Beatles, The ‎– Let It Be

This album is remarkable in that it was created in an environment of stress and often hostility that was in part created by idealistic Paul McCartney's desire to "get back" - meaning, record an album as simply and with as few overdubs and studio effects as possible, and have it all filmed. This sort of thing may have worked for the mop-top Beatles of the past, fresh from Hamburg in the early 1960s, but with each of them wanting to perform their own work in their own way, this technique didn't quite pan out in January of 1969. The half-finished and unreleased album was handed over to producer Phil Spector to complete, which he did by adding angelic choruses and soaring orchestral pieces to songs that were beautiful in a way that directly correlated to their simplicity. This album should be looked at as another attempt by Paul McCartney to create some concept album like Sgt. Peppers or Magical Mystery Tour, and the frustrations between members of the group (like George Harrison's aggravation that his songs weren't making onto the album- note that his first solo record is a triple album) should be taken into account when listening to Let It Be.

Thank God we can take solace in the fact that "Abbey Road" was the Beatles' swan song. "Let It Be" was the final Beatle release, but "Abbey Road" I believe was recorded later.
"Let It Be" only reaffirms for me that the magic of the Beatles is all but gone. The film is depressing enough. There are so many things not to like about this album.
Let's start out with the over-the-top pomposity of the liner notes. The notes set you up to believe you are holding some historical document. In a way, you are. It's a dark side of Beatles' history.
First, the good stuff. "Get Back" is one of the last classic Beatles' songs, and the Beatles are ably assisted by Billy Preston's organ. "The Long and Winding Road", although a bit austere, is a lovely McCartney tune. John Lennon's "Across the Universe' is a beauty, too, although I prefer the more spacey alternate version.
That's about it. "Two of Us" is a pleasant song, although it seems a bit forced, as it seems Lennon and McCartney were at each other's throats at the time. "I've Got a Feeling" is a nice rock tune, nothing more.
And talk about Phil Spector's wretched excesses, and I'm not talking handguns here, his over-production of the perfect "Let It Be" turns a fine simple tune into a real mess. He should spend a few years in jail just for what he did to this track.
I rather like Harrison's bluesy "For You Blue". Beats the hell out of his minor "I Me Mine".
Lennon manages a nice rock riff with "I Dig a Pony", but his lyrics seem self-consciously clever. Not one of Lennon's major works.
"One After 909" was an early Lennon-McCartney composition. No doubt they resurrected this tune out of sheer nostalgia. It's a forgettable piece of music.
Neither the film, nor this album, are easy to take.
The film is as pretentious as the album's liner notes. The whole 'rooftop sequence' is so manipulative and calculated. This is the Beatles without a hint of spontaneity. Clearly the fab, gear times are gone.
So thank God for "Abbey Road", which was a solid album of some brilliant Beatles' music.
"Let It Be" is stilted and uninspired.