MIND GAMES Album Review with JOHN HEATON |
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- John Heaton joins Matt to discuss John Lennon's Mind Games album and the new box set.
John's Channel: / @johnheaton5667
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I always enjoy an album review with Matt and John
Cant wait for The review on George's Living In The Material World and Paul's Red Rose Speedway👍
I love this discussion, because you two have such different views on the album.
In my humble opinion, after Plastic Ono Band & Imagine, Mind Games is my favorite Lennon solo. John rediscovered melody on this album. The new box set will give this album a reappraisal that is needed.
Given he only has two good albums it’s not a big statement..compared this album to other albums in 73 dark side..or the Beatles albums..wow it’s bad.
@@martinmcgrath1985 You said that Martin, many people besides myself would tell you Lennon had 4 excellent solo albums. Check them out!
@@martinmcgrath1985 I respectfully disagree Martin. Many would claim that Lennon had at least 4 good albums. Dark Side is good but overrated. Piper at the Gates is better. You should relisten to the Lennon albums with fresh ears
@@denniswood1437 dark side is overrated lol I’m the biggest Beatles fan there is..the solo is so average it’s terrifying..respectfully disagree
Can't expect John to write what he'd done in the past.
He tended to write what he was going through at any given time, which would often change. He purposefully put himself in different situations; sometimes being rebellious, and eventually settled into a calmer/simpler life.
I never expect for John to "write what he'd done in the past" which is completely different that realizing when an artist goes through a drop off in quality, like Lennon experience in 1972-73 after a very strong 1970-71.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Matt, I know quality of song-writing is of course very subjective, but it does seem true that most pop/rock artists do write their "best" and most impactful songs in they're 20s. IMO Paul just had more gas left in the tank during the 70s than John and George, but of course he hit the wall eventually also. All artists hit that wall, some sooner than others. Cheers!
Interesting point, counterpoint discussion. Of all the solo Beatles albums, the most played, loved and worn vinyl album in my collection is Mind Games from 1973. I read the Rolling Stone reviews back in the day and, as a fan, bought and listened to what I wanted. FYI, the album never sounded poorly mixed, at least to my ears. It was a welcome return after 1972 Some Time in New York City. I think the album art was cool. I only wish Lennon had used an in-focus photo of himself. I have ordered the vinyl set and look forward to hearing the new mixes.
Mind Games is criminally under appreciated It is consistently tuneful. I Know I Know is frankly the 2nd single. All the tunes are at least close to single quality.
Always enjoy the episodes with John Heaton. Looking forward to the Living In The Material World discussion.
I've been listening to Mind Games since it was first released.I've always enjoyed it.I think the production and arrangements were some of John's best.
I've never been taken with this album much. I like the title song a lot, but overall I find the writing to be alienating and overly obsessed with 'Yoko'. It's a long way from the universally applicable writing he brought forth when PM was his writing partner. 'Aisumasen' and 'Out The Blue' are nowhere near in the same league as 'In My Life' or even 'Don't Let Me Down'. The new mix sounds great though, I'll give it that.
Mind Games, Aisumasen, I Know (I Know), Bring on the Lucie, You are Here and Out the Blue are top tier Lennon for me, and that's more than half the album. Meat City, Tight A$ and Only People are flat-out fun tracks with great energy and singing. I like this record a lot, and am very much looking forward to the remixes and outtakes!
Great job on this Matt and John. Excellent discussion on the ''Mind Games'' album.
Mind Games was based on a book on self-hypnosis titled "Mind Games" by psychologists Masters and Houston.
"Absolute Elsewhere , in the Stones of our Minds"
Jon Landau was the guy who sanitized MC5 and influenced Clapton to leave Cream. Like most Rolling Stone critics, Landau here was trying to influence the record buying public because of his own personal tastes, not by being objective. Talk about gargantuan ego! Rolling Stone criticized anything about peace and love. Aisumesen is one of my favortes. I see it as Lennon influenced by Ray Charles. One Day At a Time, I originally couldn't stand but the melody grew on me.
Landau probably started Springsteen down the wrong path too. The albums before Landau took control were much more musically adventurous.
Never been a fan of Rolling Stones' music critics. Gargantuan egos plus!
Mind Games was the first solo album of John's that I bought, in the mid 1980s. Always liked the song "Mind Games", later on finding out it was an earlier Lennon song titled "Make Love, Not War", with new, revised lyrics. Also like the songs "Out The Blue", "I Know I Know" and "Meat City." Think Mind Games is John's most underrated solo album. Both sound and style-wise, it could be considered a companion to 1974's Walls & Bridges album. Can see the artistic criticism, Matt, that you made about the album's cover/packaging. You mentioned that John's solo career could be considered the least commercially successful of the four ex-Beatles. Can see that. Think a mistake John made was thinking people would be interested in his feelings toward his wife, that he put front and center in his songs. Though not mentioned by name, a person always knew who John was singing about in his solo love songs, unlike his Beatles love songs. One thing that I don't like about the Mind Games album are the lack of Rockers, until the very last song, when "Meat City" is about a 180 degree turn from what had been before.
