Let It Be: Special Edition

Last updated

Let It Be: Special Edition
LetItBe-SpecialEdition.png
Compilation album by
the Beatles
Released15 October 2021 (2021-10-15)
RecordedFebruary 1968 – April 1970
Studio Apple, EMI and Twickenham Film Studios, London
Length164:27
Label Apple
Producer
The Beatles chronology
The Singles Collection
(2019)		Let It Be: Special Edition
(2021)		 Get Back – The Rooftop Performance
(2022)

Let It Be: Special Edition is an expanded reissue of the original 1970 album by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released by Apple Records on 15 October 2021 and includes a new stereo remix of the album, as well as a Dolby Atmos mix, by Giles Martin, the son of Beatles producer George Martin.

Contents

Background and content

This was not the first time Let It Be was released as a box set. The original album came out in a limited edition box set in the UK on 8 May 1970, which went out of print by that December and was replaced in circulation with a standard issue LP. Aside from the LP, the original box set included a 164-page paperback book. [1]

Like the previous Beatles 50th anniversary box sets, Let It Be: Special Edition was originally going to be released the same month as the original album. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, its release was delayed until October 2021 while the release of the Get Back documentary series was delayed until November 2021. Additionally, the release dates of the super deluxe editions of John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and All Things Must Pass were delayed until April 2021 and August 2021 respectively. [2] [3]

A trailer for Let It Be: Special Edition was released in August 2021, two months before its release. It was also revealed that a book containing essays, photos, session notes and a message from Paul McCartney on his thoughts on both the box set and the upcoming Get Back documentary will be included in the box set. [4] Let It Be: Special Edition features a remix of the original Let It Be album by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell, along with session highlights, outtakes, an EP featuring four additional unreleased tracks and new mixes and a remaster of Glyn Johns' original 1969 Get Back mix. [5] [6] Let It Be: Special Edition is available in both CD and vinyl formats. [7] [8] [9] [10]

The box set included the first official release of the 1969 Get Back mix, which was previously available in bootleg form. [11] However, some sources state that due to a mixup, the true 1969 mix is available only on the Japan Super High Material (SHM) CD release, and that the mix on all other releases combines elements from both the 1969 mix and the 1970 mix of the Get Back album. [12]

On 28 January 2022, the full audio recording of the rooftop concert was released to streaming services as The Beatles: Get Back – The Rooftop Performance. [13]

Reception

Let It Be: Special Edition received positive reviews. [14] [15] [16] In an online review, music critic David Quantick stated the box set "does wonders for the record" and that it gives the listener "a bird’s-eye view of the sessions". [17] Pitchfork gave it a 9.1 rating and said in their review that the box set shines a light on "the brilliant and tumultuous process" of the album, and called some of the outtakes "uncomfortable and fascinating". [18]

On Metacritic, Let It Be: Special Edition holds an aggregate score of 91 out of 100, based on seven reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". [19]

Track listings

New stereo mix of original album

All tracks are written by Lennon–McCartney, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocal(s)Length
1."Two of Us" McCartney with Lennon3:36
2."Dig a Pony" Lennon3:54
3."Across the Universe" Lennon3:48
4."I Me Mine" George Harrison Harrison2:26
5."Dig It"Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Richard Starkey Lennon0:50
6."Let It Be" McCartney4:03
7."Maggie Mae"Traditional; arranged by Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, StarkeyLennon with McCartney0:40
8."I've Got a Feeling" McCartney and Lennon3:37
9."One After 909" Lennon with McCartney2:54
10."The Long and Winding Road" McCartney3:38
11."For You Blue"HarrisonHarrison2:32
12."Get Back" McCartney3:09
Total length:34:37

