The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
The Spill Magazine The Spill Magazine
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • Track Of The Day
  • Track Of The Month
  • Books + Movies
  • About
16
new
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SPARKS – THE GIRL IS CRYING IN HER LATTE
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MOON BLUE – THE MOONLIGHT DISCO
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KASSI VALAZZA – KASSI VALAZZA KNOWS NOTHING
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MAUD THE MOTH + TRAJEDESALIVA
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PERE UBU – TROUBLE ON BIG BEAT STREET
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: AJJ – DISPOSABLE EVERYTHING
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DIRTY NIL – FREE REIN TO PASSIONS
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOE PERRY – SWEETZERLAND MANIFESTO MKII
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: FISHBONE – FISHBONE
SPILL NEW MUSIC: MOBIUS RADIO – “THE MORE YOU KNOW”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: TARA MACLEAN SHARES HEARTBREAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL NEW VIDEO FOR “THAT’S ME”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: JANE’S PARTY – “SHIPS ON AN OCEAN”
SPILL FEATURE: OVERCOMING ADVERSITY, EMERGING VICTORIOUS – A CONVERSATION WITH ROBBIE LITCHFIELD OF SAVING VICE
SPILL FEATURE: LATELY I’VE BEEN FEELING GOOD AND THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO BAD – A CONVERSATION WITH SEAN BONNETTE OF AJJ
SPILL FEATURE: CONNECTING ALL OUR LIVES – A CONVERSATION WITH GEOFF DOWNES OF YES
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: DIVINE SWEATER – “WAKING UP ALONE / JULIA”
  • Reviews
    • Album Reviews
    • Features
    • Live Reviews
    • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • Headlines
    • News
    • Contests
    • Events
    • Entertainment Headlines
    • Concert Listings
    • Toronto Concert Venues
  • New Music
    • Premieres
    • Track Of The Day
  • Track Of The Month
  • Books + Movies
  • About
  • Spill Menu
    • Reviews
      • Album Reviews
      • Features
      • Live Reviews
      • Festivals
    • Portraits
    • Headlines
      • News
      • Contests
      • Events
      • Entertainment Headlines
      • Concert Listings
      • Toronto Concert Venues
    • New Music
      • Premieres
      • Track Of The Day
    • Track Of The Month
    • Books + Movies
    • About
Album Reviews
1269
Editor Pick
previous article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: NITZER EBB - 1982-2010 Box Set
next article
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PARDANS - SPIT AND IMAGE

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOHN LENNON – IMAGINE: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

John Lennon

John Lennon
Imagine: The Ultimate Collection
Universal Music

Imagine was originally released in 1971 and was credited to John Lennon and Plastic Ono Band, but in actual fact it was John Lennon’s second solo album, his first being Plastic Ono Band, released in 1970. That album made the top ten, but Lennon wanted the number one position, so he decided to approach his Imagine album a little differently and allow Phil Spector to utilize that famous wall of sound. The result was Lennon’s first solo number one album (he was actually the third ex-Beatle to hit that position) and it has become  one of the most iconic albums of the rock era. There is no argument that Imagine is a classic and is one of the most important albums of all time. In fact, Lennon himself had a very difficult time topping himself. He only had one more number one album while he was alive (1974’s Walls And Bridges), and none of his post Imagine albums achieved the same reviews as Imagine.

Now in 2018, Yoko Ono has decided to re-release Imagine, but now it is the Ultimate Collection. This is not the first time Imagine has been re-released, nor is it the first time unreleased Lennon tracks have surfaced, but it is the first time this album has received such an elaborate treatment. And elaborate is the correct work. Some of the versions found in this collection have been released before on various repackages, but there is plenty of new material to keep fans happy.

