Top of my head is Sgt Peppers. Probably premature. Rubber -Soul. Hmmm. Damn toughie Professor. Love it. Revolver.? Don't know that there is an incorrect answer. Goo goo ga choo.
I remember especially John Lennon's latest studio album Double Fantasy: he was 40 years old at the time and prove he still had inspiration (while a lot of artists and bands must struggle when they enter in their 40's and had their best/greatest stuff behind them). So, I always wonder how he would have influenced mainstream music, what kind of gems he would have created during the 80's and some part of the 90's if he was still alive...
John Lennon is my favorite Beatle. In my opinion, John didn't pull any punches and let everyone know that he was just as f**k-up as the rest of us. John was the most human celebrity/genius that I've ever known about. He showed me that I can still accomplish my dreams/goals in-spite of my flaws, shortcomings and the personal sh**t I've gone through. Thanks John! You may be physically absent, but your music keeps you alive! Peace & Love!
@@ProfessorofRock I do love Instant Karma but "Woman" will always be my favorite John Lennon song. As for my favorite Fab Four solo track "Band on the Run" (tho it was McCartney and Wings) has always been my go to.
If you ever recorded a song from your favorite FM station, hoping the dog didn't bark on the recording, and had to time the ending perfectly before the DJ came on at the end of the song, you're really gonna dig this channel.
Petula Clark always talks during her concert about doing the song give peace a chance. And the advice to John Lennon gave her when she visited him in Montreal in 1969
John's complex life though so incredibly sad played such a important role in his having a firm grasp on the human condition which in turn helped him create the most amazing and brilliant songs of all time.
Being reminded of John’s early solo work like this, and knowing what Paul and George did after the Beatles (hell, even Ringo had his moments), it makes me ache knowing what they could have created together if John hadn’t been murdered. Imagine being able to look back at your favorite 80’s & 90’s songs like we all do now, but also having memories of Beatles songs from those times too? What a gift that would be. We were robbed of that music. IfJohn hadn’t died I believe that they’d have eventually reunited, occasionally at least, and they’d have remained relevant. The Stones continued on, but their last hit came in 1981. They’ve essentially been a touring band playing their greatest hits for 4 decades, despite releasing forgettable albums during that time. I don’t believe that would have been the Beatles fate though. I think that after surviving the insanity of the 60’s, and then having the time to grow as individuals in the 70’s without the pressure of being Beatles; this would have allowed the 4 of them to approach music like teenagers again. Given the experience they’d gained though, along with having accumulated enough wealth to not have to survive on sales of their new music; this would have allowed them to write a second chapter that rivaled their first. They wouldn’t have needed to follow trends and could have pulled whatever they may have liked from each one that passed if they fancied it, or nothing at all. For the second time, they’d have been able to do things unlike any other band in history. Maybe someday I’ll get a chance to visit the alternate reality where that happened.
The fact that the lyrics to Working Class Hero are still as relevant and timeless today as they were when written is all at once amazing and extremely depressing about the current state of our culture.
My favourite Beatle. I love John's solo music possibly even more than I love the Beatles. John's honesty and straight to the point lyrics are so refreshing and heart felt. He doesn't sugar coat anything and gives it to you straight, which is why I love and respect him so much. He had his flaws like we all do but his heart and genuine desire to make this world a better place was extremely admirable. He tried to use his fame to make the world a better place.
I'm not sure if john really meant it when he said the songs he wrote after the beatles disassembled were his 'best'; but they were truly the most honest songs he ever written in my opinion. Songs such as 'mother' and 'god' is a good reflection of john's inner mind! One of my most favourite albums of all time.
It's a bold statement, but often times as you know, what the artist holds dear is usually their most honest works. Most of the times, it's non commercial.
“God” is a MASTERPIECE. Perhaps the ultimate STATEMENT song of all time coming from John after leaving the Beatles... “I was the Walrus but now I’m John”
Its possibly my favourite john solo song. The piano is absolutely beautiful. I think Ringo's differing drum fills after each line when john is denouncing everyone is superb too.
