Crystal, since you appear to have an inclination to George Harrison songs, I definitely recommend his first solo album post Beatles. All Things Must Pass. Pure bliss.
Good idea. And it is understandable because George was a master at love songs and emotion. But it would make sense when done with the Beatles that she analyze all of their solo stuff. Granted George had the most success at first you can't write off Lennon and McCartney's solo stuff which like Georges was at times quite Beatle-esk and all have masterpieces.
@@CrystalMarieShannon Ok, now I'm super excited!! Knowing you'll eventually be getting to their solo work, too, is such great news! Please consider setting up a Patreon account. I'd love to support your amazing work beyond watching these videos.
0:00 - Intro 0:20 - Two of Us 2:13 - Dig a Pony 4:43 - Across The Universe 6:37 - I Me Mine 9:06 - Dig It 10:49 - Let It Be 14:00 - Maggie Mae 14:54 - I've Got a Feeling 16:03 - One After 909 17:09 - The Long and Winding Road 18:22 - For You Blue 19:25 - Get Back 21:50 - [Update 2 Magical Mystery Tour]
The "Get Back" sessions were an abandoned project. The album was cobbled together after Abbey Road from rehearsal out-takes and snippets, and only a few "finished" tunes. "909" was a tune they played in their Cavern Club days. Paul hated what Phil Specter did to "Long & Winding Road", (there is a famous letter Paul wrote disowning the Specter version and Phil's "wall of sound" production. (All the orchestrations were Phil Specter's "after the fact" contribution). "Don't Let Me Down" and "Old Brown Shoe" didn't make the album but were recorded during the same time period. Your reactions are so thoughtful & endearing. Good work !
I've been watching your Beatles album reactions and I must say you have a very nice and endearing way to talk about all those beautiful songs, masterpieces, really, and it gets me so emotional! Beatles have been a big part of my life because I listen to them since I was very young and also because my father loved and still loves them. I don't know what it is that mixes their fabulous story with my personal memories and so many feelings... Beatles songs are so magical! Thank you for these videos! Really beautiful!
Your perception is top notch. And you look beautiful. Another thumbs up and looking forward to any other analysis you do of the worlds greatest band ever.
The "Dig a Pony" recording actually was recorded live. Though, a studio take also exists with a false start. "I've Got A Feeling" and "One After 909" were from the same concert.
As others have mentioned, you should listen to both the Past Masters albums as they contain the singles that received the bulk of their radio presence and strongly contributed to their huge success but were left off the other albums. You'd also do well to watch their rooftop concert. It's only a few songs and I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Lastly, I've always thought Lennon's "I hope we passed the audition" was one of the most amusingly clever comments he ever made.
Yes.. rain..paperback writer...dont let me down...hey Jude...old brown shoe..and the ballad of John and yoko...lady Madonna and revolution are 8 big songs not on any lp...plus im down...the inner light....and you know my name look up the number are also missing from lps
"Let It Be" or "Get Back" as it was originally titled was supposed to have been a return to the way they made records in the early 1960's with live vocals, instruments, etc. Even the album cover they shot had them in the same poses as from "Please Please Me". They even used to the same photographer. However, the idea was later abandoned and overdubs were added along with Phil Spector's (over) production. One of many reasons why I'm so excited to listen to the new Deluxe Edition coming out 10/15/21.
They didn't need Spector's over production for the most part granted she was effected by the "wall of sound" on one of Georges songs. Sometimes it worked.
Jay, the new Giles Martin mix will have more in common with the original release than with 'Let it be - naked'. They've worked with Phil Spector's production and he always swamped his arrangements with his 'wall of sound' reverb as he went along, rather than adding it afterwards, it's there on the multi-tracks and can't be separated. Just as in the recent 'All things must pass' anniversary reissue. So there's little room to tone that down unfortunately, it will be more a matter of the volume level of Spector's overdubs. They will have improved the general frequency range and separation, as Giles has done with all his other remixes, so I'm sure it will bring the songs into the sharpest focus so far. With all the many various options now being offered in the box sets, fans can pick and choose, and compile their personal versions of this collection. 'All you need is cash', to quote The Rutles, so if you don't have that to splash about, I'd hang on until the fan reviews are in to make your purchase choice.
Good analysis. You might want to consider reviewing some of the Beatles solo albums, like Ram, Imagine or All things must pass. Not every single solo album because the discography is large but something to consider since Let it be is their last.
I've been listening/watching Crystal reviews of Beatles music all - day - long. I can't stop, and it's for moments like around 12:13 here. I like all the analysis that's helping me hear it all like I never had before, she's so spot on and insightful, but the raw emotion and appreciation of what goes into and comes out of this music is overwhelming. You make me cry, Crystal, in a good way.
Lennon said somewhere that "Across the Universe" had his best lyrics. I agree. And it's one of my favorite Beatles songs. It gives you the sensation of letting go and floating in a state of pure inner peace. Speaking of "Across the Universe" it would be cool if you watched the movie and gave us your thoughts on that. It's basically a musical built around Beatles songs. It's pretty well done.
So I was on a cruise, and they had a Beatles contest where you had to guess each song title, and they weren't just songs from their albums, they had bootlegs, rarities, BBC radio stuff... it was tricky! (One of the songs was "Moonlight Bay"!) But I got them all right except for the very last one, which was "Across the Universe," because they played the song for only a few seconds, then said, "Alright, let's go over the answers!" and I didn't have enough time to process the last song and come up with the actual title. I still think I won, but after we graded our papers, another team claimed they got them all right even though they didn't arrive until the fourth or fifth song! So I got second place. I'm still mad at myself for missing that one. Anyway, it's a beautiful song, and I actually got my first kiss after dancing to it.
Friend of mine came to my house. He was 35. Had not seen him in awhile. I said you have lost weight. He said I have liver cancer and I want you to play at my funeral. Across the Universe was one of the songs. The other two were Find the Cost of Freedom and Long and Winding Road. He wanted me to come over and play them for him. I was in denial about him dying so I put it off. Of course he died. I played them all at his funeral but have big regrets I did not go and play them for him while he was alive. Kind of a different situation to be in and I handled it poorly.
@@dylandenney3980 No, George was using his electric Telecaster (the same one he used on the rooftop concert and the music videos for Let It Be and The Long and Winding Road) . You can see George playing the Telecaster in the music video for Two of Us from the Let It Be movie
@@bluepeng8895 I can't find that on TH-cam right now but I've seen the film Let It Be many times, my dad had a VHS. I remember it being a bass VI but it's been probably 12 years since I've seen it and I was still a kid, so if I'm wrong my bad
Do not forget that you should react to the compilation album 'Past Masters'. Since The Beatles usually didn't include singles on their studio albums, 'Past Masters' is every single (A-side and B-side) that they ever released; the majority of which aren't on the albums, or are vastly different from the album versions. It is essential listening (it will also show their evolution from their humble pop-rock beginnings to their more complex sound later on).
That's not entirely true, about the Beatles not having singles on their albums, what about Please Please Me, A Hard Day's Night, Help, and from revolver, Eleanor Rigby/ Yellow Submarine.
@@beatlebrian4404 Not entirely true but many of their singles were not on the albums. The singles from the Help! and A Hard Day’s Night albums were likely included because they were movie soundtrack albums (first side of each).
@@blythjc yes you could make a case about A Hard Day's Night and Help because they are both film tacks, but they were still released as singles, and as such they sold many many copies "please please me" and from the same album" love me do", "Eleanor Rigby/yellow submarine" and if you count the Magical Mystery Tour album in us (only a double EP in the UK) "hello goodbye", "strawberry Fields Forever/ Penny Lane" and of course off Abbey Road "Something / come together" on Let it be they released, although slightly different versions, "Get Back", "let it be" but "The Long and Winding Road" was exactly the same as the album, (but not in the UK because McCartney hated Phil spector's over production of it especially the addition of the singing choir and it was not released uk as a single.
"Dig a Pony", "I've Got a Feeling" and "One After 909" (plus parts of "Get Back", the ending anyway when John's talking about "passing the audition") were all recorded on the famous impromptu Rooftop concert in January, 1969 (at the end of Pony you can hear John saying "Me hands are too cold to play"). Also, the second verse and chorus from "I Me Mine" were actually copied and repeated by producer Phil Spector to make it longer.
You are closer to the camera again and it's great, I like all of your hearts in the background. They wanted the album to have a "live" feel but then they brought Phil Spector who they thought over did it, like the orchestration on Let It Be. I liked it, but I didn't know they wanted it to be more stripped down. I enjoyed George's I, Me, Mine. Let It Be and The Long & Winding Road are two of my all-time Beatles favorites. You do so well on each of these videos.
I have watched countless reactions to music. Yours is the only one to which I have subscribed. I think you strike a nice balance between intellectual analysis and discussion of emotional impact.