There are over 140 tracks spread over four CDs and two blu-rays/DVDs. Of course the album is there, newly remastered, and I must say to these ears it has never sounded better. Plus all the related singles released in 1971. It sounds great. By this time one must know every song on this landmark album. From the opening track, “Imagine” to the closing “Oh Yoko”, there is not a weak moment on this album. The bonus tracks run from classic hits (“Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”) to more obscure and underground songs (“Do The Oz”), but these songs were as important to Lennon as “Jealous Guy”.  “God Save Us” and “Do The Oz” were a single, released to support the legal issues of a British underground magazine (Oz), while “Power To The People” and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” were released as singles in 1971. The odd one here is “Well (Baby Please Don’t Go)” that was originally only available as a live track on the album Sometime In New York City and the studio version was later released on the posthumous collection Wonsaponatime (1998). This is a cover of the Olympics song, and was reportedly recorded for Ono’s 39th birthday. It is, perhaps, Lennon’s best ever attempts at rhythm and blues and is his best ever cover of a rock classic. For the record, this is the studio version and it sounds better than it did on the Wonsaponatime set.

The rest of the box set is a treasure trove. There is stuff here that has never been heard before outside of the studio, or by extremely avid and resourceful collectors. Different takes, edits, remixes, everything is here, including the rare quadraphonic (called ‘quadrasonic’)  remix of the album. Disc four, called “The Evolution Documentary” which demonstrates the evolution of the Imagine songs from demo to final version. It is an astounding opportunity to hear how the songs came together and allows the listener to be a fly on the wall. And it works.

The blu-ray features other mixes and some stunning documentaries. Gimme Some Truth (a documentary about the making of Imagine) and the film Imagine, uncut, which John and Yoko made to accompany the Imagine album and Yoko’s companion album, Fly. This makes its debut on blu-ray and it is a stunning visual.

Add to all this music a beautiful book, full of excellent text and never before seen pictures. The set is well put together and well thought out. This is an excellent example of what a deluxe, ultimate set can look and sound like. Ono has done an excellent job and taken a great deal of care. This is a classic album and deserves this treatment. On the down side, there are no live recordings following the release of the album, as he made two concert appearances in 1971. But this set focuses on Lennon’s studio work in 1971. Perhaps Ono will put together a box set of all of Lennon’s live appearances in their entirety in the future.

Quite frankly, it is nice to have new Lennon music to enjoy. Sure the songs have been heard but not in these versions. And the album Imagine has never sounded this good. I will keep my original Apple album, but this set shines a new light on the album Imagine. While fans will delight in the box set, casual fans may want to stick to the two-CD version, which features the album, bonus singles and highlights from the set, or just stick to the single CD version. The bottom line is, there are a number of versions from which to choose, not to mention two versions on vinyl.



Artist Links

website_flat_2016 facebook_flat_2016 twitter_flat_2016 instagram_flat_2016

STAY UP-TO-DATE
WITH OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

* Mandatory Field

Check your inbox or spam folder now (just in case!) to confirm your subscription.

Editor Pick
Item Reviewed

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOHN LENNON – IMAGINE: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION

Author

Aaron Badgley

Here's what we think...
Spill Rating
Fan Rating
Rate Here
New Criteria
10
10
10
Total Spill Rating
10
Total Fan Rating
1 rating
You have rated this
Album Reviews
album reviewalbum reviewsimagineimagine: the ultimate collectionjohn lennonthe beatlesuniversal musicyoko ono
album review, album reviews, imagine, imagine: the ultimate collection, john lennon, the beatles, universal music, yoko ono
About the Author
Aaron Badgley
Born and raised in Whitby, Aaron discovered music through his love of The Beatles. This led to a career in radio, writing for various publications, and ultimately a radio show about The Beatles (Beatles Universe), which ran for over four years. When not immersed in music, Aaron enjoys spending time with the loves of his life -- his wife Andrea, and daughters Emily and Linda (all of whom have an intense love of music too).
RELATED ARTICLES
album reviewalbum reviewsimagine
 
9.0
Sparks
10

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SPARKS – THE GIRL IS CRYING IN HER LATTE

by Aaron Badgley on May 26, 2023
Sparks The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte Island Records The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte is Sparks 25th studio album, and their first since 2020’s very successful A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip. They have gained a new audience, thanks in part to the [...]
 
