MILK AND HONEY

MILK AND HONEY : Released shortly after the third anniversary of Lennon's death, this album was under the impression by most as outtakes and demos for a future album. Most of the songs here actually were recorded during the "Double Fantasy" sessions and subsequently discarded. Some of the songs here were so impressive that it was hard to imagine that John wouldn't have gone back and revamped it at a later date. And some were demos that sounded quite hollow as unfinished work in progress. This was John at his most content. It's the songs of love from a man to his woman and at time it's sounded almost corny. The kind of songs that Paul McCartney was so adapted in and John once loathed not so long ago. Still, for what it's worth this one still qualified as a bona file John Lennon's album albeit half an album, the other half being Yoko. Understandably not as good as "Double Fantasy" given that the songs were still works in progress. I've had this record since it came out and it took me quite a while to get this 'cos the CD took such a long time coming.

I'm Stepping Out ( John Lennon ) : An optimist opener from an optimised John. This song sets the mood for an  otherwise rather hard to listen album due to the circumstances surrounding it. Part of the lyrics goes '....Put on my space suit I got to look my best'., he should have put on an armour.

Sleepless Night ( Yoko Ono ) : A rather pleasant number from Yoko.

I Don't Wanna Face It ( John Lennon ) : A rocker from John. This one could have been better.

Don't Be Scared (Yoko Ono ) : I like this rather soft song. Shows that Yoko can reasonable sing if she only stops screaming. The ending seems quite abrupt though.

Nobody Told Me ( John Lennon ) : This was the highlight here. Supposed to be given to Ringo for his upcoming album. Ringo Starr couldn't do it since John's murder. Astonishing how good this track was when it was done as a demo for Ringo.

O' Sanity ( Yoko Ono ) : Another short but rather sweet number for Yoko. I must be getting soft. I seems to like most of Yoko's songs here.

Borrowed Time ( John Lennon ) : Another rocker that could have been a single. Ghastly he sang prophetic " living on borrowed time, without a time for tomorrow....." Again this one ends abruptly. If only John was allowed the time to complete it, we could have had another classic on our hand.

Your Hands ( Yoko Ono ) : Half Japanese and half English, this Yoko's number is one of the lesser  song for me.

[ Forget Me ] My Little Flower Princess ( John Lennon ) : Another number that could have been. Apparently another work in progress and it sounded like it. Nevertheless, I like it.

Let Me Count The Ways ( Yoko Ono ) : This child like rendition track not totally unlike her 'Yes, I'm Your Angel' from "Double Fantasy" is heartfelt in the way a women sings to her husband. I like this for it's nostalgia feel rather than the melody.

Grow Old With Me ( John Lennon ) : This was the supposed masterpiece from this album. Various recorded tapes of this song disappeared when John was murdered and only this version was found. A stripped down version with only John and guitar singing. Given time, this could have been another 'Imagine' kind of monster but...ah well. We can only wish. However, on the 1995 "Working Class Hero' , Mary Chaplin Carpenter gave a truly soul stirring version of this track. I am confidence that in time, this song will be given the treatment that it deserved,

You're The One ( Yoko Ono ) : This was the weakest song from the album. Only the excellent music backing salvaged it.

BONUS TRACKS

Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him ( Yoko Ono ) : This Yoko's song from "Double Fantasy" have Yoko's vocal stripped away leaving only John in the background. If John's vocal have been more prominent, this would have been a great song. Since it's not, well I prefer the original Yoko's version.

Stepping Out [ Home Version ] ( John Lennon ) : A slower version demo of the first song from the album.

I'm Moving On ( Yoko Ono ) : Another demo of Yoko from "Double Fantasy". I think I was quite kind to Yoko on both album but still I wouldn't go so far as to listen to her demos and outtakes. Mrs. Lennon she may be but John Lennon she is not.

Interview with J & Y December 8th 1980 : An almost 10 minutes interview in which John talks about the inspiration for "Double Fantasy", his meeting with Paul McCartney, The Beatles and his plans for the future which tragically he only have a few hours more.

DOP : 24th December 2005.