Let It Be

Let It Be
$18.98
I have listened to this recording perhaps 2000 times. It is one of the best, most heartfelt, dramatic, moving, teen/coming of age records I've ever heard. I've been listening to it for over 20 years now and it's still fantastic. My favorite by far of all of the Replacement recordings. Although not a live recording, it captures the magic of The Replacements live. I've got an older CD release that has only the original 11 songs from the vinyl release. I'm tempted to update because my workout lasts longer than the 11 song CD.

The Beatles - Let It Be - DVD

A friend of mine recommended this to me so that I can get a clear picture of what being in a hard-working and productive band is all about. I was told that they were constantly fighting among each other, complaining about Yoko's presence, and I also expected to learn something about how improvisation works when band members try to communicate with each other in songwriting. Unfortunately, throughout the entire film, you can barely hear what they're talking about when they speak quickly and quietly in their British accents. It didn't seem as if there was much fighting going on, supposedly because they deleted those scenes out of the final version made for video. I could make out what they were saying to some extent, but it seemed to be no more than comments on what they thought about the songs they were rehearsing, what experiences they had at some of the venues they played at in various countries, etc. If this really is an actual movie, then it doesn't succeed at drawing my attention and keeping me interested in the plot of events, which is what I believe a good movie should be about. The songs are fantastic, and I completely love and respect the Beatles for what they've accomplished and the impact they've had on modern rock, but a documentary should provide more to viewers than just footage of the band in the studio. The rooftop concert was a sensation and it was nice to see how the police went easy with them. Other than that, it was boring and there wasn't much to learn from this.

Let It Be

Seemingly plot-less Let It Be appears as a rambling rag-tag collection of George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr getting together to rehearse material for a new album of songs. As a documentary, showing the artists develop little pieces of music in different ways with phrases of lyrics, piano, guitar and drums shows the indefinable process that culminates to form the Popular Song. As the process continues the overt personalities of the different artists become more prominent and the collaborative spirit that had seemed to be present earlier, dissolves and the character of each member begins to stand out. Paul seems intent on harnessing the talents of each of the members into a unified group to rehearse and find the magic that put the band on the top of the music charts, but the different members have strong independent ideas. Several songs are molded with Lennon and McCartney forging the way, and George toils away on the side with his songs, as Ringo sits in on songs and drums. The film culminates with the band chucking the idea of creating any new cutting edge tunes, and in a moment of public relations grandstanding carry their instruments up onto the roof of Apple Corps headquarters on Saville Row at lunch time on January 30, 1969 to perform, causing the Police to shut down their last public performance.

As a final tribute to possibly the world's greatest pop band Let It Be still remains as a sad reminder that the innocence of youth can never be regained except in reminiscence.

It was reported by George Harrison that it was Paul McCartney that pushed to make another movie about the Beatles and everyone else in the band, busy with wives, children and independent projects were all grumbling that they were prefer not to. In the film it is evident that Paul is overly enthusiastic about making another Beatle film and his gushing over little things seems at times overdone.

Some of the songs are very good, glowing with the old Beatle magic that comes from the combination of all the right talent working together on a single project. The musicians certainly know each other well musically and even at their most laid back they remain a tight ensemble, understanding through years of experience what the others will do and complimenting or countering it.

The Beatles won a 1970 Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, but in many ways this seems to be a "gimmie" considering that the Beatles had previously made A Hard Day's Night and Help and the songs from those movies were much catchier- it seems that given the demise of the band there was a consensus that the band should be given a distinct parting gift.

The Beatles "Let It Be"+ rare Bonus Materials

Though I applaud the sellers entrepreneurship, the asking price is just too much at this time for me. Shoulda' gotten this DVD before the new interest in The Beatles peaked and set prices soaring. It's just so frustrating that Apple is sitting on this much sought treasure. Waiting for what, only a 'Higher Power' knows. Even though 'Let It Be' is very dark, unpolished, and lets face it, it certainly does chronicle the very painful break up of the most extraordinary (rock) band of the last 100yrs. There are some beautiful moments & jams when Paul's not berating everyone, and chastising George's guitar playing. The song 'For You Blue', is a great example of that. The Beatles really cook, and as George says, "Elmore James ain't got nothing on this baby." John & Paul show us they still could work together (musically, anyways), and have fun on 'Two Of Us'. Of course, the now legendary "Roof Top' performance is worth the price of admission alone. What a way for a band to go out! Right now however, this Beatles fan will have to wait & dream for a more affordable 'Let It Be' DVD to become available.