Rating: - Very Underrated Lennon CD
Sometime in New York City is a great album. I would actually give it 4 and a half. I admit that some of the issues are very dated, but it doesn't hurt the quality of the album. Also, Yoko's songs are suprisingly listenable, especially Siaters, O Sisters. John's songs are obviously better, though. Woman is the Nigger of the World, New York City, Sunday Bloody Sunday, and John Sinclair are especially good. The songs I didn't mention are good also.
The Live Jam CD is also good. Yoko, however, really hurts it. Don't Worry Kyoko is horrible, and she manages to wreck Baby Please Don't Go, which would have been great. Cold Turkey is excellent and the others are also good.
The first CD is much better than the second, but the second would probably get 3 and a half to four. I would still reccomend buying it.
Rating: - "Time" heals old wounds
Having being only a year old when this album was released,and finally discovering Lennon's solo work at age 16,SINYC doesn't seem as bad as many tag it to be. Granted some of the subject may be dated rhetorics,but in the end it's the music that wins you over.It's also a new experience when you've been spoiled by the essentials (JL/POB,Imagine,W&B etc),and probably a better listening experience than the mediocre(side 2 of Mind Games). Yes,it's a gyp to buy the CD at double disc price(no more than back in '72,paying for a two record set when the second disc was advertised as a bonus,and a crappy one at that),and most won't probably won't play that disc anyways.Songs like "Luck of the Irish","John Sinclair",NYC,&"Woman... hold up just as well as many of his greatest songs.As bad as Yoko's songs are on STINYC,"Sisters,O Sisters" has a cute girl group appeal(unlike the horrendous rendition from the Madison Square Garden show) In closing if you'd like to discover a different facet of Lennon's music,pay the two-disc price,skip around "Born in a Prison","We're all Water,& use the second disc as a coaster.
Rating: - This was Yoko's LP all the way/John's very worst music
"Woman Is The Nigger Of The World" remains one of John's most important and best written solo songs. However, except for his two duet collaborations with Yoko: "The Luck Of The Irish" and "Angela" this is Lennon's worst "music" as either a Beatle or as John Lennon. Politics become dated quickly, so this LP was not destined for longevity. One of the highly political songs "The Luck Of The Irish" has not lost its relevance, unfortunately. Some very poetic and pointed lyrics. Yoko's contribution elevates this song to more than a simple song of pain. Her "words" are as poetic as John's lyrics in "Across The Universe". "Angela" is an inspiring Lennon/Ono collaboration. Yoko's "Born In A Prison" is perhaps her most noteworth contribution. Good music and poignant lyrics. "Sisters, O Sisters" is a real womanpower song. I really like this one. "We're All Water" is "Plastic Ono Band" foreplay. A real think piece. The music is distracting and hard to digest. You have to work real hard to stay focused on the lyrics. However, some of her very, very best lyrics. This greatly influenced my early opinion of Yoko as an artist. It clicked with me. Disc Two "Live Jam" I haven't listened to in years, so I won't comment.
- Very Underrated Lennon CD
- "Time" heals old wounds