Such a rarity in the US that I didn't even know such a box set existed until the mid 1980s. And I knew, and dealt with, some serious Beatles' collectors.
Out of all these anniversary re-issues that we’ve been getting since Sgt Pepper in 2017, this upcoming Let It Be one is exactly what I wished for. From the outtakes to the Get Back album FINALLY getting released with proper mastering. All I can hope for the latter getting a standalone vinyl release.
@@johnmc3862 Isn't everything an opinion? What is it that you want? A goddam apology for not saying "imho?" Why don't you just say what's on your mind?
I found a UK box earlier this year on a shelf of books at a used record store for $20. It had all its components except for the album (which I had at home with a red apple cover). The books binding seems tenuous but is intact. I’m happy to have it!
You have become my go-to for Beatles information. You do an excellent job researching and providing information. I’ve been listening to and collecting Beatles records for 45 years and you scoop me- especially regarding records outside the States- grew up on Capitol versions. Thanks for doing these videos.
@@Parlogram Omg very good,( i speak spanish ), congratulations for you video. ¿how many versions of Glyn Jones about song LET IT BE there are? Before years I listened only these version rehearsal when McCartney start 'Let it Be' with: "One, two three foour ....¡" in this version 2021 there is a version of et tit Be without these start yeah? its other veersion Glyn Jones. Somebody says that there are 4 or 5 versions 'Lei it Be' of Glyn Jones. What do you say me about all this versions? I hope your answer. Thanks. Saludos amigo.
My original complete set is still holding together pretty well. I only have it for collecting purposes (rarely opened) as the vinyl doesn't sound any better than the record alone, and I have a few of them. The packaging and book all came from the U.K and was paired with an EMI NZ manufactured LP. It'd be nice if the 2003 'naked' record was repackaged as Get Back alongside this release. I have always been a bit disappointed (never bought it) with that design, but was very interested in the idea of despectorising the music.
I never saw the box available here in the New York City suburbs. However, one local record store here used to specialize in "cutouts" and closeouts. That store had new, sealed copies of the standard Let It Be album and the Hey Jude album for $1.99 through the 70s and possibly into the early 80s. I put a bunch of them away, but sold them all off when I needed money in college. I do still have a few Turtles sealed albums from that store. Sadly, the place is long gone.
As usual a very informative video. Thank you. I received the original box set in 1970 as a 14th birthday present from my parents. It had the red apple on the back. To say I was excited is an understatement. For that reason it is still probably my favourite Beatles album. Whenever I hear the opening piano notes to Let It Be it still sends shivers down my spine. As stated the book fell apart very quickly so I punched holes in the pages and put the book in a ring clip folder. I still have that folder today. Can't wait for new box set to come out.
I purchased my first UK copy around 1971 in the Washington, DC area. The disc and book came wrapped in shrink wrap, with no box. The wrapping was likely by the store itself. There were reports that shops around the country had books stacked at the check-out and if you bought the import copy you got one. I never saw an actual box set complete until I visited the UK in 1975.
There used to be a mall in Bridgeport CT called Lafayette Plaza and it had a record shop in it. I clearly remember being in there in the early 1970s and looking through the Beatles section and seeing the Let It Be boxed set. We already had the regular US gatefold version of the album so we didn't buy the boxed one. No idea if it was a UK or Canadian copy or what it's price was. Your video about it is well done.
First Beatles album I ever bourght, From a 2nd hand record shop in 1971, It was the box set ( 2 loose pages in the book!!) I paid about £1.60 for it! Took it home and played it on my Mono record player.
Later in Canada the excess boxes were dismantled and the LP was re-shrink wrapped and sold as a stand alone album on store shelves. I got my red apple label copy for $2.99 in 1976 this way.
With all the new Beatles box sets coming out, I wish they would do a limited edition remake of the original Let It Be box set ( for those of us who missed out first time around and can't afford to buy an original.).
The US cassette version, which is the version I'm familiar with, had a less mangled but still altered track sequence: "I Me Mine" was moved to open the back of the tape.
