John Lennon

The rehearsal of the album "ROCK 'N' ROLL" in October 74, which had been called "MAY PANG TAPES" since the analog board era so far, is actually a tape brought out by JE Divis and recorded on a stereo sound board Of course, there is a drunken rehearsal (the first appearance), which took place at the earliest time at A & M Studio in October 1973. Furthermore, the rough mix, demo take, and bonus recorded in 73-74 include the unedited "STAND BY ME" recorded at the end of filming of "OLD GRAY WHISTLE TEST" famous for promo. On DISC3 you can listen to an interview with John explaining all the songs from the album 'ROCK'N'ROLL' and the 'ROOTS' version (including many long versions different from the official ones).

This discount-priced three-CD mail-order album, its contents licensed from Capitol Records, does present one version or another of almost all of John Lennon's solo chart hits, although it is somewhat less than what might appear from the title. There are 35 tracks spread over three CDs with a running time not much over two hours, selling on release in the 30 dollar range.

It shall come as no surprise that the soundtrack to the documentary The U.S. vs. John Lennon – a film that traces Lennon's time as a political protestor and his subsequent, often covert, persecution by the U.S. government – showcases John the Protest Singer. It's a prominent part of John's legend, so much so that it would seem like there's a great number of these songs, but when it comes down to it, his political work doesn't amount to that much: a few singles and the double album Some Time in New York City, generally acknowledged as Lennon's lousiest record. Not a lot to build a soundtrack on, so The U.S. vs. John Lennon is fleshed out with some ideological tunes and songs about hope and love or about John himself – which ultimately means that this album has such old standbys as "Imagine," "Instant Karma," "Power to the People," "Working Class Hero," "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)," and the Beatles' "The Ballad of John & Yoko" and a bunch of songs from Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, plus the posthumous "Nobody Told Me" and some stray songs from Some Time in New York City.

Out of all the Beatles, John Lennon had the most interesting – and frustrating – solo career. Lennon was capable of inspired, brutally honest confessional songwriting and melodic songcraft; he also had an undying love of straight-ahead rock & roll. But the extremes, both in his music and his life, were what made him fascinating. Where Paul McCartney was content to be a rock star, Lennon dabbled in everything from revolutionary politics to the television talk show circuit during the early '70s. After releasing a pair of acclaimed albums, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, in the early '70s, Lennon sunk into an infamous "lost weekend" where his musical output was decidedly uneven and his public behavior was often embarrassing.

Out of all the Beatles, John Lennon had the most interesting – and frustrating – solo career. Lennon was capable of inspired, brutally honest confessional songwriting and melodic songcraft; he also had an undying love of straight-ahead rock & roll. But the extremes, both in his music and his life, were what made him fascinating. Where Paul McCartney was content to be a rock star, Lennon dabbled in everything from revolutionary politics to the television talk show circuit during the early '70s. After releasing a pair of acclaimed albums, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, in the early '70s, Lennon sunk into an infamous "lost weekend" where his musical output was decidedly uneven and his public behavior was often embarrassing. Halfway through the decade, he sobered up and retired from performing to become a house-husband and father.