Ahead of the release of Peter Jackson’s “The Beatles: Get Back” documentary in November, it has been confirmed that chart-topping 1970 album, Let It Be, will return as Special Edition packages to be released worldwide on October 15th. Three tracks from the newly remixed and expanded edition will be released digitally as part of a preorder launch, including “Let It Be” (2021 Stereo Mix), “Don’t Let Me Down” (first rooftop performance), and “For You Blue” (Get Back LP Mix).
Producer, Giles Martin, and engineer, Sam Okell, are behind the new releases, which follow the popular remixed and expanded anniversary editions of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (2017), The BEATLES (‘White Album’) (2018), and Abbey Road (2019).
All the new Let It Be releases feature the new stereo mix of the album as guided by the original “reproduced for disc” version by Phil Spector and sourced directly from the original session and rooftop performance eight-track tapes. The physical and digital Super Deluxe collections also feature 27 previously unreleased session recordings, a four-track Let It Be EP, and the never before released 14-track Get Back stereo LP mix compiled by engineer Glyn Johns in May 1969.
The Let It Be album and film represent the only time in The Beatles’ career that they were documented at such great length while creating music in the studio. More than 60 hours of unreleased film footage, more than 150 hours of unreleased audio recordings, and hundreds of unpublished photographs have been newly explored and meticulously restored the new Beatles releases this autumn.
In his foreword for the special edition ‘Let it Be’ book, Paul McCartney says: “I had always thought the original film Let It Be was pretty sad as it dealt with the break-up of our band, but the new film shows the camaraderie and love the four of us had between us. It also shows the wonderful times we had together, and combined with the newly remastered Let It Be album, stands as a powerful reminder of this time. It’s how I want to remember The Beatles.”
The new releases are as follows.
Let It Be Special Edition (Super Deluxe): 57 tracks
* 5CD + 1Blu-ray (album’s new stereo mix in hi-res 96kHz/24-bit; new 5.1 surround DTS and Dolby Atmos album mixes) with 105-page hardbound book in a 10” by 12” die-cut slipcase
* 180-gram, half-speed mastered vinyl 4LP + 45rpm 12-inch vinyl EP with 105-page hardbound book in a 12.5” by 12.5” die-cut slipcase
* Digital Audio Collection (stereo + album mixes in hi res 96kHz/24-bit / Dolby Atmos)
- Let It Be (new stereo mix of original album): 12 tracks
- Previously unreleased outtakes, studio jams, rehearsals: 27 tracks
- Previously unreleased 1969 Get Back LP mix by Glyn Johns, newly mastered: 14 tracks
- Let It Be EP: 4 tracks
- Glyn Johns’ unreleased 1970 mixes: “Across The Universe” and “I Me Mine”
- Giles Martin & Sam Okell’s new stereo mixes: “Don’t Let Me Down” & “Let It Be” singles
The Super Deluxe CD and vinyl collections’ beautiful book features Paul McCartney’s foreword; an introduction by Giles Martin; a remembrance by Glyn Johns; insightful chapters and detailed track notes by Beatles historian, author, and radio producer Kevin Howlett; and an essay by journalist and author John Harris exploring the sessions’ myths vs. their reality. The book is illustrated, scrapbook style, with rare and previously unpublished photos by Ethan A. Russell and Linda McCartney, as well as never before published images of handwritten lyrics, session notes, sketches, Beatles correspondence, tape boxes, film frames, and more.
Let It Be Special Edition (Deluxe): 26 tracks
* 2CD in digipak with a 40-page booklet abridged from the Super Deluxe book
- Let It Be (new stereo mix of original album): 12 tracks
- Previously unreleased outtakes, studio jams, rehearsals: 13 tracks
- Previously unreleased 1970 mix for “Across The Universe”
Let It Be Special Edition (Standard): 12 tracks
* 1CD in digipak (new stereo mix of original album)
* Digital (album’s new mixes in stereo + hi res 96kHz/24-bit / Dolby Atmos)
* 180-gram half-speed mastered 1LP vinyl (new stereo mix of original album)
* Limited Edition picture disc 1LP vinyl illustrated with the album art (new stereo mix of original album)
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