John couldn’t please everybody but he came pretty close here. Walls & Bridges is the Lennon album that that the fans all seem to like and often love. I’m ready for a full on Sean Lennon version.
Astonishing album. I bought this at Uni with no idea of the quality of John's solo career. Safe to say I was blown away and instantly bought Imagine and Double Fantasy on vinyl.
I think the album is one of his best - a solid record. I also think #9 Dream is John at one of his peaks creatively and a lovely song for summer as in "the heat whispered trees." I have the album on vinyl carefully protected in a plastic sleeve, an original 1974 pressing Thanks John I appreciated finding a new video review by you this evening...cheers.
Nobody loves you when you're down and out, Scared, Old dirt road, N#9 dream... Such a great album. The so called "lost weekend" was particularly prolific and creative.
I believe this to be his best solo album of original material ( "Rock and Roll" is my favorite, but that's a discussion for another time)...Song for song, it out stripes "Imagine "...POB...Don't get me started....Particularly the mid-tempo and the ballads ( "#9 Dream","Old Dirt Road","Bless You", "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)"....Peace and Love, Terry Tutor
This is a great album. Drive, fun, great production, varied and great songs. I think the media wanted another Plastic Ono Band album with angst and anger so they did not review it well. The same with Mind Games. Johns 'thing' was wanting to make music quickly and not spend hours and days on each track. He always let band members play their own way and style, he did not dominate.
Thanks for revisiting Walls and Bridges, its long been one of my John Lennon solo albums. Great song writing, the band was super and production was perfect. Thanks for sharing.
I think people unfairly judge Lennon by association with Yoko ? Odd but true !! All his solo albums are excellent !! And brave !! Mind Games is excellent but got dismissed ? Why ? Some great tunes ! Walls and Bridges is excellent always loved it ! Thing that occurs to me watching this video is look at the amount of thought in the cover and booklets !!! He gave us alot of!! I dunno why knock john ? All Johns solo stuff matches anybody’s work ?
Thanks for this review John. I've not listened to this album in quite a while, so you've inspired me to dig it out. Very busy at the moment absorbing all these fantastic mixes of Mind games. This release has totally changed my view of this album. But I still can't understand why John felt he had to smother his voice in reverb or double tracking, he was one of the all time greats vocally, you only have to listen to his harmonising with Paul on Beatles tracks to hear that. If I fell and In my life being prime examples of what I mean. But Walls And Bridges must be the next candidate for the ultimate mixes treatment. I'm not that fussed about Sometime In New York City, not one of John's best albums. Don't get me wrong it has some great melodies and some great ideas musically, but I just didn't get it, still don't and I think that in 2024, for me it's not aged that well. But that's only my opinion, if there are people out there who love it and dig it, and it's their favourite Lennon album, then that's fine and ok. You like what you like. I always preferred #9 Dream to Whatever Get's You Through The Night, just thought it was a better song and a far stronger single from the album. I got my copy of this album in march of '81 with a record token that I'd got for my birthday, got a couple of other albums with it as well.. ( a Mike Harding record "Red Specs Album" and a Thin Lizzy album "Live And Dangerous") And I was fascinated with all the packaging, and as with anything John was involved in it was always laced with that famous wit of his... I do remember playing it quite a lot at the time and being intrigued with his lyrics. I mean what does Ah Bowakowa pousse, pousse actually mean? But now I'm on quite a Lennon tip right now, so this album is going on the turntable next, and it dosen't stop there as I shall be in New York on what would've been John's 84th Birthday, so I'll make my way over to Strawberry field and join in the annual sing along....
Thank you for the Walls And Bridges review, John! I caught your very, very brief remark about The Wombles! 🙂 Even though, as a USA person, I never saw that TV show, I learned about (and heard) a few Wombles records via WNEW-FM (NYC) DJ Scott Muni's (every) Friday afternoon 2-hour segment, "Things From England", where he highlighted the (then-) current hit singles and albums. It was amazing how different the USA and British charts were! From Scott, I learned about The Wombles and Showaddywaddy -- at this time 50 years ago, their respective singles "Banana Rock" and "Hey Rock And Roll", were big hits -- plus the band Sparks, of which I am still a big fan of.