That is so depressing. I feel sorry for those who suffered terrible childhoods. I grew up poor for the first 10 years of my life, after my biological father abandoned the family, and I would say still that it was the happiest period for me (the '60s were way more fun than today). A lot of kids lose parents one way or other. You have to get on with it. John was becoming a better person toward the end, and I think that made all the difference.
I have immense respect for Lennon choosing art, meaningful lyrics, an important message over just creating commercially viable pop songs. I don´t think we´ve ever seen someone as raw, as honest in the entertainment industry. Lennon was truly an artistic and cultural genius.
While John, Paul, George, and Ringo were never as good apart as they were together as The Beatles, each of them did record excellent songs and albums as solo artists after they broke up. This episode on John Lennon is an example of that.
Together they were the greatest group ever assembled. It is too bad we never had the chance to see them come together again. That may have been if only John remained.
Glad to see you back in top form. Looks like your energy is back. Good! Thank you for returning to John Lennon..what could be more showing of gratitude than covering John Lennon? I can't think of any. THANK YOU for celebrating his work.
I never knew that Lennon was wanting the '50s sound even back in 1970. His nostalgia for the '50s was very apparent in "Starting Over" which happens to be absolutely one of the best love songs of all time. He was just being reborn: "It's time we spread our wings and fly - don't let another day go by". Released in November; then December 8 happened.
I would really like to see this entire set released on vinyl directly from the analog masters. Once you go digital you lose all the feeling, warmth, heart and soul that music from the 60' and 70's was all about.
Plastic Ono Band is definitely the best solo album that Lennon did. So many great songs. The Beatles and Lennon were my go to band in high school. I played them over and over again. Some of, if not the best music ever created and I have no qualms saying that. Pure genius. Adam, I like these unboxing videos. Keep them up! Thanks again.
John Lennon also called the music he did with Yoko at the Lyceum ballroom in London in December 1969 the greatest music ever made, and I talk to somebody who was actually at that show, Gene Cornish of the rascals, and he said the music was god awful. He said it was a real letdown that his hero John Lennon was so awful
I remember seeing John Lennon with short hair and being shocked. I'd had to fight tooth and nail with my mom to grow my hair and now this? Thanks for the remembrance of this album and that time and not shying away from the politics and controversy of the content.
Another beautiful presentation, Professor. I'd love to hear your take on the rest of John's post=Beatles work. Actually, I'd love to hear your views on all of their solo careers. Thanks.
Blue by Joni Mitchell and John's Ono LPS are the most emotional LPS ever produced. John was an ass for much of his life. However, maturity comes to everyone at different times in their lives. I think he was turning into a better person in his late years. Lennon, Harrison, McCartney then Starkey for best post Beatles music. Just my take! Thanks Prof for this review!
The original John Lennon Plastic Ono Band was the best solo Beatles album. No orchestration. No background choir. No honking saxophones. Just pure stark emotion.
Professor, you should do an episode on the most groundbreaking and original music videos ever made. Like Michael Jackson's Thriller, Take on Me by Ah-a, Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel, etc.
I grew up listening to The Beatles All my life even probably when I was in my mother's womb my mother had turned me on to the best bands and the best music writers and our world and Beatles was number one in hers and of course the rolling Stones. I listen to The Beatles every chance I can and they will always have a piece of my heart with my mom my mom showed me what you love is and don't even have to be a person it could be a band John Lennon died same time my father died Julian Lennon rid of song I never knew it was Julian Lennon when I was a kid I used to listen to that he had wrote for his father too late to say goodbye and I was listening to it one day and said Mom this song reminds me of my daddy she said that's John Lennon sons song to John Lennon. So I have been more connection with all that John Lennon and Julian and so many ways a lot of people can't understand cuz they never lived it like me and Julia Lennon did.. and my father was murdered also in front of me from evil people
When I first heard this album I was so moved. I was 15 years old and didn't know anything. But something about this album moved me so. The singing was majestic. The sound was simple, but pure. The melodies were so beautiful. The playing was spot on. The production was simple and pure. He always dismisses his piano playing but it was so great on this record. The lyrics were heartfelt and honest. I loved the Beatles and I was so sad when they broke up. But this record was so great it felt perfect. It is 50 years later but I still love this record. This man and his 3 mates were so fantastic I still love them
How do you think that guy in Montreal with the recording studio reacted when someone representing John Lennon called him? Probably had to pinch himself.