It's always great to see other people love the things I've loved for so long and to see the same merit in it. It refreshes and renews the experience for me. Thanks for the vids, you are my new favorite reaction channel! I'm happy to get in at the early days. No doubt you'll have 100k subs before long!
I love you reviews of Beatle albums. Your enthusiasm, your good taste - and most of all your musicality. While other TH-cam reactors will have insightful comments such as 'I liked that song' - your take explains WHY the tunes are so good. Please keep going!
But here they changed the original style from straight rock beat to swing beat, and it's much better. It swings and jives really well. Harrison's guitar solo, wow!!
@@russcoleman2338 Train song, tells about a girl travelling on the one after 9.09 train. Of course , we know that John had special relation to number 9 (he call it his lucky number).
Wish you would listen to Don’t Let Me Down! That song was somehow removed from the version you listened to for the two short songs. Will never understand that decision?? It might be top two or three on the album…though it is included on the naked version of the album.
The original studio album did not contain "Don't Let Me Down." It was the B-side to the single "Get Back." So, it was wasn't really removed. It was added to the "Let it Be...Naked" album from 2003.
It should be noted for her and others that "Beatles: Past Masters" is two-parts. I think they are typically sold together, but I can't recall. I own the CDs, bought when first released, and parts one and two were combined.
@@senseichess8688 Actually, now that I think about it, it was the cassette version I bought first, and they definitely were sold together. I bought them the year they were released. Check eBay for verification. I remember because I have trouble figuring out where to put them. LOL!
Hi Crystal...I so thoroughly enjoy your brilliant analysis every time! You bring your very great technical knowledge, blended with an immense heart and easy artistry. Very possibly you are about the perfect one to deep-dive into the Beatles catalog. For me it's just so much fun to watch, and fantastic to learn all that you have to teach and share. Wishing you a million subscribers and a billion views! Always my pleasure.. ty be well.
Lennon: 'Just like to thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition" bwahahaha You gotta see the rooftop concert to fully appreciate what went on during these songs being played live, on a roof untill the police came and stopped them LOL and classic Lennon witty and absurd humour (The Beatles "I hope we passed the audition?" LMAO)
Funny thing is that the LET IT BE album was almost ALL recorded long before the ABBEY ROAD album was released (except for I ME MINE) The earlier "single" version of the song LET IT BE (produced by George Martin) is considerably different than the later "album" version (produced by Phil Spector): Most notable difference is the lead guitar, but there are other more subtle changes.
Yes. It was a live Gig on the rooftop of the building EMI or ABBEY ROAD STUDIO. The traffic went into caos all around . It the last time the Beatles played live Ever ☯️
Thank you for another fantastic reaction to The Beatles! I'm so happy to hear that you'll be doing their earlier albums, too. Would you consider doing their Past Master volumes, as well? Maybe do Vol. 2 (which is their later singles) while you're currently in their latter period. Either way, thank you SO much for these amazing videos. Keep the Beatle party going!
Paul Macartney really is an extraordinary bass player. Some of his lines on Revolver or on one of George's tragically neglected gems "Old Brown Shoe" just floor me every time. Love your work and take care.
According to George in '87, that was him playing bass on Old Brown Shoe, and that Paul was on piano on that track. (To be fair, the deluxe edition of Abbey Road which has take 2 of OBS lists Paul on bass and John on piano, but that is take 2, not the final released version.)
Ironically, George once snidely said that "Paul is a fine bass player, but he can be rather overpowering". He may not have liked the "lead bass" of Something.
@@leonardblush2557 Sorry George, but Paul made a terrific song even more extraordinary. Paul's playing complimented George's songs throughout the Beatles. He worked on George's songs. The same can't be said of John. During the Beatles recording years, there are quite a few Harrison penned songs that John never even played on.
Crystal, I'm so happy you're going to be starting from scratch with "Please Please Me". If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend listening to the mono Beatles albums and singles. They are often different from the stereo mixes and you can hear everything in one channel. The first two Beatles albums, "Please Please Me" and "With The Beatles", have odd stereo configurations with vocals on the right-channel and music on the left-channel for most songs. It's still great, but it's a bit wonky at times with headphones. Still, the 2009 remasters sound AMAZING. Enjoy!
Have you listened to McCartney's Lady Madonna ? which was released as a single in 1968. Along with the Harison song, The Inner Light, The song Let it Be and album was recorded before the Abbey Road album. So when McCartney wrote it, he wasn't really writing it about the Beatles break up. Listening to you in this video gave me a lyrical idea that i will try to write.
It's always struck me as interesting how kids today can listen to music from 50 years ago because, for the most part, it's still "modern" in the generally understood sense, or at least not horribly out of date and of contemporary musical interest and value, whereas teens and young adults of the 1960s and 1970s were not listening to 50 year old music at all. No kids were listening to Al Jolson in the 60s and 70s, for example.
Yes, I've thought about that, too, as a former composer and grad student in musicology. Aside from any specific example such as Al Jolson, entire pop music genres from 50 years prior - Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley - meant little or nothing to most of us boomers in the 60s. Rock music, though, has stayed and evolved. That doesn't mean that Rock is therefore "superior" in any way; it just raises an interesting question about the difference in "shelf-life" among those genres. Changes in technology and demographics probably factor in, along with cultural disruptions caused by wars in particular. In any case, it's great that interest has grown again in those older pop music genres (starting, arguably, with the revival of ragtime in the 1970s).
Beatles people : If you don’t already know, there’s a great movie called “Across The Universe” full of excellent Beatles covers (34). It’s a musical drama by Julie Taymor ( famous for producing the stage adaptation of The Lion King ). Two thumbs way up !! So good I had to see it multiple times.
Love all these videos, as someone who's listened to sgt pepper, abbey road, and let it be soooo many times it's great seeing an actual musicians first listen reactions and analysis to my favorite stuff 👏👏
Crystal, you mentioned David Bowie's "Space Oddity" in this video. have you considered reviewing some David Bowie albums? I would love to hear your musical take on Bowie's music!
Great - your reactions and a smart musican's take combined with an articulate commentary is interesting and entertaining - oh and also that top you're wearing is fire.
Crystal, I really love your take and perspective on this album, and your editing effects are a plus. I agree with you about Blue Jay Way.. i was also scared by it, I thought it was so heavy and negative, but it's really one of the most joyful, one of the looniest songs I've ever heard.
I was like 9 when I got this album. The crazy thing is that when I heard these, the whole world was hearing them. You are hearing them separated by like 50 years, alone, and yet, you're able to listen just as I did, and enjoy them as much, articulating much more than I ever attempted. Your vibe and musical sensitivity is phenomenal.
Let it Be was actually the second last Album that the Beatles recorded. Originally produced by George Martin, and titled Get Back, it got shelved when the lads weren't happy with it after they were presented with various track mixes by engineer Glyn Johns. Abbey Road was then recorded and released by George Martin, with Martin stating that he'd only produce the Abbey Road album if they went back to recording the way they used to, in a more disciplined manner. So, technically Abbey Road was their final album in so far as recording sessions go. The recording sessions for Abbey Road commenced three weeks after the recording sessions for Get Back finished. After the filmed for TV footage of the Let it Be/Get Back sessions were edited and cropped for widescreen into a feature length movie for theatrical release, John brought in Phil Spector to re-edit the shelved Get Back album, now retitled as Let it Be, with Spector applying his Wall of Sound techniques, much to Paul's disgust, especially with the heavy handed orchestral and choir overdubs that ended up on four of the tracks. This is why Paul spearheaded the remix album, Let it Be Naked, in 2003, which pretty much strips back all of Spector's overdubs, and adds and subtracts a couple of tracks here and there. The Let it Be album was then released to coincide with the theatrical release of the Let it Be movie, a little over 6 months after the release of Abbey Road, even though Abbey Road was compiled from their final studio recordings. So when you listen to the tracks on this album, none of them were intended or meant to be a farewell to the fans from the Beatles. It's more fitting that the Abbey Road album finished with The End as the final track of its side 2 medley. Her Majesty is really just a very short afterthought tacked on to the end of the Abbey Road album after a long pause when it was decided it didn't fit in well with the medley itself. I always encourage people to listen to Let it Be as The Beatles' 2nd last album, and then to listen to Abbey Road as The Beatles' swan song and final farewell.
