Thanks for taking the time to make this video, I really enjoyed it. As for the box itself, I think it’s fair to say that it’s a mix of high quality curios and cheap tat!
I just wanted to say thank you once again to Andrew for making such wonderful content. I am always excited for the next Parlogram video and what it will be. So once again, Thank You. ✌️& ❤
My main criticism is that Sean should have sold a box set with all the Mind games music on vinyl discs for fans who cant afford the Cube but collect vinyl .The Harrison estate gave this option with ATMP box set
@davidjackson5449 I agree. I "get" and respect WHY Sean put it in album form. His father's music were ORGINALLY albums! So it makes sense to take after his dad's musical legacy. HOWEVER, who has a record player nowadays? Most people don't own one, and those who don't own one, can't afford to buy one. I think a CD version of this box set should be made available in ADDITION to what's out right now.
Walls and Bridges will come in an actual Lego bucket. You will be also be able to build an functioning turntable with the pieces and listen the LP box-set.
The older I get, the harder I find it to justify physical media, but this is just on another level. This is the most beautiful collector's edition I've ever seen for any music release. There's so much attention to detail, and so many beautiful things to appreciate and enjoy... and the album is pretty great too!
A map of the birth city of the woman the artist was separating from at the time? A reproduction of a napkin he held once? An officially licensed blank flag? A reproduction of an art piece made by the artist's estranged wife almost a decade before the album, before they even knew each other? Hard to imagine the album ever felt complete without this stuff...
I have mixed feelings about this thing. You are surely right that is has to be viewed as art; if it were just seen as a box set it would be madness. The album, for me, is honestly one of the least interesting records a Beatle ever released. There is no way it deserved any kind of special re-issue, as far as I am concerned. But this production is so over the top that it is qualitatively something different. The music is scarcely even relevant. It is a kind of triumph of packaging over substance. It exposes the emptiness of our culture while celebrating it at the same time. And selling it. Perhaps the only way it could have been conceptually even more perfect would have been if there had been no music at all included. That would have been a move worthy of the subversive genius of John and Yoko.
They might as well not had included the music. I'm pretty sure 95% of the people who'll buy this won't even care about the music, and probably will only play it once out of curiosity, perhaps.
@@vinylarchaeologist They're just going to keep pushing this and more as long as people keep buying it. This "must have" notion is driving it. Look at how we've seen a vinyl resurgence to colored vinyl editions to multiple colored vinyl editions, etc.
Pure derivative work. It would be ok if all of this was John's original vision found from some lost design document, but this is stretching John's vague concepts for this record at the maximum limit.
To say “Mind Games” has no substance just proves you’re not a music listener or you can’t read. There’s more substance there than most records ever made. Absurd commentary lol 🤦🏽♂️
I love this channel, but this is definitely a "Portlandia B-52s box set" moment. The segment on that show where they open one and it comes with stencils, paper dolls, hissy demo cassettes, and the actual band members.
Overwhelmingly underwhelming. Inspired by Andrew's recent focus on this record, I pulled out my copy of Mind Games and played it for the first time in years. Decades! And for all those people out there who love this record, I applaud you, because you are hearing something that I could not hear 50 years ago, and I still cannot hear today. Mind you, this is not by any means a record of bad songs, but Lennon has written at least 100 other songs that are much better. So obviously this ultra-lavish treatment is way beyond me. Art for art's sake, as far as I am concerned. Great video, though!
The problem with the original record was John's mixing, it was not good, this remix fixes that, so to comment on the sound of this version you have to hear it, not base you view on the original mix.
@@JoFreddieRevDr Yeah man, you beat me to it. I was actually not a big fan of this record, but the remix really opened me up. I did some A / B listening what I felt was that old mix felt like I had put a wet towel over my head. It's really not the same album.
@@JoFreddieRevDr Possibly. However, in my experience, a great song will always shine through any audio/sonic/mixing/mastering shortcomings. This is why a song can really make you sit up and listen, even when coming from a substandard source, like a tinny transistor radio, or shitty speakers in a noisy bar. Who hasn't experienced this? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but improving the sound doesn't necessarily improve the song, in my opinion.
For me it's the title track that does does make me sit up and listen, from when I first heard it on my tinny tranny in 1973, when I was 10. However for me the rest of the album is just filller, regardless of the mixes. And I'm certainly not interested in outakes, "elemental" mixes, plus 18kg of useless paper, cardboard and plastic.
I received mine from my family as a retirement gift and I'm absolutely over the moon with it. I'm stunned that something could be so good. It's taken pride of place in my music room. Thank you to the John Lennon estate for something so strikingly beautiful ❤❤❤
@paulreckamp7502 thank you Paul. I wasn't expecting any gift. I thought that my 34 years with the SPS was enough to put my family off from me being in the house now 😅😅😅
Exactly....... Naming no names, But one reviewer who received a "free" copy from Lennon, and is now waxing lyrical about what a great album it is, once ranked it second from the bottom in his Lennon album list ! Sean's VERY savvy sending them out to reviewers, who are then bound to be nice about it and generate lots of lovely free advertising for a seriously mediocre album..
@@StuartBusby Reviewers are not bound to be nice about something they have received for free. I have worked as a critic and writer for over 40 years and my house is crammed with things I have gotten from record companies and not once did I feel compelled to write positively. And fair to say, never did the record companies expect that of me. The reviewer you mention is not doing his job and yes, it is a rather bad album.
J&Y were great at making art exhibits focused around interactivity -- this time around, the act of unboxing, unwrapping, revealing every piece one by one, is the performance of the art.
Two observations about the box: 1) Sean surely doesn't know the song "God" in which his father says "I don't believe in I-Ching"; 2) I would replace half of these trinkets for 2 or 3 more discs full of unreleased recordings.