Another very entertaining and informative review Andrew - although I'm 55, there's generally always something I've not seen before in your posts....this time it's the UA Promo Sampler disc.....and the new cap!
In 1970 I bought the LIB UK box set in Chicago for a friend's birthday and I paid $10 for it; which was a lot of money back then. I could not afford to buy one for myself as well.
@@casperguylkn Thanks, but that's not what I meant at all. I was referring to the 2014 mini-LP (and the 2016 encore pressing) that replicated the UK non-gatefold LP. It would be cool if a version that includes a proportionally-sized book, tray, and box is made.
So that’s why my dad’s copy of Let It Be has a Parlophone logo on the sleeve. I always wondered about that, because I’d never seen another one like it. I’ve just checked it. 2U/3U, as you say.
Amazing! 😄 There was a vinyl market festival these days in Athens. I was disappointed of how small it was. Anyway, I saw a Let It Be copy with red apple from Brazil. Don't know if it was taken out of a box. Neither did I check the matrixes as it was sealed.
I was born 13 days after "Let It Be' was released (May 7, 1970). The day they released the movie (May 20, 1970) was the day I was born..I was born to be a Beatles fan!
I remember my long-gone copy of the gatefold U.S. edition of "Let It Be" (with the Apple logo on the record label in red) that I bought in the 1970s. Its most singular feature: the notch in the corner of the album cover, signifying that I had purchased it from a cutout bin. Perhaps its availability at deep discount prices was a sign of the relatively low regard that "Let It Be" may have been held in at the time, in relation to other Beatles albums. Or maybe it had something to do with the storms that buffeted Apple Records, due to the breakup of the Beatles and the legal battles between the former Beatles and Allen Klein. The only other Beatles album I ever saw in a record store cutout bin was the Vee-Jay "Introducing the Beatles" album, and I suspect those were bootleg copies.
Hopefully our host will shed some light on the vastly produce fake copies of Let It Be in his next installment. If you read my post above and do some research online of your own, you may just realize that your copy is in fact one of the counterfeits, though I would have to see it to form an opinion. A very real bit of circumstantial evidence is that you found it next to copies of the fake VeeJay release!
JIM: You have a bootlegged copy of "Let it Be". It (along with "A Hard Dy's Night") was out of print for some time as they were both originally issued by United Artists.
@@charlyW34 Unfortunately, I no longer own either album, as I believe I traded them at a used record store some years back. Hope they're still being collected somewhere, by someone who realizes what they're getting. Thanks (and thanks to other commenters) for the info.
I was given this box set in pristine condition but without the LP by my English teacher in 1978..then had to sell it to pay debts....regretted selling it for all the years since as it was a nice gift from a teacher who appreciated my interest in the Beatles.
I don't remember what year I bought my copy of the UK Box Set. If it was 1970 or 1971. I got it at a local record store in Northern Kentucky. I hemmed and hawed for weeks because the owner wanted $35 for it. Eventually I swallowed my pride and bought it, because it was the only copy he had. Later I was glad I did because within about ten years it was going for hundreds of dollars. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Thank you Andrew for the most thorough presentation of the original Let it Be boxset to be found anywhere on the internet. Well researched and educational, I enjoyed it immensely. 👍👏
As always, a very enjoyable video with lots of great information. Though I was a mere lad of 7 at the time, I can recall that my best friend's parents had bought Let It Be before I had even heard of it's release. Here in Canada, his parents were always cool and happy to accept that great entertainment existed outside of the expected age group they were in. Mind you, their home was one of the most advanced at the time, with round windows and doorways, parachutes as drop ceilings and a stairway that alternated left and right foot as opposed to the traditional steps that accommodate both feet. They had both the Canadian box set as well as the reel to reel and I remember long hours with my friend, just sitting, listening, and loving every track on the album. But then, we did that with every album his parents owned. At such a young age, I could recite Beatles lyrics and chord changes by memory. No wonder I got into making music of my own many years later. Thanks again, Andrew
I got that in 1972, for my 12th birthday, having received $10.00 CAD for graduating grade 6. It was the first album I bought with my own money. The booklet was very flimsy. I knew of two other people who'd had the same thing, and all of the. booklets were in pieces. For many reasons, this album has a significant place in my heart.