Its actually a bit more complicated, but yeah, that's the gist of it. The Get Back album was actually "Plan B". The original idea was to make a documentary (Let It Be) of them rehearsing for a concert (that no one but Paul wanted to do) at Twickenham Studio and release a soundtrack album from it. In April 1969, Harrison was fed up with being Twickenham, which was a cold, damp sound stage used for movies. He basically told them either they moved back to Abbey Road and canceled the planned concert Paul wanted to do or he would quit. That's when the idea changed to making the Get Back album. One of the main reasons for the delay and unhappiness was the equipment at Abbey Road studios. A good portion of Abbey Road was not even recorded there. Parts were recorded at Olympic Studios and some parts at Trident Studios. They had "brand new, state-of-the-art" TG 12345 24-in/8-out solid state stereo mixing consoles. Abbey Road was still using ancient tube-driven 8-in/4-out mono boards. After Abbey Road had finished installing TG consoles, they told Johns to take the original tapes and remaster them through the TG. That's when Phil Specter got involved. Let It Be: Naked remastered the same original tape that Specter used. The majority of the footage from the original Let It Be movie are from Twickenham. The majority of the footage from Peter Jackson's movie are from after they moved back to Abbey Road.
Abbey Road 1969 Let It Be 1970 It doesn't matter when it was recorded, what counts when it came out, the first public sale and when it was on the album and single charts. ,there is nothing more to say
The talking inbetween songs is actually from the Rooftop Concert. About half the songs in this album were all live recordings from their last concert on the rooftop of Apple Records
Beautiful exposition of these songs. The thing that enlightened me about The Long and Winding Road was when I read that McCartney said he was thinking of Ray Charles when writing this song. I could forever hear Ray Charles in the song after that.
Hey, I love that you give updates on the previous albums, that's so cool and interesting, I do wonder what songs stand out and how they sink in post-first-reaction! Ok, let me jump into the bittersweet "Let It Be" album now: 1.) The whistling at the end of "Two Of Us" is the "heba" coda melody to "Hello Goodbye". I loved your analysis of this song by the way. 2.) "Dig A Pony", "I've Got A Feeling" and "One After 909" were recorded live on the roof of the studio....at the end of January! It was cold as heck! Hence some of the "roughness". They were actually going for that roughness, that was the point of this album: no overdubs, rough and raw. It ended up not being completely that way, but the character is retained. ("Get Back was also played up there, but other than the intro and outro, it's from the studio) 3. "I Me Mine" was the last song The Beatles recorded, although John had already quit the band and is not on the track. 4. "Dig It" was just a piece of an improv studio jam as an introduction for "Let It Be". John Lennon was hilarious. All The Beatles were, but he was really quick witted and spoke in puns and wordplay. He's just making that stuff up over a vamp. 5. I would say all the lyrics are about his mom's words of wisdom, getting him through a difficult time of his life. She had died years earlier, way before he was famous. But it was a difficult time for him and the band for too many reasons to go into, and that's when he had this dream. The funereal atmosphere can be applied to the Beatles themselves, but at the time of it's writing/recording, they hadn't broken up yet. 6.) Maggie Mae is a Liverpool folk song that they just broke into between takes. 7.) One After 909, as I'm sure people have told you, is one of John & Paul's earliest songs, but they had never put it out. That's the great Billy Preston on electric piano on this and all the other songs on this album, he sat in for most of these sessions. 8.) Long And Winding Road - all the strings and choir stuff was added by Phil Spector (who produced this album) and McCartney was very upset! There is a letter you can find where Paul is demanding the strings be removed. This led to an even bigger wedge between Paul and the other Beatles at the time (it's a long, complicated story). 9.) I think they passed the audition! Isn't that a great way to end their career? This album is an epitaph, something posthumous...one last rough scoop. What more could they have possibly given us?
Great reaction, thanks so much for doing these Crystal. Great analysis and insight as always. Long story..... but....the bulk of the 'Let It Be' album was recorded in January 1969 - the Beatles were filmed throughout the month rehearsing songs for an unspecified live performance, which would form the climax of a movie. That's why so many of the songs have a live, looser feel, with less overdubs than normal. 'The Beatles as nature intended' was the strapline. They couldn't agree on plans for a live performance though, so went up onto the roof of their Apple headquarters in central London and gave a 42-performance there instead! That's where the recordings of 'Get Back' and 'Dig A Pony' come from. The only audience was family and friends and various members of the camera crew - plus hundreds of people on their lunch hours in the street below who could hear but not really see them! Eventually after complaints from business people, the police were called who shut the 'gig' down. The album and movie were effectively shelved and work began on what became 'Abbey Road'. Long story short (!), in January 1970, with the album and movie being prepared for release and the band all but split up, they still needed a proper recording of 'I Me Mine'. There's footage of them rehearsing it in the movie, but not a proper recording. So, George, Paul and Ringo (John was out of the country) convened at Abbey Road to record the very last original Beatles song - and the only Beatles track to be recorded in the 1970s. The next day George overdubbed a guitar solo onto Let It Be and they were done.... or not.... Unhappy with the album, Lennon, Harrison and Starr enlisted Phil Spector to add strings and orchestrations without McCartney's knowledge. He was horrified, particularly at Spector's treatment on 'The Long And Winding Road'. The 'Let It Be Naked' release in 2003 was Paul's attempt to present the album as originally intended. Look out for the three-part 'Get Back' documentary series on Disney+ this Thanksgiving weekend. It's produced by Peter Jackson (Lord Of The Rings/The Hobbit) and put together from 60 hours of unseen footage from January 1969, fully restored using modern day restoration techniques. Look out for the sneak peak that Peter posted on TH-cam late last year! It's far more joyous and colourful than the often downbeat original 'Let It Be' movie released in 1970. Looking forward to your next video!
You’re dead right about the choir and orchestration on the long and winding road. McCartney said he didn’t like it But that’s because he was in the huff on account of his not being consulted. but it works.
The question here is: Have you alredy watch The Beatles: Get Back documentary? It's a really amazing one about the creation of all these songs of Let It Be album and of course the rooftop concert Greetings to you Crystal❤
Let it Be is my favorite song of all time. Partly because it’s such a genuinely beautiful and wholesome song, partly because the guitar solo (on the album version of the song) hits me in the soul like no other guitar solo ever has. But mostly because i knew the story of Paul and his mom, and it always reminded me of my mom. It took on an even deeper meaning to me when over the last few years my mom had gotten very sick and there was essentially no way for her to get better. And it took on even more meaning when she passed away earlier this year. I heard that you lost your dad very recently too. I’m incredibly sorry for your loss, and I know how hard it can be on people. I hope that maybe this song can take on a deeper meaning for you as well (even though it’s about a lost mother, that doesn’t mean it can’t have the same meaning for a lost father or anyone else).
Thank You, for all that you do to help us understand our love for the Beatle's. Your hard work is deeply appreciated. Oh and you are entertaining to listen to as you go on this journey taking us along for the ride.
Great analysis. About the song "Let it be", I've read that Paul said that at the time he wrote it his life "was a mess." Then his mom came to him in a dream and her basic message was "Hey, don't worry so much about things. It's going to be okay!" I think that the line "there is still a light that shines on me" applies to everybody... sometimes we get discouraged and we need to remember that light even when "the night is cloudy".
A very important fact about these sessions that is not acknowledged enough is the presence of Billy Preston who played electric piano and organ on many of the tracks (including during the rooftop concert). He was even considered by some "the fifth Beatle" for these sessions. The original 45 of "Get Back" has "The Beatles WIth Billy Preston." Preston went on to have a great career as an R&B/gospel/soul singer and musician.
There are actually seven different guitar solos composed by George Harrison for the song 'Let it be'; two of them found their path for release in 1970. The harder one in the version of the song appearing in the album and a soft one in the 45rpm single.
It’s a joy to watch a young musician listen to these songs that I have been listening to for over 40 years. I second all the others who have suggested listening to the past masters vol 1&2. These collect over 30 songs from singles that were either never on an album or the single is a different version than the album. Many of their biggest hits are on these as well as some amazing b-sides.
The thing about Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane is that both John and Paul are singing about actual places they lived near as children and although rather mundane make it someplace you want to go to and feel what they did. That is the gift of great songwriting, or story telling or poetry. And when put to such good music it is almost indescribable but you know it when you feel it.
PS: What a great use of "Flying"! Yes! PSS: Yes, the stereo mixes were often weird; for headphone use, you might want to get the mono mixes. There are a few songs which have major and minor differences (like "Helter Skelter", "I Am The Walrus"), but in general it's the only way to go for headphones. Some say that you haven't heard "Sgt. Pepper" until you've heard it in mono. I can tell you that I prefer the mono mix of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", which is really wild, especially towards the end.
Note on get back... Lennon on lead guitar and billy preston on elec piano.. also good you pointed out the 7th feel... Good to distinguish between major 7th feel vs dominant 7th feel
I strongly suggest you listen to the "Naked" version of Let It Be, it's a less arranged, more acoustic take on the album which aligns better with The Beatles idea of the "Get Back" project which ended up becoming the Let It Be album. Great vid!
Besides the Past Masters compilations you've already been recommended, you should listen to "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love". These two tracks were Lennon's but "completed" by the rest of the Beatles in 1994 and 1995.
