More thoughts on Let It Be (you become naked)

Okay, so this particular blog entry comes over three years late. Ask me if I care. I figured since last time I discussed Let It Be and how it's not available on home video, hasn't been for nearly twenty-five years, and in all probability still won't be for some time, I'd discuss a related Beatles project, the Let It Be...Naked album from a few years ago.

As with any new Beatles project, some fans come out of the woodwork with nothing but bitching and moaning. The album was basically a third-party vision of how Let It Be would have sounded had it been recorded the way The Beatles usually recorded an album. None of The Beatles had any involvement with the creation of the project, although three of them -- yes, three -- gave the project their blessings. (The project was conceived before George Harrison died.)

Yet people were quick to yell that it's Paul McCartney's rewriting of history. While I'm sure he was thrilled about the project, remember, McCartney didn't have any involvement in the actual creation of it. What's interesting is that when you think about it, the Let It Be album itself, as released in 1970, is actually a rewriting of history by Phil Spector. Remember, the project was supposed to be entirely live without any overdubs -- basically, The Beatles at their rawest. What came out was an album of material, some of which wasn't even recorded during the January 1969 sessions, that had numerous overdubs and edits -- including overdubs of a lush orchestra, completely going against what The Beatles had intended during the actual recording of the album.

Many people also were happy to complain about certain tracks being left off, including "Maggie Mae." Had said complainers actually listened to the entire package, they'd find that an alternate version of said song is indeed present on the second disc in the set, entitled "Fly On The Wall." Many of those who actually listened to "Fly On The Wall" still bitched and moaned because some songs that would have been great inclusions were left off. Well...remember, tapes and films were running for every second The Beatles were in the studio in January of 1969 -- not everything could be included.

Finally, what really annoys me is the implicit attitude that the Let It Be...Naked release was supposed to replace Let It Be. I know, nobody actually outright said it, but you just have to remind people that the Let It Be album is still widely available and (at least in 2003) did not get discontinued.

My overall thoughts: a very well done package that contains, at the very least, sonic improvements. (Seriously, I've yet to actually listen to my Let It Be CD since the day I got it because the sound is so damn muddy.) Billy Preston's Hammond really jumps out on "I've Got A Feeling," as does McCartney's fine bass line. "Don't Let Me Down" is finally put in the proper context rather than being relegated to the B-side of a mediocre (in my opinion) single. And having the album end with the crashing final chords of "Let It Be" is a powerful musical statement right there.

Is it perfect? No, not at all. It seems silly to release a two-CD set when the contents of both CDs can easily fit on one. (Did Apple learn nothing from the public bashing of the 1993 CD release of the "red" album?) That all the contents of the "Fly On The Wall" CD are contained in one large track is pretty annoying. And was it a necessary release? Not by any means, especially since a handful of the Get Back/Let It Be-era recordings ended up on Anthology 3, particularly the pre-Spector versions of "The Long And Winding Road" and "I, Me, Mine." (However, I do commend the compilers of Let It Be...Naked for having the latter track included with its pre-Spector rawness but with the post-Spector lengthening of the track; unedited, "I, Me, Mine" is just too short!") Nonetheless, my wife and I highly enjoyed -- and still do enjoy -- Let It Be...Naked.

Sadly, Apple and company missed the perfect opportunity to release the movie on DVD as a companion piece. Tragically, Apple and company just don't care to give the fans what they want.