I remember Lennon said the title Walls and Bridges was about comunication or lack of it. And I consider it a positive and upbeat album(hence the cover!) where John tries to 'communicate' and demonstrate his various musical assets, even performing a rare and groovy instrumental 'Beef Jerky' . All the parts seem to come together and make it a rewarding album. Pity John couldn't maintain his creative buzz, maybe his Spector-frustrated efforts with Rock n Roll killed that off... 😢 Must mention the compilation 'Menlove Avenue' where various takes of 'W&B' ended up, as from 'R&R' (eg 'Angel Baby') I think those are the ones you mention included on ANTHOLOGY which is now, I think, is impossible to get😭
I love the track old dirt road along with some others. Will John maybe sometime this year I'll figure out how to find these hidden tracks on the mind games box. The one I'd really like to hear is the remix of rock and roll people.
Most solo artists take 2-3 years in between records…in saying that if you take mind games and walls and bridges and take the best of each you would have something extraordinary
I can't understand why Mind Games and Walls And Bridges haven't been given a least amount of credit, When both are so great in their own way! ? John Lennon on the radio. Still putting out albums. Being himself. I don't think that John was a bad man. I've done things in my life I Regret. That doesn't make me a bad man. John was just a human being. But, he is still my hero.
In a nutshell my joint favorite solo Beatles album alongside Paul's Ram..... Musical perfection & hopefully will be given the Ultimate Mix treatment next year?
Great post, John. I’m going to miss the reviews from Dave’s lovely garden in Bristol but will look forward to more tag-teamwork at his new home. I enjoy the back and forth between you two longtime friends. It IS mystifying how poorly Walls and Bridges and the singles did on the charts in England. It’s a great album! Cheers from America.
Great review of a great album! You probably already know this, but Lennon's riff on his seemingly throwaway song, "Beef Jerky," is virtually identical to the Lennon-like riff that McCartney sent up on "Let Me Roll It." (My theory has long been that McCartney wrote "Let Me Roll It" as a peace offering/love letter to Lennon, and that Lennon replied with Beef Jerky to signify that everything was great between them. This was obviously a change from the past solo records where they kept sniping at each other.)
The new Mind Games reissue is inferior to the 2002 remix so I've no idea what everyone is getting excited about with this new box beyond the fact it is new and has some UV nonsense to play with.
I think WALLS & BRIDGES is the best recorded of all of John’s solo albums. I bought it in 1977, three years after it came out. (My local record stores had it at about two dollars more than other albums, so I kept not buying it.) So I had what I think was the sound as it was intended when it was issued in ‘74. It was really clear sound; for example, the ticking clock in “Nobody Loves You When You’re Down And Out” was not something you had to listen for; it was up front.
Walls and Bridges is a nice album with varying moods. It is upbeat in places and can be somber/reflective too. My favorite tune might be “Going Down on Love”. My only issue is that the big hit, “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” is very overblown with all the horns and frantic feel. I wish Lennon used the alternate more stripped down version. You can find that version on RUclips and it’s so much cooler.
Walls And Bridges is a definite step up from Mind Games, in my opinion. Both are not on par with Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, as they lack some of the edge (they sound a little less inspired - more aor), but Walls And Bridges is just more appealing, and brighter. #9 Dream is definitely up there with John's best work, just as Mind Games (the title track) is on the previous album. I do agree with John's assessment of these albums. With Walls And Bridges he may be crafting songs without being highly inspired, but the results are still very enjoyable. Which track did he claim was the inspiration for The Stones Miss You? I believe it was Scared, although i can't remrmber off the top of my head. Whatever song it may be, i don't hear the resembamce.
Walls and Bridges is arguably John Lennon's last full album. In any case, as albums, I prefer Plastic Ono Band and Imagine to Mind Games and Walls and Bridges, though as you mention, there are golden nuggets on the latter two as well. No doubt that John's and George's best songs are just as good if not better than Paul's best songs, and Paul himself said as much about George's songs, but equally no doubt that over the years and decades, workman Paul was the most consistent and prolific.
