The Beatles - Let It Be
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Free Music Notes for Let It Be
Free Music Review: Everything Has Got To Be Just Like You Want It To
Hit: 4 Stars
It would be fair to say that "Let It Be" is not the Beatles' strongest effort on record, and that as a swan song for the greatest quartet in pop music history that it leaves a lot to be desired. But getting past the flaws, you enter into an impressive (if not exactly stunning) exploration of four musicians staring into the abyss of wildly divergent solo careers and emerging with one final stab at unity, even if it breaks on the waves.
To start with, there are problems with "Let It Be" in its original incarnation (but not as bad as the botched "reissue" that Naked was a few years ago). Phil Spector's overly lush orchestration ruins "The Long And Winding Road" (which is better heard on "Anthology", volume three) and threatens to sap the energy from "Across the Universe" (which manages to get over just the same as it did on the version available on Past Masters 2). And thematically, the album leaves a lot to be desired; one has to wonder what motivated the inclusion of a throwaway like "Dig It" when it comes between classics like "I Me Mine" and the title track. Perhaps Lennon's ego or Spector's misguided attempts to recreate the "atmosphere" of a Beatles recording session led to the one false step on the album.
But there are good things to say about "Let It Be", in the end: the title track has more spark here than on Past Masters 2, and "Dig a Pony" is Lennon at a surrealistic height not witnessed since "I Am The Walrus". The collaberations between Lennon and McCartney almost serve to contradict the fact that they wouldn't be partners for much longer: "Two of Us" is a masterful look at their shared history (a bond that couldn't last under the strains of creative differences and spouses tearing them apart). Harrison gets a nice solo slot on "For You Blue", and the take on "Get Back" is charged with energy.
The best songs on the album are "Let It Be" and "I've Got a Feeling", which couldn't be more different. Of course, the title track is the one that was taken as an elegy of sorts for the artistic partnership that was coming to an end, but it is more than that. Not quite as couched in "peace and love" terminology as some of the more flower-power anthems that were already dated by the time this album came out, it makes the case for those sentiments nonetheless and adds a bit of fiery spunk with the distinctive guitar solos. "I've Got A Feeling" on the finished record isn't quite as sparkling as the rocking-but-collapsable version on Anthology Volume 3, but it still works as a primal look at the way love can set off emotions too big for words in even the most jaded rock-and-roller.
And so, with this the Beatles' career came to an end. Imperfect, flawed, marred in parts, but nonetheless an honest look at their final days. It survives not as a great album, but a good album by great artists. If it weren't for the band behind it, this album would be a godsend to struggling bands who could gladly lay claim to the contents. As it is, this is a minor Beatles work, but an essential one. No attempts to clean it up can harm the underlying drive of the album. It is as it was, and that's how it should be.
Free Music Review: If there was ever an underrated Beatles album, this is it
Hit: 5 Stars
"Let It Be" doesn't get a lot of recognition, overshadowed as it is by the White Album and especially by "Abbey Road". Despite Phil Spector's orchestration on the record, this is the most stripped-down the Beatles' music ever got. So it's understandable that most people favor some of the earlier Beatles albums over this. Still, I maintain that "Let It Be" is one of their best, perhaps just behind "Abbey Road" and "Revolver".
Almost every song on this record is amazing. George's "I Me Mine" and "For You Blue" continue his line of great contributions to Beatles albums, and John and Paul are still at their songwriting peaks. At the same time, they let up from the depressed mood of the White Album and just seem to have a good time in the studio; even though the band was tearing apart at the seams it's not apparent from listening to the album. Spector's much maligned "wall of sound" almost never gets in the way, either. Only "The Long And Winding Road" sounds like filler to me, probably because it only consists of Paul's singing and Phil's orchestra and the melody isn't that great. Everything else on "Let It Be" is terrific, though. Don't let the negative reviews deter you; the songs here stand up to the Beatles' best work on their other late-period albums, they just have more stripped-down arrangements.
Free Music Review: Brilliant Beatles
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the final album issued before the Beatles disbanded in 1970. Being the true great legendry band they were, they went out on a top note. This album is a great document.
My favorite songs here include "Two Of Us", "The One After 909" and "Let It Be".
"Two Of Us" is a duo sung by Paul and John and it is often falsely claimed Paul wrote this about his friendship with John, he didn't. It was written about Paul and his wife, Linda.
