Mind Games [Bonus Tracks] [Remaster]

Performer: John Lennon
Artist: Michael Brecker; Yoko Ono
Engineer: Roy Cicala; Dan Barbiero; Roy Cicala; Dan Barbiero
Producer: John Lennon; Yoko Ono; John Lennon; Yoko Ono (Reissue)
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: This remastered version contains 3 bonus tracks and a new 32-page booklet. Personnel: John Lennon (vocals); John Lennon (guitar, Clavinet); Dr. Winston O'Boogie, Dr. Winston O Boogie & Los Paranoias (guitar, Clavinet, percussion); Sneaky Pete Kleinow (pedal steel guitar); Gordon Edwards (bass instrument); Yoko Ono, Something Different (background vocals); David Spinozza (guitar); Michael Brecker (saxophone); Kenny Ascher (piano, organ, Mellotron); Jim Keltner, Rick Marotta (drums). Audio Remixer: Peter Cobbin. Liner Note Author: John Lennon. Recording information: Record Plant, New York, NY (1973). Arranger: John Lennon. On this disc, Lennon tackles his usual messages including love (of Yoko and mankind in general), peppy optimism in the face of dire circumstances, and humorous observations of crazy times and conditions. The breadth of his interests has always been gargantuan, and somehow when Lennon switches between the global focus of the title track to the personal "Yoko (I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry, Yoko)," he convinces us that these sentiments are not all that far apart. The playful, sexy "Tight As" is a jaunty rockabilly number reminding us that Lennon knows where he comes from. On "One Day At A Time," a love song with nursery rhyme metaphors, Lennon's silvery falsetto, usually featured in Beatle background vocals, takes the lead and is truly heart-wrenching. The surreal, country dream pop of "You Are Here," with its steel guitars and leisurely tempo, pre-dates the luxurious kd lang/Ben Mink approach. To resist chanting along with the chorus on "Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)" would be near impossible--it is as infectious as it is politically correct. Special kudos to Gordon Edwards, whose sure and melodic bass playing could turn Paul McCartney's head. After the hostile reaction to the politically charged Sometime in New York City, John Lennon moved away from explicit protest songs and returned to introspective songwriting with Mind Games. Lennon didn't leave politics behind -- he just tempered his opinions with humor on songs like "Bring on the Lucie (Freda Peeple)," which happened to undercut the intention of the song. It also indicated the confusion that lies at the heart of the album. Lennon doesn't know which way to go, so he tries everything. There are lovely ballads like "Out of the Blue" and "One Day (At a Time)," forced, ham-fisted rockers like "Meat City" and "Tight As," sweeping Spectoresque pop on "Mind Games," and many mid-tempo, indistinguishable pop/rockers. While the best numbers are among Lennon's finest, there's only a handful of them, and the remainder of the record is simply pleasant. But compared to Sometime in New York City, as well as the subsequent Walls and Bridges, Mind Games sounded like a return to form. [The edition reissued in 2002 appended three extra tracks, the "home versions" of "Aisumasen," "Bring on the Lucie," and "Meat City."] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Rolling Stone (1/23/03, p.68) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...This new version brings out welcome sonic detail..." Mojo (Publisher) (12/02, p.125) - "...On MIND GAMES, Lennon is back in touch with the subtler part of his musical craft..."

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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