Let It Be... Naked
Let It Be... Naked | ||||
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Twickenham, London | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 34:49 | |||
Label | Apple | |||
Producer | Paul Hicks, Guy Massey, Allan Rouse | |||
The Beatles chronology | ||||
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Let It Be... Naked is an alternative mix of the Beatles' 1970 album Let It Be, released on 17 November 2003 by Apple Records. The project was initiated by Paul McCartney, who felt that the original album's producer, Phil Spector, did not capture the group's stripped-down, live-to-tape aesthetic intended for the album.[1] Naked consists largely of newly mixed versions of the Let It Be tracks while omitting the excerpts of incidental studio chatter and most of Spector's embellishments. It also omits two tracks from the 1970 release – "Dig It" and "Maggie Mae" – replacing them with "Don't Let Me Down", which was the non-album B-side of the "Get Back" single.[2]
Background
The album is presented in a form which Paul McCartney considered closer to its original artistic vision: to "get back" to the rock and roll sound of their early years[3] rather than the orchestral overdubs and embellishments which were added by Phil Spector to three of the songs in the production of the final Let It Be album. McCartney in particular was always dissatisfied with Spector's mixes of these three tracks, especially for the song "The Long and Winding Road".[4][1] George Harrison gave his approval for the Naked project before he died.[5][6]
McCartney's attitude contrasted with Lennon's from his December 1970 interview with Rolling Stone magazine. Lennon had defended Spector's work, saying, "He was given the shittiest load of badly recorded shit – and with a lousy feeling to it – ever. And he made something out of it ... When I heard it, I didn't puke." Harrison and Ringo Starr also remained complimentary about Spector's contribution,[7] Starr saying: "I like what Phil did … There's no point bringing him in if you're not going to like the way he does it".[8]
Differences
Two songs that had been included on the original album – the traditional Liverpool folk song "
- "Get Back" – a remix of the take recorded on 27 January 1969 used for both the single and album; without the coda recorded on 28 January featured in the single version or framing dialogue from the studio and rooftop concert added to the album version.
- "Dig a Pony" – a remix of the take from the rooftop concert on 30 January 1969; framing dialogue and false start removed; error in second chorus (the "because" in Lennon's vocal track) digitally corrected.
- "For You Blue" – a remix of the 25 January 1969 take used on the album, including Harrison's re-recorded lead vocal from 8 January 1970 and reinstating his rhythm guitar; framing dialogue removed.
- "The Long and Winding Road" – the final take recorded on 31 January 1969, instead of the album take from 26 January. Previously unreleased.
- "Two of Us" – a remix of the take recorded on 31 January 1969 used on the album; framing dialogue removed; minor error in Lennon's acoustic guitar performance digitally corrected.
- "I've Got a Feeling" – a composite edit of two takes from the rooftop concert.
- "One After 909" – a remix of the take from the rooftop concert; impromptu rendition of "Danny Boy" removed.
- "Don't Let Me Down" – a composite edit of two takes from the rooftop concert. Previously unreleased.
- "I Me Mine" – a remixed, slightly different recreation of Spector's edit (which had increased the track's length by copy/pasting the second chorus at the end) of the track recorded on 3 January 1970; orchestra removed, guitar overdubs and organ parts mixed in and out to make the repeated verse sound different.
- "Across the Universe" – a remix of the original version recorded on 4 February 1968, without speed/pitch alteration, sound effects, piano, maracas and backing vocals; with echo effects unique to this version.
- "Let It Be" – a remix of take 27A from 31 January 1969 used for George Martin's single version and Spector's album version, with edit pieces including Harrison's guitar solo from take 27B edited in.
Release
On 13 November 2003, the completed Let It Be... Naked album had its world premiere with a two-hour radio special from
Reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 68/100[13] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [14] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [15] |
The Guardian | [16] |
Pitchfork | 7.0/10[17] |
Rolling Stone | [1] |
AllMusic's Rovi Staff called Let It Be... Naked an "overall slightly stronger ... sleeker, slicker album", in comparison to the original 1970 release.[14] Dominique Leone of Pitchfork called the album "not essential ... though immaculately presented".[17] Anthony DeCurtis of Rolling Stone noted that "[while] the sonic improvements to the album as a whole are undeniable ... novices should still get the original".[1] Producer Rick Rubin said he had "mixed feelings"; although excited about a new Beatles release and especially the sound of "Two of Us", he expressed admiration for the original Phil Spector production that Let It Be... Naked stripped out, especially on "The Long and Winding Road".[18]
Adam Sweeting of
Track listing
All tracks are written by Lennon–McCartney except "For You Blue" and "I Me Mine", which are by George Harrison
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All songs published by Northern Songs, except tracks 3 and 9 published by Harrisongs.
