Thank you for your heartfelt description of a powerful album, John. Even before John's death Yoko recorded profound music in her more conventional style - I am particularly moved by how she describes her husband and her son in Double Fantasy's "Beautiful Boys." I also want to recommend Yoko's work assembling the Lennon Legend DVD video compilation, where the videos are sequenced so that it becomes a long exploration of her relationship with John. In the end, you can feel the anger in having this great relationship torn from her. (The 5.1 mix of the music is also gorgeous.)
Thank you John for this re evaluation of this album. I also bought this back in '81. It was a very difficult album to listen to, for me as a Beatles and John Lennon fan at the time, so I couldn't begin to imagine how difficult and emotional it must've been for Yoko and all concerned to record it. I must admit that I haven't listened to this album in a very long time, and after having recently returned from New York and having been in Central Park on the occasion of what would've been his 84th birthday, and then seeing the Dakota and standing only yards away from where he died, I do need to give this album a listen once more. That took some guts to record and release this album knowing full well the response it would get, and even more so with the cover she chose for it. I have no doubt that with the passage of time, and now of course being in my sixties now as opposed to being 17 when I first heard it that I will hear this album with very different ears and appreciate it more for what it is.
I think it was actually through your recommendation years ago that I listened to this album, and I ended up liking it quite a bit. So much so that I tracked down a vinyl copy. I also think Yoko was justified in putting John’s glasses on the cover. She’s the only one who could’ve done it and it’s a powerful message.
Whenever I begin to soften towards Yoko, there's always something to ruin it. This time it was when the Muscular Dystrophy YT channel pulled the charity video Yoko made for the MDA in the 80s. It was only posted for a few days and I just knew they were going to have to remove it. I assume they were forced to take it down. What other reason would there be? So sad knowing how victims of the horrible disease still need help and I assume they get money from their channel on YT. Other artists like Dolly Parton have allowed their old videos to be posted.
Thanks for the education! I love her stuff on Double Fantasy and Milk & Honey. I guess this is the next record to get! Now on my wishlist! The cover is strong and reflects what she had to deal with after John's death. We all have to do that when family members die. ❤
It is great to see a Yoko video of appreciation, too many people see her in the wrong light, she has made some amazing music, there is a lot of depth and real beauty in so much of her music, most people that berate Yoko have hardly heard any of her music. One day she will get the acknowledgement and praise she deserves 🙂❤️
I played my copy of "walking on thin ice" after watching this video, and I read the annotation on the back of the single. I also noticed that it contains the lyrics sheets inside, and mine is an imported copy from italy (I can tell from the SIAE stamp on the record label). Great guitar John's solo on "it happened".
John does the lead guitar on the A side but I think it’s Dave Spinozza doing the solo on ‘It Happened’….nice to have an Italian copy …I’m on the lookout for a copy of Season of Glass containing the single (with hype sticker)
Great album, touching music! So sad that it is out of print as a CD. We really need new CD releases of Seasons Of Glass, It‘s Alright and Star Peace some day soon, please.
Not my cup of tea when artists claim to be provocative to make you think, but what they are actually doing is looking for attention because they were neglected as a child. I would have had enormous respect if she pursued her art completely separate from John. If she had been her own avant guard artist, it may have resonated…even if it screamed of desperation…there’s an audience for it. It’s hard to take her seriously when she latched on to John.
Sorry I never had time for her. What I read depicted a manipulative woman and he sadly had a mommy complex. I think his life was shit compared to Paul's. Sorry not out to upset anyone. Thanks John what you do is great.
Art is generally a con, convincing people that what you do has worth. I think Yoko was a a supreme con artist. Using the glasses was crass, but you can hide anything behind ‘art’. She knew immediately her cash cow was gone. I think hatred toward her is unjust, but that shouldn’t stop people not liking the persona she presented.
Yoko was the cash cow to Lennon, I believe her father was a banker and financier and she was educated in finace, she took what money Lennon had left from the Beatles and through investments she turned it into a fortune
its iconic and a warning, how fucked up the world and the US is, with all the guns. And people are still voting a guy who is still for the liberation of guns.
If it were the actual pair of glasses John was wearing that night one could perhaps see a little merit - even bravery in the statement but the fact she's 'bloodied up' an innocent pair of specs just shows how trivial and detached from emotion she is, dreadful twisted woman
That's why you are who you are. Imagine if some fan boy had the glasses? You guys gotta do something about gun violence in this country. Chapman shot John back to front with hallow point bullets. The size of a dime in his back. Six, eight inches in his chest. They TORE thru him. You were not there. 4 massive holes. You were not there.
Who has the copy of The Catcher in the Rye that Chspman had? Imagine some fan boy having that. How about the clothes John was wearing? People claimed to have John's clothes. Were selling in Rolling Stone. John was not a 46 long.
‘An unspeakable tragedy’ - isn’t that phrase ripped off from Howard cosell on Monday night football who broke the news. I don’t like the cover of this album and have no desire to buy it.
Thank you for your heartfelt description of a powerful album, John. Even before John's death Yoko recorded profound music in her more conventional style - I am particularly moved by how she describes her husband and her son in Double Fantasy's "Beautiful Boys." I also want to recommend Yoko's work assembling the Lennon Legend DVD video compilation, where the videos are sequenced so that it becomes a long exploration of her relationship with John. In the end, you can feel the anger in having this great relationship torn from her. (The 5.1 mix of the music is also gorgeous.)
