Insightful video again, thanks! I liked it at the time when I was 17/18, as it was new, but it’s basically a passion project. The main thing for me was including Don’t Let Me Down (how that was that left off original is unbelievable to me) and I love the version of Across The Universe. The artwork hasn’t aged well and since the Get Back film, it makes the whole thing seem a little insignificant.

This might be my preferred version of the album. Mainly because of the inclusion of dont let me down and the exclusion of unnecessary chat & mini songs.

I picked up a copy of the 2CD set at a car boot sale a couple of weeks ago for 20p! In fact it was a great haul - for my 5 for £1 I got: The Beatles - LIB Naked (2CD) The Beatles - Live at the BBC (2CD) The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night. The Who - My Generation (Deluxe Edition 2CD) Simon & Garfunkel - The Collection (6CD Box set) Nothing better than staggering around a muddy field at stupid o'clock on a Sunday morning, mildly hungover with the sun in your eyes & picking up a bag full of bargains! Makes it all worthwhile😄 Great video as always Andrew 👍

I really like the version of Across the Universe on Naked. It's worthy just for that track.

I LOVE this album. I actually enjoy the noise reduction and the clean feel and sound. The improved Across the Universe alone is worth picking this up, it's definitely the best version of the song. I also think this version of Let it Be has the best solo.

The Get Back footage is the most important footage ever released on the Beatles. Thank goodness they filmed so much. I wish they did it for every album. Imagine if they filmed Peppers like that. Been waiting 50 years for the get Back footage and it was worth the wait. I hope they release more. Would like to see all the Abbey Road songs that they were working on. That would be interesting. I bought the Black album back in the day and was amazed to hear the music. Back in the day. Keep up the great work. I wish you would do a weekly bootleg day of the loads of rare track on bootleg CD`s from the 1990`s and comment on the music on those CD`s. We heard so much on the albums they released. It is time you get down and dirty with the rare studio material on the boots from Yellow Dog and other labels. Just a thought. If any one would like to hear your wonderful comments on a wider range of great Beatles music. Let them know your thoughts.

I thought it was a great album when it came out as it was good to finally get the film version of the Long & Winding Road plus I thought the reverb at the end of Across The Universe was a nice touch. Given that the Get Back album eventually came out as part of the box set, the Naked version is probably less relevant now although the CD is a good option still if you don't fancy paying for the recent Let It Be boxed set.

When...When will Apple realize they need Andrew to sit in with them during all releases going further?? He knows what the fans love and knows The Beatles catalogue more than they do even it seems! Love you man, keep on keeping on!

There was one interesting fix on Let It Be with a sour note on the piano that was corrected. I'm always on the fence with these things. Do you fix it or are you tampering with history? I sort of got used to the little minor faults. John's slightly flat vocal or messed up guitar were so minor that repairing them was really unnecessary. The interesting part of the album was combining the two different live takes of I've Got a Feeling and Don't Let Me Down. I think Paul was really interested in making an album that was up-to-date with the times. If that's the case then it was well done. Aside from the over-the-top noise reduction, which was unnecessary, it is still an album of great songs. That's the important thing to remember. As always, great upload!

I really like this album. It's that "dry" sound, that you talk about Andrew, that does it for me. See I collect reel to reel tape recorders. I've put this album on a 5 inch reel, in mono, and it sounds brilliant, when played on machines as old as dirt. Watching this video reminded me that I haven't listened to it in a while. Maybe this time I'll record it on a cassette and see how it comes out.

As I commented the other day, I miss the dialogue of the original, but you've reminded me that it has a whole CD of dialogue - and I think I played that once, on the day of release, and never thought about it again! PS. Psychedelia at Abbey Road is one of my fave comps of all time!

I agree totally. Always thought it sounded sterile. Always prefered the original album.

I too have little against the original Let It Be but I've always thought that Naked has it's place and over the past 10 years I've probably pulled it out more than Let It Be. I had one of the bootleg Glyn Johns versions back in the mid 70's so when Naked came out it was a welcomed replacement for that LP.

I think it was a very good idea to do a revised version of the album so that we could hear what it was supposed to be, conceptually, without Phil Spector's mucking about. Rather than sounding sterile or airless I think it sound clean and uncluttered. As I have both the original and the Naked versions, I don't need to choose; I can listen to either one when I'm in the mood for one or the other.

This is the first vid from you where you’ve actually played beatles music, instead of just showing the waveforms. Congrats on getting a license from Apple! (I think, at least, lol)

Even with the recent Let It Be reissues, this is still my favorite version of the album. Love the sequencing and alternate cover design. Still own it on vinyl.