Super Deluxe edition tracks

Disc 2: Get Back – Apple Sessions
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Morning Camera" / "Two of Us" (Speech / Take 4) 3:42
2."Maggie Mae" / "Fancy My Chances with You"Traditional / Lennon, McCartney0:58
3."Can You Dig It?" 2:02
4."I Don't Know Why I'm Moaning" (Speech) 1:22
5."For You Blue" (Take 4)Harrison2:52
6."Let It Be" / "Please Please Me" / "Let It Be" (Take 10) 4:32
7."I've Got a Feeling" (Take 10) 3:37
8."Dig a Pony" (Take 14) 4:01
9."Get Back" (Take 19) 3:57
10."Like Making an Album?" (Speech) 0:42
11."One After 909" (Take 3) 3:27
12."Don't Let Me Down" (First Rooftop Performance) 3:28
13."The Long and Winding Road" (Take 19) 3:47
14."Wake Up Little Susie" / "I Me Mine" (Take 11) Felice Bryant, Boudleaux Bryant / Harrison2:15
Total length:40:42
Disc 3: Get Back – Rehearsals and Apple Jams
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."On the Day Shift Now" / "All Things Must Pass" (Speech / Rehearsals)Harrison4:22
2."Concentrate on the Sound" 1:07
3."Gimme Some Truth" (Rehearsals)Lennon1:19
4."I Me Mine" (Rehearsals)Harrison1:35
5."She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" (Rehearsals) 2:50
6."Polythene Pam" (Rehearsals) 1:19
7."Octopus's Garden" (Rehearsals)Starkey1:50
8."Oh! Darling" (Jam) 5:19
9."Get Back" (Take 8) 3:52
10."The Walk" (Jam) Jimmy McCracklin, Bob Garlic0:55
11."Without a Song" (Jam – Billy Preston with John and Ringo) Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu 2:00
12."Something" (Rehearsals)Harrison1:24
13."Let It Be" (Take 28) 4:42
Total length:32:34
Disc 4: Get Back LP – Glyn Johns 1969 Mix
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."One After 909" 3:06
2."I'm Ready (Rocker)" / "Save the Last Dance for Me" / "Don't Let Me Down" (Medley) Fats Domino, Al Lewis, Sylvester Bradford / Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman / Lennon, McCartney1:56
3."Don't Let Me Down" 4:05
4."Dig a Pony" 4:13
5."I've Got a Feeling" 2:53
6."Get Back" 3:13
7."For You Blue" (1969 mix with 1970 lead vocal overdub)Harrison2:53
8."Teddy Boy"McCartney3:41
9."Two of Us" 3:29
10."Maggie Mae"Traditional0:38
11."Dig It"Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Starkey4:09
12."Let It Be" 4:09
13."The Long And Winding Road" 3:39
14."Get Back" (Reprise) 0:40
Total length:42:45
Disc 5: Let It Be EP
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Across The Universe" (Unreleased Glyn Johns 1970 Mix) 3:31
2."I Me Mine" (Unreleased Glyn Johns 1970 Mix)Harrison1:45
3."Don't Let Me Down" (New Mix of Original Single Version) 4:08
4."Let It Be" (New Mix of Original Single Version) 3:52
Total length:13:16

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for Let It Be: Special Edition
Chart (2021)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [20] 2
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [21] 6
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) [22] 2
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [23] 8
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI) [24] 14
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) [25] 5
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [26] 3
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ) [27] 34
Irish Albums (OCC) [28] 3
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [29] 5
Polish Albums (ZPAV) [30] 22
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) [31] 5
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [32] 3
UK Albums (OCC) [33] 2
US Billboard 200 [34] 5

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>A Hard Days Night</i> (album) 1964 studio album by the Beatles

A Hard Day's Night is the third studio album by the English rock band the Beatles, released on 10 July 1964 by Parlophone, with side one containing songs from the soundtrack to their film of the same name. The American version of the album was released two weeks earlier, on 26 June 1964 by United Artists Records, with a different track listing that included selections from George Martin's film score. In contrast to the Beatles' first two albums, all 13 tracks on A Hard Day's Night were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, showcasing the development of their songwriting partnership.

<i>Let It Be</i> (album) 1970 studio album by the Beatles

Let It Be is the twelfth and final studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released on 8 May 1970, nearly a month after the official announcement of the group's public break-up, in tandem with the documentary of the same name. Concerned about recent friction within the band, Paul McCartney had conceived the project as an attempt to reinvigorate the group by returning to simpler rock 'n' roll configurations. Its rehearsals started at Twickenham Film Studios on 2 January 1969 as part of a planned television documentary showcasing the Beatles' return to live performance.

<i>1</i> (Beatles album) 2000 greatest hits album by The Beatles

1 is a greatest hits album of the English rock band the Beatles, originally released on 13 November 2000. The album features virtually every number-one single the band achieved in the United Kingdom or United States from 1962 to 1970. Issued on the 30th anniversary of the band's break-up, it was their first compilation album available on only one CD. 1 was a commercial success and topped charts worldwide. It has sold over 31 million copies. Since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking US album sales in January 1991, 1 is the fourth-best-selling album in the US, the best-selling album of the 2000s decade in the US, as well as the best-selling album of the decade worldwide.

<i>Super Trouper</i> (album) 1980 studio album by ABBA

Super Trouper is the seventh studio album by the Swedish pop group ABBA, released on 3 November 1980. It features the No.1 singles "The Winner Takes It All" and "Super Trouper". The album became the UK's biggest-selling album of 1980.