I'm grateful to you Andrew because this is the only way that I will ever get to see this unique work of art. I would imagine the 1100 lucky buyers that will be able to afford these boxes will have something on their hands that will appreciate in value. I have to admit that having bought this album when it was first released, I probably haven't listened to it in its entirety for at least 20 years but may be tempted by one of the CD versions (I'm still to watch your CD box set review) but thank you for this great video. Keep up the good work!
Lmao, Sean really did take a ton of creative liberties. He splattered Yoko all over the artwork when actually she had little to do in the making of this album
@@SATXREM RIGHT! Because they were going through marital problems thus the cover reflects John distancing from Yoko, walking away from the influence she had on him :)
No doubt about it Andrew, this box set is a work of art. Something that I personally would not want to pay for and own. Unfortunately, it would sit on the shelf, unloved and never opened. I’d worry I couldn’t get it back together, right. I’d love for it to be a virtual Box where I could open it, close it and listen to it from a website.
I don't know if this has been mentioned earlier already, but the 666 on John's portfolio of diaries is cut out from the record sleeve of Aphrodite's Child's "666" album.
Thanks. Your video helps us to appreciate why John & Yoko were trying to help us all understand........Their message to us all....... Love.& understanding....... GAZ (Melbourne/Australia)
Wow!! What a mesmerising and extraordinary opening sequence Andrew!! So fitting and a wonderful tribute for this artful box set, along with the use of gloves. Perfect!!
This video itself is a work of art ❤ (Weren't until yesterday after watching May Pang's documentary that I understood the cover...John walking away from Yoko, suitcase in hand, for a new life, or not).
Correct and it was May Pang who was with John for around 18 Months when he made the follow up album, walls and bridges, with May Pang whispering John on #9 dream song, wait til that comes out out, probs not feature May Pang on the song May Pang wiped out of the 18 Months and dropped to refer it to lost weekend as convenience. Interesting that Paul asked May Pang to attend Linda’s funeral, but never asked Yoko.
On the surface, it's easy to criticize this as being bloated and unneeded, but the level of detail and attention they gave this box set is insane. Is it overkill? I feel so divided. Once I saw those picture discs, I kind of fell in love with the whole set. Pretty amazing.
Wow! Truly a work of art…in two ways. Music and presentation of elements. Now the only thing that got to my brain was the removal of the protective plastic for the danger box…I would have left it on. I do love the homage to the Surrealists also. Very nice unboxing Andrew. Well done. And if there is anyone that deserves owning “The Box”…it’s you! Til next time! Cheers!
What an outstanding unboxing video. I wish I could have afforded this beautiful work of art, but thank you for sharing this with us folks who appreciate the attention to detail that went into this monster. Probably the most ornate production in music history.
Sean’s elemental mix of Out of the Blue elevates this song to one of John’s greatest. A true masterpiece, as good as any of John’s Beatles songs, worthy of repeat listenings.
Probs overlook walls and bridges, too much John with May pang, there again will not surprise me May erased from the project, be hard to put Yoko whispering John in #9 dream, but don’t be surprised of the lengths Sean will go to, already got Yoko in the #9 dream video, even though he was miles away with May Pang producing the album.
The "Not Insane", "Papoon for President" and the "Light Peoples Party" badge line are all from the 1972 album by the Firesign Theater "Not Insane or Anything You Want To". I have no idea how it fits into this box, but otherwise an impressive unboxing. Thanks.
It is something wondrous. Really glad I nabbed one of these mega sets. Have spent HOURS looking for all of the hidden treats that dwell within it! And the music sounds so fresh, new and wonderful.
This is ridiculous. If they overcompensated this much because of the music on Mind Games, imagine what they’ll do for Sometime in New York City and Rock and Roll. And why on earth would you buy the Super Deluxe Edition, instead of waiting one more week for the ULTRA Super Deluxe Edition, which includes an additional postcard and a foil stamped, numbered, certificate of spending?
Not a work of art. A box of merch akin to that you would find for sale at a merch stall at a gig. Slightly more upmarket than the Beatles figurines and Yellow Submarine toys and other merch aimed at kids in the 60s. Holgraphic records that you will play once and watch spin round for a few minutes and never use again. Useless and worthless trinkets and ephemera aimed at fans with more dollars than sense. The music and book are the only things of any use, but it is marketed as a record release aimed at collectors - in effect it is a collection that has been created to give collectors something to collect. If anyone likes this sort of stuff, good luck to you - they seem to think there are 1100 such people, it is not a limited edition because of any artistic merit, it is a limited edition because there are a limited number of people who will buy it. For everyone else it is just a box of rubbish.
@@Parlogram Of course they are. And as I said, good luck to anyone who wants to spend their money on this. But if I had a spare 1K lying around I'd sooner give it to an animal shelter.
Wonderful box! And great unboxing (very literally). 😃 Thank you so much, Andrew! I love the Fluxus artwork reproductions. Although, I must say they don't fit the time the album was made at all. 4:02 - I think those 4 tiles are supposed to complement the flat unfolded inner print of the opened cube, so that you end up with a 36"x36" map.
I'm not a big enough fan to purchase it (except to flip it) but, that box is really something. the team put a tremendous amount of thought and work into it. Also, thank you for the beautiful video.
I am the recipient of the Mind Games super deluxe set. I thought Mind Games was OK but I never would have considered it super deluxe status. I thought Sometime New York was a much more interesting album for consideration with the Zappa live stuff to bring into play. I always thought Walls & Bridges to be John's high point in commerciality with several hit singles. The one thing about Mind Games is that now I consider it a guitar album. The pedal steel is excellent. ❤😂
This was a way more sophisticated album than STINYC. There are some beautiful musical moments on it. It comes down to John using better musicians here IMO. He was smarting from the poor reception of Some Time and his marital issues around this time.