I guess I’m the only im the only one who really enjoys one day (at a time) haha. I agree though, lyrics aren’t very great but musically I quite enjoy it
I'm going to pick this up. This was an album I never gave much of a chance.
always preferred Walls and Bridges to Mind Games, both albums have their charm though.
Sometime In New York City and Mind Games were two albums that was not so well received by the public and critics. Except for the title song, I was dismissive of Mind Games although with some recent revisit listens I have warmed up to it more. Still I think Wall and Bridges was a more focused album with better musicianship.
Nutopian international anthem is a kick ass song
Greatest guitar solo on any song
I really like the single. But he had been working on this since 🎁1969. I think John had found, right off the bat, a successful formula. Put Ringo on drums use other old friends ( Billy Preston, Klaus Voorman) and then on Imagine he brought in George. I would have loved to hear him go back to work with George Martin. I really enjoyed the remix from the early 2000’s that Sean and Yoko did.
Great, considered review, guys, very enjoyable. Your conversations are always worth watching!
Thank you, Nick!
Great discussion guys! Glad to see you guys together discussing any Beatle related product. Never been a fan of this album, however; always found it very bland, but at least it wasn't as dreadful as his previous one. Just re-listened to it again, along with the bootleg out-takes, and my opinion didn't change. Hope you guys do more of these in the future.
Nice video, excellent comments! Me personally, I've always liked the album. I had a portable record player when I was a freshman in college and played Mind Games over and over. I really never compared it to Imagine or Beatles albums, nor did I take it very seriously. It was just recreation and stress relief. I vaguely remember that smoking a joint made the album sound better, but that was usually the case, in general, with records. The gospel background vocals didn't really bother me too much, but I can relate to your criticism of that. I recall that there was a time (Mad Dogs & Englishmen, also Delaney and Bonnie) when the female gospel thing was hip. I do remember it being a banner year for solo albums. I enjoyed them all and my friends and I loved the RINGO album featuring I'm The Greatest, which was a big favorite back then.
In context, the other albums we listened to in my freshman year were Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Nilsson Schmilsson, which I know was a 1971 release but we loved pairing it with Lennon records, Dark Side of the Moon, Houses of the Holy, Red Rose Speedway, Living in the Material World, and A Passion Play. Great year for music, but out of all those I guess Elton John topped our album playlist. Other memories of 1973: my friends and I still preferred the vinyl lp format, although most of us had custom installed 8-track players in our cars. I didn't get a compact cassette deck until around 1977.
Perhaps putting aside 'Mind Games' ... the rest of this album to me is OK at best ...
'John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band' was in my opinion Lennon's finest solo album by far .... harrowing, unsettling, difficult .... it is a emotional reawakening. I always come back to this album and it is always a rewarding experience ...
'Imagine' to me was next best ... as for Lennon's output after including 'Mind Games' ... it's ho hum at best ...
Completely agree. Mind Games is average and he'd produced his finest work with POB and imagine.
Great stuff Matt
Before people buy 6 (?) versions of mindgames, they should probably buy the two Claypool Lennon Delirium albums ;-)
I saw Yes several years ago.They had Buford on drums and Tony Kaye on keyboards.A critic was disappointed that the original band wasn't there meaning Alan White and Wakeman.I thought this guy needed to do his homework because this was the closest to the original band as you could get with Pete Banks the only one missing.
What a fantastic video have a wonderful day Matt also happy first week of summer ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊
Has anyone noticed the similarity between "Tight A$" and Dylan's "From a Buick 6" from Highway 61 Revisited? "Uptight's alright, but if you can't stand the heat/You better get back in the shade"...."Well, if I go down dyin', you know/She's bound to put a blanket on my bed."
Hello there, I really think the Lennon camp create really good box sets, this is also given a thoughtful set of support features which i am looking forward to such as treasure hunts etc !
This was the first Lennon album I bought with my pocket money 💰 lol
It’s a beautiful set of songs, i never understood why people don’t hear this
The 2002 remix was a big production step up ?
It’s not a mediocre album ! Mind Games is a strong song surely ?
People just as now judged Lennon negatively, all these songs are stronger than Ms Swift ? Who I admire !
Remixes I have heard just sound awesome !
Who are these critics, lennon also revisited unfinished ideas ! One after 909 etc etc
People judge him and his music from a dislike of yoko and daft politically misunderstanding !
I am hoping people listen with unbiased ears 👂
Nice conversation
I agree 100% with John Heaton
Merci 🙏
Speaking for myself, I don't judge him on a dislike of Ono. I judge him on taking inspiration from Ono and abandoning his pre-Ono style of writing. I will be doing a video on this topic in the future so stay tuned!
