I enjoyed this review of "Mind Games" because it's an album that doesn't get talked about much. My favorite song on it, besides the title track, has always been "You Are Here" which I think is very nice melodically. I can understand why you're not too enthused by "One Day At A Time", but I sort of like it..Not a great track, but somewhat affecting, I think. I much prefer it to Elton John's unremarkable cover version....Nice video.
Thanks Thomas. Yes, Elton did better with his Lucy cover, recorded in Caribou which sadly was closed down or sold recently. And melodies are strong on several of the Mind Games ballads, none better than 'You Are Here'. .
Thanks again John. Yes Red Rose Speedway please, my second favourite Wings Album. London Town has always been my favourite followed by Ram. Material World is a great album too so yes please review away :-).If you had a chance to put together your own choice for a composite solo album of the Solo Beatles top tracks I would be very interested to know what your 14 choices would be. Thank you again John.
Awesome review John! You have a lot of knowledge, about each track. So to my mind, both subjective & illuminating. A recent convert to your RUclips channel, a self confessed ‘Beatle fanatic’. I feel fortunate to have come across your channel, & will enjoy going back throughout back catalogue of your historic reviews of The Beatles, their solo work. And also, your reviews of other bands, such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan & E.L.O. to name but a few! Thanx again, & am very much looking fwd to reviewing your reviews of said important albums & bands. Gb George!!!
Hi John. Been watching your reviews for the last couple of weeks, and do tend to agree with most of your appraisals of Albums, Books etc. Defiantly agree with George Harrison 79 LP review, and your run downs of the various albums seem to follow my own. Do think however that Mind Games is a very fine Album and not too far behind Imagine for me. Anyway thanks John keep up the good work.
Hi John, I am sorry I missed this for I am a huge and I mean huge Lennon fan. Still love all his lyrics and I think his output though small as compared to the other Beatles.... because he was taken from us too soon... I agree this album is lost in the shuffle. Will need to revisit and thank you for reminding me of its importance and vitality. May not be the Plastic Ono Band, nor Imagine or Walls and Bridges but still a decent album. The ballads are quite beautiful. Thank you John for this concise and lovely appraisal of this release, Tino
1. John did not have the technical ability or flair to play like that. He would say that himself. Here's an actual quote from him about his playing, "I wish I could just do like BB King. If you would put me with BB King I would feel real silly." 2. The solo was played by David Spinozza.
Hello there John, I am just picking up on all your great youtube album reviews and really enjoying them. With Mind Games I have thought for years that the song ’I know (I know)’ is clearly about Paul but I have never seen this referred to in any review including your own. Look at the evidence: his relationship with Paul was improving in 1973, Paul had the song 'Dear friend' on Wildlife, the lines "I know what's coming down And I know where it's coming from", " But now my eyes can see I put myself in your place As you did for me" but especially " And I know it's getting better all the time As we share in each other's minds ". It's about Paul surely. What does anyone else think? Thanks again for putting the time into the reviews. I’ve also put this into MeanMrMayo who interprets the song as about Yoko.
Great review! I was always very fond of this album and Walls and Bridges! Neither perfect but I have been listening to both since they are released! i always wondered what these albums would have sounded like with more british musicians I don’t care for the guitar playing George would have provided different quality
Nice review John. Agree this album very mixed bag. I thought the stripped down tracks on the Lennon box were MUCH better than the versions on this album. The female backing vocals ruin the songs for me, and some of the songs are just plain weak, but as you say the good ones are very good and could have been even better with a good producer.
Owned this long ago and, other than I was never crazy about it, recall little now but the title track, which is OK, and Bring on Lucy, which I liked. I need to get a copy and give another listen. Back in the 70s though this was perhaps my least favorite of his, Unfinished Music discs notwithstanding. But, your review has me intrigued and anxious for a revisit.
It was unfair of critics to compare Mind Games to POB and Imagine. The title track, Aissumasen, Out the Blue and I Know are, for me, stand out songs especially Aissumasen.