It's a nice country song about going for a drive, but can also imply a relationship with a very close friend, hence the assumption he wrote it about him and Lennon ("You and I have memories, longer than the road that stretches out ahead").
"I Me Mine" is a George Harrison song, about greed and selfishness, although it is such a fun rocker, you won't be listening to the words most the time, just singing along with them, but still, it's a great Beatles number.
"Let It Be" is Paul at his best. This piano written ballad (in the vein of "Hey Jude" and "Yesterday") is regarded as one of the Beatles finest moments. It was written about Paul's dream of meeting once again with his late Mother (Mary) and has no religious meaning as some might think. The guitar solo here, played by Harrison, is much better than the one that ended up on the single (played by Lennon).
"I Dig A Pony", sung by John and Paul, is a rocker than would have fit just as easily onto the white album a couple of years previous, but is welcome here too.
"One After 909" is a top notch rocker, that was, ironically, written for their first album but let off. They intended to out it out on other albums after, but it always ended up being left out, until "Let It Be", after which the group split up.
Other highlights include "Across The Universe", "Long and Winding Road", "For You Blue" and "Dig It" (a jam session).
Also included is studio talk from the Beatles, which I find nice as it adds to the "live" feel and also John and Paul singing the old time "Maggie May".
Free Music Review: The Beatles Final Album
Hit: 4 Stars
It was heartbreaking for millions of people around the world to face the fact the Beatles were no more. I don't agree that this album is bad or not up to par. I think that there are many excellent songs here that would have been wonderful if they were fully fleshed out on a real album with George Martin. As it is, it is still a great piece of work.
1. Two Of Us-5/5. This is a great collaboration between John and Paul. The music is real folky and the lyrics follow suit, but the strong point here is the harmonies between the two. It adds something to the song that elevates it above average.
2. I Dig A Pony-5/5. My original vinyl record has the "I" although the CD version doesn't. This is a strong rocker from John, with his trademark weird lyrics. The chorus is very sing-a-long and anthemic. One of his best songs.
3. Across the Universe-5/5. This version is different from the original version released on a wildlife preservation charity album. This version is far superior. It is slower and the vocals sound more emotional from John. Excellent.
4. I Me Mine-3/5. George's songs on this album were weaker than his previous songs were. The lyrics aren't up to par and the music isn't all that great either. George's vocals are very good though.
5. Dig It-2/5. This is some nonsense 30 seconds of John shouting out the acronyms of various governmental agencies. Pointless.
6. Let It Be-5/5. This version is slightly different from the single version, which is better. It sounds more real. This version just isn't quite as good. Beautiful ballad from Paul.
7. Maggie Mae-3/5. Short little bluesy song from John and Paul. I believe this is a traditional song, but the two of them sing it. Nothing special.
8. I've Got A Feeling-5/5. Great overlooked gem of a song. The music is excellent. This is one of my favorite Beatle songs ever. The vocals by both John and Paul are superb.
9. One After 909-3/5. This is an updated version of a song that they wrote for the "Please Please Me" album that they never could get right. Very upbeat bluesy rocker. This version isn't very good. The original version on the "Anthology 1" CD is much better.
10. The Long and Winding Road-5/5. Another beautiful ballad from Paul and one of my favorites ever. It has been said that Paul didn't like the background choral arrangements that Spector added to it, but I think it takes the song to a much different level and makes the song almost angelic. Perfect.
11. For You Blue-3/5. Boring little blues song from George. The lyrics are very repetitive, the music is boring, although the slide guitar solo is excellent.
12. Get Back-5/5. This version is a little shorter than the single version released the year before. The single version is much better in my opinion. Sort of bluesy with some strange lyrics from Paul, but he sings them very well.
The main problem that I have with this album is all of the talking and banter back and forth between the songs, along with the addition of "Maggie May" and "Dig It". Both of those should have been left off, along with the talking in between the songs. It sounds very unprofessional. However, the songs themselves are excellent. Much better than many people would lead you to believe. Strongly recommended for anyone who likes rock and roll.
Free Music Review: Back to basics
Hit: 3 Stars
Although a fine album, you can definitely hear the fat lady singing. OK, not literally of course, but "Let It Be" surely marks the end of a phenomenal era of rock music. The boys here were making an attempt to return to their roots, possibly to save what seemed to be the inevitable end of the band. For an even more complete account of what was happening, I recommend that in-studio documentary movie "Let It Be". This, of course, offers the historic rooftop concert.