@@popgoesthe60s52 thank you for your reply, I look forward to the episode you mention. I like the way you and John interact, does create an interesting juxtaposition. The whole new Mind Games project is delightful, taking fans on lots of journeys, Sean is making a real effort to engage with us, it’s not just a money grab as lots on social media say. Uncut magazine have a brilliant feature and a free CD with 9 tracks from across the set, which are rewarding and generous ? Mat I like your honest considered reflections, the truth is probably between you and John. I admit I am a little sentimental towards This album. Lennon’s song writing on here is varied and melodic, I think 🤔 listening to the studio recording it’s well recorded but production originally wasn’t quite right, but agree better than Spector. I am an artist and find the album art fine, it’s almost a precursor for the collage art found in The Punk era ! Lennon at art school produced a number of collages, I feel it’s symbolism was it’s intention rather than technical prowess. Lennon is a contradiction, artists often are. Enjoy your day. I find your channel very entertaining, keep on keeping on !
Love both you guys. Thanks for the videos. I’ve heard a few UA-camrs talk about this album and they all seem to dislike One Day (At A Time). I don’t understand it. I think it’s great. It’s a little freaky, granted, but melodically interesting and still sounds fresh in 2024. Maybe I’m wrong, but it never stood out to me as a particularly weak song.
Matt, always entertaining you two, you are always very diplomatic (haha). So, I went back and gave it a listen. Mind Games is a good sounding song, I have always liked it. For me the other songs are so much weaker. Lennon's vocals are buried in the mix and the songs lack dynamics and sound bland to my ears. Nothing stands out with any kind of wow factor! One thing you can say about Paul during this period is he could always write banger radio hits that had a musical sophisication, even though many of his album tracks are weak. Lennon, with a few exceptions, could no longer write radio hits. Anyhoo, just my two-cents. Cheers!
Think think (and the 2002 mix) are a vast improvement on the original production wise (sorry John!)
I agree with what John Heaton said: "Why did Lennon have to continue to lead? He was passed his point of influence and was just churning out good music. " Mind Games" is not great like "Imagine" or "Plastic Ono " but it's still a good album. And as for it just being pop the end track " Meat City" sounds like Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and that's not pop.
He didn't have to continue to lead. And it was obvious by this time that he WASN'T leading, which is perfectly appropriate to point out because his fans expected it. Bastards.
My favorite track on this album (that I barely listen to anymore) is "Intuition". This idea came to me a couple of weeks ago when the new box set was being hyped.
"Intuition" is also a granny music track. You have to use your "mind's ear" to imagine this, but hear this: imagine this song was in 1938 by The Jimmy Dorsey Band. I can Hera the introduction of the main melody with a cadre of sweet saxophones playing the melody for a minute, followed by a trumpets denoumenting the melody leading to Helen Forrest singing the melody and chorus, then back to a final minute of main melody by the entire band (very typical arrangements on late 30's swing-big band recordings). It's as if Lennon was thinking of English music halls when he composed the meoldy. All nicely released on RCA Victor in the US, and His Master's Voice in the U.K. on 78 shellac.
If I knew how to have AI construct such a scenario, I'd do it to show what my mind is hearing. So, this is my Lennon "Granny Music" track!
Good Granny music then :- )
Here's an issue my brother raised with remixes. What then is considered the actual piece of art? The original? The remix? It's not like the Mona Lisa gets alterations from time to time. It's a set piece of work. Maybe they are separate pieces of work (the original and a given remix). But he doesn't like the idea of going back because, at least in part, in confuses the issue as to what is the actual piece of work.
HAYMANS GREEN by PETE BEST, would be great album to review, also,a great solo album by an ex Beatle
Good catch to spot the album cover resemblance to 'Rosemary's Baby' film poster from 5 years prior. Wonder if Lennon was aware of the Dakota Building connection.
Always good when you 2 guys team up: you don't just echo the other's pov, & this broadens a discussion so viewers can find their own pov in the space between.
I settled for a free cd of 9 tracks from the new MIND GAMES release, which came with this August's edition of UNCUT, a UK music mag. That's enough for me: 9 free tracks worth the £7.99 cost of the magazine as the journalism inside is not.
One thing - 54:00 "The cost of the book alone is worth £40 or £50..." This is now standard justification for the cost of deluxe box sets, & I'm glad John mentioned it so I can refute it.
I do sometimes spend £40 or £50 for a book, but rarely, even for an oversize art book. I know book prices have escalated since the population stopped reading books, but for £40 or £50 I'm expecting fab writing/ journalism & a terrific layout. Tyhe kind of quality you find in the Dutch magazine FURORE.
None of The Beatles superdeluxe books meet either of those benchmarks -- & the bias imposed by Apple & Beatle estates cap the research & observations of Kevin Howlett & anyone else commissioned by Apple to tell "definitive" versions of an album. "Definitive" slips by most ppl's awareness as a synonym for 'Authorised.' I'd say anything authorised guarantees it's not definitive.
