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1.51am
Moderators
27 November 2016
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WeepingAtlasCedars said
I most definitely prefer the single version. Perhaps part of it is due to the fact that the single version was the one I grew up hearing and have heard most, but I’ve never liked the album version’s solo; it doesn’t quite have the flow that the single version’s solo has, and I don’t think the tone fits as well. I’m not too keen on the treatment of the brass and strings on the album version of the song, either, nor the hi-hat echo in second verse, which just sounds a bit strange.
Interesting. I never liked the single version, because I far, far prefer the album version’s solo. The brass and strings aren’t bad imo, oddly enough – and I find the hi-hat echo to be a nice touch!
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9.08am
9 March 2017
Offline While i’ve never really paid any attention to the other differences, the album version’s solo is one of George’s best solos and considering that it was the last guitar part he recorded with The Beatles until their mid-90’s reunion, it’s one of (if not the) greatest swan songs of all time.
The single version, on the other hand, turns this powerful heartfelt distorted guitar solo into clean Leslie mediocrity and don’t get me wrong, George’s clean Leslie solos on Something and Octopus’s Garden are amazing but that’s because they both match the desired energy of the song while this one leaves you feeling underwhelmed.
But to be fair, this has WAY more to do with how great the album version’s solo is as opposed to the quality of the single version’s (which isn’t a bad solo, just mediocre by Beatles standards). If George hadn’t recorded the album solo, i’d probably be comparing the single version’s solo to the solo on What Goes On ? in that it does it’s job but has nothing special going for it.
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10.45am
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1 May 2011
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I’m with @The Hole Got Fixed on this one except that I don’t hate the single version; it’s alright, your regular great song that is fine coming and going with no issues at all. The album mix is spectacular however thanks to the very aggressive guitar solo that lifts it a good few levels above, love the echo on the hi-hat and the rolling out drums – this is one of the two orchestral overdubs Spector definitely got right (the other being ‘I Me Mine ‘).
The song seems to go along very politely, tho you know something is going on with the weird fluttering hi-hats, until the solo which boots you square in a sensitive place.
Moving away from the guitar discussion. Preston’s organ in the third Johns’ mix is wonderful (not to be confused with his crap sounding solo on the ‘Naked’ concoction and promo).
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5.13pm
26 January 2017
Offline In other settings the Leslie tone works really well, it’s a great sound, but Let It Be is a dramatic power ballad, so the distorted pentatonic solo just fits a lot better.
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7.59pm
26 January 2017
Offline Yes @meanmistermustard you are dead on about the organ. Theres certain takes where Billy’s B3 just washes you in ways that other versions of the track don’t. I felt Giles did a nice job with remastering the Hammond on Abbey Road , not to say GM didn’t do an excellent job with the original mixes.
As for the guitar solo, I’ve said this before the album version is better as it is one of George’s strongest solos, whereas the single is too quiet and not as confident or magnificent.
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5.22pm
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1 May 2011
Online meanmistermustard said
I’m with @The Hole Got Fixed on this one except that I don’t hate the single version; it’s alright, your regular great song that is fine coming and going with no issues at all. The album mix is spectacular however thanks to the very aggressive guitar solo that lifts it a good few levels above, love the echo on the hi-hat and the rolling out drums – this is one of the two orchestral overdubs Spector definitely got right (the other being ‘I Me Mine ‘).The song seems to go along very politely, tho you know something is going on with the weird fluttering hi-hats, until the solo which boots you square in a sensitive place.
Moving away from the guitar discussion. Preston’s organ in the third Johns’ mix is wonderful (not to be confused with his crap sounding solo on the ‘Naked’ concoction and promo).
Admit your errors.
Preston’s crappy sounding solo is on ‘TLAWR’ on ‘Naked’ not ‘LIB ‘. I don’t even remember the ‘LIB ‘ naked solo.
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2.55pm
28 March 2014
Offline Woo Hoo 
Sounds like where getting the “whole 42 minute rooftop concert” and lots of new music….. Most of the music has always been out on bootlegs, but apparently, no boot exists of the full 42 minute rooftop video!
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9.33am
12 May 2015
Offline QuarryMan said
In other settings the Leslie tone works really well, it’s a great sound, but Let It Be is a dramatic power ballad, so the distorted pentatonic solo just fits a lot better.
I’ve always really disliked the Leslie toned guitar solo on the single. But Georges solo on the album version is just perfect, and actually adds a lot of feeling to the track.
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4 February 2021
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Billy Rhythm said
The Phil Spector album version is the Superior listening experience, all the others pale in comparison…:-)
Totally agree. Cannot abide the wimpy guitar solo sound on the single and ‘Naked’ versions. In fact that guitar solo is my favourite guitar solo ever, period!
Unless Paul McCartney knocks on my door I am unlikely to be impressed.
5.57pm
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1 May 2011
Online ‘Let It Be ‘ has a new official promo video. Rare, unseen etc etc etc in various parts. It’s pleasing they used the album version mix variation.
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5.16am
21 February 2024
Offline Isn’t it ironic that 60 years later we see the fall release of “Last Beatles Song” followed in Spring by Let it Be?
I’m thinking Abbey Road – The End vs. Let it Be (1969-70) here….
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4.01am
21 February 2024
Offline I must say that in my opinion “Angie” by The Rolling Stones is their version of Let It Be .
It is a very uplifting song. The lyrics are about trying to get a second shot at a relationship. There are choral arrangements and resonating guitars which make it really emotional and depressed, which I know is not really the purpose of Let it Be, but is definitely an underlier in LIB if you consider its Paul who met his mother in his dream and misses her.
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10.38am
14 June 2016
Offline I’ve been digging LIB a lot lately. Been listening to it a lot. Almost like a rediscovery because I’d skipped over it for a long time due to how overexposed it is. I always toss up in my mind which song is Paul’s true masterpiece, this or Hey Jude . I usually side with Hey Jude , but I’m less sure now. I think LlB is even more engrained into the culture. I prefer the single version too, which was assisted by George Martin. It’s quieter but I think it suits the song. It’s cleaner, such as removing the delay effect on Ringo’s hi-hat which I’m not that fond of in the album mix.
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7.06am
30 August 2021
Offline To be honest, I’m hard-pressed to tell the difference between the single and album versions. The album version has a more pronounced guitar in the middle break, I think. On the single, maybe the piano is more prominent.
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8.41am
7 November 2022
Offline I have yet to notice any difference between “remixes” and “remasters” etc.
Now today I find, you have changed your mind
12.15pm
14 June 2016
Offline Timothy said
I’ve been digging LIB a lot lately. Been listening to it a lot. Almost like a rediscovery because I’d skipped over it for a long time due to how overexposed it is. I always toss up in my mind which song is Paul’s true masterpiece, this or Hey Jude . I usually side with Hey Jude , but I’m less sure now. I think LlB is even more engrained into the culture. I prefer the single version too, which was assisted by George Martin. It’s quieter but I think it suits the song. It’s cleaner, such as removing the delay effect on Ringo’s hi-hat which I’m not that fond of in the album mix.
That said I still love the instrumental in the album version. The organ sound in the background that peaks during the solo at 2.06 is a great moment.
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