Thanks for the video John, I have discovered the 2002 mix, 22 years late! I have ordered a copy along with the Rock n Roll and Walls and Bridges remixes which were also done by the same team that did the earlier albums. Like many on here I find the remix to be a revelation, it makes the original mix sound a bit muddy and congested. I’m really looking forward to hearing this new version, it will be like 1973 all over again! I bought a cassette of Mind Games when it came out and to its credit, it still plays fine.
"I Know I Know" is a song that had never really grabbed me at all, then when I heard the remix for the first time about 6 months ago it sounded superb straight away and I've loved the song since! Definitely a great remix.
Very interesting video John. I haven't a 2002 copy. I always thought that the mixing/production on this album was muddy & cluttered. I also always thought that a new remix/remastering, could make this album so much better. All the best.... GAZ
Hi John. Just wanted to say thanks for all your posts. I find them quite interesting and agree with many of your opinions. Wanted to say an extra thanks for this particular post. After your talk and the samples you played,I decided to hit Ebay and score a copy which I did. You are absolutely right,light years better than any other version of this lp I've ever heard. Bringing John's vocals up a bit and giving the whole thing a little more depth ,really improves the lp more than I would have thought possible. I always liked the lp,despite a weak tune or two but now it's a killer. Some of the other songs besides Mind Games,now sound like great lost Lennon singles,Bring on the Lucie and Meat City ,which were always good,sound like long lost classic radio hits,John should have had! Right up there with Paul's Jet and Helen Wheels singles. Anyway,great post,really helpful. I absolutely would not have know about this 2002 release of the lp and missed out on a great remix and remaster. I actually think it would be fair to say,it's maybe the best remaster/remix I've ever heard,as it does fundamentally help the lp a great deal. Too bad it never got released on vinyl ,I would JUMP on that! PS I think it was your review of the new "White Album" remix that mentioned how bad the new remix of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is. Right on,that and Long Long,Long are the 2 songs Gilles really got wrong. Revolution 1,I thought was really excellent,several more as well,including Happiness is a Warm Gun and strangely enough Savoy Truffle were others he got really right,in my opinion. Overall it's really pretty good except those two and maybe Goodnight as well,being the not so great ones. Keep up the good work. I'll be watching.
I noticed a major difference on I Know (I Know). On the original vinyl and CD when he sings the start of "today I love you more than yesterday" it seems as if he has missed his cue and its slightly out of time but on the 2002 remix it is in time. Let me know if you notice it or am I just imagining things. Cheers.
Hi John, Thank you for doing this. Because of this video I will go back.... I know I have a remix somewhere I will dig it out and listen. Such a very good and underrated work of John's. God bless John Always classy Tino
Ok John I have ordered it online, I only have the vinyl when originally released. Always liked the album maybe this version will make me appreciate it more. Thanks for the tip
John, I have had this 2002 copy for years, and yes, I thought it sounded much better. And, at times, I enjoy this album, as I should, its bloody John Lennon!!! 🍁leif
I much prefer the 2002 remixed albums and was dissapointed with the 2010 releases as they simply don't compare. Thanks for pointing this out with Mind Games in your video John. I also compared the recent Imagine remix with the 2002 version. There is not a lot of difference but I feel that the 2002 remix is slightly more upfront and I have stayed with that version also. Cheers.
Hi John! Thanks much for your videos! The 2002 remix is amazing! The only complaints are that Dave Spinnoza's 1st guitar solo(missing the echo) & 2nd guitar solo(buried in the mix). Meat City is really amazing but the end is cut after John says "Who are they? Who are they?" It's missing "And why are they doing...those...strange......things?" Thank you for doing these videos!!
Funnily the 2002 remix was the first copy of Mind Games I bought from ebay so this was how I first got to know this album. I didn't know it was a remix, I thought I was listening to how the songs sounded back in 1973. Then later I lost that CD and bought another copy of the album and was so confused why all of the songs didn't sound right, and looking the album up on UA-cam still didn't sound right. Then I did some research I had been listening to the 2002 remix all that time! And honestly I can't go back to the original album, the remix is superior to my ears but I may be a bit biased because it's what I heard first.
I totally agree John. I had the original album and then the first cd issue - which I thought was worse than the vinyl which I felt was "cluttered even then. I bought this remix in hope rather than expectation and the album turned from one that i thought was okay to one i really enjoyed. I experienced the same with Walls and Bridges. i especially agree with what you said about Meat City .
