ISOLATION 2020

During this time of enforced global confinement - the ‘planetary pause’, as I’ve been calling it, I’ve been sorting thru some old releases, and came across my version of John Lennon’s ‘Isolation’, which was recorded back in 1991 and released on the 1998 album Amarillo Ramp (for Robert Smithson). Our dear, departed friend Epic Soundtracks (Swell Maps, These Immortal Souls, Crime and the City Solution) played drums on the track, and I’ve always loved both the original and the version of the song we made, almost 30 years ago now... I thought it could be timely to re-present this track as relevant to our current moment. For video accompaniment I sent a request to friends far and wide around the globe, asking for brief personal video clips of the confinement from wherever they were - what they saw out on their streets, in their living spaces; whatever subjective view on our current situation they wanted to send me. I cut them all together to the song as a sort of informal, intimate record of this moment.
Stay safe out there, and hope to see you again once this is over, no matter how long it takes. You can listen to the track and the album it comes from on my Bandcamp page: leeranaldo.bandcamp.com
Lee Ranaldo
New York City
May 2020
PS: A few of the credits are incorrect on this version of the video - sorry! As YT doesn't let you replace a video, they shall remain. Refer to my BLOG (leeranaldo.com) or my Vimeo page for corrected credits!

[@SaintMartins]

Dedicated to all of us single people experiencing the "Isolation Blues" alone !

[@m.reidetherington5978]

What a powerful song !! #1 song of 2020 !! Cold Turkey and Isolation the best !!!!!

[@SwirlyWhirlyXYZ]

I can imagine a medley of Lennon’s “Isolation” & Joy Division’s “Isolation”. Thanks Lee!

[@OwlAtHome0]

This is just lovely. Also noticed that you list everyone who sent you video in the credits. Very classy.

[@bennybongosbigolebonanza894]

Except I’m BENNY BONGOS from Chicago - NOT DON BOLLES! He lives in LA anyways! My one chance at fame - down the tubes!!! LOL

[@stephenrobinson788]

Fantastic.......

[@skeletonkey6]

Absolutely bone-chilling rendition of a song that just gains relevance... Lee is Free Forever!

[@ricardorada2285]

Hi Lee! It would be great to have this album in Spotify, Tidal and the other platforms. This is hands down my favorite version of this song

[@the_emmo]

You're a lovely human being Lee. Thanks for your art.

[@jdallar]

Beautiful man, beautiful.

[@ryokatana14]

As seeing the same situation everywhere in the world, I don’t feel to be isolated anymore but united. Love from Japan

[@benclair5632]

I can’t get enough of this video right now 🇨🇦✌🏼😷

[@user-js6el7vn2r]

Hello from Russia, great done!

[@zurk606]

Well done, Lee! Lennon must be proud somewhere. Song and video perfectly match with beautiful arrangements and vocals. Cheers.

[@carlosoterock]

LOVELY!!! LOVE LEE RANALDO!!!

[@bongoslaxy]

A great guitar sound, a voice from the neighbourhood of Lennon and a cool video! Thanks for this inspiring work from Cologne!

[@nicolasbicerne2041]

0:35 bien ahii mora riel!

[@cedricm5896]

Love it ! So brilliant and meaningful, Merci Lee !

[@eclectomeiroland]

Genial! Greetings from Mexico's Northwestern Desert in Sonora!

[@beatlebarb64]

Thanks for this beautiful version of Isolation and the wonderful haunting videos. Be safe!

[@leandrokilling1141]

The look of such an artist on this sad but at the same time daring situation we´re living. Thank you from Argentina.

[@rosiejenny]

Brilliant Powerful & Beautiful!!

[@Fulviet76]

Wonderfull. Thank you. Stay safe!

[@bnowb]

Brilliant timing to pull out this old gem. Sounds great!

[@rotacarnivora3114]

Perfect. Tears

[@louisantoine9576]

Love that fuzz tone, greetings from Argentina!

[@investorsbdg3527]

Terima kasih Lee !

[@AlessandroBarisMusic]

Brilliant 💙

[@boembajee]

incredible!

[@ducahalf]

Beaultiful!

[@PresidentOfBlah]

1:44 latvija, old city of riga! did not expect! :O

[@Keverton13]

Amazing Lee I love it. Love the video too.

[@ralch9129]

You're very talented. You'll go far.

[@ravesonics]

lol he is already

[@wrightcarl1181]

@@ravesonics it's a sonic youth reference, Kim Gordon

[@TheXSpoon]

you did something great and meaningful here, you damn genius

[@bicigirl]

I love it..

[@robertoborgs]

beautiful

[@riccardospanu5584]

Complimenti Lee , bellissimo video

[@anorakid]

thank you, lee

[@norbertovelazquez6286]

Hermoso cover lee!!

[@PrimitiveInTheExtreme]

🎶✨💜✨🎶

[@danielbeller972]

This drove to tears. We f*ckd the world and messed with nature. Now we pay. Your version, recorded 29 years before COVID 19, saw it coming.

[@Duylt1202]

so great to see Hà Nội at 0:42

[@elianojr]

0:31 is Brazil...

[@ricardoderada6463]

hi Lee! Could you please upload this song to streaming platforms?

[@levoldunom]

2:29 ❤️🥰

[@Weymire]

Probably need to go ride a bike tomorrow

[@bconter]

[@LeonFeldman]