Working Class Hero ( Lennon ) : Never really like this song although it showed John in another aspect of his song writing. Apart from the slight dialogue at the beginning there's really not much different from the original. It ended with a snippet of 'Well, Well, Well'.
God ( Lennon ) : The centrepiece from "John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band", this track shows the song's arrangement is still a work in progress and the better version is of course the original. Nevertheless, still a stunning experience.
I Found Out ( Lennon ) : This version is more raw than the original. Just John and his guitar. John sounded indignant as he sang about finding out about those who let him down.
Hold On ( Lennon ) : A rather loose and lively version compared to the finished product. I preferred the original slower version.
Isolation ( Lennon ) : Another standout cut from his ground breaking debut album. This one could have been the master had it not being for the chattering between John and Yoko after a false start.
Love ( Lennon ) : One of John most touching and heartfelt ballad. Demo or no demo, this one still send a shiver down my spine. The finished product had the piano as the main instrument but this one have the guitar for substitute. Still a winner all the way. Even my brother couldn't believe that the rock and rolling devil may care John Lennon can comes up with something so soft and gentle.
Mother ( Lennon ) : One of my favourite John Lennon's song. Thought it lack the intensity and power of the original, this is still great stuff that only a truly great artist is capable of.
Remember ( Lennon )
: Not one of my favourite but still nice to hear another version of
this song. It's much slower than the original. This was never intended
to be the master 'cos John was goofing around and chattering in the
studio.Imagine [ Take 1 ] ( Lennon ) : Yet another version of this anthem of anthems. Never tired of this song and never will. Not a bad version by the way. Funny how it seems only John can sing this song perfectly. No other artists have ever done justice to it as far as I am concern and I've always regarded myself as open minded.
"Fortunately" : A short conversation between our man and his wife.
Baby, Please Don't Go ( Walter Ward ) : The first gem from this set. This fine cover was first heard live from the "Sometime In New York City" album. The studio version is ever better.
Oh, My Love ( Lennon / Ono ) : Another beautiful song from John to convince the non believer that he can sing sweet 'Silly Love Song" as well if not better than Paul McCartney.
Jealous Guy ( Lennon ) : Another fine version of another already perfected song. Apart from the missing whistling, this sounds almost as good if not better than the original. I was going through the CD but i just can't bring myself to press the skip button.
Maggie Mae ( Traditionally arranged by Lennon / McCartney / Harrison / Starr ) : This is a just slightly longer version of this song that that was found on The Beatles's final album "Let It Be". A home recording. Probably John was testing his guitar and vocal before recording.
How Do You Sleep ( Lennon ) : One of the most notoriously known song from "Imagine". Other than the rather vicious lyric aimed at his former colleague, this is great stuff. The music accomplishment here is not as full as those found on the original album.
God Save Oz ( Lennon / Ono ) : One of the great song that John gave away to Bill Elliott and The Elastic Oz Band. John never sounded happier here and this could well be a hit for him had he released it as a single. A damn bloody shame.
Do The Oz ( Lennon / Ono ) : The flip side for 'God Save Oz'. This one is a filler but the musicianship is first rate though. Not enough to save the song.
I Don't Want To Be A Soldier ( Lennon ) : This overlong song is another track that I always skipped playing on the original album. Almost like a chant, it just go on and on and on but here I can appreciate it more due to the false starts and maybe due to the fact that I haven't listened to this for years. Seems like meeting an old friend.
Give Peace A Chance ( Lennon / McCartney ) : This magnum opus anthem was the rehearsal just before the famous bed in recording with John and his group of famous friends. Comparatively shorter than the released version.
Look At Me ( Lennon ) : Another beautiful ballad with just John and his plucking guitar that he learnt from his days in Indian from Donovan.
Long Lost John ( trad. arranged by Lennon ) : This delightful little ditty was a cover version of a Lonnie Donegan's song that he probably have performed with The Quarrymen during their days in Liverpool. Charming all the way.