The Lennon estate is especially front-loaded with propaganda in any product launch. UNCUT mag I mentioned had several Lennon articles in it along with the free cd by arrangement with the Lennon estate.
One UNCUT article was especially dismissive of May Pang, entitled 'Temporary Secretary' - - it didn't come out & say John/May was a weekend fling, but my word it implied it. And while that might please Yoko Ono, the donor if you will of the magazine's free cd, this kind of bias makes me more antagonistic to the Lennon estate paying for 'historical' narratives in "books worth £40 or £50" that screw History the way 'Authorised' screws 'Definitive.'
Over to you, John.
Hey 4-D. I would imagine Ono had some knowledge of the Dakota's history but that is only a guess. That cd sampler is a great way to test the waters of this release. Thanks for the comments on the bias against Pang, which seems so petty coming from the Lennon estate, giving that Ono was the instigator of the entire affair.
Hi Matt & John, thank you for this review, great as always... Well, I don't share your opinion on One day at a time, yes the lyrics are not hip but fit with the style (reminds me of Macca I am your singer) and the melody is good (especially after the 2 prior tracks which do nothing to me). I have lots of regrets for what Freeda People could have been, great chorus especially the part « well, you were caught.. » but the verses are too flat and the whole production shitty and overloaded. I like better the Lennon boxset version (from 90s) which is a lotta fun. Intuition is a great gem (I used it for a fake 70s beatles album). Fully agree with your judgement on Out the blue. I like Only People for the energy, the populistic stance and the good melody but arrangements suck. I Know (I know) is good but again I much prefer the stripped down version from the old boxset. You are here is beautiful. Meat City is good but suffers from bad production (i don't have the new mix) and from being a closer when by then one might have dropped from the album (I must admit I rediscover this song). Well, greetings from France and looking forward to your next one.
I appreciate the comments, MrYannape! Plenty more to come from Mr. Heaton and I.
Matt's assessment of Only People: It sounds like the partridge family. I'm actually really surprised he put it on here.
😅😂 lmao
Wow! Hyped for this 😮
maybe the Rosmary's Baby-inspired album cover design for Mind Games was intended with Yoko on the cover. Yes, I'm a Witch.
Lennon was the only Beatle i bought albums of after the breackup. I loved the to first, Somtimes in ..., I diden't buy, but i was dissatified when i bought this in autum 73, when it came out. It was " dated" in a way, but i still got it.
Hard disagree on Jim Keltner - his feel and time are unlike all the other session drummers of his day (like Hal, Jim Gordon, Rick Marotta, Andy Newmark, Ed Greene, Jeff Porcaro, etc). He lags extremely behind the beat and has a knack for uncommon rhythms. Check out his work with Neil Young on his 1993 and 2000 tours - a great example of why he stands out.
And for what it's worth, he isn't my favorite session guy per se (that'd be Jim Gordon) but he is very different from all the other guys.
Add Steve Gadd to this list of Great session drummers👍
@@erniericardo8140 Absolutely. He's never been a personal favorite of mine but I know he's loved by many.
20:45 is it true that John used to waste a lot of time in the studio, but pretended everyone else to be ready at any point for recording; who wasn't ready didn't appear in the record.
As a musician I can hear a sort of pressure in the backing music.
Mind Games is middle tier for me, I am looking forward to checking out some of the new mixes. Standout tracks for me are Out of The Blue, the title track, Aisumasen which makes me think of early 70's Pink Floyd a bit, the rocker Meat City and the Lennon Anthology version of One Day at a Time without the falsetto which I hear this box set has a few more variations of.
Thanks for this review, I mostly àgree with both of your views, if that's possible. Mind Games to me isn't a great but it is a good album. It suffers in some ways due to too many instruments sharing the same space, where sometimes it would be better to have some clarity, it will be interesting to see how the new mix sorts this out. One track in particular is Tight Ass, there are too many guitars, although I like what each guitar is playing but it's impossible to follow, Meat City is similar in this respect.
I've always thought that the track sequencing follows a similar format to Imagine, the title track is followed by a rockabilly track, then there's a confession song, Jealous Guy/I'm Sorry and so on.
Looking forward to your next review.
Thank you for the comments, Adrian. John has talked of how good some of the new mixes sound so I can see how that would elevate the overall quality of the album.
I hear the comparison…interesting…though I prefer tight as to crippled inside though it’s marginal!
The title of the album is "Mind Games." That phrase has negative connotations in the public discourse. That should give the listener a clue to Lennon's state of mind at the time. If the 'mind games' are in unison with your partner, all is bliss. If the 'mind games' are at odds with your partner, it is a confusing time of questioning the future.
