Mixing: The Long And Winding Road, Let It Be, Get Back, Maggie Mae

Room four, EMI Studios, Abbey Road
Producer: Phil Spector
Engineer: Peter Bown

Although it would later be subjected to strings, brass and choir overdubs, the stereo mixes of ‘The Long And Winding Road’ made by Phil Spector on this day were a much simpler affair: they were used for the eventual orchestral score, and for the session musicians to hear while they performed during the 1 April session.

Just one mix of the song was made on this day. After its completion Spector turned his attentions to ‘Let It Be’, which was remixed four times. Spector notably added a great deal of tape echo to Ringo Starr’s hi-hat during the second verse. He also made an edit which lengthened the song slightly, by repeating one of the choruses from the 3’30” mark.

Five mixes of ‘Get Back’ were then made from one of the 27 January 1969 recordings of the song. Spector also included John Lennon’s ‘Sweet Loretta Fart…’ introduction.

The final song to be mixed was ‘Maggie Mae’, The Beatles’ rough-and-ready take on this traditional song about a Liverpool prostitute. Two mixes were made.