<i>Mind Games</i> (John Lennon album) 1973 studio album by John Lennon

Mind Games is the fourth solo studio album by English musician John Lennon. It was recorded at Record Plant Studios in New York in summer 1973. The album was released in the US on 29 October 1973 and in the UK on 16 November 1973. It was Lennon's first self-produced recording without help from Phil Spector. Like his previous album, the politically topical and somewhat abrasive Some Time in New York City, Mind Games received mixed reviews upon release. It reached number 13 in the UK and number 9 in the US, where it was certified gold in both territories.

<i>1967–1970</i> 1973 compilation album by the Beatles

1967–1970, also known as the Blue Album, is a compilation album of songs by the English rock band the Beatles, spanning the years indicated in the title. A double LP, it was released with 1962–1966 in April 1973. 1967–1970 topped the Billboard albums chart in the United States and peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart. It was re-released in September 1993 on CD, charting at number 4 in the United Kingdom.

<i>Abbey Road</i> 1969 studio album by the Beatles

Abbey Road is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band the Beatles, released on 26 September 1969, by Apple Records. It is the last album the group recorded, although Let It Be (1970) was the last album completed before the band's break-up in April 1970. It was mostly recorded in April, July, and August 1969, and topped the record charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom. A double A-side single from the album, "Something" / "Come Together", was released in October, which also topped the charts in the US.

<i>Anthology 3</i> 1996 compilation album by the Beatles

Anthology 3 is a compilation album by the Beatles, released on 28 October 1996 by Apple Records as part of The Beatles Anthology series. The album includes rarities and alternative tracks from the final two years of the band's career, ranging from the initial sessions for The Beatles to the last sessions for Let It Be and Abbey Road in 1969 and early 1970. It is the last in a trilogy of albums with Anthology 1 and Anthology 2, all of which tie in with the televised special The Beatles Anthology.

<i>Ram</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Paul and Linda McCartney

Ram is the only studio album credited to the husband-and-wife music duo Paul and Linda McCartney, and the former's second album post-Beatles. Released on 17 May 1971 by Apple Records, it was recorded in New York with guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken, and future Wings drummer Denny Seiwell. Three singles were issued from the album: "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey", "The Back Seat of My Car" and "Eat at Home". The recording sessions also yielded the non-album single "Another Day".

<i>The Visitors</i> (ABBA album) 1981 studio album by ABBA

The Visitors is the eighth studio album by the Swedish pop group ABBA. It was released on 30 November 1981.

<i>Wings over America</i> 1976 live album by Wings

Wings over America is a triple live album by the British–American rock band Wings, released in December 1976. The album was recorded during the American leg of the band's 1975–76 Wings Over the World tour. It peaked at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and reached number 1 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart.

<i>Let It Be... Naked</i> 2003 remix album by the Beatles

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. 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.

<i>Past Masters</i> 1988 compilation album by The Beatles

Past Masters is a two-disc compilation album set by the English rock band the Beatles. It was originally released as two separate volumes on 7 March 1988, as part of the first issue of the band's catalogue on compact disc. The album contains all songs released commercially by the band that were not available on the Beatles' 12 original UK albums or the US Magical Mystery Tour LP. It was compiled by Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn, who also wrote the liner notes. The majority of the Past Masters set consists of A- and B-sides from the band's singles, including single versions of songs that appeared in a different form on the band's albums. Also included are the full contents of the UK-only Long Tall Sally EP, two German-language tracks, a song recorded for the American market, and a track released on a charity compilation album.

<i>The Beatles in Mono</i> 2009 box set by The Beatles

The Beatles in Mono is a boxed set compilation comprising the remastered monaural recordings by the Beatles. The set was released on compact disc on 9 September 2009, the same day the remastered stereo recordings and companion The Beatles were also released, along with The Beatles: Rock Band video game. The remastering project for both mono and stereo versions was led by EMI senior studio engineers Allan Rouse and Guy Massey.

<i>The Beatles (The Original Studio Recordings)</i> 2009 box set by The Beatles

The Beatles (The Original Studio Recordings), also known as The Beatles: Stereo Box Set, is a box set compilation comprising all remastered recordings by English rock band the Beatles. The set was issued on 9 September 2009, along with the remastered mono recordings and companion The Beatles in Mono and The Beatles: Rock Band video game. The remastering project for both mono and stereo versions was led by EMI senior studio engineers Allan Rouse and Guy Massey. The Stereo Box also features a DVD which contains all the short films that are on the CDs in QuickTime format. The release date of 09/09/09 is related to the significance to John Lennon of the number nine.