This album shows Lennon at his confused worst: everything seems half-hearted or 'ironic' in some way, whether it's the love songs or the more 'socially conscious' ones, like pale imitations of former definitive statements. His lyrics are not very good "my intentions are good, I use my intuition..." Compare THAT to any opening line he penned in one of his Beatle songs.
That said, the song "Mind Games" itself is one of his best songs. It sounds 'progressive' to my ears, at times channeling the bombastic heavenly glories of the band YES.
Every bit as good an album as Imagine; more consistent at least! By all means though, get one of the remixes (2002 or the upcoming 2024).
My, my John Heaton, it sometimes seems like you've got a pepper up your urethra. Such a strong perspective on the RAM cover, yikes! An enjoyable back and forth. Look forward to both of your perspectives on Material World.
You mean the two beetles? Well yes…
1973 is when I thought rock died and returned in a new form in 1977.
Valid point. The Clash and British Punk in general revitalised it. For a short but signigicant period. Then rok died again in the corpoarate 80s.
Hey ho, let’s go!
I remember buying this when it came out and was hugely disappointed and quickly disregarded it.. A few good songs with a bunch of mediocre ones and a couple of really bad ones. The public and the critics didn't think much of it for a reason. Now as the years have gone by and unfortunately not a lot Lennon solo material, it keeps getting remastered and remixed, they put it out and everybody tells you how great it is. Sound quality may be better but still the same album. I have a lot of respect for your opinion and channel. You should very proud not to be a member of the "send me a free album crowd" instead of a paid spokesman for the Lennon or Harrison estate.
It's a badge of honor! Thanks for the kind words.
I “like” the album, always have, but it’s not a release that’s ever going to win any new fans surely? and no amount of remixing/re-packaging, especially at these prices!!! is going to help. It’s inevitably hard to be truly objective when you’ve been gifted a complimentary box, not if you want to receive the next release anyway!!! There’s no end of You Tubers who seem to have received one this time, but in reviewing terms, I suggest there are advantages in not being one of them. Still, I respect John for at least confessing that he probably wouldn’t have bought it!!! Enjoyed the discussion, looking forward to more.
I always thought Lennon's albums sounded too American (or too New York City). Kind of like he was being backed up by the Saturday Night Live band. They are great musicians but I don't think they fit with what I want Lennon to sound like. I wish he had overruled Yoko and gotten the Cheap Trick guys to do Double Fantasy. I'm interested to see you and John review Red Rose Speedway - 'cuz that record is dreadful!
I agree with the Saturday Night band comment. Well said.
The song Mind Games should have been number 1. A really great song! The album is good not great IMO
I remember hearing and enjoying it on the radio. But it wasn't one I chose to buy the 45 of. (I bought Hellen Wheels, but I guess that was about a year later.)
"Intuition" would have been good as a single. Also "Bring On the Lucie" is a nice, catchy song. Those songs would have done better than what he released from "Some Time In NY." What you described as laughing in "Intuition" always sounded like a rapid "na-na-na-na-na-na" to me.
Yes but still no wiser as to what’s supposed to mean…amusing nonetheless
I'm confused about the separation timeline. Wikipedia says they separated not in September but in June, 'just as the sessions were to get under way" (the sessions were July-August). This would mean the compositions were written before the separation but recorded immediately after, with the emotional turmoil that came with it. Is this right?
That citation on Wiki is from Adrian Ernesto Cepeda's article, "Bring on the Lucie": Lennon's Last Overtly Political Stand" which is a digital mag/blog called PopMatters. Yoko was there during the basic tracks and you can hear her on the stripped down recordings so that article is false.
I have always thought this was an album of great material that suffered from poor arrangement, instrumentation, and mixing. So I'm excited to hear the different mixes in this release. There's the last gasp of the counter culture with Free the People and Lonely People which are fun to listen to. Free the People has that anthemic Power to the People or Give Peace a Chance energy. The Lennon Box Set from years ago is a superior version. Most of the other songs are contemplative and laid back and its nice to hear Lennon settling into middle adulthood and the 70s in this introspective way..I Know is a stand out in this way, as is Out the Blue. From today's standpoint i think the song Mind Games is one of John's classics and i rank it right up there with Imagine. Aside from the title track it would have been VERY interesting to see what this album could have been in the hands of a good producer. John really needed that to being out his best in the studio. Matt, glad you mentioned the bass slides, i hate those as well and always have. They don't fit the songs, stand out like a sore thumb and make those tracks sound more like a jam session. Probably the wrong musicians for this music. Some tracks honestly sound like a sonic mess, like everyone grabbed a random instrument to play five minutes before the song was recorded. I always knew there were fantastic songs here dying to be heard, but were restrained by their production.
A good producer (not Spector who had his chances with Lennon) would have made a huge difference with the arrangements and overall sound. What if McCartney had produced?
