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On two other songs where Yoko is not the dominant theme, she is nevertheless invoked through the "oh no, oh no" refrain. That's not to say that love songs predominate. Half of the material covers similar terrain to PLASTIC ONO BAND, but the themes are balanced by hope and even light-heartedness. "Crippled Inside" is leavened by its country stylings including Dobro, courtesy of George Harrison, who also spices up two of the album's pivotal tracks, "Gimme Some Truth" and "How Do You Sleep?" (the latter is a vitriolic attack on Paul McCartney). Outside of PLASTIC ONO BAND, this may be Lennon's finest solo album.
Considered together, IMAGINE and its startling predecessor, PLASTIC ONO BAND, paint a vivid picture of the state of John Lennon immediately post-Beatles. If PLASTIC ONO BAND found John working out his hitherto repressed feelings about childhood and stardom, then the abiding impression of IMAGINE is John's one certainty in this storm of doubts and recrimination: his love for Yoko. "Jealous Guy," with its peerless vocal and a spot-on arrangement for strings, is sublime. "Oh My Love" is all delicacy and melodiousness. "Oh Yoko!" is a celebratory finale with none of the cloying self-obsession of John and Yoko's home movies.
Personnel: John Lennon (electric guitar); John Tout, Joey Badfinger, Tommy Badfinger, Andy, Ted Turner, Rod Linton (acoustic guitar); George Harrison (dobro); King Curtis (saxophone); Nicky Hopkins (piano); John Barham (harmonium); Klaus Voormann (bass instrument); Jim Gordon , Jim Keltner (drums); Alan White (cymbals); Steve Brendell (maracas); Mike Pinder (tambourine).
Rolling Stone (10/28/71, p.48) - "...On the evidence of IMAGINE, I don't think that John has resolved the manner in which a masterpiece and an artistic dead-end like POB can succesfully be followed....But then, great artists, of whom John is one, are nothing if not resourceful..." Q (7/00, p.140) - Included in Q's "The Best Male Angst Albums Of All Time" Q (4/00, pp.104-5) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...a strange, contrary record with touches of genius....extraordinarily beautiful....it is a signpost to one of the 20th Century's major figures....proof that genius is a series of fleeting moments..." Mojo (Publisher) (4/00, p.106) - "...Contains both the best and worst of the man - the idealist and the ranter, the righteous and the vindictive anger....So you take your choice between the pantheistic songs or the pissed-off plodders..." NME (Magazine) (9/18/93, p.19) - Ranked #34 in NME's list of The Greatest Albums Of The '70s.
A great among ex-Beatles releases. The reviewer from Ireland is quite correct. The remastering does create practically a new album - perhaps resulting from the effect of the original Walls of Sound recording technique. The LP I had originally presented a different cover photo. This is a fine recording by an infinitely talented songwriter and performer. Submitted by Gerald (Bakersfield Ca) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 2 of 2 found this helpful.
NOT THE ORIGINAL The re-mastering of this album is
absolutely fabulous. It brings a sharpness and clarity to the overall
sound which has to be heard to be believed. It is NOT however, the album
in it's original form. The re-mixing has effectively created a new album.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not sorry I
bought it, but having waited for years for this to appear, I now find it necessary to go out and buy the CD of the original to get the Album I fell in love with in the first place. Submitted by a reviewer (co. wicklow, , Ireland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Imagine- by John Lennon Well worth the purchase if only for John's Imagine song which has inspired millions worldwide. The song "I'm just a jealous guy" is also very good. We all miss John so very much. Nemaste. Reverend Thompson, Zen Buddhist Priest. Submitted by aspengold (Sarasota, FL, USofA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Better than original ... I've gone back and forth listening to this re-master and the original. I have to give credit where credit is due. These tracks sound better, fuller, richer, clearer than the original. 30+ years of new technology have gone into stereo equipment. Crank up the sub-woofer and you'll feel like you're in the studio with John. Submitted by HardAce (Los Angeles, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
NO! Certainly NOT the ORIGINAL! Somewhat agree with review from Ireland, this CD does not contain the orignal album John Lennon had intended for release. Yes the sound is crystal clear etc, however this clear remastered mix tends to cause the album sound somewhat sterile. It honestly bothers me that some studio 'nerd' actually took the liberty to transform this great album. Refuse to believe John Lennon would have approved. The 1 star is in protest...suggest you go out and purchase the original or if fortunate enough to own an early vinyl pressing...pull it out and drop it on your turntable... Submitted by faust8577 (Lorraine, Que. Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A great among ex-Beatles releases.
Better than original ...
NO! Certainly NOT the ORIGINAL!
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