Rating: 
- This CD "Passed the Audition"
I know! You've heard these songs before. and are probably tired of all the "remastered" Greatest hits collections floating around. Frankly speaking, so am I. However, this CD is different, and here's why. "Shaved Fish" was the first (or, should I say, Apple) greatest hits package. This was released in 1975. Needless to say, "Shaved Fish" is outdated and terribly incomplete. Next we have the "Imagine" sound track collection which ventures back into John's Beatle days and includes songs like Revolution, Help, The Ballad of John and Yoko, etc. This Imagine sound track collection falls into the same trap that hurt the George Harrison Greatest hits collection back in 1976 -- It included too many Beatle numbers.
Well, the Lennon Legend avoids all the pitfalls of the past. For openers, it is timely. This CD covers John's Apple years as well as the Dakota period. This CD includes the very best John has to offer as a solo artist. No, you are not going to be treated to any of John's Beatle numbers on this CD.
The sound quality on these "remastered" tunes are absolutely outstanding. John's voice and the instrumentation never sounded better. Those of us who still have vinyl immediately notice the difference in sound quality.
I do have one complaint about this CD. The Imagine Sound Track collection included John's version of Real Love. Listening to John's version of Real Love, you would immediately notice that the version the "reunited" Beatles included in Anthology 2 is different then the direction John was going with this tune. The Lennon Legend CD should have included John's version of Real Love to make this collection truly complete.
As it stands, this CD is definitely a plus for any collection.
Rating: - Excellent summary of Lennon's solo career
John's post Beatles work veered from brilliant to overblown. Plastic Ono Band, Imagine, Mind Games and Double Fantasy all rank at or near the quality of his best work with The Beatles. While Lennon has been repackaged quite a bit (this is the third compilation of hits and singles, not including the alternate takes from Anthology that came out after this).On the one hand, I can appreciate Capitol and Yoko's need to stimulate catalog sales of John's albums. On the other hand, there aren't any relevations here. If you're going to pick up one album by John, this is probably the best solo career overview (as if anyone truly makes solo albums). Keep in mind that this album isn't necessarily the best representation of John's solo career--it primarily features singles, hits and songs that got considerable radio play.
I'd also recommend Julian's latest album Photograph Smile for those wanting to hear something more contemporary, but with a similiar sense of melody and quality songwriting.
Rating: 
- Great Sound to add life to John Lennon's music.
Much like Paul McCartney's Wingspan 2 CD set, and George Harrison's All Things Must Pass reissue, John gets a remastering of some classic songs. The sound is brilliant and evokes the feel of the songs. You really do feel like you are listening from the producers control booth at musical history being made. Favorites such as Imagine, Instant Karma, Nobody Told Me, and Watching the Wheels sound clear. I have only two minor critisisms for this collection. First of all, the cover art reflects the early 1970's incarnation of John. I personally preferred the cover art of The John Lennon Collection (1982 LP, 1989 CD). Also, contained on that collection was Move Over Ms. L.. This is now not available on CD. Move Over Ms. L. was recorded in 1974 during John's "Lost Weekend" period. It is a very good, rocking song. He would be bst served by a double cd set (as with Wingspan) to cover more of his career. Hits such as those on The John Lennon Collection and this one could go along side songs such as Meat City, Bring On The Lucie(Freda People), Hold On, What You Got, etc.... Probably a 40 track set will someday soon be needed to expose more people to John's genius. I feel that the Beatles as a group and solo artists definitely could benefit from increased exposure to the public. Over all, I would give this a 4.5 star rating. Rock on John! You are with us in spirit, always.