The "Not Insane" button was a promotional item from the Firesign Theatre's album with that title. John wore the button during J&Y's New York press conference on April 1, 1973, when they announced the creation of Nutopia.
When I first saw this I was thinking of it as a normal multi media box set, and as such considered it too expensive, then I talked about it with my wife and we saw it as a piece of art, and as such the price seemed more reasonable, we are not wealthy, but have so space cash so pulled the trigger on it. it arrived last week and it is a thing of beauty. What I have not seen a reviewer do yet, nor have we cleared the space to do either, is complete the map, those four card fit into the outer cover when it opens out to complete the large 'Tenmon Bun'ya no zu' Map of the-heavens.
Nicely presented Andrew, but for the majority of Johns fans the cost is just ridiculous. I remember buying the album when it first came out and didn't really care for it, the sound mix was poor and it was put into one of my LP racks at the back. These boxes are for the rich and wont be played (a bit like my original) and only bought to make money on in a few years time, I wonder how well that would have fitted into Johns philosophical outlook on life.
@saddaddrummer That's why I've no problem putting the boot into it. In a time of financial hardship for many worldwide, it's horrible to see the Lennon estate putting out such a grotesque over the top product only the affluent can afford. What a waste of resources this thing is, for such an inconsequential album too.
@@JamesTaylor-yg7ow Totally agree with you. I find all these limited edition/special box sets a waste of money. We bought these albums when they first came out, some were good some were bad, second generation listeners bought the cds which was ok, then the record company's decided they could squeeze even more money out of us by bringing out specials with added extra never heard before tracks which in all honesty were left out of the originals for a very good reason. Now we are urged to buy museum quality "art" albums, silk purses from cows ears spring to mind, or is it the kings new clothes? either way, just buy the standard album if you want to listen to the music. These "art" boxes will never be played so what's the point, oh yeah so you can show off you have one.
The album sounded great! The minimalist packaging fits perfectly into my phone. It creates the illusion that the entire box set is invisible. The song "1. John Lennon - Mind Games.flac" is day and night compared to when I paid for this album already in 1989.
I had this album on an mfp reissue in the 70’s and for me it has a couple of good songs & a lot of filler (I thought Rock & Roll was better). As an art piece it’s wonderful, shame the album wasn’t really deserving of it! Thank you Andrew ❤😊
the spinny strobe thing with the pictures inside at 19:20 is called a zoetrope. Now you know what the name of the same-titled motion picture company means.
Thank you Andrew for clarifying that this is a work of art! Thanks to the Lennon estate for continuing to issue items like this. I am retired and could not afford this in a million years but am thankful that they are offered to the public so the ones that do want it have a chance to own something that was customized by Sean Lennon. As always enjoyed your show. Take care P.S. If I could afford it I would buy it in a heartbeat !
I'm not sure why I would ever buy that? It's not like it was a great album to start with. I almost forgot to add in the facts that none of the new pressings sound very good and they all seem to have defects. I think the real question to me is, why this?
Boy, could we use a man like John Lennon today who advocates for peace and world unity! Thanks for sharing, very nicely done. Mind Games is actually my favorite solo Lennon album. I've been surprised by the numerous comments here and other places of dislike. One of the wonderful aspects of his music... something for everyone. I wish the set had contained one of the complete takes of Rock & Roll People.
"Rock and Roll People" is a pre-gap track on CD 5. It's also a hidden track somewhere on blu-ray 2. I don't think it's the same version that appeared on Menlove Avenue.
I love the "small parts that could be harmful to children" cards... at £1200+ this is NEVER going anywhere near a child of any kind! great unboxing Andrew.. There's been a few already but yours is the watchable one i was hoping for ! thanks
I think the warning about small parts is required by law, and the way to cover yourself from litigation, but as you say, this is going nowhere near small children in the first place.. But this video and the box itself is amazing..
So many characterize this box as a cash grab which is ridiculous. With all that was involved in the creation, and being such a limited edition, the margins aren't there. It's really a "work of art" that serves as a promotional piece for all the different versions of the Mind Games release, which is where the profits are.
It’s not a cash grab in itself. It’s a marketing stunt to bring attention to an album that nobody would otherwise look twice at. The cheaper CD set is the one they actually want you to buy having watched this video.
This must have been fun to make for Sean. Way out of the box thinking for a deluxe packaging! Before this came out, most collectors complained on why this huge box. I wished I owned one really. The CD/Blu Ray set is readily available. Great unboxing video.
You must be on holiday. If you are I hope you're enjoying yourself. It's just that I've come to look forward to eatching your videos on Sundays while i hang up my washing. Cheers, Andrew, for all you do.
Sorry, but *yawn*. Overpriced tat to push a mediocre album. I am a fan and was stupid enough to buy the 2LP and the CD/Blu Ray sets. I just can’t be bothered with UV lights and puzzles that Lennon himself never envisioned. Maybe Sean could do this sort of thing on his own albums and just let his father’s music speak for itself?
Great unboxing video, Andrew - you have the hands of a museum curator unpacking a rare exhibit. ;) This boxed set is indeed a work of art, but I can't help thinking that if John were here to make this video, he would be laughing hysterically while unboxing this set and cracking jokes about its pretentiousness. Then, after repackaging it, given the steep price, he'd end the video by using the boxed set as an ottoman or tea table and telling people not to buy it. 😆
God bless you Andrew. Thank you so much for this excellent presentation. I truly appreciate the time and extra care that you committed to this video. I was a new recruit in the US Navy at the time, so this brings back an ocean full of precious memories. You are truly a gift to us Lennon lovers. This was absolutely the bomb my friend. 👍❤️🙋♂️
It is beautiful as a collector's item. But it has nothing to do with Lennon's work. It is a collection of things that a company sells you, a group of CEOs who want to sell the same thing over and over again. It's not "Lennon The Artist." I think these things distort collecting.