8.0
Moon Blue

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MOON BLUE – THE MOONLIGHT DISCO

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on May 26, 2023
Moon Blue The Moonlight Disco 777 Music There are two ways by which an artist can make the title of his record fit perfectly with the music within. One is to compose the music and then find a fitting title, the other is the have the title in [...]
 
8.0
Kassi Valazza
10

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KASSI VALAZZA – KASSI VALAZZA KNOWS NOTHING

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on May 26, 2023
Kassi Valazza Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing Fluff & Gravy Records Portland, Oregon artist Kassi Valazza defies the title of her latest album – Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing. She actually knows quite a bit it seems, and one of the things [...]
 
8.0
maud the moth + trajedesaliva
8.8

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MAUD THE MOTH + TRAJEDESALIVA

by Ljubinko Zivkovic on May 26, 2023
maud the moth + trajedesaliva Bordando el Manto Terrestre Time Released Sound Now, we’re talking about some serious dark stuff here. Yet, it is the kind of dark stuff that actually enlightens and makes the true darkness go away. Bordando [...]
 
9.0
Pere Ubu

SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PERE UBU – TROUBLE ON BIG BEAT STREET

by Aaron Badgley on May 26, 2023
Pere Ubu Trouble On Big Beat Street Cherry Red Records One could be forgiven for being confused as to what the actual year is when Sparks, Pere Ubu, Yes, and Jethro Tull are releasing new music. And it is a most excellent confusion. David Thomas [...]

Latest Album Reviews
View All
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SPARKS – THE GIRL IS CRYING IN HER LATTE
9.0
10
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MOON BLUE – THE MOONLIGHT DISCO
8.0
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KASSI VALAZZA – KASSI VALAZZA KNOWS NOTHING
8.0
10
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: MAUD THE MOTH + TRAJEDESALIVA
8.0
8.8
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: PERE UBU – TROUBLE ON BIG BEAT STREET
9.0

STAY UP-TO-DATE
WITH OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER!

* Mandatory Field

Check your inbox or spam folder now (just in case!) to confirm your subscription.

Tweets by @spillmagazine

SPILL MAGAZINE MENU
  • Home | The Spill Magazine
  • Premieres
  • Track Of The Month
  • Album Reviews
  • Books + Movies
  • Features
  • Live Reviews
  • Festivals
  • Portraits
  • News
  • Events
  • Entertainment Headlines
  • Concert Listings
  • Toronto Concert Venues
  • About Us
  • Contests
  • New Music
  • Contributors
  • TOTD
  • Privacy Policy
  • The Scene Unseen
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 | The Spill Magazine
All Rights Reserved.

TRENDING RIGHT NOW
   
 
SPILL NEWS: RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL STARR BAND ADD DATES TO SPRING 2023 TOUR
7833
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: METALLICA – 72 SEASONS
3639
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JETHRO TULL – RÖKFLÖTE
1477
 
SPILL FEATURE: LOVE THAT WE WERE LIVING – A CONVERSATION WITH JUSTIN HAYWARD OF THE MOODY BLUES
1325
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DELERIUM – SIGNS
1201
 
SPILL NEW MUSIC: EMMA ARMSTRONG – “MAYBE PROBABLY NEVER”
1058
 
SPILL FEATURE: RECOLLECTION IN TRANQUILITY – A CONVERSATION WITH JOHN FOXX
831
 
SPILL FEATURE: THE GIRL IS CRYING IN HER LATTE – A CONVERSATION WITH RUSSELL MAEL & RON MAEL OF SPARKS
808
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE KINKS – THE JOURNEY – PART 1
682
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE WHO – THE WHO WITH ORCHESTRA: LIVE AT WEMBLEY
680
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE DAMNED – DARKADELIC
606
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: CROWN LANDS – FEARLESS
498
 
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE – MEMENTO MORI
487
ENTERTAINMENT HEADLINES