BIG FAN OF YOUR CHANNEL. I WISH YOU WOULD DO STORIES ON RARE RECORDING THAT CAME OUT..... WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE ALTERNATE TAKES WITH DETAIL. CHEERS IN THE UK
Thanks for another great video, Andrew. Looking forward to your review of the upcoming release, especially the original Get Back album, which for me, is the whole reason for buying the set.
I was working in a record shop in 1970 and opened an order from EMI only to find the Let It Be boxset under the bottom packaging. I hadn't ordered it so off home with me it went!
I remember seeing the Let It Be box set in a department store in Rochester ,New York in 1971 . It was in shrink wrap. I had no idea it was an import from the U.K. or Canada . There was an entire table with these albums. If I recall the price was $6.00 or $8.00 , rather $5.99 or $7.99 ( This America’s idea of marketing ) . If I could have read the future I would have bought every one … With that said, they didn’t advertise as having a book , and unless you bought the album, you wouldn’t know. As I live in San Francisco , I had a friend that lived in the apt. right above mine in 89-90. She was a good friend of Ethan Russell which meant nothing to me at the time. She introduced me to him once ,and it wasn’t until after that that she told me he was the photographer of the Beatles Let It Be book- cover etc. and that wasn’t that long ago, like thirty one years ago is nothing in the scheme of things . I would have loved to have picked his brain on how he got that job, he’s American !
@@Parlogram what sounds genuine ? The Let It Be albums were definitely real. What I meant by the book is the idea that I doubt the people working in the dept store even knew there was a book in there. Remember these were in shrink wrap as this is the USA . I should have bought one just to see why the black box was so thick. Youth,and stupidity go hand in hand. What makes it worse as I had all the U.K. first pressings as I had relatives in Leeds . Let it be was a sleeper … This got me thinking. I should get hold of Carol Covington if she’s still alive in living in SF ,and see if she still keeps in tough with Russell. Of course she’ll say “ you just want him to sign the album of book and sell it on eBay “ I would keep it … I’ll get back to you within a week ,and let you know if he still lives in Northern ,California … Ps. I can’t believe you take the time to read all the comments . Kudos for having this much knowledge ,and passion.
In my opinion the Giles Martin’s remixes aren’t so amazing….but the rest of this box set really looks great and outstanding. I’m particularly excited about the Get Back album…FINALLY!!!!! I’m counting seconds to the 15th! See you all at the record shop guys!!!! Ciao!!!
@@rudolphguarnacci197 Well you are going to be mad, because he's got more projects coming out in the next couple of years. This is from an actual Apple Insider.
Nice video. I have a used Canada box pressing. Everything is in great condition, and the book is intact. I bought replacement trays for the inside, as well as a reprint of the poster.
I found my U.K. box in Reckless, London maybe 13/14 years ago. The record is a 3U/2U in red apple sleeve and looks unplayed. The book too looks untouched, I’ve always been scared to open it! Such a great find. Great video as always, thank you.
Let it be was the song which Made me love the Beatles. I started buying Beatles records just a few weeks before John’s death. I purchased my first copy of the UK box in 1989 and i remember my big disappointment When I noticed that the record catalogue number was PCS 7096 and not PXS1. And that number wasn’t Printed anywhere in the package. And how long I tried to find one with that number, until I came across a copy of the Record Collector (years later) which opened my eyes. In the ‘90s there not many sources of information on the UK labels (especially for collectors living outside UK). I wish I had Andrew Milton with his videos those days !!!! Thanks Andrew
I still have the same album in a standard cover, not gatefold, and it was a US reissue on the Capitol label from the 1980’s where the Apple label never showed up. Instead of the red Apple label, it had the 1960’s era Capitol “Rainbow” label on it since it was revived in the 1980’s. There were many copies of “Let It Be” on Capitol out there including the one with the orange Capitol label with the “Capitol” name cropped at the bottom from 1972-77, and then came the purple Capitol label from 1977-82, the 1982-87 60’s era “Rainbow” label, and then back to the purple label from 1988 until the early 1990’s. The US release of “Let It Be” on the Capitol label was an export of the original Apple release.