I'd like to believe that the reason why the Ultimate Mixes 2 LP set version of Mind Games is in poor quality (with all the scratches and smudges) is because of all the money that went into the Super Deluxe Edition. Just a theory
A very nicely produced box, and very evocative of John and Yoko's sense of the surreal and (importantly) their sense of humour. I also especially enjoyed this video's presentation. I was half expecting Windy Miller to be in the box, but the slightly menacing music made me worry that Windy might be going to get stuck on one of his windmill sails again. We all remember where we were and what we were doing when that happened the first time. It was a real 'you are here' event.
Some set. About all I can add is that some of the labels are, well, I guess you could call them "effects labels." Put the record on the turntable and watch the label and different things will emerge. I'm not sure what all of them are or will do, but the first ones, I think, will trick your eyes into seeing the black-and-white labels as color. (Also a couple labels were color-blind tests.)
Andrew, beautifully filmed. As a child of the 1960s I loved the Camberwick Green start and end. Fabulous music and fitting with the presentation of this box set as a work of art and not a collection of music. Indeed, the album seems inconsequential to the art work as a whole. Ironically, I didn’t buy Mind Games till it came out on MFP which was a budget label in the UK. I say ironically because I didn’t think I could justify the Apple price for it in 1980, and look at it now. Is this a money maker or is it art? That decision is John’s because it is his album. John is no longer with us so we’ll never know his decision but I think he would have approved because you don’t have to buy this box set. The album is being sold in different ways with different prices. In fact I’ve just listened to it for free on Spotify. So you can listen to the music whether you want to spend £0 or £1200 which I think fits in with John’s philosophy.
Thanks Andrew for the heads-up about the Liverpool map being available separately. Between that, the deluxe CD/blu-ray collection, the book - and this video - I’ve got everything I want from this set while keeping the cost and the storage space to a minimum…although that zoetrope vinyl does look pretty cool.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for taking the time to make this video, I really enjoyed it.
As for the box itself, I think it’s fair to say that it’s a mix of high quality curios and cheap tat!
Thanks for watching. Glad you enjoyed it.
I just wanted to say thank you once again to Andrew for making such wonderful content. I am always excited for the next Parlogram video and what it will be. So once again, Thank You. ✌️& ❤
Thank you so much! 🙏
it seems that the packaging becomes more important than the actual music contents
My main criticism is that Sean should have sold a box set with all the Mind games music on vinyl discs for fans who cant afford the Cube but collect vinyl .The Harrison estate gave this option with ATMP box set
That’s a fair point.
@davidjackson5449 I agree. I "get" and respect WHY Sean put it in album form. His father's music were ORGINALLY albums! So it makes sense to take after his dad's musical legacy. HOWEVER, who has a record player nowadays? Most people don't own one, and those who don't own one, can't afford to buy one. I think a CD version of this box set should be made available in ADDITION to what's out right now.
Walls and Bridges will come in an actual Lego bucket. You will be also be able to build an functioning turntable with the pieces and listen the LP box-set.
With one piece missing, May Pangs voice on #9 dream.
The older I get, the harder I find it to justify physical media, but this is just on another level. This is the most beautiful collector's edition I've ever seen for any music release. There's so much attention to detail, and so many beautiful things to appreciate and enjoy... and the album is pretty great too!
I wonder what the parallel universe where Julian is in charge of the Lennon estate is like.
Much like the Harrisons - they also produced an extortionate gift box ...
A map of the birth city of the woman the artist was separating from at the time? A reproduction of a napkin he held once? An officially licensed blank flag? A reproduction of an art piece made by the artist's estranged wife almost a decade before the album, before they even knew each other?
Hard to imagine the album ever felt complete without this stuff...
Well said.
I have mixed feelings about this thing. You are surely right that is has to be viewed as art; if it were just seen as a box set it would be madness. The album, for me, is honestly one of the least interesting records a Beatle ever released. There is no way it deserved any kind of special re-issue, as far as I am concerned. But this production is so over the top that it is qualitatively something different. The music is scarcely even relevant. It is a kind of triumph of packaging over substance. It exposes the emptiness of our culture while celebrating it at the same time. And selling it. Perhaps the only way it could have been conceptually even more perfect would have been if there had been no music at all included. That would have been a move worthy of the subversive genius of John and Yoko.
They might as well not had included the music. I'm pretty sure 95% of the people who'll buy this won't even care about the music, and probably will only play it once out of curiosity, perhaps.
Lennon said himself, that avant garde is French for bullshit. Very expensive bullshit
@@vinylarchaeologist They're just going to keep pushing this and more as long as people keep buying it. This "must have" notion is driving it. Look at how we've seen a vinyl resurgence to colored vinyl editions to multiple colored vinyl editions, etc.
Pure derivative work. It would be ok if all of this was John's original vision found from some lost design document, but this is stretching John's vague concepts for this record at the maximum limit.
To say “Mind Games” has no substance just proves you’re not a music listener or you can’t read. There’s more substance there than most records ever made. Absurd commentary lol 🤦🏽♂️
I love this channel, but this is definitely a "Portlandia B-52s box set" moment.
The segment on that show where they open one and it comes with stencils, paper dolls, hissy demo cassettes, and the actual band members.
