The Beatles - Let It Be

Let It Be

This is the 12th and final UK studio album by the Beatles, released in May 1970, shortly after the band's announcement on their breakup.

Most of the songs here are recorded in January 1969, before the recording and release of the Abbey Road album.

The album acts as a soundtrack album for the 1970 movie, Let It Be, documentary of the band rehearsing and recording the album.

The rehearsals and recording sessions for the album did not run smoothly because of the increasing squabbles among the Beatles. There were lots of arguments and musical differences during the sessions. The presence of Yoko Ono in the studio worsened the atmosphere. The movie, instead of showing the making of an album, showed the world the breaking-up of one of the world's greatest pop bands.

However, the movie did has its moments; an impromptu concert, shown at the end of the film, was held on the roof of the Apple office in London's Saville Row. The Beatles managed to perform 5 songs (I Dig A Pony, I've Got A Feeling, One After 909, Don't Let Me Down and Get Back) before the arrival of the police to stop the concert, after receiving some complaints about noise.

All songs credited to Lennon-McCartney, except where noted.

1. Two Of Us: The opening track, written by Paul, is a close harmony duet between Paul and John (who both play the acousic guitars) with Paul soloing in places. George plays the lead guitar with Ringo on drums. This reminds us of the 3 guitars and drums sound of the early 60s.

2. Dig A Pony: The song has a false start and then it starts with the lead guitar riffs and lead vocal from John with harmonies from Paul. George takes over playing the rhythm guitar while Billy Preston plays the organ.

3. Across The Universe: This recording is slightly slower than the original, as if it has been deliberately slowed down from its recorded speed. This has given John's solo vocal a whining quality. John plays acousic and lead guitars and joins George Martin on organ. Paul is on piano while George plays the tamboura. Ringo plays only the maraccas. Co-producer Phil Spector's over-dubbing of the choirs and orchestras, somehow, destroys the original simplicity of the song.

4. I Me Mine (Harrison): The song opens with the organ played by Billy Preston, with George on acoustic guitar, Paul on piano, John on lead guitar and Ringo on drums. George is on lead vocal with harmones from John and Paul. The track also has an over-dubbed orchestra from session musicians.

5. Dig It (Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starkey): a 51-second filler with John singing odd unconnected lines. This short track has Paul on piano, George on lead guitar and Billy Preston on organ.

6. Let It Be: This is one of the best songs from the Bealtes. Paul is on lead vocal ad piano. John plays the lead guitar, George on bass, Ringo on drums/maraccas, and Billy Preston on organ. To the dislike of Paul, Phil Spector overdubs brass and choir into the track.

7. Maggie Mae (Trad. Arr.-Lennon-McCartney-Harrison-Starkey): The Beatles interpret a traditional old Liverpudian song. John is on lead vocal with Paul and George harmonising. John and Paul play the acoustic guitars. George is on bass and Ringo on drums.

8. I've Got A Feeling: Both Paul and John sing the lead vocals in this track. The line-up is John on lead guitar, Paul on bass, George on rhythm guitar, Ringo on drums and Billy Preston on organ.

9. One After 909: This track is taken from the rooftop concert. It's one of John's earlier rock 'n' roll songs. The vocals are a duet between John and Paul, with John singing solo on one verse. The line-up is the same as I've Got A Feeling.

10. The Long And Winding Road: Paul's lovely ballad has him in solo vocal and piano. John is the only other Beatles present with the 6-string bass accompaniment. Phil Spector overlays the song with choirs and orchestras (strings, harp and drums) much to Paul's displeasure. (Paul strips off the orchestration in a later album called: Let It Be - Naked.)

11. For You Blue (Harrison): The track features a solo vocal from George who also plays the acoutic guitar. John plays on a steel guitar, Paul doubles on bass/piano and Ringo on drums.

12. Get Back: The last track on the album has Paul on lead vocal with harmonies from John in places. Again, like the few "rooftop" songs, the line-up is John on lead guitar, Paul on bass, George on rhythm Ringo on drums and Billy Preston on organ.