Back in 1977 I picked up the book by itself (spanking new) in a bookshop in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milano. Gorgeous, but yep, binding issues :)
I have never come across the original Let It Be box set. Probably just as well given as much as it would cost now! Another excellent video, Andrew. Thanks! I'm looking forward to next week's, and your review of the new set. I have mine on pre-order so it will be interesting to compare notes. 😀
i had a cousin, an american, who ordered this box set from england. but it was stolen. my original american version, which was a birthday present from my brother, had a gatefold opening and a red apple on the back of the album and on the label. it was warped but playable but i feared returning it because i didn't know if the other albums were the same or not. i later bought a re-release without the gatefold and red apples.
Brilliant as usual Andrew. My 1st copy was the US version for some strange reason, it was the only copy my local record shop called POP INN stocked. I've never owned a copy of the original box set.
Hi Andrew...what a huge amount of research must be involved in your videos. The level of detail and information is just superb !! Please consider doing a book one day. All us Beatle heads would buy it. The new cap looks great:) Cheers Steve
That was a nice all encompassing episode Andy , nice one mate. I found my first boxset copy as I lifted the “up and over” garage door of a house in St. Ives , it was the very first thing that came into view. I felt like Howard Carter back in Egypt….”I see things , wondrous things” It even had the poster which I never knew existed at the time. I wish you could bottle those feelings of discovery eh?
Awesome video! I only got into the Beatles in 1973 when I was ten years old so the box set of Let It Be had already passed me by! Nonetheless, these videos are great as I was unaware of the reel to reel versions of the albums. I'm so looking forward to the upcoming box set release on the 15th.
That was great, thank-you. Fortunately, I have an Australian Box set. I think I am correct in saying that all but the record was imported from England. It’s also still intact. Love Let it Be and really enjoyed your video. Cheers.
This is a historical album,but after the next edition,stayed only the record and a standard capa.I like very much in this special release.Now coming other reedition with a book talking about this film and project Get Back.Going see if good or not in this time.All seen as yes.Uchino of Japan.Thank you. I see you in next time Andrew.
By the way I bought a imported album Let It Be with stamp of Parlophone in capa but inside have Apple label and have a good sound and seen be best as the new remaster make in 2009 and probably what going release in this year my guess.CD only is be good.Uchino of Japan.
You know Lizzie Bravo?She is gone this week.I am very sad because this.When The Beatles was a group yet,she make a record with him in Across The universe and this song appear in that collection Past Masters is very cool this song.Phil Spector cut this part where she sing and no appear in Let It Be album and the song stayed strange because this.How you is be talking about this album I like mentioned this comment.Uchino of Japan.Thank you.I see you Andrew the next video.
Interesting stuff. I have a 773-3 and it sounds fantastic. I was never a fan of Giles martin's remixes . I think I will stick to this copy. It's probably the best sounding Beatles record in my opinion.
@@lucalone rlly? I think the re-mixes are, on the whole, superior to the originals. There are a couple of exceptions, but for the most part, the versions of Sgt. Pepper, The Beatles and Abbey Road are all the remixes. Individual songs have mildly irritated me, but hearing albums like Revolver, with the ADT cutting out on Eleanor Rigby just as Paul starts the first verse is annoying, and doesn't need to be there, nor all the stringed instruments on one track. If it's fixable, it should be fixed.
I discovered my dads book from this set in the 80s. All taped up and pages falling everywhere. I got a pretty much perfect one off eBay, but I’ve hardly opened it, as we all know it’s fate if I do!
@@Parlogram I've had a couple of copies of the Canadian book over the years, and that sounds about right, although I haven't done an A-B comparison of them.