Overwhelmingly underwhelming. Inspired by Andrew's recent focus on this record, I pulled out my copy of Mind Games and played it for the first time in years. Decades! And for all those people out there who love this record, I applaud you, because you are hearing something that I could not hear 50 years ago, and I still cannot hear today. Mind you, this is not by any means a record of bad songs, but Lennon has written at least 100 other songs that are much better. So obviously this ultra-lavish treatment is way beyond me. Art for art's sake, as far as I am concerned. Great video, though!
The problem with the original record was John's mixing, it was not good, this remix fixes that, so to comment on the sound of this version you have to hear it, not base you view on the original mix.
@@JoFreddieRevDr Yeah man, you beat me to it. I was actually not a big fan of this record, but the remix really opened me up. I did some A / B listening what I felt was that old mix felt like I had put a wet towel over my head. It's really not the same album.
@@JoFreddieRevDr Possibly. However, in my experience, a great song will always shine through any audio/sonic/mixing/mastering shortcomings. This is why a song can really make you sit up and listen, even when coming from a substandard source, like a tinny transistor radio, or shitty speakers in a noisy bar. Who hasn't experienced this? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but improving the sound doesn't necessarily improve the song, in my opinion.
For me it's the title track that does does make me sit up and listen, from when I first heard it on my tinny tranny in 1973, when I was 10. However for me the rest of the album is just filller, regardless of the mixes. And I'm certainly not interested in outakes, "elemental" mixes, plus 18kg of useless paper, cardboard and plastic.
@@michaelturner4457 Well, I guess this is where we say that it's your loss.
I received mine from my family as a retirement gift and I'm absolutely over the moon with it.
I'm stunned that something could be so good.
It's taken pride of place in my music room.
Thank you to the John Lennon estate for something so strikingly beautiful ❤❤❤
Congratulations and enjoy!
@Parlogram Thank you Andrew, well worth the wait I'd say.
@@Ken_Dodds_Tickling_Stick what an excellent gift! 🎁
@paulreckamp7502 thank you Paul.
I wasn't expecting any gift. I thought that my 34 years with the SPS was enough to put my family off from me being in the house now 😅😅😅
You have to admire how the Lennon estate has managed to turn such average music into a desirable product.
@robbiepeterh yeah. Little known fact: John Lennon was involved in better albums in the 1960's that don't have box sets like this.
Exactly.......
Naming no names,
But one reviewer who received a "free" copy from Lennon, and is now waxing lyrical about what a great album it is, once ranked it second from the bottom in his Lennon album list !
Sean's VERY savvy sending them out to reviewers, who are then bound to be nice about it and generate lots of lovely free advertising for a seriously mediocre album..
Come on! It's not average. IUt's not Lennon's best work, but its not average.
@evertvdb000
It's not average, it's mediocre.
@@StuartBusby Reviewers are not bound to be nice about something they have received for free. I have worked as a critic and writer for over 40 years and my house is crammed with things I have gotten from record companies and not once did I feel compelled to write positively. And fair to say, never did the record companies expect that of me. The reviewer you mention is not doing his job and yes, it is a rather bad album.
J&Y were great at making art exhibits focused around interactivity -- this time around, the act of unboxing, unwrapping, revealing every piece one by one, is the performance of the art.
Great review Andrew. First rate work as always.
I have to admit though, that I like your background music far more than anything on the actual album!
Perhaps the epitome of performance art? Thank you Andrew, you have captured the mindfulness of this set perfectly!
Thank you so much, Kevin!
Bravo! Fantastic journey into a very limited Lennon collectable. Thank you for all the time and effort you consistently provide to us.
That was a wonderful video, I was hoping for the unpacking of rare 60s vinyl, but wow what contents. Well worth 43 mins and 56 seconds
"Art is making something out of nothing and selling it". - Frank Zappa.
Imagine you buy this set and then go, nah, there are scuffs on LP3, side B, I'm sending it back.
Makes sense. If I’m paying lots for something I want it to sound pristine.
Lol 😂
Two observations about the box: 1) Sean surely doesn't know the song "God" in which his father says "I don't believe in I-Ching"; 2) I would replace half of these trinkets for 2 or 3 more discs full of unreleased recordings.
I'm grateful to you Andrew because this is the only way that I will ever get to see this unique work of art. I would imagine the 1100 lucky buyers that will be able to afford these boxes will have something on their hands that will appreciate in value. I have to admit that having bought this album when it was first released, I probably haven't listened to it in its entirety for at least 20 years but may be tempted by one of the CD versions (I'm still to watch your CD box set review) but thank you for this great video. Keep up the good work!
I'm afraid it's more album than I need. Thank you Andrew good job!
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
John Lennon; no possessions!?!?!?
23:52 amazing how that blended image of John and Yoko actually looks a lot like Sean.
I was waiting to see some fancy chocolates in there somewhere.
Lmao, Sean really did take a ton of creative liberties. He splattered Yoko all over the artwork when actually she had little to do in the making of this album
Right?! Like putting her face on the original cover of the album. 🙄
@@SATXREM RIGHT! Because they were going through marital problems thus the cover reflects John distancing from Yoko, walking away from the influence she had on him :)
They were still together. Yoko was at the the recording sessions...they'd split 6 months later.
@@elmerseiscientos
They may hate you. But who cares?
@@Apo458
They were still together.....
Very beautiful reveal of the boxset. You really showed the grace of it. Thank you Andrew.
Thanks Michael. I appreciate that.
No doubt about it Andrew, this box set is a work of art. Something that I personally would not want to pay for and own. Unfortunately, it would sit on the shelf, unloved and never opened. I’d worry I couldn’t get it back together, right. I’d love for it to be a virtual Box where I could open it, close it and listen to it from a website.
I don't know if this has been mentioned earlier already, but the 666 on John's portfolio of diaries is cut out from the record sleeve of Aphrodite's Child's "666" album.