I have a vinyl reissue from 2005 of this one. The flaps fell off of my original copy. I love Mind Games. I wore out my original copy of that and have a MFP reissue on vinyl. I don’t mind the sound of the original mix.
Apart from Imagine + maybe Plastic Ono Band, the other albums are massively under appreciated, albeit Mind Games now getting overdue recognition. Same with McCartney + Harrison, Band on the Run + All Things Must Pass overshadow everything else they have done, because they are relentlessly re released.
How often can one review, re review, re re re review such bad albums? I will say it does have one of my fave John deep cuts steel and glass. The Beatles are the best band ever and it’s not even close The solo gets praise it doesn’t deserve Uber boxes, bloody cubes, gnomes, white flags lol Cheers John 👍
"#9 Dream" is worth the price of admission alone. His only LP of original material without an ONO footprint and it shows.
Agreed 👍
John couldn’t please everybody but he came pretty close here. Walls & Bridges is the Lennon album that that the fans all seem to like and often love. I’m ready for a full on Sean Lennon version.
My favorite song now is Old Dirt Road. Many nuggets on this album.
I definitely love the 73-74 period the most. Mind games and walls and bridges
Nice one John walls and bridges is a absolute favourite of mine
Walls and bridges is my favorite lennon.
This is Lennon’s best album to me.
I really like this record. #9 dream has to be one of his best works.
Astonishing album. I bought this at Uni with no idea of the quality of John's solo career. Safe to say I was blown away and instantly bought Imagine and Double Fantasy on vinyl.
His best solo album, IMO.
I think the album is one of his best - a solid record. I also think #9 Dream is John at one of his peaks creatively and a lovely song for summer as in "the heat whispered trees." I have the album on vinyl carefully protected in a plastic sleeve, an original 1974 pressing Thanks John I appreciated finding a new video review by you this evening...cheers.
My favorite all time album . Always brings back great summer memories of when I was a teen .
Nobody loves you when you're down and out, Scared, Old dirt road, N#9 dream... Such a great album. The so called "lost weekend" was particularly prolific and creative.
I believe this to be his best solo album of original material ( "Rock and Roll" is my favorite, but that's a discussion for another time)...Song for song, it out stripes "Imagine "...POB...Don't get me started....Particularly the mid-tempo and the ballads ( "#9 Dream","Old Dirt Road","Bless You", "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)"....Peace and Love, Terry Tutor
I really appreciate what you have to say about Walls & Bridges, John!! Thanks for the reassessment!
Have To john is my Favourite Mr L
Album always rated highly still go back to it today fine album
It just makes me wish that John had made albums in his bread-baking years.
This is a great album. Drive, fun, great production, varied and great songs. I think the media wanted another Plastic Ono Band album with angst and anger so they did not review it well. The same with Mind Games. Johns 'thing' was wanting to make music quickly and not spend hours and days on each track. He always let band members play their own way and style, he did not dominate.
Thanks for turning me on to the Walls and Bridges Outtakes. I always know I will be hearing a rare gem if I follow the road you point out to us.
Thanks for revisiting Walls and Bridges, its long been one of my John Lennon solo albums. Great song writing, the band was super and production was perfect. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, John; another fine video. Probably my favorite Lennon album.
R.I.P To A Great Singer Songwriter John Lennon, Still Miss You Always
I think people unfairly judge Lennon by association with Yoko ? Odd but true !! All his solo albums are excellent !! And brave !! Mind Games is excellent but got dismissed ? Why ? Some great tunes !
Walls and Bridges is excellent always loved it ! Thing that occurs to me watching this video is look at the amount of thought in the cover and booklets !!! He gave us alot of!!
I dunno why knock john ?
All Johns solo stuff matches anybody’s work ?
It’s a tremendous album - certainly my favourite JL album.