John Lennon was my favorite Beatle and I actually liked his solo stuff more than what he did with the Beatles. I know my opinion is likely the minority view but his independent work was way more meaningful to me and take me back to my childhood the way certain smells can trigger memories with perfect clarity.
The one thing Lennon always seemed to do while with the Beatles and into the early part of his solo career was shock his audience. Whether it was screaming for Help on an early Beatles track, comparing himself to Jesus, blowing peoples minds with psychedelic weirdness - like I am the Walrus or in the case of Plastic Ono Band putting out a recording that was so raw, so visceral, so personal, that no one else including Lennon has come close to duplicating it.
I love Paul and worship him as any good rock fan should.....but this collection alone has more timeless art than the whole of Paul's long years after The Beatles. Im no Yoko fan, but it's hard to argue that she was John's muse and much of his best work comes from his time with her.
Admittedly Lennon had some great music after the breakup by my thought is how he could write a song (Mother) for the masses talking about his abandonment issues with his dad but not conceive he done the same thing 🤦
John Lennon needed Paul McCartney to balance himself out and vice versa. IMO, their solo stuff never quite measured up to the Beatles as a band. Sadly, there will never be another Beatles.
Cold Turkey wasn't all that different from John's other 1969 cuts like Don't Let Me Down or I Want You (She's So Heavy). John wanted it to be the next Beatles single but the others turned it down.
Hey, well I love that first solo album BUT I THINK YOU HAVE BEEN READING TOO MUCH OF THE LENNON MYTHOLOGY! I rate Lennon's best song as being done with the BEATLES by far. I would put maybe 4-5 solo song as being even in his top 20 even though he has some great ones like INSTANT KARMA, MOTHER and MIND GAMES. THAT's my opinion I think his best and most innovative like STRAWBERRY FIELDS AND A DAY IN THE LIFE were done with The Beatles. He became entirely obsessed with writing about himself and Yoko solo he lost all the more poetic imaginative imagery that he was writing before 1970. McCartney suffered the lost of great partners too in my opinion but again they were usually brilliant solo too. Thanks.
Agree 100%. While John wrote nearly all of my top 25 favorite Beatles songs, his solo albums are pretty miserable on the whole. George and Paul’s output was better, and for live music, nothing is more enjoyable than Ringo’s All-Star Band. I’d even go so far to say Yoko is better with her son than with John.
This looks great. I love your videos. You are very good at this. I am a singer, musician, actor and writer from Boston, MA. Take Care. Zei Gezunt. Be Well.
Sorry I'm late to the party & maybe no one will see this but Thank you Prof for showing the box set & explaining what's inside. I'd forgotten how much i liked this album so the recap was much appreciated. I think this & Double Fantasy are my favorite JL albums. To hear the rawness of Mother to the soft sensitivty of Woman just amazes me. I feel like he had really matured & just my opinion, i'd like to think he would have reconciled with Julian. I read most of these comments & they were beautiful & respectful. Lately any time i read comments about JL, they're nasty & hateful. People here pointed out that yes he had his flaws but made great music. I've read comments elsewhere calling him vulgar names with 1 person saying he deserved Dec 8. 😔 Even tho these comments are from 2yrs ago, it's good to see how many people still like JL & his music.
