Let It Be: Special Edition
Apple Records released Let It Be: Special Edition on the 15th of October 2021. This expanded reissue marked a significant return to the original 1970 album by the English rock band the Beatles. The project faced unexpected hurdles during its planning phase. A global pandemic forced organizers to postpone the launch from its intended month to late autumn. Delays also affected other major releases, including John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. These albums shifted their dates to April and August 2021 respectively. A trailer for the collection appeared in August 2021, giving fans two months of advance notice before the final drop. Paul McCartney contributed a personal message regarding both the box set and the upcoming Get Back documentary series.
Giles Martin served as the mixing supervisor for this new stereo remix alongside engineer Sam Okell. They created fresh audio versions that included a Dolby Atmos mix for compatible systems. The team worked to preserve the integrity of the original recordings while enhancing clarity for modern listeners. Their process involved revisiting session highlights and outtakes from the early 1970s era. Giles Martin is the son of the legendary producer George Martin who originally oversaw the band's work. The engineering effort aimed to provide a bird’s-eye view of the sessions according to music critic David Quantick. This technical approach allowed the listener to hear details previously buried in the standard album version.
The physical package contained essays, photos, and detailed session notes for collectors. A book with 164 pages accompanied the initial UK release back in May 1970 but was replaced by a standard LP later that year. This edition offered multiple configurations including CD and vinyl formats for different preferences. Fans could access a bonus EP featuring four additional unreleased tracks during playback. The collection also included a remaster of Glyn Johns' original 1969 Get Back mix. Some sources suggest a true 1969 mix exists only on Japan Super High Material CD releases due to a reported mixup. Other versions combined elements from both the 1969 and 1970 mixes of the Get Back album.
Pitchfork awarded the box set a rating of 9.1 out of 10 points in their review. Critics described the outtakes as uncomfortable yet fascinating to modern ears. Metacritic calculated an aggregate score of 91 based on seven reviews indicating universal acclaim. David Quantick stated the set does wonders for the record itself. Chart performance showed strong numbers across major music markets. The Australian Albums chart placed it at number two while New Zealand ranked it fifth. It reached position five on the US Billboard 200 list. These figures demonstrated significant commercial success following its October 2021 release date.
Streaming services received the full audio recording of the rooftop concert on the 28th of January 2022. This separate launch was titled The Beatles: Get Back , The Rooftop Performance. The event had been part of the broader documentary series that also faced pandemic delays until November 2021. Fans could now access the live audio without needing physical media. The timing allowed listeners to experience the historic performance after the main box set had already circulated. This move completed the documentation of the band's final public appearance before breaking up.
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Common questions
When was Let It Be Special Edition released by Apple Records?
Apple Records released Let It Be: Special Edition on the 15th of October 2021. The project faced unexpected hurdles during its planning phase due to a global pandemic that forced organizers to postpone the launch from its intended month to late autumn.
Who mixed the new stereo version of Let It Be Special Edition?
Giles Martin served as the mixing supervisor for this new stereo remix alongside engineer Sam Okell. They created fresh audio versions that included a Dolby Atmos mix for compatible systems while preserving the integrity of the original recordings.
What formats are available in the physical package of Let It Be Special Edition?
This edition offered multiple configurations including CD and vinyl formats for different preferences. Fans could access a bonus EP featuring four additional unreleased tracks during playback along with essays, photos, and detailed session notes.
How did Let It Be Special Edition perform on music charts after release?
Chart performance showed strong numbers across major music markets following its October 2021 release date. The Australian Albums chart placed it at number two while New Zealand ranked it fifth and it reached position five on the US Billboard 200 list.
When was the full audio recording of the rooftop concert added to streaming services?
Streaming services received the full audio recording of the rooftop concert on the 28th of January 2022. This separate launch was titled The Beatles: Get Back , The Rooftop Performance and allowed listeners to experience the historic performance without needing physical media.