Thanks for this review John. I've not listened to this album in quite a while, so you've inspired me to dig it out. Very busy at the moment absorbing all these fantastic mixes of Mind games. This release has totally changed my view of this album. But I still can't understand why John felt he had to smother his voice in reverb or double tracking, he was one of the all time greats vocally, you only have to listen to his harmonising with Paul on Beatles tracks to hear that. If I fell and In my life being prime examples of what I mean. But Walls And Bridges must be the next candidate for the ultimate mixes treatment. I'm not that fussed about Sometime In New York City, not one of John's best albums. Don't get me wrong it has some great melodies and some great ideas musically, but I just didn't get it, still don't and I think that in 2024, for me it's not aged that well. But that's only my opinion, if there are people out there who love it and dig it, and it's their favourite Lennon album, then that's fine and ok. You like what you like. I always preferred #9 Dream to Whatever Get's You Through The Night, just thought it was a better song and a far stronger single from the album. I got my copy of this album in march of '81 with a record token that I'd got for my birthday, got a couple of other albums with it as well.. ( a Mike Harding record "Red Specs Album" and a Thin Lizzy album "Live And Dangerous") And I was fascinated with all the packaging, and as with anything John was involved in it was always laced with that famous wit of his... I do remember playing it quite a lot at the time and being intrigued with his lyrics. I mean what does Ah Bowakowa pousse, pousse actually mean? But now I'm on quite a Lennon tip right now, so this album is going on the turntable next, and it dosen't stop there as I shall be in New York on what would've been John's 84th Birthday, so I'll make my way over to Strawberry field and join in the annual sing along....
Thank you for the Walls And Bridges review, John! I caught your very, very brief remark about The Wombles! 🙂 Even though, as a USA person, I never saw that TV show, I learned about (and heard) a few Wombles records via WNEW-FM (NYC) DJ Scott Muni's (every) Friday afternoon 2-hour segment, "Things From England", where he highlighted the (then-) current hit singles and albums. It was amazing how different the USA and British charts were! From Scott, I learned about The Wombles and Showaddywaddy -- at this time 50 years ago, their respective singles "Banana Rock" and "Hey Rock And Roll", were big hits -- plus the band Sparks, of which I am still a big fan of.
P.S. I believe that the first Wombles song I heard was, "Remember You're A Womble" !!!!
I remember Lennon said the title Walls and Bridges was about comunication or lack of it.
And I consider it a positive and upbeat album(hence the cover!) where John tries to 'communicate' and demonstrate his various musical assets, even performing a rare and groovy instrumental 'Beef Jerky' . All the parts seem to come together and make it a rewarding album. Pity John couldn't maintain his creative buzz, maybe his Spector-frustrated efforts with Rock n Roll killed that off... 😢
Must mention the compilation 'Menlove Avenue' where various takes of 'W&B' ended up, as from 'R&R' (eg 'Angel Baby') I think those are the ones you mention included on ANTHOLOGY which is now, I think, is impossible to get😭
I love the track old dirt road along with some others. Will John maybe sometime this year I'll figure out how to find these hidden tracks on the mind games box. The one I'd really like to hear is the remix of rock and roll people.
Most solo artists take 2-3 years in between records…in saying that if you take mind games and walls and bridges and take the best of each you would have something extraordinary
I can't understand why Mind Games and Walls And Bridges haven't been given a least amount of credit,
When both are so great in their own way!
?
John Lennon on the radio.
Still putting out albums.
Being himself.
I don't think that John was a bad man.
I've done things in my life I Regret.
That doesn't make me a bad man.
John was just a human being.
But, he is still my hero.
In a nutshell my joint favorite solo Beatles album alongside Paul's Ram..... Musical perfection & hopefully will be given the Ultimate Mix treatment next year?
Great post, John. I’m going to miss the reviews from Dave’s lovely garden in Bristol but will look forward to more tag-teamwork at his new home. I enjoy the back and forth between you two longtime friends. It IS mystifying how poorly Walls and Bridges and the singles did on the charts in England. It’s a great album! Cheers from America.
