I’ve seen Let it Be since it came out in 1970 in a theater. Saw it later at midnight shows in the 70’s including a marathon Beatles midnight to 6am showing of all 5 Beatles movies. Then saw it on TV, VHS and dvd bootlegs. The Disney+ version is the best looking and best sounding as I heard things I hadn’t noticed before. It’s a good movie that is more balanced than I thought back in 1970 when the breakup clouded opinions about it. And it has the trio of full Paul songs that Get Back only showed snippets of. Definitely a worthwhile effort. I hope it comes out on Blu-ray so I can added it to the collection.
I am a diehard Beatles fan so I hate to admit that I had never seen the Let It Be movie before. I just had heard how bad it was - dark and dreary, spelling the end of the Beatles. I watched it yesterday and I loved it. It so full of joy and great music. I loved the tightness after watching Get Back. I would recommend Let It Be to everyone. I think Get Back was just for the Beatles fans.Get Back followed a story line in minute detail. Let It Be just enjoyed the music (oldies and Let It Be music- I loved it all) and the joy the Beatles had making music.
Understandable Linda! It hasn't been widely available, and copies that were out were in crap quality. As I mentioned on the show the Beatles Anthology in 1995 was the first time we got to see decent video quality footage from this period. I am glad you got to see it for the first time with a fresh approach and in superb quality!
@48:32 - I elect everyone to watch John's lapsteel fretboard playing during For You Blue - him sliding the high notes do not immediately match the sound. That's not a buffer/sync issue that's a film/sound match up within the film. George playing his chords on the acoustic match up fine. Watched it at two different places with one with a solid network - same visual/audio result.
I remember staying home from HS when LiB was first played on cinemax or hbo back in 1980 or 81. Home alone watching this and feeling how dark and moody it was until, of course Apple. It's amazing how they pulled it all together to put on a masterpiece of a short concert on the roof.
Great review guys. I am debating whether to start up Disney Plus again or wait until the Blu-Ray/4K comes out. Tom is 100% the dreariness is partly due to the shitty quality we have watched the last 40 years on VHS and then DVD.
The last recording session for the White Album took place on 14 October 1968; John and Paul's 24-hour mixing/editing session was on 16-17 October. That would give them two-and-a-half months off before Get Back. Five-six weeks until the release of the double album; then another five-six weeks to the next project. Still not a lot, but let's not delude ourselves into thinking they worked on the White Album until its release date on 22 November.
Fair, but still they had been through an awful lot over the course of the last year. Brian dies 27 August 67, half ass finish a trippy film (with great music), then retreat to India. Then come back work on the white album, all while John and Paul’s personal lives were starting to change drastically with the arrival of Yoko and Linda. It’s not unreasonable to think after all that, coming back say early spring of 69.
Thanks Mike! I know that's not a popular opinion but it's just how I feel. As another viewer pointed out the White album sessions ended in mid October 68, so its not like they were working full time on the WA up till the 22nd November release date. Which is a good point, but given the backlog of 30 songs, losing Brian the year prior, a longer pause until the Spring of 69 would've benefited them. But then again, maybe they wouldn't have reconvened at all. I think Paul realized it was happening and dragging them back into the studio in January was his attempt at keeping the band together because of his love for them. Which is pretty damn admirable.
I sold my Let it Be VHS for $105 on ebay in the late 90's. I couldn't pass up that much cash for something I didn't watch too much, I had it for almost 10 years. Got it for free from a video store that went out of business
@@2LegsAPaulMcCartneyPodcast yep! I love when RIngo rolls his eyes when Paul can't explain what he means about the Mararishi film when he was describing things from it.
It is great to have Let It Be out and proud at last and as many have said long overdue. As a documentary it's very flawed narratively, but the running time is the reason it's a bit of a mess. The film is definitely a better watch after seeing the Get Back docuseries which offers much more context to proceedings. The main highlights are the complete Two Of Us, Let It Be, and The Long And Winding Road, and obviously the rooftop gig which is goosebumpy everytime I watch it. It doesn't get mentioned that much, but playing music in England out in the open in January is a real challenge to guitar players, it's bloody freezing! :) It was my fifth Birthday the day of the rooftop gig so I always think their's some serendipity that I turned out to love the Beatles and solo Beatles. As for a DVD/Blu Ray release I think unlike the Get Back no extras discs we could have a complete rooftop show without the street footage, and as a new Let It Be song video dropped with differing angles that should be on with Two Of Us and The Long And Winding Road done the same way. I think in an ideal world we would have a Michael Lindsay Hogg commentary track but I can't see that coming.
