Re: John On Glyn Johns' Vs. Phi Spector's LiB Mixes

On 2025-06-02 04:27:28 +0000, Nil said:

On 01 Jun 2025, nyarlathotep1@hotmail.com (Norbert) wrote in
rec.music.beatles:
 

The original LiB mixes were undertaken by the great Glyn Johns.
Lennon insisted on giving these recordings to the deranged Phil
Spector, who added all sorts of overdubs.
 Asked to comment on Spector's work on Let It Be, Lennon said:  "He
was given the shittiest load of badly recorded shit -- and with a
lousy feeling to it -- ever.  And he made something out of it.  It
wasn't fantastic, but when I heard it, I didn't puke."
 Several years later, during Lennon's time with May Pang, Mick
Jagger and Glyn Johns visited the couple.  Johns was aloof.
Jagger told Lennon that there was something he and Glyn needed to
discuss.  Glyn reminded Lennon of his comments about the original
Lib recordings.  John responded:  "Forget about it, Glyn.  I was
just stoned an lettin' off steam."
 Over the years, Glyn various colorful metaphors to describe what
he felt Spector had done to his mixes, such as "He vomited all
over them.

 I think the Glyn Johns versions of the album are terrible. Careless and
poorly thought out. I can only hope that they were quickly done rough
drafts. If released in that state it would have been a blight on The
Beatle's career.
 Spector's orchestrations are overblown at some but not all times, and
they are often tasteful and musical. I agree with John - the resultant
album is very listenable and I still enjoy it a lot.

I just think the original LIB -- whether you think it's good, mediocre or bad -- is part of Beatles lore. I didn't even bother to buy the "Naked" album (and I have some of post-breakup releases like the Anthology and Beatles at the Beeb).
Spector has said he could care less about what McCartney and all its other detractors have said about it, and that no doubt goes for Lennon and Johns too.