Fly on the Wall bonus disc
The 22-minute bonus disc contains song excerpts and dialogue from the many hours of tape which accumulated during the Let It Be sessions. Some of the removed dialogue that had appeared on the original album appears on this disc. In total, the track is 21 minutes and 55 seconds long and brings the album's total length to 56:59.
Compiled and edited by Kevin Howlett. All songs credited to Lennon–McCartney except where noted.
- "Sun King" – 0:17
- "Don't Let Me Down" – 0:35
- "One After 909"– 0:09
- "Because I Know You Love Me So" – 1:32
- "Don't Pass Me By" (Richard Starkey) – 0:03
- "Taking a Trip to Carolina" (Starkey) – 0:19
- "John's Piano Piece" (Lennon) – 0:18
- "Child of Nature" (Lennon) – 0:24
- "Back in the U.S.S.R." – 0:09
- "Every Little Thing" – 0:09
- "Don't Let Me Down" – 1:01
- "All Things Must Pass" (Harrison) – 0:21
- "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" – 0:05
- "Paul's Piano Piece" (McCartney) – 1:01
- "Get Back" – 0:15
- "Two of Us" – 0:22
- "Maggie Mae" (Traditional, arranged by Lennon–McCartney–Harrison–Starkey) – 0:22
- "Fancy My Chances with You" – 0:27
- "Can You Dig It?" (Lennon–McCartney–Harrison–Starkey) – 0:31
- "Get Back" – 0:32
The album was released in some regions with the Copy Control protection system.[20][21]
Personnel
The Beatles
- John Lennon – vocals, guitars, bass guitar, lap steel guitar
- Paul McCartney – vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitars, piano, Hammond organ, electric piano
- George Harrison – guitars, vocals, sitar, tambura
- Ringo Starr – drums
Additional musicians
- George Martin – Hammond organ, percussion
- Billy Preston – Hammond organ, electric piano
Technical
- Paul Hicks – co-producer, mixing
- Guy Massey – co-producer, mixing
- Allan Rouse – co-producer, mixing
- Steve Rooke – mastering
- The Beatles – co-producer (original recordings)
- George Martin – co-producer (original recordings)
- Glyn Johns – engineer
- Ethan Russell – photography
- Wherefore Art? – design
- Kevin Howlett – liner notes, compilation and editing (Fly on the Wall)
- Brian Thompson – technical assistance (Fly on the Wall)
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[55] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Germany (BVMI)[56] | Gold | 100,000^ |
Japan (RIAJ)[57] | 2× Platinum | 500,000^ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[58] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Sweden (GLF)[59] | Gold | 30,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[60] | Gold | 100,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[62] | Platinum | 1,211,000[61] |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d DeCurtis, Anthony (20 November 2003). "Let It Be... Naked". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
- ^ "Let It Be - the Beatles". AllMusic.
- ^ Penton Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2010.."The Naked Truth About the Beatles' Let It BeNaked". Archived from the original on 7 June 2004. Retrieved 7 July 2015.)
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link - ^ Leone, Dominique. "The Beatles, Let It Be... Naked". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
- ^ "It's a Bad Day on CNN". Rediff.com. 13 September 2003. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
- ^ Sedgewick, Austin; Harris, John (18 September 2003). "The Beatles Get "Naked"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-06-177418-8.
- ISBN 0-8118-2684-8.
- ^ "Historien bag 'Let It Be...Naked'" [The story behind 'Let It Be...Naked']. Jyllands-Posten. 13 November 2003. Archived from the original on 5 December 2003. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Infinity Broadcasting and Apple Corps Ltd Partner for Unique, One Time Only Radio Event". CBS Radio (Press release). CBS. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Infinity Ready to Get 'Naked'". Radioworld. Future Publishing Limited. 11 November 2003. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Breakfast With the Beatles". 95.5 KLOS FM. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Let It Be... Naked Reviews - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- ^ AllMusic
- ISBN 978-0195313734.
- ^ a b Sweeting, Adam (14 November 2003). "The Beatles: Let It Be... Naked". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Album Reviews: The Beatles: Let It Be... Naked". Pitchfork. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ Fremer, Michael (30 April 2004), "The Musicangle Interview: Producer Rick Rubin Part I", Analog Planet, retrieved 22 June 2018
- Salon. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
- CD WOW! UK. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ "Beatles, The - Let It Be... Naked at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "The Beatles Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Charts.nz – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Beatles | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "The Beatles Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Beatles | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "The Beatles Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2003". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Årslista Album – År 2003" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2003". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2003" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004". Billboard. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2003 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Beatles; 'Let It Be... Naked')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Japanese album certifications – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 29 March 2020. Select 2003年11月 on the drop-down menu
- ^ "The Beatles - Let It Be Naked". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2003" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ "British album certifications – The Beatles – Let It Be... Naked". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "Week Ending April 7, 2013". Yahoo! Music. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ^ "American album certifications – The Beatles – Let It Be...Naked". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 17 May 2016.