Agree Sir James. Having complete performances of Two Of Us, LIB and The Long and Winding Road (as Tom called "The Paul McCartney Highlight reel" (Haha) in pristine quality, coupled now with a new edit of 'Let It Be' from different angles makes this a happy time for us fans. (Notice they used the album guitar solo in the vid)?
I never bought into the idea that it was a depressing movie. I thought it was great how they were still able to play live after 3 years. I’ll be in London this summer and intend to visit 3 Seville Row. Any tips? I know it’s a clothing store now.
Surprised that Glyn Johns thought Red Rose Speedway material was subpar compared to Let It Be. This album is among the weakest in the Beatles catalog albeit with a few classics like the title track, Two of Us and Get Back. Dig It and Maggie Mae should have been saved for the Anthology, Long and Winding Road is not fully developed yet and Dig a Pony, For You Blue and I Me Mine are just throwaways even if the first two are enjoyable. I prefer RRS, especially if you expand it into a double album. Get on the Right Thing, My Love, I Would Only Smile, Lazy Dynamite, Powercut, When the Night, Mama's Little Girl, Tragedy, Little Lamb/Dragonfly, I Lie Around, Big Barn Bed, Night Out, I mean, come on!
Interesting take Chris, Most people would place "Beatles For Sale" in that category since 1/2 the album is covers. There are no weak Beatles albums! I think "Glynis" grew more impatient with the pot smoking and long hours in the studio. RRS as a double is definitely stronger. Stronger than LIB? That's a thought. Remember, Glyn was just coming off of working with The Who (Who's Next) (one of the best albums ever) and the Stones and now was with Paul and Wings who were writing softer stuff (still awesome material) but given that and the pot he said "sod it".
@@2LegsAPaulMcCartneyPodcast Yeah, Beatles for Sale is probably lower than Let It Be. I'd be with Glyn on the pot-smoking crap but I think I'd still take even single LP RRS over LIB. But yeah, Who's Next is tough to beat.
I’ve seen Let it Be since it came out in 1970 in a theater. Saw it later at midnight shows in the 70’s including a marathon Beatles midnight to 6am showing of all 5 Beatles movies. Then saw it on TV, VHS and dvd bootlegs.
The Disney+ version is the best looking and best sounding as I heard things I hadn’t noticed before. It’s a good movie that is more balanced than I thought back in 1970 when the breakup clouded opinions about it. And it has the trio of full Paul songs that Get Back only showed snippets of. Definitely a worthwhile effort. I hope it comes out on Blu-ray so I can added it to the collection.
Loved the restoration, it looked and sounded good! Great discussion.
I am a diehard Beatles fan so I hate to admit that I had never seen the Let It Be movie before. I just had heard how bad it was - dark and dreary, spelling the end of the Beatles. I watched it yesterday and I loved it. It so full of joy and great music. I loved the tightness after watching Get Back. I would recommend Let It Be to everyone. I think Get Back was just for the Beatles fans.Get Back followed a story line in minute detail. Let It Be just enjoyed the music (oldies and Let It Be music- I loved it all) and the joy the Beatles had making music.
Understandable Linda! It hasn't been widely available, and copies that were out were in crap quality. As I mentioned on the show the Beatles Anthology in 1995 was the first time we got to see decent video quality footage from this period. I am glad you got to see it for the first time with a fresh approach and in superb quality!
@48:32 - I elect everyone to watch John's lapsteel fretboard playing during For You Blue - him sliding the high notes do not immediately match the sound. That's not a buffer/sync issue that's a film/sound match up within the film. George playing his chords on the acoustic match up fine. Watched it at two different places with one with a solid network - same visual/audio result.
I remember staying home from HS when LiB was first played on cinemax or hbo back in 1980 or 81. Home alone watching this and feeling how dark and moody it was until, of course Apple. It's amazing how they pulled it all together to put on a masterpiece of a short concert on the roof.
Great review guys. I am debating whether to start up Disney Plus again or wait until the Blu-Ray/4K comes out. Tom is 100% the dreariness is partly due to the shitty quality we have watched the last 40 years on VHS and then DVD.
The last recording session for the White Album took place on 14 October 1968; John and Paul's 24-hour mixing/editing session was on 16-17 October. That would give them two-and-a-half months off before Get Back. Five-six weeks until the release of the double album; then another five-six weeks to the next project.
Still not a lot, but let's not delude ourselves into thinking they worked on the White Album until its release date on 22 November.
Fair, but still they had been through an awful lot over the course of the last year. Brian dies 27 August 67, half ass finish a trippy film (with great music), then retreat to India. Then come back work on the white album, all while John and Paul’s personal lives were starting to change drastically with the arrival of Yoko and Linda. It’s not unreasonable to think after all that, coming back say early spring of 69.