<i>Good Evening New York City</i> 2009 live album by Paul McCartney

Good Evening New York City is a CD/DVD double live album by Paul McCartney consisting of material performed over three nights as the inaugural concerts at New York City's Citi Field, 17, 18 and 21 July 2009, part of his Summer Live '09 concert tour. Over 180,000 tickets were sold within hours of the shows being announced. The album is McCartney's third release for Hear Music, following 2007 album Memory Almost Full and the live EP Amoeba's Secret. Previous McCartney live albums such as Back in the US proved to be huge sellers based on his record-breaking live shows from the 2000s.

<i>Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band: 50th Anniversary Edition</i> 2017 compilation album by the Beatles

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: 50th Anniversary Edition is an expanded reissue of the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released on 26 May 2017, the album's 50th anniversary. It includes a new stereo remix of the album by Giles Martin, the son of Beatles producer George Martin.

<i>Abbey Road: 50th Anniversary Edition</i> 2019 compilation album by the Beatles

Abbey Road: 50th Anniversary Edition is an expanded reissue of the 1969 album Abbey Road by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released in September 2019 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original album. It includes a new stereo remix of the album by Giles Martin, the son of Beatles producer George Martin.

<i>The Beatles: 50th Anniversary Edition</i> 2018 compilation album by the Beatles

The Beatles: 50th Anniversary Edition is an expanded reissue of the 1968 double album The Beatles by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released in November 2018 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the original album. It includes a new stereo remix of the album by Giles Martin, the son of Beatles producer George Martin who had died in 2016.

<i>Revolver: Special Edition</i> 2022 compilation album by the Beatles

Revolver: Special Edition is an expanded reissue of the 1966 album Revolver by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released on 28 October 2022, and includes a new stereo remix of the album by Giles Martin, with the help of de-mixing technology developed by Peter Jackson's WingNut Films, as well as the original mono mix, session recordings, demos, and an EP including new mixes of the non-album single "Paperback Writer" and its B-side, "Rain", recorded during the Revolver sessions.

References

  1. ↑ "The Beatles Let it Be, 1970 complete UK box set (No"replacement" items!) Stock Ref HHB582 : Pleasures of Past Times". pleasuresofpasttimes.com. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  2. ↑ "John Lennon's 'John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band' to be celebrated in new 'Ultimate Collection' reissue". NME. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "'All Things Must Pass' 50th Anniversary Releases". George Harrison. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Irwin, Corey (26 August 2021). "Beatles Announce 'Let It Be' Special Edition Box Set". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  5. ↑ "Beatles' 'Let It Be' Deluxe Editions Set for October, Preceding Peter Jackson's Documentary Series". Variety. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  6. ↑ Monroe, Jazz (26 August 2021). "The Beatles Announce Let It Be Reissue". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "Let It Be Special Edition: Super Deluxe | The Beatles". www.thebeatles.com. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. ↑ Carty, Pat. "Dig A Pony? The Beatles - Let It Be Super Deluxe Edition". Hotpress. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "Let It Be – Special Edition (Super Deluxe)". Beatles UK/EU. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "Let It Be – Special Edition (Super Deluxe Vinyl)". Beatles UK/EU. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Gallucci, Michael (16 February 2013). "Top 10 Beatles Bootleg Albums". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  12. ↑ admin (22 October 2021). "Wrong Masters for the 'Glyn Johns 1969 Mix', and Japan to the rescue". The Daily Beatle. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  13. ↑ Willman, Chris (27 January 2022). "Beatles' 'Rooftop Performance' to Be Released as a Streaming Audio Album". Variety. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  14. ↑ "Let It Be – Super Deluxe Version Repaints the Beatles' Final Album". SPIN. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  15. ↑ "The Beatles / Let It Be reissue – SuperDeluxeEdition". 26 August 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  16. ↑ "Another take". Otago Daily Times Online News. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  17. ↑ Quantick, David (15 October 2021). "50 years of The Beatles' Let It Be improved via panoramic expansion". loudersound. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  18. ↑ "The Beatles: Let It Be (Super Deluxe)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  19. ↑ Let It Be [2021 Mix][Super Deluxe Edition][Box Set] by The Beatles , retrieved 25 October 2021
  20. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums for week of 25 October 2021". ARIA Charts. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  21. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Let It Be" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  22. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Beatles – Let It Be" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  23. ↑ "Billboard Canadian Albums". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  24. ↑ "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 42.Týden 2021 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  25. ↑ "The Beatles: Let It Be" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  26. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Beatles – Let It Be" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  27. ↑ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2021. 42. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  28. ↑ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  29. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  30. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 October 2021.
  31. ↑ "Spanishcharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  32. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The Beatles – Let It Be". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  33. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Young Thug's "Punk" Debuts at No.1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.