Interesting review John. I’ve always preferred the Yoko mix on Lennon’s first album too! I never knew she’d also remixed Mind Games, so I’ve just ordered a second hand copy, looking foreword to the listen.
Hey john im a new sub here. I also got the 2002 cd. Great review.! One more thing. Could you give a link to the dr robert review you mentioned.. i cant find it. Thanx
After this I'll have to keep my eyes open for a copy. Has the 2002 remix appeared on vinyl? I have the 2015 vinyl version of Plastic Ono Band and am blown away by it.
You are blown away with it because of the great material, great Lennon performances, great backing by Klaus and Ringo!! Sparse playing and Production! By Mind Games Lennon had basically lost it. Walls and Bridges was a comeback that was somewhat better but not up to Plastic Ono or Imagine! The problem here is that the reviewers are paid and must be generous! Even the notes I read are so sweet to Mind Games it is nauseating. Look for a used copy somewhere don’t waste your cash.
Unfortunately, I only have the original issue on cd way back when as well as a vinyl release I picked up in the early 80's with a green capital label. Nothing special without any extras. Never been my favorite album of his but I have heard this 2002 remix online and I have to agree with you, the vocals really are amazing especially on the new mix of "Meat City" from this edition. The difference is amazing on this song. The vocals are cleaner, out front, and the song to me is punchier.
In total agreement here, I bought the original in '73 and always rated it at the bottom end of his solo releases, then this year I bought the 2002 issue of ebay (thanks to Mean Mr Mayo for pointing it out) Now I place it nearer the top, and like you say the separation and vocals sound fantastic. Great stuff !
Hello John Well I received the 2002 edition today and it really is a much better sounding version. Not a bad song on there, even Nutopian International Anthem sounds great :) Thank you for reminding me about this album. Cheers
Thank you John, I'm glad you like this remix (I also succeeded with James Griffiths). Your explanations and arguments are clearly better than mine, ha ha... I still hesitate to find a copy of "Rock'n' Roll" remix 2004 which seems to be a good improvement. "Some Time In New York" (2005 - 1CD only no Zappa session) also exists but it would seem that the rescue could not have done anything fantastic (nothing surprising about that) but maybe at least "less worse". Thank you for the shoutout.
Hi. I'm not fond of John Lennon's producing albums. I do not know exactky what it is but there is something I don't like. It is on every song or album which he produces. It is not only on his own albums but on Harry Nilsson's Pussy Cats as well. He does something in his mixes that is not for me.
No John your not imaging ,the 2002 remastering is in my opinion the most startling improvement of any Beatles related remastering.Certainly later versions of Hamburg club recordings are an improvement to original release but still dubious. Double Fantasy stripped down is worth checking out too. Regards
This is the worst repeat WORST Lennon album. There are very few songs worth listening to. The original reviews concur! I only listened to mind games several times as a 25 year old. Several times was enough. You can remix all you want-lousy is still lousy. The reviewer actually said”It’s always been a great album”-please take away the title track and what ya got-crap! Payola at its worst! John, Dr. Robert and anyone else I wasn’t fooled by the odor of this project because very little has changed.
Thanks for the video John, I have discovered the 2002 mix, 22 years late! I have ordered a copy along with the Rock n Roll and Walls and Bridges remixes which were also done by the same team that did the earlier albums. Like many on here I find the remix to be a revelation, it makes the original mix sound a bit muddy and congested. I’m really looking forward to hearing this new version, it will be like 1973 all over again! I bought a cassette of Mind Games when it came out and to its credit, it still plays fine.
My favourite John Lennon album.
"I Know I Know" is a song that had never really grabbed me at all, then when I heard the remix for the first time about 6 months ago it sounded superb straight away and I've loved the song since! Definitely a great remix.
Agree completely Andrew...cheers
Very interesting video John. I haven't a 2002 copy. I always thought that the mixing/production on this album was muddy & cluttered. I also always thought that a new remix/remastering, could make this album so much better. All the best.... GAZ
Lennon always said the song Mind Games was reggae. Only until 2002 could I finally hear it.
Hi John.
Just wanted to say thanks for all your posts. I find them quite interesting and agree with many of your opinions.
Wanted to say an extra thanks for this particular post. After your talk and the samples you played,I decided to hit Ebay and score a copy which I did. You are absolutely right,light years better than any other version of this lp I've ever heard.