Thanks. Your video helps us to appreciate why John & Yoko were trying to help us all understand........Their message to us all....... Love.& understanding....... GAZ (Melbourne/Australia)
In my CD-buying days, I remember the most 'deluxe' thing I purchased was a cloth-lined booklet case for Wingspan. How far have we come, huh?
Wow!! What a mesmerising and extraordinary opening sequence Andrew!! So fitting and a wonderful tribute for this artful box set, along with the use of gloves. Perfect!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
This video itself is a work of art ❤
(Weren't until yesterday after watching May Pang's documentary that I understood the cover...John walking away from Yoko, suitcase in hand, for a new life, or not).
Correct and it was May Pang who was with John for around 18 Months when he made the follow up album, walls and bridges, with May Pang whispering John on #9 dream song, wait til that comes out out, probs not feature May Pang on the song
May Pang wiped out of the 18 Months and dropped to refer it to lost weekend as convenience.
Interesting that Paul asked May Pang to attend Linda’s funeral, but never asked Yoko.
Clever unboxing...very clever. Love the 70s children's tv theme at the start. I was waiting for trumton. 😊
Glad you liked it! 😊
On the surface, it's easy to criticize this as being bloated and unneeded, but the level of detail and attention they gave this box set is insane. Is it overkill? I feel so divided. Once I saw those picture discs, I kind of fell in love with the whole set. Pretty amazing.
Amazing box and video, Andrew. Indeed, a great piece of art. Thanks a lot! Nelio.
Glad you enjoyed it, Nelio!
Wow. I'm utterly speechless! That is amazing. Wonderful video. Thank you Andrew for showing us this wonderful artifact
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it.
What a stunning box set, Andrew! So much thought and care has gone into its production. Absolutely first rate and a first rate presentation by you!
Thank you kindly!
Wow! Truly a work of art…in two ways. Music and presentation of elements.
Now the only thing that got to my brain was the removal of the protective plastic for the danger box…I would have left it on.
I do love the homage to the Surrealists also.
Very nice unboxing Andrew. Well done.
And if there is anyone that deserves owning “The Box”…it’s you!
Til next time! Cheers!
Cheers Brian. Glad you enjoyed it.
What an outstanding unboxing video. I wish I could have afforded this beautiful work of art, but thank you for sharing this with us folks who appreciate the attention to detail that went into this monster. Probably the most ornate production in music history.
Looks like things i would look at once and never again
The big question is ; did you manage to get it all back in the container, Andrew??
10:41 the same thing happened to me with the double vinyl. It wouldn't close and the little postcards were scrunched in there😂
Great to have John’s music back in the limelight! Love the Deluxe Box, Lumenate mixes, and Uncut CD (on order)! Shine on!
Sean’s elemental mix of Out of the Blue elevates this song to one of John’s greatest. A true masterpiece, as good as any of John’s Beatles songs, worthy of repeat listenings.
WOW!!! Beautiful. Congratulations, Andrew! And thank you for sharing.
My pleasure!
The super deluxe edition of Walls and bridges will have a wall and a bridge
Like a Lennon version of Carcassonne?
Probs overlook walls and bridges, too much John with May pang, there again will not surprise me May erased from the project, be hard to put Yoko whispering John in #9 dream, but don’t be surprised of the lengths Sean will go to, already got Yoko in the #9 dream video, even though he was miles away with May Pang producing the album.
The "Not Insane", "Papoon for President" and the "Light Peoples Party" badge line are all from the 1972 album by the Firesign Theater "Not Insane or Anything You Want To". I have no idea how it fits into this box, but otherwise an impressive unboxing. Thanks.
He was given the badge by one of the FT members. There are numerous pictures from the time with John wearing it.
It is something wondrous. Really glad I nabbed one of these mega sets. Have spent HOURS looking for all of the hidden treats that dwell within it! And the music sounds so fresh, new and wonderful.
They already released the mega version?, I thought the ultra super deluxe collector,s edition was as far as they were going to push it.
@@dailyflash 🤣🤣
This is ridiculous. If they overcompensated this much because of the music on Mind Games, imagine what they’ll do for Sometime in New York City and Rock and Roll.
And why on earth would you buy the Super Deluxe Edition, instead of waiting one more week for the ULTRA Super Deluxe Edition, which includes an additional postcard and a foil stamped, numbered, certificate of spending?
Not a work of art. A box of merch akin to that you would find for sale at a merch stall at a gig. Slightly more upmarket than the Beatles figurines and Yellow Submarine toys and other merch aimed at kids in the 60s. Holgraphic records that you will play once and watch spin round for a few minutes and never use again. Useless and worthless trinkets and ephemera aimed at fans with more dollars than sense. The music and book are the only things of any use, but it is marketed as a record release aimed at collectors - in effect it is a collection that has been created to give collectors something to collect. If anyone likes this sort of stuff, good luck to you - they seem to think there are 1100 such people, it is not a limited edition because of any artistic merit, it is a limited edition because there are a limited number of people who will buy it. For everyone else it is just a box of rubbish.
This!!
People are free to spend their money any way they please.
@@Parlogram Of course they are. And as I said, good luck to anyone who wants to spend their money on this. But if I had a spare 1K lying around I'd sooner give it to an animal shelter.
Wow. Simply … Wow! I can’t imagine the time and effort that goes into each and every box set.
Wonderful box! And great unboxing (very literally). 😃 Thank you so much, Andrew!
I love the Fluxus artwork reproductions. Although, I must say they don't fit the time the album was made at all.
4:02 - I think those 4 tiles are supposed to complement the flat unfolded inner print of the opened cube, so that you end up with a 36"x36" map.
I'm not a big enough fan to purchase it (except to flip it) but, that box is really something. the team put a tremendous amount of thought and work into it. Also, thank you for the beautiful video.