Crystal, if you haven’t watched the Beatle’s docu-series, Get Back, on Disney+ yet, please check it out! Particularly the part where George H talks about his inspiration for I Me My, you’ll realize from your own comments/reaction to the song that he hit the nail on the head (with a silver hammer) on what he was going for :) The odds on the perfect storm that was The Beatles is almost incalculable, each of these guys were not just talented but were each absolute genius on what they contributed to the whole.
The album is originally half live half studio. Dig a pony, get back, one after 909, dont let me down (which isnt included on the 2009 remaster) and i've got a feeling were originally played and recorded at the same time on the rooftop of apple hq
There is footage of this being recorded on the roof of Abbie road studios it was kind of an unadvertised live concert. My friend's dad was driving a truck in the street below and the traffic was blocked for ages. It might be called let it be the movie not sure but it is definitely worth a look!
The Rooftop Concert is fun to watch. Even if you don't come back to comment on it, just go find it on TH-cam. It's just the Beatles going up onto the studio roof and playing several of the songs from this album. Fantastic live performances, it's a hoot, and half of London stopped to watch :-)
I think this was the album they'd planned to do live or something only the wheels were falling off a bit by then so it ended up with more of a 'live in the studio' feel to it. They had Phil Spector on production, which is fine I suppose (so long as he didn't ask any of them out on a date). It was he who dug Across the Universe out of the metaphorical rejects bin and decided to sprinkle a bit of his magical pixie dust on it. The original recording from 1968 is still knocking about on TH-cam somewhere. Very much a Lennon project, none of the other Beatles were particularly moved by it at the time (I know. Hard to imagine) so it was donated to a compilation album by the World Wildlife Fund called Nothing's Gonna Change Our World. It was originally in standard tuning (as opposed to 'Eb'), was a bit more up tempo and had slightly more operatic backing vocals that I can recall. I really love 'em both. I REALLY live how there's seemingly a back story to every Beatles song.
Honestly, I thought the show was okay but nothing special as a Cirque du Soleil show. I'm very glad I own the album of music it uses, however: Love. So definitely get that album, Crystal!
@@jwb932 YES--the remixes of the songs, overseen by George Martin and his son, are fascinating. There are songs that pull instrumentation from other songs; an acoustic version of While My Guitar; lots of things that make you hear the songs differently.
This album was recorded before Abbey Road, but released after it. Lennon always had a soft spot for Across the Universe, and talked about it often in interviews afterwards. It's interesting that you mentioned Bowie and Space Oddity, as Bowie covered Across The Universe (with Lennon on guitar and backing vocals) on his Young Americans album. McCartney hated the strings, choirs etc that Phil Spector added to the record, so much so that he released an alternative version of LIB called Let It Be Naked, which stripped Spectors additions out. One After 909 was a song from their Hamburg days back in the early '60's that finally made it onto record. A classic album, and another great first listen Crystal. Thanks :-)
To set the scene all of the sessions that resulted in the Let It Be album were recorded in January 1969. The idea was to do a TV special filming the rehearsals and then do a one-off live appearance as the close for the special. These sessions became known as the Get Back Sessions. Later ideas changed, the TV concept was dropped and it became a feature film. With the four band members never agreeing with the ever pending question 'where will they play live?', it was decided in the end to play live on the rooftop of their studio building. If you ever watch the original Let It Be film, you will see a discussion between Paul and George that has become famous. Making the finished movie be perceived as a filmed register of how The Beatles broke up. Not on the film is the part of this story where George on 10 Jan informs the others mid rehearsal that he has left the band, turns around and leaves. After some negotiating and coaxing the four Beatles resumed filming around 20Jan (I have a book with all these exact dates but its in storage so I'm going on memory). No longer at the cold uninviting Twickenham Film Studios, The Beatles reconvened at their new recording studio at Apple where they began proper recordings for the new album, always playing live in the studio keeping with the agreed concept. On 30Jan they played what came to be popularly known as The Rooftop Concert. On 31Jan they recorded at Apple Studios the definitive version of The Long And Winding Road and Let It Be. It took just over a year for the film to be ready (released in May 1970 as was the album) and in this meantime it was decided to hire Phil Spector to produce the album which is when orchestral overdubs were added, not always with the composers consent. So that's the story around the Get Back project in a nutshell. As always your reaction videos are very interesting to watch. Thank you for taking the time to post them. On a side note, you should definitely watch all the Beatles movies in order on your own time. I am referring to A Hard Days Night, Help!, The Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine (is a psychedelic cartoon) and Let It Be. Also; now, well next month actually, 51 years later, Peter Jackson has prepared six hours that will be shown in the span of three days (I believe on Disney+) a new Let It Be/Get Back movie commemorating the 50 years (that was delayed due to covid) of the original Get Back Sessions that became the Let It Be movie and album. The Beatles world community can't wait and are counting the hours. One last thing and this is about the songs. Maggie Mae was repertoire from the days they were a skiffle band (1957), before they publicly sang their own compositions. One After 909 is one of their early compositions. They recorded it in 1962, along with other songs of which Love Me Do was deemed suitable for their first single. So it was a treat for them to go back and play such an early song of their careers but fitting with the "get back" feel they were evoking. Dig It is credited to all four and was an improvised jam that was recorded at least three times, each with more or less the same musical theme but always with on the cuff lyrics. The 45 seconds version on the album is taken from a 7 minute (again, going from memory, so it maybe more or less). A more substantial edit of this version is seen on the film. The album versions of Dig A Pony, One After 909 and Get Back are taken from the rooftop concert. As all the rehearsals were recorded there are various versions of songs, may unfinished, that pop up on bootlegs over the decades.
Crystal, since you appear to have an inclination to George Harrison songs, I definitely recommend his first solo album post Beatles. All Things Must Pass. Pure bliss.
I will definitely make my way there! All part of the “grand plan” LOL
@@CrystalMarieShannon also wherever you get it from, Old Brown Shoe was a cool George single from around the Abbey Road period. Think you'd dig it
Good idea. And it is understandable because George was a master at love songs and emotion. But it would make sense when done with the Beatles that she analyze all of their solo stuff. Granted George had the most success at first you can't write off Lennon and McCartney's solo stuff which like Georges was at times quite Beatle-esk and all have masterpieces.
@@dylandenney3980 HAHA "dig it". I see what you did there :)
@@CrystalMarieShannon Ok, now I'm super excited!! Knowing you'll eventually be getting to their solo work, too, is such great news! Please consider setting up a Patreon account. I'd love to support your amazing work beyond watching these videos.
0:00 - Intro
0:20 - Two of Us
2:13 - Dig a Pony
4:43 - Across The Universe
6:37 - I Me Mine
9:06 - Dig It
10:49 - Let It Be
14:00 - Maggie Mae
14:54 - I've Got a Feeling
16:03 - One After 909
17:09 - The Long and Winding Road
18:22 - For You Blue
19:25 - Get Back
21:50 - [Update 2 Magical Mystery Tour]
The "Get Back" sessions were an abandoned project. The album was cobbled together after Abbey Road from rehearsal out-takes and snippets, and only a few "finished" tunes. "909" was a tune they played in their Cavern Club days. Paul hated what Phil Specter did to "Long & Winding Road", (there is a famous letter Paul wrote disowning the Specter version and Phil's "wall of sound" production. (All the orchestrations were Phil Specter's "after the fact" contribution). "Don't Let Me Down" and "Old Brown Shoe" didn't make the album but were recorded during the same time period. Your reactions are so thoughtful & endearing. Good work !
Nicely put
I just heard you say you're 'Starting over from the beginning!" I'm so happy about that announcement! I look forward to it. Thank you!
I've been watching your Beatles album reactions and I must say you have a very nice and endearing way to talk about all those beautiful songs, masterpieces, really, and it gets me so emotional! Beatles have been a big part of my life because I listen to them since I was very young and also because my father loved and still loves them. I don't know what it is that mixes their fabulous story with my personal memories and so many feelings... Beatles songs are so magical! Thank you for these videos! Really beautiful!
Always a nice surprise to go into TH-cam and find one of your Beatles review videos. It’s a must watch right away. Looking forward to the next one.
Your perception is top notch. And you look beautiful. Another thumbs up and looking forward to any other analysis you do of the worlds greatest band ever.
Seconded on all counts!
The "Dig a Pony" recording actually was recorded live. Though, a studio take also exists with a false start. "I've Got A Feeling" and "One After 909" were from the same concert.
One After 909 was a very early song. I have a bootleg of it at the Cavern recorded in 1960. They were amazing even then.
Seeing a new Beatles video by you makes my day a little brighter in these dark times!
That is the most wonderful thing I could have heard
Same here!
Sam here!!
As others have mentioned, you should listen to both the Past Masters albums as they contain the singles that received the bulk of their radio presence and strongly contributed to their huge success but were left off the other albums. You'd also do well to watch their rooftop concert. It's only a few songs and I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Lastly, I've always thought Lennon's "I hope we passed the audition" was one of the most amusingly clever comments he ever made.