I bought a US gatefold copy (red Apple) years ago at a record show for a decent price, not in amazing shape but certainly playable. Coming from Canada, I'd never seen that edition before, and was surprised to see such a different version, since until then I thought that after the initial three Canuck LPs -- Twist & Shout, Beatlemania & Long Tall Sally -- the Canadian releases matched the US ones for the most part (although I knew about the Let It Be box and even had a copy of the book that I found on its own without the box & LP). Recently I'd read that there were pirate copies pressed of the gatefold Let It Be at the time, and they were fairly widespread (and identifiable by their inferior photo reproduction and label), and I worried mine might be one of those. But just had it out for a spin, and there was the Bell Sound and sf stamped in the runout groove, which I gather the pirates don't have. But it might not be a bad idea to check your Let It Be copies to be on the safe side.
Another great episode! Though it was a shame that no mention was given to the photographs used on the outer box which are very slightly different alternatives to those on the LP sleeve and look far nicer in their presentation. Will we ever see these used again, as even the 2021 remaster uses remastered LP images for the new box.
...again,..I saw "Let It Be,w/presentation box"..on the inner sleeve of my import copy of Help...what is that?...thank you for answering that question😂
Andrew fantastic Love the video need more please I got my box set form a Carboot about 8 years ago I only paid £5 pounds for it And was only missing the book tray I got a good replacement for it and I am happy Whit it keep up the work you do my friend Dave.
Fascinating video and many thanks for making and uploading it. I had to laugh when you said the repro inserts are easy to tell as they are white and the originals are grey inside. Why on earth would anyone go to the trouble of making such an item and get the colour wrong?
Personally I much prefer the Let it Be Naked album. Paul in particular hated what Phil Spector did to some of the tracks on the album putting all those strings and choir on them
I got today original 1969. " Abbey Road," for 14€,but i changed it for original " The Wall," Pink Floyd. So....no problem,i have allready one. "Let it be," have original on " Parlophone," yellow label,with sleeve with red apple. It has " Made in Yugoslavia," written on,but they where imported from U.K.Have cassette too,with inlay like on album,Yugoslavia edition was advantaged than western one,all cassetts from Beatles had inlayes like albums. My German "Sgt.Peppers," is poor with inlay. So,there was box set too,but it was U.K.ones so very rare here.
Thanks for another great video, you have prompted me to go and check EBAY for replacement Let It Be box components . My book is not to bad but I know some of the pages have come adrift so it stays put. I’m interested to see and hear the 2021 release I just hope it’s different enough from the original to justify the $200+ cost over here for the deluxe version. I look forward to your next video in the Let It Be series. I have a great memory of first seeing the film in August 1970. The film was playing on continual rotation at the cinema for so I saw it a couple of times during the day but had to sit through Carry on Camping a couple of times as well. Now thats devotion for you! Cheers Cheers
Thank you for this video. Re Parlophone export pressings; how many countries in the world had no Apple presence at the time of the release of 'Let it be'? Were other Apple recordings, Beatles solo releases and albums by other artists issued on Parlophone in these countries? Were there any significant rarities amongst them?
Hi. Thank you for such meticulously researched and professionally presented videos. They are loaded with interesting detail, yet quite concise. Thank you also, for not overlooking the Canadian release of this classic set. I hope you will have quite a bit to say about the U.S. counterfeit pressings of the standard gatefold album release in your next video. My understanding is that it may be the most pressed of any Beatles counterfeit, even higher in number than the fake copies of "introducing the Beatles" on VeeJay. I would love to know if those really were instigated by the Mafia, what the audio source was, your review of the sound quality, and the easiest way to tell the fake from the legitimate. As to your comments about controversial remixes by Giles Martin, it is too bad that Apple etc. seem to be using controversy to encourage chatter and sales. I must admit, other than the Pepper remix, which I can abide only because the original Stereo mix had no Beatles input, the other 2 albums that have been doctored thus far have been substantially harmed. Abbey Road in particular has been wiped of the "magical fairy dust" that only the gear of the time of recording, and the ears of Sir George could provide. I would love to discuss motives with Giles Martin, and to ask him if the project was presented as a "if not you, we will find someone else" scenario. Surely he can't believe he has improved on the perfection of the original Abbey Road album. Cheers
Hi Andrew, not sure whether you read the comments but here goes anyway. What's with the "Greatest Hits" collections spruiked on RU-vid by The Beatles official website that are not actually The Beatles but tepid cover versions!? 1