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]
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 "
Maggie Mae" and the improvisational piece "
Dig It" – were excised, as they "were fine for a soundtrack album ... but they didn't fit comfortably with the concept of a straight album", according to album remixer Allan Rouse.[3] Lennon's "Don't Let Me Down" was added to the running order, although Naked features a composite edit of the two versions from the
rooftop concert, rather than the version featured as the
B-side to the "Get Back" single.[3] "
I've Got a Feeling" was also presented in a new composite edit of its two rooftop-concert takes.[3] On "The Long and Winding Road", the Naked producers used the final take, recorded five days after the rough run-through Spector had selected for the original album.[3]
"
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.
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 The Guardian commented: "Technically, they've done a fine job ... it may be intriguing to hear a version of 'Across the Universe' featuring only Lennon and some echo effects, but the new mix merely emphasises the song's droning vapidity. 'The Long and Winding Road' is indubitably improved by the removal of Spector's wall of schmaltz, but it's still teeth-clenchingly mawkish".[16]Salon's Thomas Bartlett lamented that Let It Be... Naked "stripped the original album of both John's sense of humour and Phil Spector's wacky, and at least slightly tongue-in-cheek, grandiosity".[19]
Track listing
All tracks are written by
Lennon–McCartney except "For You Blue" and "I Me Mine", which are by George Harrison
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.