What Don said ^
Yeah, what Don said
Even better than just the rooftop, in a few weeks we'll be able to watch six hours of January '69 goodness (the Peter Jackson Get Back miniseries).
Yes.. rain..paperback writer...dont let me down...hey Jude...old brown shoe..and the ballad of John and yoko...lady Madonna and revolution are 8 big songs not on any lp...plus im down...the inner light....and you know my name look up the number are also missing from lps
I thought it was Ringo said that.
"Let It Be" or "Get Back" as it was originally titled was supposed to have been a return to the way they made records in the early 1960's with live vocals, instruments, etc. Even the album cover they shot had them in the same poses as from "Please Please Me". They even used to the same photographer. However, the idea was later abandoned and overdubs were added along with Phil Spector's (over) production. One of many reasons why I'm so excited to listen to the new Deluxe Edition coming out 10/15/21.
They didn't need Spector's over production for the most part granted she was effected by the "wall of sound" on one of Georges songs. Sometimes it worked.
Jay, the new Giles Martin mix will have more in common with the original release than with 'Let it be - naked'. They've worked with Phil Spector's production and he always swamped his arrangements with his 'wall of sound' reverb as he went along, rather than adding it afterwards, it's there on the multi-tracks and can't be separated. Just as in the recent 'All things must pass' anniversary reissue. So there's little room to tone that down unfortunately, it will be more a matter of the volume level of Spector's overdubs. They will have improved the general frequency range and separation, as Giles has done with all his other remixes, so I'm sure it will bring the songs into the sharpest focus so far. With all the many various options now being offered in the box sets, fans can pick and choose, and compile their personal versions of this collection. 'All you need is cash', to quote The Rutles, so if you don't have that to splash about, I'd hang on until the fan reviews are in to make your purchase choice.
Good analysis. You might want to consider reviewing some of the Beatles solo albums, like Ram, Imagine or All things must pass. Not every single solo album because the discography is large but something to consider since Let it be is their last.
Yeah, their anthology album from the 90s is also a good place to go off of too.
That is true. How could I forget that. Plenty of good material
She is going to do a re-listen to the earlier albums. That should be fun.
RAM is my favorite album.
Many people overlook Paul's McCartney album. I think it's great. Paul is very much like he is on the Let it Be album.
I've been listening/watching Crystal reviews of Beatles music all - day - long. I can't stop, and it's for moments like around 12:13 here. I like all the analysis that's helping me hear it all like I never had before, she's so spot on and insightful, but the raw emotion and appreciation of what goes into and comes out of this music is overwhelming. You make me cry, Crystal, in a good way.
Lennon said somewhere that "Across the Universe" had his best lyrics. I agree. And it's one of my favorite Beatles songs. It gives you the sensation of letting go and floating in a state of pure inner peace.
Speaking of "Across the Universe" it would be cool if you watched the movie and gave us your thoughts on that. It's basically a musical built around Beatles songs. It's pretty well done.
So I was on a cruise, and they had a Beatles contest where you had to guess each song title, and they weren't just songs from their albums, they had bootlegs, rarities, BBC radio stuff... it was tricky! (One of the songs was "Moonlight Bay"!) But I got them all right except for the very last one, which was "Across the Universe," because they played the song for only a few seconds, then said, "Alright, let's go over the answers!" and I didn't have enough time to process the last song and come up with the actual title. I still think I won, but after we graded our papers, another team claimed they got them all right even though they didn't arrive until the fourth or fifth song! So I got second place. I'm still mad at myself for missing that one. Anyway, it's a beautiful song, and I actually got my first kiss after dancing to it.
I think he said it was his best lyrics but he hated the recording
Friend of mine came to my house. He was 35. Had not seen him in awhile. I said you have lost weight. He said I have liver cancer and I want you to play at my funeral. Across the Universe was one of the songs. The other two were Find the Cost of Freedom and Long and Winding Road. He wanted me to come over and play them for him. I was in denial about him dying so I put it off. Of course he died. I played them all at his funeral but have big regrets I did not go and play them for him while he was alive. Kind of a different situation to be in and I handled it poorly.
Fun thing about “Two If Us” - that’s George playing the baseline on his rosewood Telecaster electric guitar, not a bass guitar.
It is George but he was playing a Fender Bass VI. Same thing he played on Hey Jude
Edit: he was playing the Tele. My memory was wrong
@@dylandenney3980 No, George was using his electric Telecaster (the same one he used on the rooftop concert and the music videos for Let It Be and The Long and Winding Road) . You can see George playing the Telecaster in the music video for Two of Us from the Let It Be movie
Great, great bassline
@@dylandenney3980 Watch the film footage. He's playing his Tele.
@@bluepeng8895 I can't find that on TH-cam right now but I've seen the film Let It Be many times, my dad had a VHS. I remember it being a bass VI but it's been probably 12 years since I've seen it and I was still a kid, so if I'm wrong my bad
Congrats from Brazil. I love your videos about Beatles albums. Please, please us… Keep doing it.
Do not forget that you should react to the compilation album 'Past Masters'. Since The Beatles usually didn't include singles on their studio albums, 'Past Masters' is every single (A-side and B-side) that they ever released; the majority of which aren't on the albums, or are vastly different from the album versions. It is essential listening (it will also show their evolution from their humble pop-rock beginnings to their more complex sound later on).
That's not entirely true, about the Beatles not having singles on their albums, what about Please Please Me, A Hard Day's Night, Help, and from revolver, Eleanor Rigby/ Yellow Submarine.
There are two past masters cds of course
@@beatlebrian4404 Not entirely true but many of their singles were not on the albums. The singles from the Help! and A Hard Day’s Night albums were likely included because they were movie soundtrack albums (first side of each).
@@blythjc yes you could make a case about A Hard Day's Night and Help because they are both film tacks, but they were still released as singles, and as such they sold many many copies "please please me" and from the same album" love me do", "Eleanor Rigby/yellow submarine" and if you count the Magical Mystery Tour album in us (only a double EP in the UK) "hello goodbye", "strawberry Fields Forever/ Penny Lane" and of course off Abbey Road "Something / come together" on Let it be they released, although slightly different versions, "Get Back", "let it be" but "The Long and Winding Road" was exactly the same as the album, (but not in the UK because McCartney hated Phil spector's over production of it especially the addition of the singing choir and it was not released uk as a single.
There is also a Singles/B sides album called "Hey Jude". Which Past Masters Volume 2 pretty much incorporates.
"Dig a Pony", "I've Got a Feeling" and "One After 909" (plus parts of "Get Back", the ending anyway when John's talking about "passing the audition") were all recorded on the famous impromptu Rooftop concert in January, 1969 (at the end of Pony you can hear John saying "Me hands are too cold to play"). Also, the second verse and chorus from "I Me Mine" were actually copied and repeated by producer Phil Spector to make it longer.
I watch all these amazing reaction videos of your twice because they're that good. Is that crazy?
Beatles is perfection, from now on I'm subscribed and many likes. Hug from Brazil.
Glad you boosted the volume .
It’s made a great difference .
The “bass” on Two Of Us is George Harrison on Fender Telecaster.
"Let It Be" was recorded during January, 1969. Abbey Road was recorded thereafter, so was their actual last LP.
You are closer to the camera again and it's great, I like all of your hearts in the background. They wanted the album to have a "live" feel but then they brought Phil Spector who they thought over did it, like the orchestration on Let It Be. I liked it, but I didn't know they wanted it to be more stripped down. I enjoyed George's I, Me, Mine. Let It Be and The Long & Winding Road are two of my all-time Beatles favorites. You do so well on each of these videos.
I have watched countless reactions to music. Yours is the only one to which I have subscribed. I think you strike a nice balance between intellectual analysis and discussion of emotional impact.
It's always great to see other people love the things I've loved for so long and to see the same merit in it. It refreshes and renews the experience for me. Thanks for the vids, you are my new favorite reaction channel! I'm happy to get in at the early days. No doubt you'll have 100k subs before long!
I love you reviews of Beatle albums. Your enthusiasm, your good taste - and most of all your musicality. While other TH-cam reactors will have insightful comments such as 'I liked that song' - your take explains WHY the tunes are so good. Please keep going!
You deserve so many more subscribers! Amazing reaction and analysis
Agreed!
"One After 909" was written when John and Paul were teenagers.
But here they changed the original style from straight rock beat to swing beat, and it's much better. It swings and jives really well. Harrison's guitar solo, wow!!
John wrote this 1959/January 1960 (see e.g. Lewisohn: Tune-In).
Wasn't the 909 a bus #
@@russcoleman2338 Train song, tells about a girl travelling on the one after 9.09 train. Of course , we know that John had special relation to number 9 (he call it his lucky number).
It's from John Lennon
Wish you would listen to Don’t Let Me Down! That song was somehow removed from the version you listened to for the two short songs. Will never understand that decision?? It might be top two or three on the album…though it is included on the naked version of the album.
