Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon

Performer: John Lennon
Producer: Yoko Ono; Jack Douglas; John Lennon; Phil Spector; Rob Stevens; George Martin; Yoko Ono; Jack Douglas; John Lennon; Phil Spector; Rob Stevens; George Martin
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Personnel: John Lennon. Photographers: Ivor Sharp; Ian MacMillan; Spud Murphy ; Bob Gruen; Peter Fordham. Arranger: John Lennon. Although 2005's WORKING CLASS HERO: THE DEFINITIVE LENNON covers a lot of familiar ground, including all of John Lennon's best-known hits, it's hard to complain when the material is so amazing. In fact, the most striking thing about this two-disc set is how Lennon continued to produce so many consistently strong tunes in the shadow of all the immortal classics he penned with the Beatles. The truth, however, is that Lennon's solo material is nakedly confessional, honest, and emotionally riveting in a way his Beatles' work seldom was. WORKING CLASS HERO represents these qualities admirably by showing Lennon at his most anguished ("Cold Turkey") and reflective ("Watching the Wheels"), alongside moments of pure joy ("(Just Like) Starting Over") and aching poignancy ("Love"). Lennon the outraged rebel ("Gimme Some Truth") is balanced by Lennon the wistful idealist ("Imagine," "Give Peace a Chance"), with the collection hitting all points in between. So while it's not full of surprises or essential material for hardcore Lennon fans who already own his solo albums, this 38-song compilation does offer a well-assembled overview of his finest moments.

After exiting the Beatles, John Lennon cast off all artistic shackles and explored his muse fervently. Employing everything from primal screams to hard-rock minimalism, 1950s rock & roll, and plaintive balladry, Lennon simultaneously exorcised his personal demons and promoted a vision of utopian possibilities for the world's future. After a five-year retreat from the spotlight, during which he concentrated on raising his son Sean, John re-emerged with the striking comeback album DOUBLE FANTASY, on which he was aided, as ever, by his constant life/art companion Yoko Ono. Lennon's newly re-energized progress was tragically halted shortly after the album's release by the bullets of a crazed assassin's gun.

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