Bringing John's vocals up a bit and giving the whole thing a little more depth ,really improves the lp more than I would have thought possible. I always liked the lp,despite a weak tune or two but now it's a killer. Some of the other songs besides Mind Games,now sound like great lost Lennon singles,Bring on the Lucie and Meat City ,which were always good,sound like long lost classic radio hits,John should have had! Right up there with Paul's Jet and Helen Wheels singles.
Anyway,great post,really helpful. I absolutely would not have know about this 2002 release of the lp and missed out on a great remix and remaster. I actually think it would be fair to say,it's maybe the best remaster/remix I've ever heard,as it does fundamentally help the lp a great deal. Too bad it never got released on vinyl ,I would JUMP on that!
PS I think it was your review of the new "White Album" remix that mentioned how bad the new remix of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is. Right on,that and Long Long,Long are the 2 songs Gilles really got wrong. Revolution 1,I thought was really excellent,several more as well,including Happiness is a Warm Gun and strangely enough Savoy Truffle were others he got really right,in my opinion. Overall it's really pretty good except those two and maybe Goodnight as well,being the not so great ones.
Keep up the good work. I'll be watching.
Thanks Richard...I'm glad you agree...this remix is stunning!!
I noticed a major difference on I Know (I Know). On the original vinyl and CD when he sings the start of "today I love you more than yesterday" it seems as if he has missed his cue and its slightly out of time but on the 2002 remix it is in time. Let me know if you notice it or am I just imagining things. Cheers.
Yes I agree! Cheers Richard!
Hi John,
Thank you for doing this. Because of this video I will go back.... I know I have a remix somewhere I will dig it out and listen. Such a very good and underrated work of John's.
God bless John
Always classy
Tino
Thanks Tino!
Ok John I have ordered it online, I only have the vinyl when originally released.
Always liked the album maybe this version will make me appreciate it more.
Thanks for the tip
John, I have had this 2002 copy for years, and yes, I thought it sounded much better. And, at times, I enjoy this album, as I should, its bloody John Lennon!!! 🍁leif
I much prefer the 2002 remixed albums and was dissapointed with the 2010 releases as they simply don't compare. Thanks for pointing this out with Mind Games in your video John.
I also compared the recent Imagine remix with the 2002 version. There is not a lot of difference but I feel that the 2002 remix is slightly more upfront and I have stayed with that version also. Cheers.
Yes that Imagine remix was superb tho my CD broke from too many listens!
John Lennon var ett musikaliskt geni,allt han gjorde med Paul framförallt o solo-CD där INTE Yoko skrällade o förstörde!
Hi John! Thanks much for your videos! The 2002 remix is amazing! The only complaints are that Dave Spinnoza's 1st guitar solo(missing the echo) & 2nd guitar solo(buried in the mix). Meat City is really amazing but the end is cut after John says "Who are they? Who are they?" It's missing "And why are they doing...those...strange......things?"
Thank you for doing these videos!!
Hi John, thanks for this. You’re referring to a video by Dr. Robert. I can’t seem to find it. Do you have a link? TIA!
WE're playiiiiinnng those miiiiiiinnnnd gaaaaammmeesss tooooogether.......CLASSIC If an alien landed and heard this, he'd say ''I avvin this!''
Hi John. I agree, this mix is superb. It's an unfathomable mystery that Yoko didn't push to have this version become the standard one.
James Griffiths - At least she gave this to us, right? Also, John always liked to bury his voice so maybe she was thinking of his intent.
Funnily the 2002 remix was the first copy of Mind Games I bought from ebay so this was how I first got to know this album. I didn't know it was a remix, I thought I was listening to how the songs sounded back in 1973. Then later I lost that CD and bought another copy of the album and was so confused why all of the songs didn't sound right, and looking the album up on UA-cam still didn't sound right. Then I did some research I had been listening to the 2002 remix all that time! And honestly I can't go back to the original album, the remix is superior to my ears but I may be a bit biased because it's what I heard first.
I totally agree John. I had the original album and then the first cd issue - which I thought was worse than the vinyl which I felt was "cluttered even then. I bought this remix in hope rather than expectation and the album turned from one that i thought was okay to one i really enjoyed. I experienced the same with Walls and Bridges. i especially agree with what you said about Meat City .
Thanks Andy!
Peter Cobbin had previously done remixing/remastering for 1999's Yellow Submarine Songtrack, if I remember rightly.
