JOHN LENNON'S BEST 10 ALBUMS!!
post beatles.....and beyond
Although John's solo output wasn't as prolific as Paul's due to the untimely event of his death in 1980, John's post-Beatles body of work was pretty solid until he decided to take a break in 1975. We have gathered a list of what we believe are John Lennon's best solo albums. We have included live albums, as well as compilations, as we believe these are valid demonstrations of his work.
For example, a live performance is as good as a studio recording. It shows an important side of the artist. We believe the performance of his craft is as important as his creativity.
Also, we believe a compilation of songs has an incalculable value for a new fan and serves the purpose of showcasing the artist's work to new ears. That in itself has enough merits to be included here. HERE THEY ARE!!!
John Lennon recording the iconic song "Imagine".
THE LIST
10. Gimme Some Truth: The Ultimate Mixes (2020)
2020 offering from the Lennon Ono camp comes in the form of this massive compilation of John's work. 36 tracks remixed and remastered from the original tapes. If you're a new fan, and want an introduction to Lennon's world, this is what you should get. It may be a bit too much for the fast moving, instant-click generation, but it is the best!! As with all recent Beatles and post-Beatles re-releases, different package options are available: CDs, vinyl, Blue Ray 5.1 sound, etc. No matter how deep your pocket is, this is the compilation!
This compilation album was released on 9 October 2020, on what would have been John's 80th birthday.
9. john lennon acoustic (2004)
DISCLAIMER: This is not a studio album of Lennon performing his great hits with his acoustic guitar in a professional studio environment, but a collection of home demos and studio outtakes of the man at work. With that being said, "Acoustic" is a fly on the wall perspective of one of the most popular songwriters of the last 50 years working on the songs that changed the world. Early versions of many of his classics like "God", "Love", "Watching The Wheels", among others, are presented in their raw, early stages with only John and his acoustic guitar. Yes, many songs are missing and Lennon has material like this for a full box set, but this is a rare glimpse of a genius at work.
The album comes with a booklet containing lyrics and guitar chords for each track.
8. live in new york city (1986)
In 1972, John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the New York band "Elephant's Memory gave a
benefit concert at Madison Square Garden for the Willowbrook State School for Retarded Children in New York. The show was not only significant for its purpose but also it was Lennon's last full concert performance.
Live in New York City captures John & Yoko's political activist period, their album Sometime In New York City had just came out a few months earlier, performing his hit singles like "Imagine", "Instant Karma" as well as The Beatles' "Come Together" and the peace anthem "Give Peace a Chance". It shows John in good form and spirits, although a bit rusty, with strong performances on songs like "Cold Turkey" and "It's So Hard". A snapshot of a historical moment in the life of Lennon.
The concerts documented here were Lennon's only rehearsed and full-length solo live shows.
7. live PEACE IN TORONTO (1969)
Ok, is not a full concert like "Live In New York City", but this is Lennon branching out of The Beatles. Accompanied by Yoko, Eric Clapton, longtime buddy Klaus Voorman on bass, and Andy White (yes, the drummer for Yes), John sounds nervous, a bit unprepared at times, but delivers a raw, unfiltered performance that is truly hair-raising.
In 1969, Lennon got a call from a Canadian promoter to be the MC for a music festival in Toronto. John agreed, but with the condition that he can perform at the festival. Lennon quickly assembled the band an the next day they were flying to Toronto. They've never played together before so rehearsals were done during the flight from London to Toronto. Lennon and the band performed a few oldies from his early Beatles days, plus The Beatles' "Yer Blues", his yet-to-be-released single "Cold turkey" and some of Yoko's material.
The album is included here not for the quality of the performances or the recording, but for the historical significance in the life of Lennon. It captures a period when the man is contemplating life outside The Beatles
LPIT was the first live album released by any member of The Beatles separately or together.
6. MIND GAMES (1973)
Created and recorded in a period when Lennon was getting followed by the FBI and US Immigration due to his political views, as well as his failing marriage to Yoko Ono, "Mind Games" somehow manages to showcase John's honesty in a difficult period.
Distancing himself from the political views of his predecessor "Sometime In New York City", this time Lennon goes back to his inner self, just like he did on his first two albums with songs of insecurity, loneliness and introspection. However, there's always room to boogie and the Lennon wit comes out in songs like "Tight A$" and "Only People".
The album was recorded while Lennon was having difficulties with US immigration.
5. SOMETIME IN NEW YORK CITY (1972)
In 1971, Lennon leaves England to settle in New York City with a mission to express his feelings of the social issues of the time, a path he started taking in songs like Revolution and Give Peace a Chance. In 1972 he released an album exploring his new call politically charged lyrics and discussing political and social issues and topics such as sexism, incarceration, colonialism and racism.
Although half of the record are live performances and Ono material, Lennon is seen (and heard) focused, energetic with strong performances like "New York City", "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and the haunting "Luck Of The Irish". On this album, we can see full-on Lennon, the disrupter.