NEW YORK CITY CD 2 :New York City ( Lennon ) : The only song that is universally liked by fans and critics alike on the universally panned "Sometime In New Yoke City", this home recording is painfully short.
Attica State ( Lennon / Ono ) : Recorded live at The Apollo in 1971, this rousing rocker sounded better here than in the album version.
Imagine [ Live ] ( Lennon ) : The second song from The Apollo, this is yet another fine version of this fine song.
Bring On The Lucie ( Lennon ) : I was sleeping as I was listening to this CD and this was the version of this song that brought me out of slumber land. John sounded like he was having fun and it's highly infectious. Not much different from the original but no less enjoyable. One of the better track from "Mind Game"
Woman Is The Nigger Of The World ( Lennon / Ono ) : Not one of my favorite, this home recording is thankfully short.
Geraldo Rivera : Introduction on their One On One Concert at Madison Square Garden in 1972.
Woman Is The Nigger Of The World [ live ] ( Lennon / Ono ) : We have a taste of this on the "Live In New York City" album. Like I've said before, this song sounded nicer live than the studio recording.
It's So Hard [ live ] ( Lennon ) : Taken from the same concert, this one sounded better than the one on "Live In New York City." Maybe later technology have something to do with it, but to my ear, it's definitely better.
Come Together [ live [ ( Lennon / McCartney ) : John's favorite Beatles' song and mine too. A stellar performance although he don't quite remember the lyrics so well.Happy X'mas ( Lennon / Ono ) : A rough mix of one of the greatest Christmas songs ever written by one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century. John never sounded so good. Great stuff.
Luck Of The Irish [ live ] ( Lennon / Ono ) : One of my favourite from "Sometime In New York City", this is a stellar performance from John and ahhh Yoko in Ann Arbor. My sister loves this song too, I may add.
John Sinclair [ live ] ( Lennon ) : Another favorite and another great performance from John from their concert at Ann Arbor. The lyrics here differ slightly from the album version. The word 'bastard' have been substituted for 'Judge Columbus.' Probably John have being advised about using this word in national TV but he managed to slip in the word at the final verse.
The David Frost Show : David Frost thanking the pair for appearing at his show and John discussion his idea with him.
Mind Game [ I Promise ] ( Lennon ) : A first hand look at the creation of a great song.
Mind Game [ Make Love, Not War ] ( Lennon ) : The classic's beginning to take shape. Had being said that had this song take the title it was originally intended, this could well have being another monster hit.
One Day At A Time ( Lennon ) : This sounds much better here as John sang in his original voice rather than in falsetto which he was ill equipped to in the original album. Only now I know why Elton John covered this song.
I Know ( Lennon ) : One of the lesser known gems from "Mind Game". A great song that's being criminally placed on a not so great album. Maybe one day, an artist will come along and cover this and make it the classic it deserved to be.
I'm The Greatest ( Lennon ) : One of my favorite Ringo Starr's song. This "Ringo" track sounds wonderful with John guided vocal for Ringo. Doesn't sounds like a demo at all.
Goodnight Vienna ( Lennon ) : Another wonderful track that John wrote for his pal, Ringo, which only goes to show that John is not short of generosity when it came to his old pal. Only wish that his other track for Ringo, 'Cookin' ( In The Kitchen Of Love ) from " Ringo's Rotogravure" is here as well.
Jerry Lewis Telethon. The audiences and Jerry Lewis show their love for John and Yoko.
" A Kiss Is Just A Kiss" . An short intimate moment between John and Yoko.
Real Love ( Lennon ) : This was the version that was given to the surviving Beatles by Yoko to be made into a legitimate Beatles song. I much prefer the version on the "Imagine" soundtrack which have slightly different lyrics.
You Are Here ( Lennon ) : I don't quite like this track on "Mind Game" but somehow I find it quite pleasing on the ear here. Maybe due to the sentimental streak in me. The instrumental here are more stark and laid back. Maybe it's time to give the original album another listen.
