Sometime in New York City - John Lennon Album Review

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Album Review

Originally issued in 1972, with The Plastic Ono Band and Elephant's Memory, 'Some Time' is not for the faint hearted. By comparison with previous hit 'Imagine' it's very dated. Produced by John, Yoko and Phil Spector, it was Lennon's third supposed solo away from the Beatles mothership. Ono's presence and influences are palpable throughout: five co- credits, three solo credits, leaving John with two. For my liking, there's far too much 'interference' from Yoko. It makes you wonder how it's regarded as a solo album. Bonus tracks are, Ono - Listen The Snow Is Falling - Lennon/Ono on Happy Xmas War Is Over. Completed on their third wedding anniversary, March 20 1972, it still counts as a mixed bag of results. Amongst some half decent songs it's countered by the dreadful. It's a strange juxtaposition of music with Lennon reverting to his Rock'n'Roll roots while Ono continued her elastic, screechy vocal style, regarded as 'emotionally trailblazing'. Her avante garde artistic explorations were well executed in the 50s and 60's before she teamed up with Lennon.

This union effectively brought her greater musical attention that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. As Lennon gradually left McCartney behind as co-writer, Yoko became his principle partner. It was a time of great change for Lennon.

As an album, it's almost schizophrenic. Containing some powerful music and controversial lyrics, it's seriously brought down by the bizarre shouting and wailing on the 15 minute live jam of Don't Worry Kyoko - it's a case of - send in the men in white coats. Well Baby isn't much better either. They are amongst the worst possible music committed to a recording, ever. No wonder it sold poorly, reaching #48 in the USA, # 11 in UK. After the monster of Imagine, overall, it was a major low musically. It reflected their resumed interest in leftist political figures like Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin. Controversial lyrics, "Woman is the nigger of the world..."elsewhere, " The Pope smokes dope every day.." may also have been a contributory factor. In many eyes it was seen as his attempt at a Dylan like protest contribution referring to, for example, the incarceration of Black Panther - Angela

Elly Roberts