Like Lennon's previous solo albums, Sometime in NYC was co-produced by Lennon, Ono and Phil Spector.
4. WALLS AND BRIDGES (1974)
In the midst of Lennon's separation from Yoko Ono, the "Rock And Roll" album fiasco, and the craziness of booze and drugs of John's "Lost Weekend", miraculously "Walls And Bridges" came out. The subject of Lennon's emotional loss is evident throughout the album, this time, it is musically more diverse than its predecessor "Mind Games". Funky and melancholic, relaxed, and at times, yet frenzy, nevertheless, it gave John a #1 album and his first #1 hit single with "Whatever Gets You Through The Night", a duet with Elton John.
Walls and Bridges was Lennon's last album of original material until 1980's Double Fantasy.
3. IMAGINE
The hazy, dreamy John Lennon on the album's cover presents the listener to "John the Universal Dreamer". The title track being one of, if not, the peace anthem of the century. John Lennon is still battling his inner demons, but on this album, in contrast from the raw and painful Plastic Ono Band, he is more polished. We haven't yet see the Political Activist Lennon, "Imagine" and "I Don't Want to Be a Soldier Mama" being the start of this chapter in John's life. He is still carrying grief and frustration, which he let out on "Crippled Inside", "Gimme Some Truth", "Jealous Guy", even taking a jab on "How Do You Sleep?" to his former songwriting partner Paul McCartney
The performance of the album is superb, both John and the musicians that backed him up, delivered the goods. Mostly Klaus Voorman on bass, drummer Jim Keltner, Nicky Hopkins on piano (the guy that played the piano solo on "Revolution"), some of the guys in Badfinger and Beatle pal George Harrison, who did lead guitar work in some songs.
Imagine was written and recorded during a period of particularly bad feeling between John and Paul.
2. DOUBLE FANTASY
After Lennon's retirement form the music business in 1975 and spending time at home with his family (his son Sean was born that year), Lennon (with Yoko) decided it was time to get back to work.
A grown up, mature, domestic version of Lennon emerged from the 7 songs written by him, the other 7 written by Yoko. The album's theme is mainly their relationship and family life and John's work on the album is relaxed, simple, with an honesty that mirrors the somber crudeness and tension of his first album "Plastic Ono Band".
When initially released critics slashed at it, criticizing the domestic bliss feel of the album. When Lennon was murdered three weeks later, they really LISTENED, giving truth to the phrase "you don't know what you got until you loose it".
Backed up by an amazing group of New York's session musician, all tracks are well recorded and performed, musically and vocally. Even Yoko's tracks were polished and current with the New Wave style that was buzzing in the new decade.
This is John at its finest as a songwriter. Not changing the world, not preaching, no protests on social or political issues, just a man reflecting on the second half of his life and what the future will bring.
The album marked Lennon's return to recording music full-time, following his five-year hiatus.
1. JOHN LENNON / PLASTIC ONO BAND
The Beatles break-up was a difficult event for John Lennon. He silently watched the disintegration of the band since their manager Brian Epstein died in 1967. His personal life was shaken with the split from his first wife, and the start of his relationship with Yoko Ono caused harsh criticism from the public and close circle of friends. The Beatles as a band started to fracture and tensions flourished, ending up with the dissolution of the band. All this brought back many deep wounds in Lennon's soul and psych, to the point of him and Yoko to undergo psychological treatment.
Out of this treatment, called "Primal Scream Therapy" came out his first post Beatles album "Plastic Ono Band". A collection of songs revisiting Lennon's most painful memories and feelings. "Mother", "God", "Isolation", songs full of anguish and resentment. John went back to basics, no overdubs, no studio tricks or orchestration. Just a basic core lineup of him, Klaus Voorman and Ringo Starr. Even producer Phil Spector's "wall of sound" was absent. John Lennon opening his soul. "Hi, my name is John Lennon, rockstar, millionaire, influential musician....and I'm f*** up!"
This is Lennon's greatest work and the best conjunction of artist and human being he could ever possibly do. No other artist or artists have ever done such.
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is truly his Best Album!!
Its lyrics reflect Lennon's personal issues and includes themes of psychological suffering.
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER DISCOGRAPHIES!!
BEATLES 45RPM USA RELEASES
BEATLES 45RPM INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
BEATLES 45RPM INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
All Beatles American 45rpm releases!
BEATLES 45RPM INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
BEATLES 45RPM INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
BEATLES 45RPM INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
Beatles 45rpm releases from around the world!
BEATLES INTERNATIONAL lps
BEATLES 45RPM INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
BEATLES INTERNATIONAL lps
Beatles Lp releases from around the world!!
solo beatles usa albums
solo beatles international albums
BEATLES INTERNATIONAL lps
American Lp releases of John, Paul, George and Ringo!
solo beatles international albums
solo beatles international albums
solo beatles international albums
Lp releases of John, Paul, George and Ringo from around the world!
solo beatles international 45rpms
solo beatles international albums
solo beatles international albums
45rpm releases of John, Paul, George and Ringo from around the world!