The original studio album did not contain "Don't Let Me Down." It was the B-side to the single "Get Back." So, it was wasn't really removed. It was added to the "Let it Be...Naked" album from 2003.
Thanks for helping me to hear and understand things about their songs I'd never noticed or heard, or understood before...
Ah, MUUUch better volume balance; thanks for re-editing/re-uploading that!
Oh yea I was like what? Did she just Re upload?
Sorry about the previous volume issue!
These excellent in depth analyses keep the songs and performances of this great band alive. Good work Crystal, thank you.
Has it been suggested that you listen to the two tracks Free As A Bird and Real Love from the anthology? I'd love to hear your opinions on those
The full length version of "Dig It" is 8 and a half minutes. That version is available only on a bootleg.
No keeping strong when listening to Let It Be. What an emotional song.
Isn’t that the truth!!!!
Most Overlooked Beatle fact:
There Never Was a 30 year old Beatle...
Crystal, don’t forget to listen to the Past Masters, Vols. 1 & 2, which are songs NOT included on the albums, and B-sides.
Beatles Past Masters has all the singles that were released, but not on albums. Most of their hits came from this. Please listen.
I was going to make the same suggestion.
It should be noted for her and others that "Beatles: Past Masters" is two-parts. I think they are typically sold together, but I can't recall. I own the CDs, bought when first released, and parts one and two were combined.
@@magazinekitchen they night be sold together now but not initially
@@senseichess8688 Actually, now that I think about it, it was the cassette version I bought first, and they definitely were sold together. I bought them the year they were released. Check eBay for verification. I remember because I have trouble figuring out where to put them. LOL!
Hi Crystal...I so thoroughly enjoy your brilliant analysis every time! You bring your very great technical knowledge, blended with an immense heart and easy artistry. Very possibly you are about the perfect one to deep-dive into the Beatles catalog.
For me it's just so much fun to watch, and fantastic to learn all that you have to teach and share.
Wishing you a million subscribers and a billion views!
Always my pleasure.. ty be well.
I am really enjoying your immediate yet insightful comments. You much love.
George harrison played the rhythm guitar on Let It Be. He is a rock God. It's a ballad and a rock song and it builds throughout. Its amazing.
Lead, not rhythm. There is no rhythm guitar.
You have a great insight in your reactions. Looking forward to more Beatles albums!
Lennon: 'Just like to thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition" bwahahaha You gotta see the rooftop concert to fully appreciate what went on during these songs being played live, on a roof untill the police came and stopped them LOL and classic Lennon witty and absurd humour (The Beatles "I hope we passed the audition?" LMAO)
Funny thing is that the LET IT BE album was almost ALL recorded long before the ABBEY ROAD album was released (except for I ME MINE)
The earlier "single" version of the song LET IT BE (produced by George Martin) is considerably different than the later "album" version (produced by Phil Spector): Most notable difference is the lead guitar, but there are other more subtle changes.
Yes. It was a live Gig on the rooftop of the building EMI or ABBEY ROAD STUDIO. The traffic went into caos all around . It the last time the Beatles played live Ever ☯️
Crystal, I really enjoy these as if I am listening for the first time again. Where can we get the full version of these? Lol
Exactly! I'd love if she put the full videos on Patreon. Hint, hint, Crystal ;)
Thank you for another fantastic reaction to The Beatles! I'm so happy to hear that you'll be doing their earlier albums, too. Would you consider doing their Past Master volumes, as well? Maybe do Vol. 2 (which is their later singles) while you're currently in their latter period. Either way, thank you SO much for these amazing videos. Keep the Beatle party going!
"For You Blue" is not just one of my favorite Beatle's song, it's one of my all time favorites by anyone.
Great song
John’s slide is 🔥🔥🔥
Paul Macartney really is an extraordinary bass player. Some of his lines on Revolver or on one of George's tragically neglected gems "Old Brown Shoe" just floor me every time. Love your work and take care.
According to George in '87, that was him playing bass on Old Brown Shoe, and that Paul was on piano on that track. (To be fair, the deluxe edition of Abbey Road which has take 2 of OBS lists Paul on bass and John on piano, but that is take 2, not the final released version.)
Ironically, George once snidely said that "Paul is a fine bass player, but he can be rather overpowering". He may not have liked the "lead bass" of Something.
This little gem pokes fun at the occasional tension between Paul and George.
m.th-cam.com/video/7l0Gc9lUFIw/w-d-xo.html
Old brown shoe is great bass guitar
@@leonardblush2557 Sorry George, but Paul made a terrific song even more extraordinary. Paul's playing complimented George's songs throughout the Beatles. He worked on George's songs. The same can't be said of John. During the Beatles recording years, there are quite a few Harrison penned songs that John never even played on.
Ps...some songs were recorded on a rooftop, their last live appearance, which is why it sounds like a concert at times. And a bit rough ;-)
Crystal, I'm so happy you're going to be starting from scratch with "Please Please Me". If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend listening to the mono Beatles albums and singles. They are often different from the stereo mixes and you can hear everything in one channel. The first two Beatles albums, "Please Please Me" and "With The Beatles", have odd stereo configurations with vocals on the right-channel and music on the left-channel for most songs. It's still great, but it's a bit wonky at times with headphones. Still, the 2009 remasters sound AMAZING. Enjoy!
I'm gonna say it again, i need an All things must pass reaction
This⬆
And Band on the Run, Imagine, and JL/POB
Have you listened to McCartney's Lady Madonna ? which was released as a single in 1968. Along with the Harison song, The Inner Light,
The song Let it Be and album was recorded before the Abbey Road album. So when McCartney wrote it, he wasn't really writing it about the Beatles break up.
Listening to you in this video gave me a lyrical idea that i will try to write.
It's always struck me as interesting how kids today can listen to music from 50 years ago because, for the most part, it's still "modern" in the generally understood sense, or at least not horribly out of date and of contemporary musical interest and value, whereas teens and young adults of the 1960s and 1970s were not listening to 50 year old music at all. No kids were listening to Al Jolson in the 60s and 70s, for example.
Well Al Jolson is incredibly dated in more ways than one
Yes, I've thought about that, too, as a former composer and grad student in musicology. Aside from any specific example such as Al Jolson, entire pop music genres from 50 years prior - Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley - meant little or nothing to most of us boomers in the 60s. Rock music, though, has stayed and evolved. That doesn't mean that Rock is therefore "superior" in any way; it just raises an interesting question about the difference in "shelf-life" among those genres. Changes in technology and demographics probably factor in, along with cultural disruptions caused by wars in particular. In any case, it's great that interest has grown again in those older pop music genres (starting, arguably, with the revival of ragtime in the 1970s).
Beatles people : If you don’t already know, there’s a great movie called “Across The Universe” full of excellent Beatles covers (34). It’s a musical drama by Julie Taymor ( famous for producing the stage adaptation of The Lion King ). Two thumbs way up !! So good I had to see it multiple times.
Yes, it's a great compliment,homage and in a way "thank you" for the Beatles' magical music.
Love all these videos, as someone who's listened to sgt pepper, abbey road, and let it be soooo many times it's great seeing an actual musicians first listen reactions and analysis to my favorite stuff 👏👏
Crystal, you mentioned David Bowie's "Space Oddity" in this video. have you considered reviewing some David Bowie albums? I would love to hear your musical take on Bowie's music!
I was waiting for the denim jacket on the Harrison songs... Someone else recommended "All Things Must Pass". I second that. Love me some Harrison.💚 ✌
Truly wonderful reaction and breakdown. You are talented. Keep it up! ❤
Great - your reactions and a smart musican's take combined with an articulate commentary is interesting and entertaining - oh and also that top you're wearing is fire.
Crystal, I really love your take and perspective on this album, and your editing effects are a plus. I agree with you about Blue Jay Way.. i was also scared by it, I thought it was so heavy and negative, but it's really one of the most joyful, one of the looniest songs I've ever heard.
I was like 9 when I got this album. The crazy thing is that when I heard these, the whole world was hearing them. You are hearing them separated by like 50 years, alone, and yet, you're able to listen just as I did, and enjoy them as much, articulating much more than I ever attempted. Your vibe and musical sensitivity is phenomenal.
She needs the experience of inviting a friend or two to her basement to listen to the albums together.
I would just like to inform, Let it be was not the last album. Abbey Road was
@@dalebachman4510 Hey Jude came with a couple new tracks no? Everyone's least favorite Beatles song that I happened to like a lot was Old Brown Shoe.
@@futuregenerationz I liked Old Brown Shoe..back side of Hey Jude 45 single. That was a George song.
