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Elly Roberts reviews
Parlophone
- Cat.no: 3409712
- Released: November 2005
- Rating: 8/10
Second in the recent Lennon instalment of solo albums.On the back of the dreadfulSome Time In NYC,Lennon bounced back with a much needed excellent album – it was a realreturn to form.
Pining for Yoko during his ‘Lost Weekend’ in Los Angeles, Lennon wasdrifting from his second wife. Apparently, he took solace with theirassistant May Pang and spent time on a year plus bender on the West Coast ofAmerica. Despite his obvious desperation at their split, Lennon delivered astylish, if indigenous WC feel, which was far more accessible than STINYC.
Gone is Yoko’s experimentation, which brought him more in – line with themainstream of old – there are even ‘Imagine’ throwbacks. Surprisingly, it’snot obviously angst ridden considering the circumstances. It may well havebeen an olive branch to Yoko – a love letter of sorts – “Gotta get down onmy knees”, and What You Got. Thankfully, there’s a total lack ofself-indulgence too. The album contains possibly my favourite Lennon single#9 Dream, with its most commercial leaning (the first Lennon solo single Ibought). Melancholy inevitably surfaces on the brassy Nobody Love’s You,reflecting his mindset.
There’s also a freshness missing on previous two albums, with lushproduction, now remastered and remixed, and produced by Yoko.
Much overlooked Bless You proves to the romantic highlight in what is verymuch an eclectic collection. Rasping single Whatever Gets You Through TheNight, surprisingly only peaked at 36 in late ’74, followed by #9 Dream inFebruary ’75, yet another disappointing position of 23.
They were the only singles lifted from the album, as it was difficult to seeanything else being released. Beefy Jerky is more in keeping withMcCartney’s music.
Bonus tracks alternative takes are superb: one live and the other studio.
Guest stars include Jim Keltner, Klaus Voorman, and Elton John.
Includes a revealing 3 minute 48 second interview with Lennon from 1974.
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Going Down On Love
2. Whatever Gets You Thru The Night
3. Old Dirt Road
4. What You Got
5. Bless You
6. Scared
7. #9 Dream
8. Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird Of Paradox)
9. Steel and Glass
10. Beef Jerky
11. Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down And Out)
12. Ya Ya
13. Whatever Gets You Thru The Night (live)
14. Nobody Loves You (When You’re Down And Out) (alternative version)
15. John Lennon Interview
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.