Thanks again Andrew for your magnificent Beatles videos. This one is first class as usual. I enjoy watching your video each week.
Thanks Peter. Glad you like them!
I am the recipient of the Mind Games super deluxe set. I thought Mind Games was OK but I never would have considered it super deluxe status. I thought Sometime New York was a much more interesting album for consideration with the Zappa live stuff to bring into play. I always thought Walls & Bridges to be John's high point in commerciality with several hit singles.
The one thing about Mind Games is that now I consider it a guitar album. The pedal steel is excellent.
❤😂
This was a way more sophisticated album than STINYC. There are some beautiful musical moments on it. It comes down to John using better musicians here IMO. He was smarting from the poor reception of Some Time and his marital issues around this time.
Now I know right where to go to find my number of the limited Edition of 1100 thank you Andrew for a very detailed video of this massive box set
You're welcome, Sir.
I wish they would do this with one of his better albums
The "Not Insane" button was a promotional item from the Firesign Theatre's album with that title. John wore the button during J&Y's New York press conference on April 1, 1973, when they announced the creation of Nutopia.
Nice to know that I'm not the only one who caught that. Proof positive that there are more than enough Bozos to fill this bus.
When I first saw this I was thinking of it as a normal multi media box set, and as such considered it too expensive, then I talked about it with my wife and we saw it as a piece of art, and as such the price seemed more reasonable, we are not wealthy, but have so space cash so pulled the trigger on it. it arrived last week and it is a thing of beauty. What I have not seen a reviewer do yet, nor have we cleared the space to do either, is complete the map, those four card fit into the outer cover when it opens out to complete the large 'Tenmon Bun'ya no zu' Map of the-heavens.
Now that's the best ASMR I've seen in a long time!
The background music has an eerie “Twin Peaks” vibe ☕️
Very cool, beautiful, gorgeous. Thanks for everything, Andrew
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nicely presented Andrew, but for the majority of Johns fans the cost is just ridiculous. I remember buying the album when it first came out and didn't really care for it, the sound mix was poor and it was put into one of my LP racks at the back. These boxes are for the rich and wont be played (a bit like my original) and only bought to make money on in a few years time, I wonder how well that would have fitted into Johns philosophical outlook on life.
@saddaddrummer
That's why I've no problem putting the boot into it. In a time of financial hardship for many worldwide, it's horrible to see the Lennon estate putting out such a grotesque over the top product only the affluent can afford. What a waste of resources this thing is, for such an inconsequential album too.
@@JamesTaylor-yg7ow Totally agree with you. I find all these limited edition/special box sets a waste of money. We bought these albums when they first came out, some were good some were bad, second generation listeners bought the cds which was ok, then the record company's decided they could squeeze even more money out of us by bringing out specials with added extra never heard before tracks which in all honesty were left out of the originals for a very good reason. Now we are urged to buy museum quality "art" albums, silk purses from cows ears spring to mind, or is it the kings new clothes? either way, just buy the standard album if you want to listen to the music. These "art" boxes will never be played so what's the point, oh yeah so you can show off you have one.
@@elmerseiscientos Spot on. I can honestly say I've not seen an average music album so pretentious.
The album sounded great! The minimalist packaging fits perfectly into my phone. It creates the illusion that the entire box set is invisible.
The song "1. John Lennon - Mind Games.flac" is day and night compared to when I paid for this album already in 1989.
I had this album on an mfp reissue in the 70’s and for me it has a couple of good songs & a lot of filler (I thought Rock & Roll was better). As an art piece it’s wonderful, shame the album wasn’t really deserving of it! Thank you Andrew ❤😊
The MFP & Fame repackages were released in the 1980's commencing with the split release of the Rock 'N' Roll Music compilation in late 1980 :)
Outstanding video, thanks Andrew! Yours has finally made me lean towards temptation
Go for it! There are just a few left. You won't be disappointed.
the spinny strobe thing with the pictures inside at 19:20 is called a zoetrope. Now you know what the name of the same-titled motion picture company means.
Very impressive piece of artwork…..thanks so much for sharing this Andrew!
It certainly is, Bill. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thank you Andrew for clarifying that this is a work of art! Thanks to the Lennon estate for continuing to issue items like this. I am retired and could not afford this in a million years but am thankful that they are offered to the public so the ones that do want it have a chance to own something that was customized by Sean Lennon. As always enjoyed your show. Take care P.S. If I could afford it I would buy it in a heartbeat !
I'm not sure why I would ever buy that? It's not like it was a great album to start with. I almost forgot to add in the facts that none of the new pressings sound very good and they all seem to have defects. I think the real question to me is, why this?
Because it was pressed in the Czech Republic by a company known for shoddy product
Boy, could we use a man like John Lennon today who advocates for peace and world unity! Thanks for sharing, very nicely done. Mind Games is actually my favorite solo Lennon album. I've been surprised by the numerous comments here and other places of dislike. One of the wonderful aspects of his music... something for everyone. I wish the set had contained one of the complete takes of Rock & Roll People.
"Rock and Roll People" is a pre-gap track on CD 5. It's also a hidden track somewhere on blu-ray 2. I don't think it's the same version that appeared on Menlove Avenue.
NATO doesn't like talk of peace. John Lennon would be asassinated all over again. Look at what just happened to Trump. Any talk of peace is banned.
Yeah, because his pleas for peace & unity worked so well the first time.
Fear not, Ringo still advocates for peace and love ✌
I love the "small parts that could be harmful to children" cards... at £1200+ this is NEVER going anywhere near a child of any kind! great unboxing Andrew.. There's been a few already but yours is the watchable one i was hoping for ! thanks
So glad you enjoyed it.