Thank you, Andrew. I appreciate all the work you have done for us Beatles fans. Your videos are always very entertaining and full of valuable information. Cheers !

I think this album is relevant still, because it does improve on the original album in several important ways: song selection, song sequencing, and sound quality. It makes better sense to start the set with Get Back and end it with Let it Be. It never made sense to begin with Two of Us......It was as glaring omission to leave off Don't Let Me Down. I am glad that all the banter was removed along with the non-songs Dig it and Maggie May, giving a more polished feel. I never liked the original album and only got it because I was a fan. I was disappointed and felt that it didn't even really sound like them. I never even go it on CD. Therefore I am glad the Specter schlock has been removed. He made the Long and Winding Road sound like horrible dreck. He slowed it down and added a chorus...I prefer the version here, but the best one is from Wings Over America, a live album. The trumpet solo on that is perfect. Billy Preston's organ is alright but doesn't really do it for me. I have the same opinion for what he did to Across the Universe. The stripped down version on Naked is worth the purchase price. That is hands down the best rendition of the song----and it is at the correct recorded speed. I don't mind the reverb at the end Andrew. I think it gives a "cosmic" vibe at the end which is very appropriate {I think John would approve}. Hats off to whoever thought of that. I will say I like the enhancements that Specter added to "I, Me, Mine" and "Let it Be" because they fill out the sound without changing the feel of it. The Chorus is appropriate for Let it Be. Let it Be Naked could've been better.....Why not just use the complete version of Get Back instead of the truncated one? I still think the album is a little short on songs. I always thought that Old Brown Shoe belonged on that album. After I saw Get Back with George presenting the song I know why. It sounds like it belongs here. Adding The Ballad of John and Yoko would have added another hit. That would have been a great collection of 13 songs and the only missing ingredient, something from Ringo. He should've done Come and Get it. He was in the film and would have made total sense. I don't mind the corrections Andrew. We're already remixing, we left the purists behind. This music has to live and for that to happen it must sound good on today's equipment and on earbuds and headphones. One last point--Let it Be Naked {I don't like the title either} was supervised by Paul and approved by Ringo. The final version of what Let it Be was done by Phil Specter and pissed Paul off... Therefore Naked is more legitimate. I haven't heard the remix of the original album.....because I despise the original album..so maybe the sound improvement on Naked isn't as relevant now. Naked is the best version of this album period. I just wish it wasn't called Naked.

Let It Be .. Naked came out when I was at the end of high school. I am no audiophile so I was naive to the noise reduction issues. I loved the album. Hearing the Fly on the Wall stuff later got me into finding the Get Back bootlegs. Of course, I now enjoy the Glyn Johns 2021 mix of Get Back more than Naked. But - Naked will always have a sentimental place for me.

I had a 5.1 mix of it and made my own stereo mix from that. There are ways you can take the best of both world's and craft a decent Get Back / Let It Be 14 track LP that fits perfectly with everything else and still has the raw session feel.. First, If you are used to the Pygmy line opening the album, craft that into the GB comment of 'straight into I Got a Fever' line and you got Dig a Pony and I Got a Feeling opening the album, For You Blue, (LetIt Be version but with the Get Back opening talk put back in. 'Queen says no...FBI' comment right before Dig It since it has FBI in it, Use the GB long version of that, the link 'All The Angels Come talk into Let It Be, Long And Winding Road, and then Across the Universe is song 7 for side 1 -- Side 2 Start off with I Me Mine, Two Of Us and Maggie Mae...that oldie connecting to their own oldie One After 909, Rocker from the Get Back album, since its an improv more than direct cover, cant use Save The Last Dance at all-to avoid copyrights - but can use the link dialogue into Don't Let Me Down then use the album studio talk before Get Back but then have the single version with the reprise still attached to the end, but crossfade to the rooftop end to close the album rooftop. Which puts Get Back as track 7 for the album with the long singe version and the Let It Be short version being part of that whole of the song. Poof 14 song version of Get Back Let It Be and it wouldn't stray from-and would be in the middle of - both versions of the albums. You also have george with one track per side, and you have John's strong track closing side 1 and Paul's Livelier one ending side 2 -- also note: right before their solo careers, it'd show John can write slow songs at end of side 1 and Paul can write faster ones at the end of side 2 as myth killers. It also has the best of the two album openers, and the best of both album endings while keeping a flow and songs still grouped together that from similar session days to give the raw bare bones sound. yet can still get away with which ever Long Winding Road and Across Universe version a person prefers. You could still listen straight through the album in that order and not feel like you need to skip a track. ,

FAR superior to the original, as is "Get Back" to "Let It Be" on film.