Pop Goes the 60s is a real downer on this album. At least John Heaton appreciates it. It is not greatest album but it is very enjoyable and has some great moments. There is not a lot of Lennon solo material for obvious reasons, so I try to enjoy what little we do have. Also, I actually like the goofy album cover.
I try to enjoy it too!
42:18: He should have said, "Picture yourself in a boat on a river."
In late 70's early 80's UK. Mind Games was an ever present staple of every record store bargain bin. Released on EMI's budget Music For Pleasure label and retailing for the grand sum of £1.99 they still couldn't shift them.
Well said good point. Its John's worst solo album as at least Sometime in New York had energy ,passion and the great New York City and Woman is the N****
Mind Games song has synthetizised string sound playin a one long note beneath the guitar notes being played.
John Heaton have been claiming there is no strings.
It seems to me that Lennon had run out of things to say at this point. There comes a time when big rich rock stars have been on the treadmill too long, lose touch with common reality, and get self indulgent. He needed a break to cultivate and communicate a new perspective, which is what the songs on Double Fantasy (love them or loath them) eventually did.
I like the mind games album i.m interested in outakes and unreleased stuff. I only like the original albums from artist because they worked on them and its there mix the real thing. I don't need a remix from someone else fiddling with it.
Regarding "Red Rose Speedway" I made my own CD of the double album version with 'Live and Let Die (Group only)' as a bonus track.
just listened to mind games the song and it immediately made me think of hunky dory. had he been listening to the bewlay brothers?
Surprised that the album cover was given the green light by the record company, John Lennon himself, and even Yoko, It looks ridiculous: humiliating in its execution as well as its message. Maybe it was a kind of joke that John had got himself into this terrible situation and was making light of it. But you would have thought with his Art school background he would know about light and subtlety. It reminds me of one of those transfer sets, we used to have as kids, in the early 70's in England.
A harsh comment in my opinion though I respect your opinion!
Well Matt, my guess is that you may not have gotten the Mind Games Box Set from Sean, Yoko and Co. because you interviewed May Pang. You've endorsed the "dark side" - I just met May today at her photo exhibition - superb! Or you just haven't received it yet. Mind Games is totally watered down compared to previous Lennon recordings in my opinion. I suppose that's why I find it easier to listen to than his best works that came earlier (sans Some Time In New York City). The song Mind Games is a watered down Imagine. Imagine is a watered down version of hmmm - Love? What do you think? I think Lennon recycles himself in a way, trying to keep up with the other former Beatles and to market himself better to the pop world with Mind Games. That's why he uses back up singers and session musicians instead of the friends from Plastic Ono Band and Imagine. Stephen Thomas Erlewine a reviewer on All Music Guide rates Mind Games with 4 Stars. Plastic Ono Band and Imagine were given 5 Stars by him. I don't know what criteria he uses to do ratings. I agree the cover art is abysmal. What cover art by John Lennon do you like? Would you do a ranking of cover art? I would be interested in your ranking of Rolling Stones album cover art because I think some of it is horrid. I know I'm off topic but I appreciate your graphic design eye for stuff like that. Take care!
Yes, I cannot be counted upon to deliver a 'thumbs up' review of many of these re-appraising box sets. I take it as a badge of honor.
@popgoesthe60s52 keep being your own man, Matt. That's why I respect you so much!
@@popgoesthe60s52 Pop Goes the 60s is a real downer on this album. At least John Heaton appreciates it. It is not greatest album but it is very enjoyable and has some great moments. There is not a lot of Lennon solo material for obvious reasons, so I try to enjoy what little we do have. Also, I actually like the goofy album cover.
I also interviewed May Pang recently on the Beatles Words of Wisdom channel with my mate Colin
@@johnheaton5667 Well, my guess was way off base then. It happens a lot.
There was a lot of uncomfortable silence in the video and also in the message board crowd when John stated "Mind Games" was much better than "Live And Let Die". I think his relationship with the Lennon's is playing some mind games.
I was a bit taken aback by that statement as I feel Live and Let Die is a McCartney powerhouse song. One of his best and perhaps slightly underrated because it is not associated with an album.
@@popgoesthe60s52 - Oh yeah, powerhouse without a doubt. Guns N Roses even remade it and scored a hit. It is on the soundtrack album along with the George Martin score. But since it is the only rock song on that album, most of us waited for the Wings Greatest Hits later in the 70s to finally own it on LP.
@@popgoesthe60s52sort of like Dylan’s knockin on heaven’s door. Both written for a movie, but each song is long remembered well after the movie they were written for are forgotten.
Well to be honest both songs have been played to death but if I had to pick…
Wait! What goes on? I want to tell you I'm only sleeping.
With ‘Mind Games’ Lennon exemplified the ‘Muzak’ that he accused Paul of making.
I see what you mean - 'Mind Games' v ' One More Kiss', 'Meat City' v 'Loup, 1st Indian On The Moon', 'Bring On The Lucie' v 'Single Pigeon' etc,etc.Yep, I see what you mean!