Really appreciate this video, glad you made it. I’m a Lennon diehard. This album is a masterpiece. My favorite numbers are ‘God’ and ‘I found out’ There are only 2 songs that I can’t listen to because I just don’t like them. Give peace a chance and remember
John was raised by his aunt Mimi and uncle George. His mother Julia was in and out. George. She lived a "bohemian" lifestyle. His dad Freddie was a merchant marine.
God was probably the most controversial song on the album, especially when it ended, I don’t believe in Beatles I just believe in me, Yoko and me, and that’s reality. The dream is over.
At the moment got only one Beatles album (was more a Stones guy) but now the sheer beauty of the Beatles & Lennon I get more interested in. Got enough Stones albums for now. Great video, that poster one should put in a nice frame. That book that comes with it is gold!
It is a shame that the person who wails about the loss of his mother and the void of his absent father, was too consumed with ego to see the damage caused when he abandoned Julian.
I never cared for Lennon's late 60s Beatles songs, as they were just too weird. But after Double Fantasy came out, I began collecting many of his post Beatles albums. I don't recall having this one, but I know I had several of these songs, maybe in a compilation or greatest hits collection. In the late 80s I sold my entire LP collection with the intention of replacing all 400+ of them with CDs. That never happened, but It did build a CD collection of over 1,200. The albums that I didn't really love, like most of Lennon's, I just didn't bother with. I do own Imagine, Double Fantasy, and The John Lennon Collection. I've always preferred the more mainstream pop-rock of McCartney, especially with Wings, but now I'm thinking of replenishing my Lennon collection. This was a good video, as they usually are, that has reminded me that Lennon's post-Beatle work, as weird as some if it was, was an audio experience worth having.
I'm not the biggest fan Lennon's solo work, but it is without a doubt that he really was gifted. I love the piano on "Instant Karma" and the singalong of "Give Peace a Chance" and "Power to the People".
Well when you think about how it was born out of he and Yoko going to therapy and him quitting heroin (cold turkey) it was ahead of it's time dealing with stigmas about mental health and addiction. "Crazy" and "junkie" are probably terms some would have projected on John and there was a huge expectation he just stay a pop or rock star probably since he had such a huge fan base in that genre.
Lennon recorded an album of rock and roll standards/classics with Phil Spector. Idt has ever been released. Spector wouldn't give up the tapes for years and years.
McCartney was the boat and Lennon the anchor. When they broke up the ship drifted away and the anchor fell to the bottom. They needed each other for balance. Working class hero- best song. McCartney live and let die.
Real masterpiece.. Songs like God, Isolation, Working Class Hero, Love and Mother.. Jesus.. This is the real John Lennon.. And for me nb.1 beatles solo album.. 1. Plastic Ono Band 2. Imagine 3. All Things Must Past 4. Ram 5. Band on the Run My top 5 beatle solo album 🍏🍓
The original Plastic Ono band album was like an exposed, raw nerve only with great songs to assuage the pain of the lyrics. For his next album, Imagine, he went back to a more radio friendly format. Still a great album though.
Professor I have something for you. It’s a design but yours is the credit . I want to see how to go about giving it to you . As a reward for all your hard work .
I associate several of these songs more easily with the *Shaved Fish* set than I do with *John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band.* Up untill now, I didn't generally think they were even considered part of the album. John thought of the material from this record as his best work ever. It might have been, but that at the same time demonstrates one man's "hero". I remember reading that he identified it as his "Sergeant Lennon", but I've also read that many fans identify it as "The Primal Album", which I think is a much more fitting banner. Goofy moment: I suddenly had a crazy notion of doing a mashup of "Well Well Well" and "Going Down on Love" from *Walls and Bridges.* The songs are so different, they're exactly the same.
Great episode Professor! I may be strange, but I like John's solo work more than the Beatles I also like Wings and George and Ringo's solo work more than the Beatles, I like the Beatles I guess their solo work was just more my day and time stuff. Great episode! Thanks for sharing!
