The Beatles Handed Their Last Album to a Producer Who Added an Orchestra Behind Paul's Back

Paul McCartney wasn't informed by the rest of the Beatles that "Let It Be" would feature more than they'd planned together.

John Lennon and George Harrison brought in producer Phil Spector to work on the tapes in March 1970, and he added an orchestra to the sound palette.

Lennon later stated he'd hoped a rough, unglamorous release would poke holes in the band's all-encompassing myth. Spector's avenue of approach was to create a wall of sound. How Phil Spector Overdubbed "The Long and Winding Road" in One Day

Phil Spector recorded orchestral and choral overdubs for three songs at Abbey Road in one day, ironically on April 1. The tracks in question were "I Me Mine", "Across the Universe", and "The Long and Winding Road".

He didn't economize - the Paul McCartney Project lists eighteen violins, four cellos, four violas, three trombones, three trumpets, a harp, two guitarists, and fourteen singers for "The Long and Winding Road" alone.

The orchestral parts for "The Long and Winding Road" were scored by conductor Richard Hewson, who was paid £40 for the night of work. Ringo Starr was the only member of the Beatles attending the session, and he drummed along when needed.

Spector reduced the eight-track tape to five to free up tracks, merging Ringo's drums, Billy Preston's electric piano, and George Harrison's guitar into one.

As engineer Peter Bown recalled, the orchestra walked out when Spector handed over extra parts with no mention of extra pay. The session later resumed, and the musicians got their extra payment. How Paul McCartney and George Martin Reacted to Spector's 'Let It Be' Overdubs.

Paul McCartney was handed the result on a pre-release record, with a note from Allen Klein saying the changes were necessary. He would later state, "No one had asked me what I thought." He listened to the tracks and found some issues.

He wrote to Klein on April 14, asking for the strings, horns, and voices to be turned down. He also wanted the closing harp removed, and the original vocal and Beatle instrumentation to be turned up. He ended his letter with "Don't ever do it again." Klein cared little for his request.

George Martin, always a part of the Beatles' craft, said he knew nothing either, would later state the work happened "behind our backs." He told EMI the credit should read "produced by George Martin, over-produced by Phil Spector." The request, understandably, wasn't accepted. 'The Long and Winding Road' Became Part of McCartney's Lawsuit Against the Beatles.

On December 31, 1970, Paul McCartney sued to dissolve the Beatles' partnership. Allen Klein's actions were included as one of the complaints at the High Court hearing, where Macca stated that ABKCO, Klein's company, had arranged for "The Long and Winding Road" to be altered without consulting or informing him.

Justice Stamp dissolved the partnership on March 12, 1971, though the reported findings centered on Klein's appointment and commissions. Phil Spector would remain unrepentant, once stating:

"Paul had no problem picking up the Academy Award for the 'Let It Be' movie soundtrack, nor did he have any problem in using my arrangement of the string and horn and choir parts when he performed it during 25 years of touring on his own."

"If Paul wants to get into a pissing contest about it, he's got me mixed up with someone who gives a s**t."
"Let It Be… Naked" and McCartney's Reconciliation With Richard Hewson

Macca didn't speak to Richard Hewson for a year after the original's release, but they reconciled and worked together on "Thrillington" and "My Love."

In November 2003, the former Beatle finally got his preferred version when "Let It Be… Naked" was released without the orchestra and choir, with "Don't Let Me Down" added.

It was different from the version fans were used to after so many years, but it was music Paul McCartney believed in.

Source: Ultimate Guitar

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