@@graniterhythm53 I understand, but Lennon’s lyric was in reference to McCartney’s earlier work. He couldn’t foresee that he’d eventually be producing work in a similar vein. Despite the tracks you mention, my overall impression of MG remains ‘Muzak to my ears’.
52:40 REDEMPTION
That's our boy, Heaton!
It's an average album with a few highlights, much like most of his solo career after Imagine. No amount of reissue and repackaging will change that.
And i agree with Matt that Mind Games was the 4th best of the solo albums in 1973.
As for Johns comment of Mind Games (song) being better than Live and Let Die...omg. It's the best song on the album and i really love it, but Live and Let Die has so much dynamics and energy compared to it, and atill sounds great today. And the George Martin production is superb.
Although Living in the Material World is a good album, the critics were generally right about the rest of George's albums, they were average at best.
Mind Games is just an okay album and certainly not a classic. Its quite greedy that Universal is pricing this set at $250 Cdn on Amazon, much more than the POB and Imagine sets which are superior albums. I'll just download it for free off usenet.
Yes that’s the beauty…you choose the format you want and how much you want to spend!
Critics of the day in particular just review LYRICS, they ignore musical melody, harmony and improvisation and competence entirely. Mr. Heaton hit it on the head…if an artist was not raving politically in a certain direction they are negative about it. To me when you get into partisan politics you are walking on thin ice as an artist…it usually does not work. I love MIND GAMES , the song one of Lennons best solo. That is by far the best song here. I do like Tight A$ and Meat City, after that there is a lot of dross.
I think there is a problem with this album. John isn't as focused as on his earlier albums, Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, and the album lacks some of the grit of Sometime In New York City, despite those New York songs struggling through being written as slogans primarily.
Mind Games mood has more in common with Imagine, but with more of a 1973 aor feel, and a suggestion John wasn't often quite so committed. Stripping the songs down may reveal promise that doesn't make it through to the final versions. The title track, though, is definitely one of John's best.
Two Minutes Silence is much better than NNA, just saying...😁
Ha! Very good Chris!
👍👍👍
Funny to have two competing products from Paul and John at the same time. Their rivalry never ends. One Hand Clapping is really strong while Mind Games is trying to reinvent itself to stand another chance. Too bad John never had a proper live album.
John is very defensive of this album. Might relate to boxset gift.
it might relate to the fact that he's a major fan of lennon and of the album. good for him that he's a you tube personality and that lennon's estate gave a copy of this set to him!
I’ve always loved the album save for some production misgivings…some of which have been rectified though not all
@@johnheaton5667 I’ve watched your John Lennon ranking video and ‘love’ didn’t come across when you were talking about Mind Games. An album with only 7 John songs you rank as better.
@@PhilJS67your point being? Not sure which ranking video you’re referring to…my JL album ranking from ten years ago? Certainly in the last five years (or more) this album I’ve loved…ever since I bought the 2002 mix
OK, so Heaton has always been a Lennon fan and he loves Mind Games. No surprise here.
Were you expecting me to suddenly dish the album? I like all of it save two tracks…always have
One Day at a Time is the weakest clearly, but its lyrics are no worse than I Don't Wanna Be a Soldier, or even Oh Yoko, which is the climax of Imagine. The Imagine album has some kind of glow about it, because of the prevalence of the title track, but other than Jealous Guy, Oh My Love, and the just music groove of How Do You Sleep, I don't really get into any of the rest of that record. I don't get the hype. I much prefer Mind Games as a full listening experience. I love all of it but One Day at a Time.
I think your assessment of Imagine is very good. If you took Imagine off that album, you are not left with much.
I think Gimme Some Truth is the stronger rocker from either album
@@johnheaton5667 I think GST is a fine song, but it feels unfinished to me, like it needs a shift or change somewhere. I think it needed McCartney honestly. Clearly John brought it to Paul in early '69 as we hear on the Get Back sessions, and I wish they had finished it off for Abbey Road, but as is on Imagine, I like George's solo, but I don't think John sings it particularly well (compared to his potential as a vocalist) or fully-developed it, really.
One Day At A Time on The Lennon Anthology is by far a better version.
an interrogation
PAINFUL DISHONESTY
Sorry the material is weak on this album. If you’re going to attack Red Rose speedway you can’t elevate this album.
They are equally mediocre: some strong tracks, some bland tracks, and some painfully irritating tracks.
This album is 5/10 with a great single. Not sending Pop goes 60s a complimentary copy. Sad times.
This proves I am not a member of the so-called vinyl community. 🙂
@@popgoesthe60s52 ua-cam.com/users/shortsfvpzr_5iHVU?si=welMTkft_cryLTqb not to rub it in but Sean sent me a copy!!
@@popgoesthe60s52 - I think it proves you have integrity and cannot be bought.