Hiya John, I enjoy your reviews... remember coming to see you in Wimbledon in the mid 80s when you lived next door to Edward Fox! Hoping all is well. God bless, Keith
Aunque mi album favorito de John Lennon es el Walls And Bridges, no deja de que Mind Games sea otro gran album. Es un album algo subestimado pero con un poder creativo y de madurez tremendo. Etapa muy creativa por parte de John a partir de esta epoca Mind Games/Rock N Roll/Walls And Bridges y colaboró en el album Pussy Cats de Harry Nilsson.
My first John Lennon album. Freda People, the title track, out the blue, i know (i know), meat city. All great Lennon songs. You are here, Aisumasen are nice, only people, tight as and intuition are good, one day at a time is ok....never liked the falsetto..... Very good album.
Lennon was always at his best using satirical humour ie: "rattle your jewellery" to make a point, rather than his serious self-righteous turn of phrase which was often caustic and nasty ie: How do you sleep.
John. I have the compilation album working class hero which contains a few of the better songs on this album. Is mind games worth buying for the tracks I am missing?
Hi Frank. Personally I am not a big fan of compilations so I would invest in Mind Games, it doesn't reach the heights of his best work overall but there are some hidden nuggets in there.
This album....has many highs and lows........The title track is good. You are Here and I know I know..........are the best songs on here. Freeda People and Only People are great. Tight A$ well......good tune.over produced and that annoying instrument hurts the song. A strong move upward from the last album. 7.5/10
'Mind Games' is full of good melodies where John does things you wish he hadn't. There are imaginative chord progressions completely crushed from eloquence by the oddly placed female choir. It is my understanding that Yoko was the one who suggested he sing the falsetto bit. Get rid of the female backing and have John sing it normally and I hear a winning track in my head. Even though this says it was produced by John, I'd heard through the musical grapevine that they had another unnamed person come in a clean it up a smidgen to round out the rough edges. Do you know if that is true?
I watched it, seem to remember you quite liked it, will have to re-watch it! What do you think of the German Wings compilation? Live And Let Die, Junior's Farm, Let 'Em In, Silly Love Songs, Jet and Hi Hi Hi are missing but Listen To What The Man Said, Maybe I'm Amazed and Coming Up are here, along with Getting Closer, Spin It On and London Town. So more of a fan's compilation I think, and as I said it covers the whole Wings period. I would even have included Girls School if it was up to me :- )
Good Macca choices - not bad at all! As for my MG review, I re-watched it myself and now feel that I gave it too high a rating, and I didn't go into enough depth on the songs.
lancemal51 I think I gave it a pretty solid thumbs up didn't I? We may have to agree to differ on 'one day at a time' (and 'only people' if you like that one) but love the rest...by the way I hear the 2003 (or 2004?) is superior though have not picked it up yet
Nothing Lennon released from 1970 - 1975 was very good except John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band (1970) and Imagine (1971). Everything else sounded badly produced, rushed and badly written. Specially Mind Games, Sometime in New York. Only good thing about Walls & Bridged is the title quoted from activist, Angela Davis; "walls turned sideways are bridges". Rock & Roll Music was over produced with brass music that buried Lennon's vocals. Horrible waste of tracks. Double Fantasy was much better written and produced except "Clean up Time".
Vad är det för dumheter du talar om? Att jämföra fiaskot Sometime in New York med Yoko tjattrandes i mikrofonen jämfört med John Lennons EGNA stora mästerverk Mind Games???
I enjoyed this review of "Mind Games" because it's an album that doesn't get talked about much. My favorite song on it, besides the title track, has always been "You Are Here" which I think is very nice melodically. I can understand why you're not too enthused by "One Day At A Time", but I sort of like it..Not a great track, but somewhat affecting, I think. I much prefer it to Elton John's unremarkable cover version....Nice video.
Thanks Thomas. Yes, Elton did better with his Lucy cover, recorded in Caribou which sadly was closed down or sold recently. And melodies are strong on several of the Mind Games ballads, none better than 'You Are Here'. .
Thanks again John. Yes Red Rose Speedway please, my second favourite Wings Album. London Town has always been my favourite followed by Ram. Material World is a great album too so yes please review away :-).If you had a chance to put together your own choice for a composite solo album of the Solo Beatles top tracks I would be very interested to know what your 14 choices would be. Thank you again John.