Thank you John for this re evaluation of this album. I also bought this back in '81. It was a very difficult album to listen to, for me as a Beatles and John Lennon fan at the time, so I couldn't begin to imagine how difficult and emotional it must've been for Yoko and all concerned to record it. I must admit that I haven't listened to this album in a very long time, and after having recently returned from New York and having been in Central Park on the occasion of what would've been his 84th birthday, and then seeing the Dakota and standing only yards away from where he died, I do need to give this album a listen once more. That took some guts to record and release this album knowing full well the response it would get, and even more so with the cover she chose for it. I have no doubt that with the passage of time, and now of course being in my sixties now as opposed to being 17 when I first heard it that I will hear this album with very different ears and appreciate it more for what it is.
John, I very much appreciate this video and your thoughts. So very well stated.
I think it was actually through your recommendation years ago that I listened to this album, and I ended up liking it quite a bit. So much so that I tracked down a vinyl copy. I also think Yoko was justified in putting John’s glasses on the cover. She’s the only one who could’ve done it and it’s a powerful message.
The album cover doesn’t offend me i found the album very moving and tender and yes it’s a Beacon of hope and resilience . Thankyou John. 🙏
thanks john. i love this album.
Wow I'm impressed that that Ono box has had plenty of use :)
Whenever I begin to soften towards Yoko, there's always something to ruin it. This time it was when the Muscular Dystrophy YT channel pulled the charity video Yoko made for the MDA in the 80s. It was only posted for a few days and I just knew they were going to have to remove it. I assume they were forced to take it down. What other reason would there be? So sad knowing how victims of the horrible disease still need help and I assume they get money from their channel on YT. Other artists like Dolly Parton have allowed their old videos to be posted.
Thanks for the education! I love her stuff on Double Fantasy and Milk & Honey. I guess this is the next record to get! Now on my wishlist! The cover is strong and reflects what she had to deal with after John's death. We all have to do that when family members die. ❤
It is great to see a Yoko video of appreciation, too many people see her in the wrong light, she has made some amazing music, there is a lot of depth and real beauty in so much of her music, most people that berate Yoko have hardly heard any of her music. One day she will get the acknowledgement and praise she deserves 🙂❤️
I played my copy of "walking on thin ice" after watching this video, and I read the annotation on the back of the single. I also noticed that it contains the lyrics sheets inside, and mine is an imported copy from italy (I can tell from the SIAE stamp on the record label).
Great guitar John's solo on "it happened".
John does the lead guitar on the A side but I think it’s Dave Spinozza doing the solo on ‘It Happened’….nice to have an Italian copy …I’m on the lookout for a copy of Season of Glass containing the single (with hype sticker)
Truth. Beatles fans only big up Yoko's work out of a form of loyalty to John.
Hello it’s John Heaton
The cover is monstrous, I don’t know how anyone could do that..
Absolutely
Great album, touching music! So sad that it is out of print as a CD. We really need new CD releases of Seasons Of Glass, It‘s Alright and Star Peace some day soon, please.
Very nice review.
Interesting video.
Not my cup of tea when artists claim to be provocative to make you think, but what they are actually doing is looking for attention because they were neglected as a child. I would have had enormous respect if she pursued her art completely separate from John. If she had been her own avant guard artist, it may have resonated…even if it screamed of desperation…there’s an audience for it. It’s hard to take her seriously when she latched on to John.
I think this every time Sean Lennon does something for attention...
Sorry I never had time for her. What I read depicted a manipulative woman and he sadly had a mommy complex. I think his life was shit compared to Paul's. Sorry not out to upset anyone. Thanks John what you do is great.
The next free Lennon box set will surely be on its way...
That cover is absolutely horrendous
I remember seeing it in Record Shops in 1981
Her singing certainly is a musical tragedy.
Also gettin Lennon hooked on H was tragic
It’s an extraordinary tribute to John or to anyone who he’s been loved and departed and utterly underrated!
Art is generally a con, convincing people that what you do has worth. I think Yoko was a a supreme con artist. Using the glasses was crass, but you can hide anything behind ‘art’. She knew immediately her cash cow was gone. I think hatred toward her is unjust, but that shouldn’t stop people not liking the persona she presented.
Yoko was the cash cow to Lennon, I believe her father was a banker and financier and she was educated in finace, she took what money Lennon had left from the Beatles and through investments she turned it into a fortune
Hope you get to speak with David Whelan
I 💜 All Things
John & Yoko
i liked onos songs on double fantasy as they were very up beat then i brought this in summer of 1981 never liked it sold it years ago
It isn't a bad album.
Cover art is in dreadful taste.
its iconic and a warning, how fucked up the world and the US is, with all the guns. And people are still voting a guy who is still for the liberation of guns.
Murdering her husband was in dreadful taste.
If it were the actual pair of glasses John was wearing that night one could perhaps see a little merit - even bravery in the statement but the fact she's 'bloodied up' an innocent pair of specs just shows how trivial and detached from emotion she is, dreadful twisted woman
That's why you are who you are. Imagine if some fan boy had the glasses? You guys gotta do something about gun violence in this country. Chapman shot John back to front with hallow point bullets. The size of a dime in his back. Six, eight inches in his chest. They TORE thru him. You were not there. 4 massive holes. You were not there.
Who has the copy of The Catcher in the Rye that Chspman had? Imagine some fan boy having that. How about the clothes John was wearing? People claimed to have John's clothes. Were selling in Rolling Stone. John was not a 46 long.
cover art is abhorrent. harebrained, typical of Yoko's "art."
Very bad taste...in fact disgraceful
‘An unspeakable tragedy’ - isn’t that phrase ripped off from Howard cosell on Monday night football who broke the news.
I don’t like the cover of this album and have no desire to buy it.