THE LOST WEEKEND CD 3 :What You Got ( Lennon ) : A rather short home recording of this find rocker from "Wall And Bridges." Would have been swell if it have been a tab bit longer.
Nobody Loves You When You're Down And Out ( Lennon ) : Another version of this can be found on the "Menlove Avenue" album. Nevertheless, a fine song and another fine version.
Whatever Gets You Through The Night [ home ] ( Lennon ) : A home recording of this No.1 which was to get back John back on the stage the last time with Elton John. Nice to see how he work out the arrangement for his song.
Whatever Gets You Through The Night [ studio ] ( Lennon ) : John's version here is more laid back and surprisingly more enjoyable than the original. But then this was never my favorite to be begin with. What's missing here is Elton John's backing.
Yesterday [ parody ] ( Lennon / McCartney ) : A parody of Paul McCartney's most famous song. Nice to see John monkeying around.
Be Bop A Lula ( Davis / Vincent ) : This doesn't sound much different from the studio version. At least not to me.
Rip It Up / Reddy Teddy ( Blackwell / Marascalco ) : Have always loves this medley from the "Rock 'n' Roll" album. The only complain being it was far too short. Here John made things right by adding an extra verses and man it rocked. This should have being the version on the album proper.
Scared ( Lennon ) : A throw away to me. Another version of this was on the "Menlove Ave" album. But both that version and this are more tolerable than the original which is just too heartbreaking to listen to. Maybe the unavailability of John made a different to me.
Steel And Glass ( Lennon ) : Likewise with the above, there was another version of this too. Never like this one either but this lesser produced version does seems like a breath of air. The phase "Less is more" certainly apply here.
Surprise, Surprise [ Sweet Bird Of Paradise ] ( Lennon ) : Nothing to really tell this apart from the original version. A much needed release after the last two extremely depressing song.
Bless You ( Lennon ) : A highlight from "Wall And Bridges", another version was yet available on Menlove Ave." This could well be the same version on the latter album but I truly can't tell except that it's still the same old damn fine overlooked song.
Going Down On Love ( Lennon ) : The opener for "Wall And Bridges" and one of my favourite but too darn short.
Move Over Ms. L ( Lennon ) : Never really care much for this B side from 'Stand By Me' which was only available on "The John Lennon Collection" album but this version rock. Forced me to reassessed this song but this version remained the better one. Sounds like John's having fun.
Slipping' And Slidin' ( Penniman / Bocage / Collins / Smith ) : Always loved this rocking number from the "Rock 'n' Roll" album but this version, incredibly sounds even better than the original album version.
Peggy Sue ( Holly / Allison / Petty ) : John in fine form throughout but a tab bit too short and it ended right in the middle of thing. Too abrupt.
Bring It On Home To Me ( Cooke ) / Send Me Some Lovin' ( Price / Marascalco ) : Another highlight track which brings back renewed fond memories that this song invoked.
Ain't She Sweet ( Ager / Yellen ) : John's goofing around with a few verses of this old standard from the pre Beatles days.
Phil And John 1 : Conversations between John and Phil Spector which strangely people may find fascinating.
Phil And John 2 : More of the above. This one at least have a spit seconds of 'Just Because ', one of the highlights from "Rock 'n' Roll."
Phil And John 3 : Last of the above mercifully. Some people like me may find just the voice of John Lennon fascinating but to hear their conversion three tracks in a row is stretching it.
"When In Doubt, Fuck It" : No doubt included to demonstrate John's strange sense of humour at the time.
Be My Baby ( Spector / Greenwich / Barry ) : A fine version of this old classic by The Ronettes. It should have been included on the "Rock 'n' Roll" album.
Stranger's Room ( Lennon ) : The song that would eventually evolved into 'I'm Losing You' which would eventually be included in his final album "Double Fantasy." Somewhat slow but we can see the song and the beauty of the melody taking shape.