Awesome review John! You have a lot of knowledge, about each track. So to my mind, both subjective & illuminating. A recent convert to your RUclips channel, a self confessed ‘Beatle fanatic’. I feel fortunate to have come across your channel, & will enjoy going back throughout back catalogue of your historic reviews of The Beatles, their solo work. And also, your reviews of other bands, such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan & E.L.O. to name but a few!
Thanx again, & am very much looking fwd to reviewing your reviews of said important albums & bands. Gb George!!!
love mind games really good album
love this album
Hi John. Been watching your reviews for the last couple of weeks, and do tend to agree with most of your appraisals of Albums, Books etc. Defiantly agree with George Harrison 79 LP review, and your run downs of the various albums seem to follow my own. Do think however that Mind Games is a very fine Album and not too far behind Imagine for me. Anyway thanks John keep up the good work.
+Wendy Adams Thanks Wendy. Let me know if you have any specific requests. I was thinking of doing Material World or Red Rose Speedway next.
Hi John,
I am sorry I missed this for I am a huge and I mean huge Lennon fan. Still love all his lyrics and I think his output though small as compared to the other Beatles.... because he was taken from us too
soon... I agree this album is lost in the shuffle. Will need to revisit and thank you for reminding me of its importance and vitality. May not be the Plastic Ono Band, nor Imagine or Walls and Bridges
but still a decent album. The ballads are quite beautiful.
Thank you John for this concise and lovely appraisal of this release,
Tino
Like everything he did, it stands the test of time. I like all of it.
The solo in the 3rd track is amazing! There's no way John could play like that.
Why is that?
1. John did not have the technical ability or flair to play like that. He would say that himself. Here's an actual quote from him about his playing, "I wish I could just do like BB King. If you would put me with BB King I would feel real silly."
2. The solo was played by David Spinozza.
There are good songs here, but I don’t often go back and listen to Mind Games. Great review, and thanks for sharing.
Love this album.
Hello there John, I am just picking up on all your great youtube album reviews and really enjoying them. With Mind Games I have thought for years that the song ’I know (I know)’ is clearly about Paul but I have never seen this referred to in any review including your own. Look at the evidence: his relationship with Paul was improving in 1973, Paul had the song 'Dear friend' on Wildlife, the lines "I know what's coming down And I know where it's coming from", " But now my eyes can see I put myself in your place As you did for me" but especially " And I know it's getting better all the time As we share in each other's minds ". It's about Paul surely. What does anyone else think? Thanks again for putting the time into the reviews. I’ve also put this into MeanMrMayo who interprets the song as about Yoko.
Great review! I was always very fond of this album and Walls and Bridges! Neither perfect but I have been listening to both since they are released! i always wondered what these albums would have sounded like with more british musicians I don’t care for the guitar playing George would have provided different quality
I know I know and Mind Games my favorites. Still watch your older videos. Great job.
Tight as, my favourite track from Mind Games also 👍
50/60% of this album is top notch Lennon?crazy statement John.
Nice review John. Agree this album very mixed bag. I thought the stripped down tracks on the Lennon box were MUCH better than the versions on this album. The female backing vocals ruin the songs for me, and some of the songs are just plain weak, but as you say the good ones are very good and could have been even better with a good producer.
Owned this long ago and, other than I was never crazy about it, recall little now but the title track, which is OK, and Bring on Lucy, which I liked.
I need to get a copy and give another listen. Back in the 70s though this was perhaps my least favorite of his, Unfinished Music discs notwithstanding.
But, your review has me intrigued and anxious for a revisit.
Thanks Mathew. Well, add it to your list of 8 million other things you have on your list :- )
Shame, Shame, Matthew - you need to re-listen to this ASAP! :)
My favorite John Lennon album followed by walls and bridges
Mind games any thing John I’m here album covers are exciting to own vinyls are the best thing
It was unfair of critics to compare Mind Games to POB and Imagine. The title track, Aissumasen, Out the Blue and I Know are, for me, stand out songs especially Aissumasen.