I think the warning about small parts is required by law, and the way to cover yourself from litigation, but as you say, this is going nowhere near small children in the first place.. But this video and the box itself is amazing..
Anywhere near a child…and some adult too…
So many characterize this box as a cash grab which is ridiculous. With all that was involved in the creation, and being such a limited edition, the margins aren't there. It's really a "work of art" that serves as a promotional piece for all the different versions of the Mind Games release, which is where the profits are.
It’s not a cash grab in itself. It’s a marketing stunt to bring attention to an album that nobody would otherwise look twice at. The cheaper CD set is the one they actually want you to buy having watched this video.
@@jimmymelendez1836 I'm with you there. Sick of excessive bonus discs that nobody will ever sincerely enjoy listening to
Andrew, this is around $2000 USD here in the USA !! Power to the people am I right ?!
This must have been fun to make for Sean. Way out of the box thinking for a deluxe packaging! Before this came out, most collectors complained on why this huge box. I wished I owned one really. The CD/Blu Ray set is readily available. Great unboxing video.
You must be on holiday. If you are I hope you're enjoying yourself. It's just that I've come to look forward to eatching your videos on Sundays while i hang up my washing. Cheers, Andrew, for all you do.
I am, Farrell. Back next weekend.
@@Parlogram Good to hear...enjoy
Sorry, but *yawn*. Overpriced tat to push a mediocre album. I am a fan and was stupid enough to buy the 2LP and the CD/Blu Ray sets. I just can’t be bothered with UV lights and puzzles that Lennon himself never envisioned. Maybe Sean could do this sort of thing on his own albums and just let his father’s music speak for itself?
Great unboxing video, Andrew - you have the hands of a museum curator unpacking a rare exhibit. ;) This boxed set is indeed a work of art, but I can't help thinking that if John were here to make this video, he would be laughing hysterically while unboxing this set and cracking jokes about its pretentiousness. Then, after repackaging it, given the steep price, he'd end the video by using the boxed set as an ottoman or tea table and telling people not to buy it. 😆
Who knows what John would have thought. He was an artist himself.
God bless you Andrew. Thank you so much for this excellent presentation. I truly appreciate the time and extra care that you committed to this video. I was a new recruit in the US Navy at the time, so this brings back an ocean full of precious memories. You are truly a gift to us Lennon lovers. This was absolutely the bomb my friend. 👍❤️🙋♂️
Thank you! Much appreciated.
It is beautiful as a collector's item. But it has nothing to do with Lennon's work. It is a collection of things that a company sells you, a group of CEOs who want to sell the same thing over and over again. It's not "Lennon The Artist." I think these things distort collecting.
I'm going to write "you are here" on a piece of paper and put it on my wall. The Lennon Estate can't stop me!
Andrew, you’re a lucky guy, you have relived your Christmas morning at the end of July. Nice video 😊
Astonishing to watch this amazing box unfold…
I'd like to believe that the reason why the Ultimate Mixes 2 LP set version of Mind Games is in poor quality (with all the scratches and smudges) is because of all the money that went into the Super Deluxe Edition. Just a theory
Thanks, Andrew, for a marvelous show & tell ☮
Glad you enjoyed it
Beautiful box. Can’t afford it but I got the Blu-ray boxset and I’m excited for more Lennon boxsets in the future . Can’t wait for double fantasy
I want a great box set for Wall and Bridges. My favorite Lennon album.
No.
Wonderfully chill background music 👍
Thanks ✌️
A very nicely produced box, and very evocative of John and Yoko's sense of the surreal and (importantly) their sense of humour. I also especially enjoyed this video's presentation. I was half expecting Windy Miller to be in the box, but the slightly menacing music made me worry that Windy might be going to get stuck on one of his windmill sails again. We all remember where we were and what we were doing when that happened the first time. It was a real 'you are here' event.
Windy has been on the cider again!
@@Parlogram It was very strong cider.
Some set. About all I can add is that some of the labels are, well, I guess you could call them "effects labels." Put the record on the turntable and watch the label and different things will emerge. I'm not sure what all of them are or will do, but the first ones, I think, will trick your eyes into seeing the black-and-white labels as color. (Also a couple labels were color-blind tests.)
Sean has created a conceptual piece of art true to the title “Mind Games”. This is a collector’s item, as the song says, “and you know that for sure”.
I have shock and awe at the same time.
Andrew, beautifully filmed. As a child of the 1960s I loved the Camberwick Green start and end. Fabulous music and fitting with the presentation of this box set as a work of art and not a collection of music. Indeed, the album seems inconsequential to the art work as a whole. Ironically, I didn’t buy Mind Games till it came out on MFP which was a budget label in the UK. I say ironically because I didn’t think I could justify the Apple price for it in 1980, and look at it now. Is this a money maker or is it art? That decision is John’s because it is his album. John is no longer with us so we’ll never know his decision but I think he would have approved because you don’t have to buy this box set. The album is being sold in different ways with different prices. In fact I’ve just listened to it for free on Spotify. So you can listen to the music whether you want to spend £0 or £1200 which I think fits in with John’s philosophy.
Great video, thank you. Beautiful set
Thanks for watching!
Looks Fab! Love John! Who Is The Fool W The Dim Idea Of Associating That Number W Our Friend? Great Presentation Andrew. Peace
Lovely video, zen like, box is a beautiful representation of everything music encompasses, a true work of art.
Glad you enjoyed it
Greatest box set = All Things Must Pass.
Wow, this looks amazing!
great video production music is mesmerizing! Thanks for showing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Andrew for the heads-up about the Liverpool map being available separately. Between that, the deluxe CD/blu-ray collection, the book - and this video - I’ve got everything I want from this set while keeping the cost and the storage space to a minimum…although that zoetrope vinyl does look pretty cool.