Thanks for that....the YS songtrack was also outstanding! Cheers Andrew!
Interesting review John. I’ve always preferred the Yoko mix on Lennon’s first album too! I never knew she’d also remixed Mind Games, so I’ve just ordered a second hand copy, looking foreword to the listen.
Hey john im a new sub here. I also got the 2002 cd. Great review.! One more thing. Could you give a link to the dr robert review you mentioned.. i cant find it. Thanx
After this I'll have to keep my eyes open for a copy. Has the 2002 remix appeared on vinyl? I have the 2015 vinyl version of Plastic Ono Band and am blown away by it.
Hey Paul ...well unfortunately the new vinyl returns to the original mix.....not aware of the 2002 mix being issued on vinyl...but I night be wrong!
You are blown away with it because of the great material, great Lennon performances, great backing by Klaus and Ringo!! Sparse playing and Production! By Mind Games Lennon had basically lost it. Walls and Bridges was a comeback that was somewhat better but not up to Plastic Ono or Imagine! The problem here is that the reviewers are paid and must be generous! Even the notes I read are so sweet to Mind Games it is nauseating. Look for a used copy somewhere don’t waste your cash.
That same produer worked on the yellow submarine soundtrack It’s much more brilliant and clean on most remixes.
I do regret selling my 2002 version but rectified it by buying it again on ebay.
Great! Cheers Franko!
Unfortunately, I only have the original issue on cd way back when as well as a vinyl release I picked up in the early 80's with a green capital label. Nothing special without any extras. Never been my favorite album of his but I have heard this 2002 remix online and I have to agree with you, the vocals really are amazing especially on the new mix of "Meat City" from this edition. The difference is amazing on this song. The vocals are cleaner, out front, and the song to me is punchier.
nowhereman64 yes that’s the track with the most obvious improvement but the others too...cheers!
In total agreement here, I bought the original in '73 and always rated it at the bottom end of his solo releases, then this year I bought the 2002 issue of ebay (thanks to Mean Mr Mayo for pointing it out) Now I place it nearer the top, and like you say the separation and vocals sound fantastic. Great stuff !
Thank you!!
Hello John
Well I received the 2002 edition today and it really is a much better sounding version. Not a bad song on there, even Nutopian International Anthem sounds great :)
Thank you for reminding me about this album.
Cheers
I agree with you and Docteur Robert,this is clearly the best version.Lennon under-produced much of his solo work,RocknRoll is another example of this.
Another great video John
Thank you John, I'm glad you like this remix (I also succeeded with James Griffiths). Your explanations and arguments are clearly better than mine, ha ha... I still hesitate to find a copy of "Rock'n' Roll" remix 2004 which seems to be a good improvement. "Some Time In New York" (2005 - 1CD only no Zappa session) also exists but it would seem that the rescue could not have done anything fantastic (nothing surprising about that) but maybe at least "less worse". Thank you for the shoutout.
Thank you! Inspired remix this is!
is the copy of mind games behind you signed? Nice video
Yes signed for me by Yoko in 1998! Cheers!
There IS no comparison..it's akin to taking a DaVinci & making it into a paint-by-number. Also, most importantly, history is altered.
Hi. I'm not fond of John Lennon's producing albums. I do not know exactky what it is but there is something I don't like. It is on every song or album which he produces. It is not only on his own albums but on Harry Nilsson's Pussy Cats as well. He does something in his mixes that is not for me.
No John your not imaging ,the 2002 remastering is in my opinion the most startling improvement of any Beatles related remastering.Certainly later versions of Hamburg club recordings are an improvement to original release but still dubious. Double Fantasy stripped down is worth checking out too. Regards
Ha! Cheers David :- )
Out the blue shud have been a single...
Just when your thinking things over..the Charlatans..
The charlatans stole free the people..for 1 of their singles
This is the worst repeat WORST Lennon album. There are very few songs worth listening to. The original reviews concur! I only listened to mind games several times as a 25 year old. Several times was enough. You can remix all you want-lousy is still lousy. The reviewer actually said”It’s always been a great album”-please take away the title track and what ya got-crap! Payola at its worst! John, Dr. Robert and anyone else I wasn’t fooled by the odor of this project because very little has changed.
Ha! well thanks for your opinion Alan...you are welcome to it
You are entitled but I thought Sometime, Walls & Fantasy were lesser lps than Mind Games.