Okay, okay so I’ve fallen off the wagon .. .again. No, I haven’t caved in on my plan for an alcohol-free January*, I’ve just made my first vinyl buys of 2016. I sort of didn’t mean to, there I was striding through Liverpool purposefully at lunchtime, then I must have taken a bit of a funny turn because the next thing I can remember was striding in the opposite direction holding a heavy carrier bag. Man, I really need to get this medical condition of mine seen to.
I finally bought an LP I’ve wanted for a few years now but never got around to, I’m sure you foreign types won’t have heard of them but its by an obscure outfit from around these parts called The Beatles, I understand they were pretty big on the local scene, I bought Let It Be … Naked. I can tell you now that it is every bit as wonderful, as it’s title is awful**. It is a beautifully luxurious slab of cardboard and vinyl so heavy I could barely lift it onto the turntable. You know the premise, basically Let It Be shorn of Spector’s decorative bits and some other bits and pieces, running order rejigged and laid bare before us.
It really has been an uncanny experience tonight hearing all these songs that I have known and loved all my life, in a totally different manner. Some are not vastly different, some like ‘The Long & Winding Road’ in particular are fundamentally changed, for the better too; and I say that as a big fan of Let It Be. The clarity of the mix is rather jaw dropping too, the rockers really rock and you get a sense of the Beatles as a real living, breathing band, rather than as a remote culturally iconic untouchable entity. I hoped it was going to be really good, I guessed it was but I really was quite unprepared for just how good it was, so warm and emotional. I’d just like to point out that I’m a hard macho type and I wasn’t crying by the end of LP closer ‘Let It Be’, I just had something in my eye. Honest.
This is all so good, I’ve barely touched my other beauty, Muse The Resistance. It really is an LP I love, it reminds me of a great family holiday we had in Cornwall when it first came out. Muse were never very good to us vinyl freaks, this LP was only available on LP as a mega-expensive box set filled with stuff I didn’t give a flying, umm, duck about, but now their record company has re-released everything on wax to cash in on every sane person’s format of choice. But I don’t care – exploit me as you will.
But tonight is about the Beatles, I’m off to treat my ears again.
622 Down (still).
PS: Anyone want to go into business with me? I’m planning to open a cake shop called Let It Be … Baked.
*yet.
**I.e. fucking loads!
Might have to drag the CD out for a listen – remember liking it when it came out. Also vaguely recall the ‘bonus’ CD being very long and not at all interesting but it was a long time ago (in a galaxy far far away).
I just think it’s got a lovely warm feel to it all. I haven’t found the right mood to listen to the interview bit yet.
The interviews are the best things to play when polishing up a final review! Sometimes you’ll glean a bit of trivia. Either way you’ve got something relevant playing when you’re spell-checking and adding photos etc. Just my 2 cents Canadian.
I didn’t realize they released this on vinyl!
I don’t even think I own it. For shame. The missus might. But that doesn’t count because if so she wrecked it long ago.
Rebuy!
It was a real revelation – someone mentioned that it never came out on vinyl in the US, so maybe they did the same in Canuckville.
Could be! I remember there was a limited CD with an interview disc? Or a CD-Rom?
Mine has got a 7″ of interviews – not listened to it yet though.
EGAD! No way! So basically the content from the bonus CD is right there on the 7″. Holy snit.
Oh yes – The Wisdom of Ringo (TWOR, for short), is only a change of turntable speed away.
Why change speed? Might be better if you don’t!
Heretic! TWOR is a sacred thing!
Is that the actual title or is it a 1537ism?
No, I invented it inside my own head.
You have a whole idea factory in there. I wish I could mine it.
That’s why I’m constantly on the run from the authorities who hope to somehow weaponise my ability to make up acronyms!
You can hide in my bunker with Joey Tempest?
The real one?
How the hell should I know? There are like 5 or 6 of them in there, all from different eras.
That’s a serious collection you got going there, I’d probably have e-Bayed a couple of them by now.
I’m waiting for the value to go up.
I’ve been laughng my ass off at the conversation. Friday night genius right here, you guys.
Awww thanks pal! I haven’t even started on coffee yet!
Coffee at this hour? I highly approve.
Don’t look at me, I’ve been trying to shake him off for 30 minutes now – I’m trying to write a post about Friday night with Anthrax!!
You have anthrax? Do they have a cure for that? Get well soon!
Maybe he’s listening to Alice Cooper, Snortin’ Anthrax…
What a shitty name for a CD. I’m almost mad that’s the one I have. Hahah.
You could still have this other one! I bought it for you!
I hate to break it to you, buddy, but if it takes you half an hour to shake it off, you’re not doing what you think you’re doing.
Au contraire. A mistake many men make, is finishing too fast.
I’m 43, reaching the start line is an achievement.
We’re the same age! And probably maturity level!
I thought you were younger than me, a mere whippersnapper.
I’m 41 and know of no such issues. Dammit, only two years left!
That was the 69th comment on 1537 today. True story!
Yay! That’s my favourite number!!
(sighs) That’s what she said!
She said 1537 is her favourite number too? WHAT A COINCIDENCE!
It’s best to be thorough, you’re right.
Gosh, you chaps in the colonies can be rather vulgar.
Hairy Canadians. GIVE ‘ER!
Cure? We don’t need no stinkin’ cure! We just need more shelves and cabinet space.
I definitely want this one in my collection. Loved it when it came out. When you’ve heard Let It Be a certain way for years and years it’s quite refreshing to hear it in such a raw, rock and roll state. I love occasionally getting that reminder that the Beatles were a rock and roll band, not just an institution.
It was so much better than I even hoped it would be – I’m launching a full public enquiry into why I didn’t buy it earlier. I’m a fool.
If you need someone on the inquiry board let me know. I’m free this weekend.
Argh. There you’ve gone and done it. I usually have little interest (if any at all) in The Beatles, but now I want to hear that one. Thanks.
Muse, though; you can keep that one to yourself thank you very much!
I love the Muse one, you barbarian!
Nope. Sorry. I tried with that lot a long time ago.
Nice post! Seen this of course but never took the Bait! Let It Be is prob my fav Beatles album! Two Of Us is a great ditty!
If it’s your favourite then you definitely need to hear this beauty – not sure how though as it isn’t one of the ones they allow Spotify to stream.
Interesting – I’m keen to hear that version, as the regular Let it Be is not a Beatle record I tend to revisit. I’d invest in that Bakery venture!
Brilliant – we’ll be millionaires by Christmas.
This: “you get a sense of the Beatles as a real living, breathing band, rather than as a remote culturally iconic untouchable entity.”
Great score(s) Dude! You know I’m still planning on moving into your house so I can play all your records, right?
Thank you & you’re very welcome to come around to castle 1537 and guard the treasure.
I’m on my way. Nothing says security like having a drunken hairy Canadian guarding your stuff. Hahahaha
I hear Fort Knox just employs two of ’em.
Pfft. Paranoid sissies, that’s overkill.
Dude, there is no cure for our affliction. I’m OK that with that.