Keno's Classic Rock n Roll Web Site

ALBUM REVIEW

THE BEATLES

Let It Be

Released - May 8 , 1970, Apple Records. Produced in the studio by George Martin. Reproduced on disc by Phil Spector.

John Lennon - Lead & Backing Vocals; Rhythm, Slide, Lead Guitars; Percussion; Keyboards
Paul McCartney - Lead & Backing Vocals; Bass and Rhythm Guitars; Keyboards; Drums, Percussion
George Harrison - Lead and Rhythm Guitars; Backing and Lead Vocals
Ringo Starr - Drums, Percussion; Keyboards; Backing Vocals

Additional Personnel: Billy Preston - Organ on "Get Back"; and The Mike Sammes Singers - Backing Vocals on "The Long And Winding Road"

All songs written by Lennon/McCartney except I Me Mine & For You Blue written by G. Harrision and Dig It written by Lennon/McCartney/Harrision/Starkey. Maggie Mae - Traditional, arranged by Lennon/McCartney/Harrision/Starkey

REVIEW

Many Beatles fans do not like this album, but I'm not one of them. It's always been one of my favorite Beatle albums. Most blame Phil Spector and the way he let it be released, but considering what he had to deal with, he did a good job.

When the Beatles went into the studio in 1968 to record this album, the title was to be called Get Back. As that was what the band wanted to do, get back to their roots and old ways of recording. They even brought in with them one of the very first penned Lennon/McCartney songs to re-record, "One After 909"  (which turned out fine once recorded), and decided to film the making of the album. Unfortunately things did not turn out well. The band was as far apart as ever during these sessions and as George Martin put it, they worked on songs more like they were doing solo projects and used each other as hire hands. Tensions ran high, fights caught on film and George Harrison even quit the band for a few days. They finally gave up on the whole album. Spector was later hired to salvage what was left on the many tapes.

The album was not released till after they had broke up in 1970, and the title was rename Let It Be, which by that point made more sense. But there is still some great music found on here. "Let It Be", "Get Back" and "The Long And Winding Road" are just a few true classic hits that show up. Still, Paul McCartney was pissed about "...Winding Road" and the way it was reedited by Spector. Several songs ended up with different versions like "Across The Universe" and "Get Back", since their singles were produced and released by Martin, and Spector handled their album versions. The intended ending for "Get Back", which was used on the single, is almost never heard today since on the album's cut, Spector used the ending that was recorded live when the Beatles played the song at their roof top concert. "Dig it" was another song that was gutted by Spector, too bad, the long version is a good one. But overall I think Phil edited the songs nicely. John Lennon also shows why he should have played more lead guitar for the Beatles with a real nice job at it on McCartney's "Get Back", and a fine slide guitar on Harrison's "For You Blue". Overall not a bad LP at all!

-- Keno 2000

To listen to some soundclips from Let It Be or to purchase it, click on this link: Let It Be

Return to Rock Album's Reviews | Return to Beatles Bio