@@popgoesthe60s52 out the blue fans go MAD for..it’s nice enough..I’ll tell you why they go nuts for a song like this..bcus the songs around it are so bloody bad..
Dark side of the moon came out this year and MANY other greats albums..
Take the Beatles that year..BOTR, Ringo, material world..as well as red and blue..where does mind game rank amongst all this?
Robert Christgau: Professional misanthrope
Really? He was certainly a big Lennon fan.
For a man who complained about Paul’s granny music, this album is not rocking like it should.
It doesn't rock because of too much granny music.
Also, I usually hate covers but Sinead O’Connor did Mind Games really well ❤
Free listening Spotify listener apparently doesn't get these different versions, there is only You Are Here and Mind Games - evolutionary song :( at least in my spotify.
The full package is released on July 12 on streaming platforms!
Lennon had one of the greatest voices in Rock and Roll. In this album, that voice of a generation is lost/drowned in the mix. Whatever potential this album might have had is wasted by production, insecurity and incompetence. It's okay for a couple of listens but, without John's personality, it's milquetoast. George Martin, and Glyn Johns, who understood the power, should have been there. And Paul, to tell him it sounded like crap. The emperor has no clothes.
SCANDALOUS! Heaton has been BROUGHT by the Lennon estate .....NEXT!
I'm still batting 1.000 - no presents from ex-Beatle estates yet! I would refuse them if offered.
@@popgoesthe60s52 that's the spirit, I began to watch about 4-5 of these 'Halloween III' gifts and it always ends up as a cheap advert detailing all the crap inside the album!
Give me a break mate! I can’t help it if I’m sent it!
I agree that Mind Games is a far better song than Live and Let Die. It’s nice to hear someone sticking up for Lennon’s songwriting.
Why should these songs compete? Who choose these songs for competition? it's ridiculous.
Live and Let Die was a much bigger hit than Mind Games, features brilliant orchestration and production by George Martin, was a film title song, was nominated for an Academy Award, is a concert favourite for McCartney to this day, had a major cover version by Guns & Roses, so, a few people might disagree with your comment.
@@lawrencebrissenden if we all thought the same way life would be rather boring. It was my opinion and I was agreeing with John Heaton. I wasn’t trying to change anyone’s view, especially in the Beatles community.
Where the White Album should have been one album, "Mind Games" should have been just a 45. The title track and "Meat City" (B side) are the best two songs on the album.
No one has ever agreed on the track listing for a so called single white album and I couldn’t disagree more…but that’s just my opinion
@@johnheaton5667 - Well, there is no such thing as a universal agreement on anything, really. I know I have come up with the ideal track listing. I would be curious to hear the track listing proposal of the originator of the idea, George Martin. But I don't believe he ever went so far to share that plan. I have been somewhat vocal on evaluating Beatles' fans based on their reaction to "Revolution 9". Somewhat controversial, but it allows me to level set on a "love is deaf" concept versus an objective opinion. But I would not hold that same theory to whether the White Album should have been one or two albums as I have a bit more grace when it comes to that opinion.
Meat City ROCKS!!! Love that song👍
I think this album is really badly produced.
Has John Heaton sold out? He got the free box set and then complains every time a criticism is made regarding Lennon or this album. This album is only ok. It is not a masterpiece like Heaton wants it to be.
John has a soft spot for all the solo 1973 albums and I think that time period really resonated with him. More to come from myself and Mr. Heaton on Beatles solo albums!
I think he genuinely likes the album.
I don’t care for two tracks but I rate most of the other tracks! And the production is vastly improved…albeit it also was on the 2002 remix supervised by Yoko
he probably just likes the album, i also think the album is great
It's remarkable how a freebie can alter one's perspective.
Now, Emile, John has been on record a long time saying this is a fave of his, so let us be fair.
Yes watch my previous reviews of this album…not all positive but mostly so…production was the weak link I think and that was somewhat rectified on 2002 remix (and this one)… though still can’t totally defend the backing vocals unfortunately
This was never one of my favorite Lennon albums, mainly because of the production. The new remix is excellent, although there are a couple of songs I am not a big fan of. The bonus material is very interesting, especially hearing Lennon's vocals, and it sounds like all the musician's appreciated working with John.
Yes Larry seemed like they were having a gas…very heartwarming!
I've been collecting Beatles/Solo records etc since 1971. Also, all the Songbooks . I have all John's solo songbooks including the rare Milk 'n Honey , Rock 'n Roll & New York City. However, I have never seen a songbook for Mind Games. Despite researching and contacting sheet music Sellers in Japan & the USA. For such a good album, Mind Games has hardly any songs that were published on any Lennon Songbooks. I dont understand why? Any ideas anyone?
I can provide the sheet music to Nutopian International Anthem. 🙂
@@shyman99 I have that already on plain white paper 😂👍
I’ve also never seen a Mind Games songbook…strange