Andy fully agree with you re they went back to the studio too soon. BTW another great vid!!!!
Thanks Mike! I know that's not a popular opinion but it's just how I feel. As another viewer pointed out the White album sessions ended in mid October 68, so its not like they were working full time on the WA up till the 22nd November release date. Which is a good point, but given the backlog of 30 songs, losing Brian the year prior, a longer pause until the Spring of 69 would've benefited them. But then again, maybe they wouldn't have reconvened at all. I think Paul realized it was happening and dragging them back into the studio in January was his attempt at keeping the band together because of his love for them. Which is pretty damn admirable.
Excellent discussion! Loved the movie.
Been looking forward to this podcast!
I sold my Let it Be VHS for $105 on ebay in the late 90's. I couldn't pass up that much cash for something I didn't watch too much, I had it for almost 10 years. Got it for free from a video store that went out of business
Don't blame you. And the quality wasn't nearly as good. Remember how expensive it was to actually buy the legit VHS?
@@2LegsAPaulMcCartneyPodcast yep! I love when RIngo rolls his eyes when Paul can't explain what he means about the Mararishi film when he was describing things from it.
It is great to have Let It Be out and proud at last and as many have said long overdue. As a documentary it's very flawed narratively, but the running time is the reason it's a bit of a mess. The film is definitely a better watch after seeing the Get Back docuseries which offers much more context to proceedings. The main highlights are the complete Two Of Us, Let It Be, and The Long And Winding Road, and obviously the rooftop gig which is goosebumpy everytime I watch it. It doesn't get mentioned that much, but playing music in England out in the open in January is a real challenge to guitar players, it's bloody freezing! :) It was my fifth Birthday the day of the rooftop gig so I always think their's some serendipity that I turned out to love the Beatles and solo Beatles. As for a DVD/Blu Ray release I think unlike the Get Back no extras discs we could have a complete rooftop show without the street footage, and as a new Let It Be song video dropped with differing angles that should be on with Two Of Us and The Long And Winding Road done the same way. I think in an ideal world we would have a Michael Lindsay Hogg commentary track but I can't see that coming.
Agree Sir James. Having complete performances of Two Of Us, LIB and The Long and Winding Road (as Tom called "The Paul McCartney Highlight reel" (Haha) in pristine quality, coupled now with a new edit of 'Let It Be' from different angles makes this a happy time for us fans. (Notice they used the album guitar solo in the vid)?
Thanks Tom and Andy, great show. At this point, I still would like to see Eric Clapton and possibly ELO.
Guessing Texas isn't on the map for the final ELO tour?
@@2LegsAPaulMcCartneyPodcast 0ct 18th Dallas
I never bought into the idea that it was a depressing movie. I thought it was great how they were still able to play live after 3 years. I’ll be in London this summer and intend to visit 3 Seville Row. Any tips? I know it’s a clothing store now.
Sorry chaps, you have a volume problem - I couldn't get past the 5 min mark and had to switch it off.
We are aware this one was an issue with the volume. Our apologies. It’ll be addressed
🙌🏻
Surprised that Glyn Johns thought Red Rose Speedway material was subpar compared to Let It Be. This album is among the weakest in the Beatles catalog albeit with a few classics like the title track, Two of Us and Get Back. Dig It and Maggie Mae should have been saved for the Anthology, Long and Winding Road is not fully developed yet and Dig a Pony, For You Blue and I Me Mine are just throwaways even if the first two are enjoyable. I prefer RRS, especially if you expand it into a double album. Get on the Right Thing, My Love, I Would Only Smile, Lazy Dynamite, Powercut, When the Night, Mama's Little Girl, Tragedy, Little Lamb/Dragonfly, I Lie Around, Big Barn Bed, Night Out, I mean, come on!
Interesting take Chris, Most people would place "Beatles For Sale" in that category since 1/2 the album is covers. There are no weak Beatles albums! I think "Glynis" grew more impatient with the pot smoking and long hours in the studio. RRS as a double is definitely stronger. Stronger than LIB? That's a thought. Remember, Glyn was just coming off of working with The Who (Who's Next) (one of the best albums ever) and the Stones and now was with Paul and Wings who were writing softer stuff (still awesome material) but given that and the pot he said "sod it".
@@2LegsAPaulMcCartneyPodcast Yeah, Beatles for Sale is probably lower than Let It Be. I'd be with Glyn on the pot-smoking crap but I think I'd still take even single LP RRS over LIB. But yeah, Who's Next is tough to beat.