“Hark the angels come...” said by you is hilarious! 😆
Let it Be was actually the second last Album that the Beatles recorded. Originally produced by George Martin, and titled Get Back, it got shelved when the lads weren't happy with it after they were presented with various track mixes by engineer Glyn Johns. Abbey Road was then recorded and released by George Martin, with Martin stating that he'd only produce the Abbey Road album if they went back to recording the way they used to, in a more disciplined manner. So, technically Abbey Road was their final album in so far as recording sessions go. The recording sessions for Abbey Road commenced three weeks after the recording sessions for Get Back finished.
After the filmed for TV footage of the Let it Be/Get Back sessions were edited and cropped for widescreen into a feature length movie for theatrical release, John brought in Phil Spector to re-edit the shelved Get Back album, now retitled as Let it Be, with Spector applying his Wall of Sound techniques, much to Paul's disgust, especially with the heavy handed orchestral and choir overdubs that ended up on four of the tracks. This is why Paul spearheaded the remix album, Let it Be Naked, in 2003, which pretty much strips back all of Spector's overdubs, and adds and subtracts a couple of tracks here and there.
The Let it Be album was then released to coincide with the theatrical release of the Let it Be movie, a little over 6 months after the release of Abbey Road, even though Abbey Road was compiled from their final studio recordings.
So when you listen to the tracks on this album, none of them were intended or meant to be a farewell to the fans from the Beatles. It's more fitting that the Abbey Road album finished with The End as the final track of its side 2 medley. Her Majesty is really just a very short afterthought tacked on to the end of the Abbey Road album after a long pause when it was decided it didn't fit in well with the medley itself.
I always encourage people to listen to Let it Be as The Beatles' 2nd last album, and then to listen to Abbey Road as The Beatles' swan song and final farewell.
Its actually a bit more complicated, but yeah, that's the gist of it. The Get Back album was actually "Plan B". The original idea was to make a documentary (Let It Be) of them rehearsing for a concert (that no one but Paul wanted to do) at Twickenham Studio and release a soundtrack album from it. In April 1969, Harrison was fed up with being Twickenham, which was a cold, damp sound stage used for movies. He basically told them either they moved back to Abbey Road and canceled the planned concert Paul wanted to do or he would quit. That's when the idea changed to making the Get Back album. One of the main reasons for the delay and unhappiness was the equipment at Abbey Road studios. A good portion of Abbey Road was not even recorded there. Parts were recorded at Olympic Studios and some parts at Trident Studios. They had "brand new, state-of-the-art" TG 12345 24-in/8-out solid state stereo mixing consoles. Abbey Road was still using ancient tube-driven 8-in/4-out mono boards. After Abbey Road had finished installing TG consoles, they told Johns to take the original tapes and remaster them through the TG. That's when Phil Specter got involved. Let It Be: Naked remastered the same original tape that Specter used. The majority of the footage from the original Let It Be movie are from Twickenham. The majority of the footage from Peter Jackson's movie are from after they moved back to Abbey Road.
Abbey Road 1969 Let It Be 1970 It doesn't matter when it was recorded, what counts when it came out, the first public sale and when it was on the album and single charts. ,there is nothing more to say
The talking inbetween songs is actually from the Rooftop Concert. About half the songs in this album were all live recordings from their last concert on the rooftop of Apple Records
Funny that you mention Bowie...he covered 'Across The Universe' :)
And of course Lennon played on Bowie's first #1; Fame
@@OzTwanger Yea, gotta love Lennon's 'fame' falsettos all through the song
Beautiful exposition of these songs. The thing that enlightened me about The Long and Winding Road was when I read that McCartney said he was thinking of Ray Charles when writing this song. I could forever hear Ray Charles in the song after that.
The "family" songs seem to get to you. "She's Leaving Home" and "Let It Be" both brought tears to your eyes.
Hey, I love that you give updates on the previous albums, that's so cool and interesting, I do wonder what songs stand out and how they sink in post-first-reaction! Ok, let me jump into the bittersweet "Let It Be" album now: 1.) The whistling at the end of "Two Of Us" is the "heba" coda melody to "Hello Goodbye". I loved your analysis of this song by the way. 2.) "Dig A Pony", "I've Got A Feeling" and "One After 909" were recorded live on the roof of the studio....at the end of January! It was cold as heck! Hence some of the "roughness". They were actually going for that roughness, that was the point of this album: no overdubs, rough and raw. It ended up not being completely that way, but the character is retained. ("Get Back was also played up there, but other than the intro and outro, it's from the studio) 3. "I Me Mine" was the last song The Beatles recorded, although John had already quit the band and is not on the track. 4. "Dig It" was just a piece of an improv studio jam as an introduction for "Let It Be". John Lennon was hilarious. All The Beatles were, but he was really quick witted and spoke in puns and wordplay. He's just making that stuff up over a vamp. 5. I would say all the lyrics are about his mom's words of wisdom, getting him through a difficult time of his life. She had died years earlier, way before he was famous. But it was a difficult time for him and the band for too many reasons to go into, and that's when he had this dream. The funereal atmosphere can be applied to the Beatles themselves, but at the time of it's writing/recording, they hadn't broken up yet. 6.) Maggie Mae is a Liverpool folk song that they just broke into between takes. 7.) One After 909, as I'm sure people have told you, is one of John & Paul's earliest songs, but they had never put it out. That's the great Billy Preston on electric piano on this and all the other songs on this album, he sat in for most of these sessions. 8.) Long And Winding Road - all the strings and choir stuff was added by Phil Spector (who produced this album) and McCartney was very upset! There is a letter you can find where Paul is demanding the strings be removed. This led to an even bigger wedge between Paul and the other Beatles at the time (it's a long, complicated story). 9.) I think they passed the audition! Isn't that a great way to end their career? This album is an epitaph, something posthumous...one last rough scoop. What more could they have possibly given us?
Great reaction, thanks so much for doing these Crystal. Great analysis and insight as always.
Long story..... but....the bulk of the 'Let It Be' album was recorded in January 1969 - the Beatles were filmed throughout the month rehearsing songs for an unspecified live performance, which would form the climax of a movie. That's why so many of the songs have a live, looser feel, with less overdubs than normal. 'The Beatles as nature intended' was the strapline. They couldn't agree on plans for a live performance though, so went up onto the roof of their Apple headquarters in central London and gave a 42-performance there instead! That's where the recordings of 'Get Back' and 'Dig A Pony' come from. The only audience was family and friends and various members of the camera crew - plus hundreds of people on their lunch hours in the street below who could hear but not really see them! Eventually after complaints from business people, the police were called who shut the 'gig' down.
The album and movie were effectively shelved and work began on what became 'Abbey Road'.
Long story short (!), in January 1970, with the album and movie being prepared for release and the band all but split up, they still needed a proper recording of 'I Me Mine'. There's footage of them rehearsing it in the movie, but not a proper recording. So, George, Paul and Ringo (John was out of the country) convened at Abbey Road to record the very last original Beatles song - and the only Beatles track to be recorded in the 1970s. The next day George overdubbed a guitar solo onto Let It Be and they were done.... or not....
Unhappy with the album, Lennon, Harrison and Starr enlisted Phil Spector to add strings and orchestrations without McCartney's knowledge. He was horrified, particularly at Spector's treatment on 'The Long And Winding Road'. The 'Let It Be Naked' release in 2003 was Paul's attempt to present the album as originally intended.
Look out for the three-part 'Get Back' documentary series on Disney+ this Thanksgiving weekend. It's produced by Peter Jackson (Lord Of The Rings/The Hobbit) and put together from 60 hours of unseen footage from January 1969, fully restored using modern day restoration techniques. Look out for the sneak peak that Peter posted on TH-cam late last year! It's far more joyous and colourful than the often downbeat original 'Let It Be' movie released in 1970.
Looking forward to your next video!
You’re dead right about the choir and orchestration on the long and winding road. McCartney said he didn’t like it But that’s because he was in the huff on account of his not being consulted. but it works.
What's amazing is with all the great music you heard, you STILL haven't heard a ton of their greatest hits.
Check out the singles and B sides.
RAIN!!!!!!
The question here is: Have you alredy watch The Beatles: Get Back documentary? It's a really amazing one about the creation of all these songs of Let It Be album and of course the rooftop concert
Greetings to you Crystal❤
That's a real pleasure to see u discovering The Beatles music!!!! Also u delivered a great musical feedback
Awesome your going back to catch up with previous albums with viewers. And I'll add like others, don't skip Past Masters
Let it Be is my favorite song of all time. Partly because it’s such a genuinely beautiful and wholesome song, partly because the guitar solo (on the album version of the song) hits me in the soul like no other guitar solo ever has. But mostly because i knew the story of Paul and his mom, and it always reminded me of my mom. It took on an even deeper meaning to me when over the last few years my mom had gotten very sick and there was essentially no way for her to get better. And it took on even more meaning when she passed away earlier this year. I heard that you lost your dad very recently too. I’m incredibly sorry for your loss, and I know how hard it can be on people. I hope that maybe this song can take on a deeper meaning for you as well (even though it’s about a lost mother, that doesn’t mean it can’t have the same meaning for a lost father or anyone else).