Hiya John, I enjoy your reviews... remember coming to see you in Wimbledon in the mid 80s when you lived next door to Edward Fox! Hoping all is well. God bless, Keith
Fantastic album and supposedly a weak Lennon album..I think not✌️
Aunque mi album favorito de John Lennon es el Walls And Bridges, no deja de que Mind Games sea otro gran album. Es un album algo subestimado pero con un poder creativo y de madurez tremendo. Etapa muy creativa por parte de John a partir de esta epoca Mind Games/Rock N Roll/Walls And Bridges y colaboró en el album Pussy Cats de Harry Nilsson.
My first John Lennon album. Freda People, the title track, out the blue, i know (i know), meat city. All great Lennon songs. You are here, Aisumasen are nice, only people, tight as and intuition are good, one day at a time is ok....never liked the falsetto..... Very good album.
Aisumasen is the best track on this album imo
@@CoasterMan13Official is it really? Cool pick!! Lovely guitar solo at the end...
John seems to have nicked Paul’s ‘I’ve got a feeling’ guitar riff on ‘I know ( I know)
Lennon was always at his best using satirical humour ie: "rattle your jewellery" to make a point, rather than his serious self-righteous turn of phrase which was often caustic and nasty ie: How do you sleep.
John. I have the compilation album working class hero which contains a few of the better songs on this album. Is mind games worth buying for the tracks I am missing?
Hi Frank. Personally I am not a big fan of compilations so I would invest in Mind Games, it doesn't reach the heights of his best work overall but there are some hidden nuggets in there.
This album....has many highs and lows........The title track is good. You are Here and I know I know..........are the best songs on here. Freeda People and Only People are great. Tight A$ well......good tune.over produced and that annoying instrument hurts the song. A strong move upward from the last album. 7.5/10
John, will you be getting any version of the new remix album?
'Mind Games' is full of good melodies where John does things you wish he hadn't. There are imaginative chord progressions completely crushed from eloquence by the oddly placed female choir. It is my understanding that Yoko was the one who suggested he sing the falsetto bit. Get rid of the female backing and have John sing it normally and I hear a winning track in my head. Even though this says it was produced by John, I'd heard through the musical grapevine that they had another unnamed person come in a clean it up a smidgen to round out the rough edges. Do you know if that is true?
Hi John.. I enjoyed your review of MG. I would add more opinions here, except that you probably know I've already done my own video on this album. :)
I watched it, seem to remember you quite liked it, will have to re-watch it! What do you think of the German Wings compilation? Live And Let Die, Junior's Farm, Let 'Em In, Silly Love Songs, Jet and Hi Hi Hi are missing but Listen To What The Man Said, Maybe I'm Amazed and Coming Up are here, along with Getting Closer, Spin It On and London Town. So more of a fan's compilation I think, and as I said it covers the whole Wings period. I would even have included Girls School if it was up to me :- )
Good Macca choices - not bad at all! As for my MG review, I re-watched it myself and now feel that I gave it too high a rating, and I didn't go into enough depth on the songs.
John when they split up, was that when he was with May Pang in 1975
Uneven album for me, Lennon could do better on certain tracks but it gets more favorable through the years.
interesting review - for me tight as$ is throw away but love aisumasen
it's funny because "only people" became very popular in US because it anchored a TV commercial...
;)
My least favorite Lennon album.
Awful review, the album contains some cracking songs.....One Day At a Time is a great track....love the album
lancemal51 I think I gave it a pretty solid thumbs up didn't I? We may have to agree to differ on 'one day at a time' (and 'only people' if you like that one) but love the rest...by the way I hear the 2003 (or 2004?) is superior though have not picked it up yet
Nothing Lennon released from 1970 - 1975 was very good except John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band (1970) and Imagine (1971). Everything else sounded badly produced, rushed and badly written. Specially Mind Games, Sometime in New York. Only good thing about Walls & Bridged is the title quoted from activist, Angela Davis; "walls turned sideways are bridges". Rock & Roll Music was over produced with brass music that buried Lennon's vocals. Horrible waste of tracks. Double Fantasy was much better written and produced except "Clean up Time".
Vad är det för dumheter du talar om? Att jämföra fiaskot Sometime in New York med Yoko tjattrandes i mikrofonen jämfört med John Lennons EGNA stora mästerverk Mind Games???