Glyn Johns compiles the second Get Back album

Olympic Sound Studios, London
Producer: Glyn Johns

The Beatles had rejected producer Glyn Johns’ first attempt at fashioning an album from the Get Back/Let It Be tapes. On this day he put together a second Get Back LP for their consideration, although it too was rejected.

Johns worked from 7pm-11.30pm at Olympic Sound Studios in London, without any of The Beatles being present. His new album omitted ‘Teddy Boy’, as it wasn’t featured in the Let It Be film, but added George Harrison’s ‘I Me Mine’ and John Lennon’s ‘Across The Universe’.

Those songs were both mixed for stereo on this day. I Me Mine was the first to be tackled, with a mix of take 16 from the 3 January 1970 session.

Across The Universe had its third stereo mix. Johns left out the backing vocals from Apple Scruffs Gayleen Pease and Lizzie Bravo, took out The Beatles’ own backing vocals, faded the song early and crossfaded it into the reprise of ‘Get Back’. Some spoken word dialogue was also added to the start of the song, with Lennon asking Ringo Starr: “Are you all right, Richard?”

By the end of the session, the running order of the new album was decided as:

Side one:
‘One After 909’
Rocker
Save The Last Dance For Me
‘Don’t Let Me Down’
‘Dig A Pony’
I’ve Got A Feeling
Get Back
‘Let It Be’

Side two:
‘For You Blue’
‘Two Of Us’
‘Maggie Mae’
‘The Long And Winding Road’
I Me Mine
Across The Universe
Get Back (Reprise)

Despite Glyn Johns’ efforts The Beatles remained unsatisfied, and were doubtful as to its commercial viability. In a final attempt to conclude the project, Phil Spector was brought in on 23 March 1970.

Last updated: 17 April 2018
John Lennon and Yoko Ono give a press conference in Aalborg, Denmark
Recording, mixing: Let It Be, For You Blue – George Harrison's final recording session with The Beatles
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