Old Dirt Road ( Lennon / Nilsson ) : Yet another version of this song was on "Menlove Ave." album. Finding the differences between the different versions escaped me.
DAKOTA CD 4 :I'm Losing You ( Lennon ) : From 'Stranger's Room' to this final finished product. Admittedly I don't really like this track on first hearing. But I've grew to love it after watching the accompanying video which was inspiring to say the least.
Sean's "Little Help" : Conversation between John and his son and his difficulties in recalling the song 'With A Little Help From My Friend'. A rather amusing but touching conversation between father and son due to the circumstances that was soon to pass.
Serve Yourself ( Lennon ) : John's send up to Bob Dylan during his religions phase and he even sings like the man himself.
My Life ( Lennon ) : This rather humble start that was to evolve into '[ Just Like ] Starting Over', his come back single. Who would have thought this slow little ditty would soon be turned into one of his big hit.
Nobody Told Me ( Lennon ) : The song supposedly written for Ringo turned out to be John's final hit. The version on "Milk And Honey" was a demo too as well so that don't make this version any much different. If it's good the first time round, it couldn't be any less here.
Life Begins At 40 ( Lennon ) : Another Ringo's supposed performance.. The subject matter is so heartbreaking due to what's gonna happen soon. Sounds incomplete but still this is a great song and you can't find it anywhere else but here. Had John be granted more time to polished up the song......
I Don't Wanna Face It ( Lennon ) : Another outtakes from "Milk And Honey". Not much different from the first time I heard it. I still like it.
Woman ( Lennon ) : John's last great ballad given a home recording feel here. Just John and the guitar is sufficient. The beauty of the song is evident throughout. You can almost picture John singing this in front of the love of his life, Yoko.
Dear Yoko ( Lennon ) : John's ode to his wife. Almost the same version as the original except for the absence of the fiddle which is the prominence instrument on the original. A fun and playful song.
Watching The Wheel ( Lennon ) : A simple home recording on one of John's finest moment from "Double Fantasy."
I'm Stepping Out ( Lennon ) : Again not much different from the original. Probably all the materials on "Milk And Honey" were demos to begin with.
Borrowed Time ( Lennon ) : Apart from some chattering from the start, this version with minimum instrumental backing actually sounds better..
The Rishi Kesh Song ( Lennon ) : After taking the Mickey out of Bob Dylan, this time it's George Harrison's turn. Cheeky but quite a nice tune.
Sean's "Loud " : Conversation with his son.
Beautiful Boy ( Lennon ) : Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. beautiful song. This song could never go out of style as long as there are daddies and sons..
Mr. Hyde's Gone [ Don't Be Afraid ] ( Lennon ) : Another song in the working stage. With just piano accompaniment, who know what could have evolve had John been given more time.
 |
| The Booklet |
Grow Old With Me ( Lennon ) : John's unfinished masterpiece. This is not much different from the album proper.
Dear John ( Lennon ) : Only almost nearing the end, we finally found a filler, song that borders on boredom. Given some polishing, and due to John's track record, it could turn out to be something great. Pity, but we will never know.
SOMETHING MORE :
The Great Wok [ home recording 1979] : John chattering.
Mucho Mungo [ home recording, circa 1976 ] ( Lennon ) : A home recording of this quite lengthy song which was first recorded by Harry Nilsson. Another classic in the work.
Satire 1 [ home recording 1979 ] : John messing around with his guitar.
Satire 2 [ home recording 1979 ] : John fooling around with his guitar.
Satire 3 [ home recording 1979 ] : John messing and fooling around with his guitar.
Sean's "In The Sky" [ vignette, home recording, 1979 ] : A short conversation between father and son. Time is running short for Mr. Lennon.
It's Real [ home recording, circa 1979 ] : John whistling and playing acoustic guitar on this short little ditty.
DOP : 15th January 1999.
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