Thank You, for all that you do to help us understand our love for the Beatle's. Your hard work is deeply appreciated. Oh and you are entertaining to listen to as you go on this journey taking us along for the ride.
Great analysis. About the song "Let it be", I've read that Paul said that at the time he wrote it his life "was a mess." Then his mom came to him in a dream and her basic message was "Hey, don't worry so much about things. It's going to be okay!"
I think that the line "there is still a light that shines on me" applies to everybody... sometimes we get discouraged and we need to remember that light even when "the night is cloudy".
Hi, I really hope you review their solo's. You are awesome with your analysis! Actually you are just awesome! ^^
A very important fact about these sessions that is not acknowledged enough is the presence of Billy Preston who played electric piano and organ on many of the tracks (including during the rooftop concert). He was even considered by some "the fifth Beatle" for these sessions. The original 45 of "Get Back" has "The Beatles WIth Billy Preston." Preston went on to have a great career as an R&B/gospel/soul singer and musician.
There are actually seven different guitar solos composed by George Harrison for the song 'Let it be'; two of them found their path for release in 1970. The harder one in the version of the song appearing in the album and a soft one in the 45rpm single.
Since people recommend solo work - check RAM by Paul McCartney :) no artist or album like this
It’s a joy to watch a young musician listen to these songs that I have been listening to for over 40 years. I second all the others who have suggested listening to the past masters vol 1&2. These collect over 30 songs from singles that were either never on an album or the single is a different version than the album. Many of their biggest hits are on these as well as some amazing b-sides.
The thing about Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane is that both John and Paul are singing about actual places they lived near as children and although rather mundane make it someplace you want to go to and feel what they did. That is the gift of great songwriting, or story telling or poetry. And when put to such good music it is almost indescribable but you know it when you feel it.
PS: What a great use of "Flying"! Yes! PSS: Yes, the stereo mixes were often weird; for headphone use, you might want to get the mono mixes. There are a few songs which have major and minor differences (like "Helter Skelter", "I Am The Walrus"), but in general it's the only way to go for headphones. Some say that you haven't heard "Sgt. Pepper" until you've heard it in mono. I can tell you that I prefer the mono mix of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", which is really wild, especially towards the end.
Note on get back... Lennon on lead guitar and billy preston on elec piano.. also good you pointed out the 7th feel... Good to distinguish between major 7th feel vs dominant 7th feel
I strongly suggest you listen to the "Naked" version of Let It Be, it's a less arranged, more acoustic take on the album which aligns better with The Beatles idea of the "Get Back" project which ended up becoming the Let It Be album. Great vid!
There are huge numbers of major, major Beatles songs that never appeared on their official albums but are collected on two double albums...
The movie still hasn't been released on DVD, if I'm correct. Unless it's been quite recently.
Besides the Past Masters compilations you've already been recommended, you should listen to "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love". These two tracks were Lennon's but "completed" by the rest of the Beatles in 1994 and 1995.
Great suggestion! I second that!
Crystal, if you haven’t watched the Beatle’s docu-series, Get Back, on Disney+ yet, please check it out! Particularly the part where George H talks about his inspiration for I Me My, you’ll realize from your own comments/reaction to the song that he hit the nail on the head (with a silver hammer) on what he was going for :)
The odds on the perfect storm that was The Beatles is almost incalculable, each of these guys were not just talented but were each absolute genius on what they contributed to the whole.
The album is originally half live half studio. Dig a pony, get back, one after 909, dont let me down (which isnt included on the 2009 remaster) and i've got a feeling were originally played and recorded at the same time on the rooftop of apple hq
There is footage of this being recorded on the roof of Abbie road studios it was kind of an unadvertised live concert. My friend's dad was driving a truck in the street below and the traffic was blocked for ages. It might be called let it be the movie not sure but it is definitely worth a look!
The Rooftop Concert is fun to watch. Even if you don't come back to comment on it, just go find it on TH-cam. It's just the Beatles going up onto the studio roof and playing several of the songs from this album. Fantastic live performances, it's a hoot, and half of London stopped to watch :-)
I think this was the album they'd planned to do live or something only the wheels were falling off a bit by then so it ended up with more of a 'live in the studio' feel to it. They had Phil Spector on production, which is fine I suppose (so long as he didn't ask any of them out on a date). It was he who dug Across the Universe out of the metaphorical rejects bin and decided to sprinkle a bit of his magical pixie dust on it. The original recording from 1968 is still knocking about on TH-cam somewhere. Very much a Lennon project, none of the other Beatles were particularly moved by it at the time (I know. Hard to imagine) so it was donated to a compilation album by the World Wildlife Fund called Nothing's Gonna Change Our World. It was originally in standard tuning (as opposed to 'Eb'), was a bit more up tempo and had slightly more operatic backing vocals that I can recall. I really love 'em both. I REALLY live how there's seemingly a back story to every Beatles song.
When you get a chance, you MUST see Cirque du Soleil’s LOVE show in Las Vegas for a magical Beatles EXPERIENCE! ☮️✌🏼
Honestly, I thought the show was okay but nothing special as a Cirque du Soleil show. I'm very glad I own the album of music it uses, however: Love. So definitely get that album, Crystal!
@@jwb932 YES--the remixes of the songs, overseen by George Martin and his son, are fascinating. There are songs that pull instrumentation from other songs; an acoustic version of While My Guitar; lots of things that make you hear the songs differently.
That "piano run" is called a glissando, I believe.
This album was recorded before Abbey Road, but released after it. Lennon always had a soft spot for Across the Universe, and talked about it often in interviews afterwards. It's interesting that you mentioned Bowie and Space Oddity, as Bowie covered Across The Universe (with Lennon on guitar and backing vocals) on his Young Americans album. McCartney hated the strings, choirs etc that Phil Spector added to the record, so much so that he released an alternative version of LIB called Let It Be Naked, which stripped Spectors additions out. One After 909 was a song from their Hamburg days back in the early '60's that finally made it onto record. A classic album, and another great first listen Crystal. Thanks :-)
To set the scene all of the sessions that resulted in the Let It Be album were recorded in January 1969. The idea was to do a TV special filming the rehearsals and then do a one-off live appearance as the close for the special. These sessions became known as the Get Back Sessions. Later ideas changed, the TV concept was dropped and it became a feature film. With the four band members never agreeing with the ever pending question 'where will they play live?', it was decided in the end to play live on the rooftop of their studio building. If you ever watch the original Let It Be film, you will see a discussion between Paul and George that has become famous. Making the finished movie be perceived as a filmed register of how The Beatles broke up. Not on the film is the part of this story where George on 10 Jan informs the others mid rehearsal that he has left the band, turns around and leaves. After some negotiating and coaxing the four Beatles resumed filming around 20Jan (I have a book with all these exact dates but its in storage so I'm going on memory). No longer at the cold uninviting Twickenham Film Studios, The Beatles reconvened at their new recording studio at Apple where they began proper recordings for the new album, always playing live in the studio keeping with the agreed concept. On 30Jan they played what came to be popularly known as The Rooftop Concert. On 31Jan they recorded at Apple Studios the definitive version of The Long And Winding Road and Let It Be. It took just over a year for the film to be ready (released in May 1970 as was the album) and in this meantime it was decided to hire Phil Spector to produce the album which is when orchestral overdubs were added, not always with the composers consent. So that's the story around the Get Back project in a nutshell. As always your reaction videos are very interesting to watch. Thank you for taking the time to post them. On a side note, you should definitely watch all the Beatles movies in order on your own time. I am referring to A Hard Days Night, Help!, The Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine (is a psychedelic cartoon) and Let It Be. Also; now, well next month actually, 51 years later, Peter Jackson has prepared six hours that will be shown in the span of three days (I believe on Disney+) a new Let It Be/Get Back movie commemorating the 50 years (that was delayed due to covid) of the original Get Back Sessions that became the Let It Be movie and album. The Beatles world community can't wait and are counting the hours.
One last thing and this is about the songs. Maggie Mae was repertoire from the days they were a skiffle band (1957), before they publicly sang their own compositions. One After 909 is one of their early compositions. They recorded it in 1962, along with other songs of which Love Me Do was deemed suitable for their first single. So it was a treat for them to go back and play such an early song of their careers but fitting with the "get back" feel they were evoking. Dig It is credited to all four and was an improvised jam that was recorded at least three times, each with more or less the same musical theme but always with on the cuff lyrics. The 45 seconds version on the album is taken from a 7 minute (again, going from memory, so it maybe more or less). A more substantial edit of this version is seen on the film. The album versions of Dig A Pony, One After 909 and Get Back are taken from the rooftop concert. As all the rehearsals were recorded there are various versions of songs, may unfinished, that pop up on bootlegs over the decades.