Great review of a great album! You probably already know this, but Lennon's riff on his seemingly throwaway song, "Beef Jerky," is virtually identical to the Lennon-like riff that McCartney sent up on "Let Me Roll It." (My theory has long been that McCartney wrote "Let Me Roll It" as a peace offering/love letter to Lennon, and that Lennon replied with Beef Jerky to signify that everything was great between them. This was obviously a change from the past solo records where they kept sniping at each other.)
I always thought that as well. We knew it was musical communication! :)
Beef Jerky is Tight A$
The new Mind Games reissue is inferior to the 2002 remix so I've no idea what everyone is getting excited about with this new box beyond the fact it is new and has some UV nonsense to play with.
I think WALLS & BRIDGES is the best recorded of all of John’s solo albums. I bought it in 1977, three years after it came out. (My local record stores had it at about two dollars more than other albums, so I kept not buying it.) So I had what I think was the sound as it was intended when it was issued in ‘74. It was really clear sound; for example, the ticking clock in “Nobody Loves You When You’re Down And Out” was not something you had to listen for; it was up front.
I've got it on vinyl and cd but haven't listened to it in years.
great stuff john as per, like sitting in the pub,your take always worth a pint!
@ian …And then a requisite piss-taking!..
John thanks I expect this may be the next ultimate series release. Well this, or his Rock n’Roll Lp. I think a great LP.
Walls and Bridges is a nice album with varying moods. It is upbeat in places and can be somber/reflective too. My favorite tune might be “Going Down on Love”. My only issue is that the big hit, “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” is very overblown with all the horns and frantic feel. I wish Lennon used the alternate more stripped down version. You can find that version on RUclips and it’s so much cooler.
I think it is his second best.
Walls And Bridges is a definite step up from Mind Games, in my opinion. Both are not on par with Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, as they lack some of the edge (they sound a little less inspired - more aor), but Walls And Bridges is just more appealing, and brighter. #9 Dream is definitely up there with John's best work, just as Mind Games (the title track) is on the previous album. I do agree with John's assessment of these albums. With Walls And Bridges he may be crafting songs without being highly inspired, but the results are still very enjoyable. Which track did he claim was the inspiration for The Stones Miss You? I believe it was Scared, although i can't remrmber off the top of my head. Whatever song it may be, i don't hear the resembamce.
Walls and Bridges is arguably John Lennon's last full album. In any case, as albums, I prefer Plastic Ono Band and Imagine to Mind Games and Walls and Bridges, though as you mention, there are golden nuggets on the latter two as well.
No doubt that John's and George's best songs are just as good if not better than Paul's best songs, and Paul himself said as much about George's songs, but equally no doubt that over the years and decades, workman Paul was the most consistent and prolific.
Maybe you could get in touch with Arthur Jenkins Jr if he’s still alive, I bet he’s got some good studio stories we’ve not heard before!
He died in '09
Love W and B
I have a vinyl reissue from 2005 of this one. The flaps fell off of my original copy. I love Mind Games. I wore out my original copy of that and have a MFP reissue on vinyl. I don’t mind the sound of the original mix.
Need a Venus and Mars revisited
Apart from Imagine + maybe Plastic Ono Band, the other albums are massively under appreciated, albeit Mind Games now getting overdue recognition. Same with McCartney + Harrison, Band on the Run + All Things Must Pass overshadow everything else they have done, because they are relentlessly re released.
You say Howard Johnson, I think of Blazing Saddles.
Did john have a number 1 hit with bowie fame and elton john Lucy in the sky with diamonds
I feel an overblown, pricey box set coming on.....
I agree. I think Mind Games is a better song than Live and Let Die.
I do much prefer John without any Yoko
Why haven't you reviewed One Hand Clapping ??????
John Lennon - Mind Games (Lyrics)
ruclips.net/video/eJ64Nnft6Zo/видео.html
How often can one review, re review, re re re review such bad albums?
I will say it does have one of my fave John deep cuts steel and glass.
The Beatles are the best band ever and it’s not even close
The solo gets praise it doesn’t deserve
Uber boxes, bloody cubes, gnomes, white flags lol
Cheers John 👍
I've never been a Solo Beatles person,they just never appealed to me astray.