Monday, July 15, 2024

"Mind Games" Mind Blown

 


I was never a fan of John Lennon's "Mind Games" album but at the time, I really didn't know why. I just knew I didn't like most of the songs and I guess I thought the album sounded like crap. (Okay, I guess that is knowing why.) A few years ago, a vinyl boxed set was released featuring all of Lennon's solo work remastered, and every album, even the unlistenable "Rock N Roll" was cleaned up for maximum enjoyment, and I found myself digging almost every record in that box, except "Sometime In New York City," which remains crap. I fell in love with "Walls & Bridges" in particular, and "Mind Games" was hardly as bad as I thought it was for the last 50 years.

Now comes "The Ultimate Collection," a 6 disc set featuring various mixes and outtakes. My first two thoughts were, "Why?" and "Who cares?" But then I started reading some good things about it and so I eased myself in. The first disc I listened to was Disc Two, "The Elemental Mixes" and quite frankly, it blew my mind. I had chills as I listened to what sounded like John Lennon and his little combo performing an intimate show in my living room. This was John Lennon's "Mind Games" produced by Rick Rubin, or John Lennon's MTV Unplugged special. It was a revelation.

Disc One, the "Ultimate Mix," which is the album proper, still maintains some of its original gloss, but now offers enough tweaks to make it sound fresh. My plan is to hit the "Raw Studio" mixes on Disc 5 next, and if I am not all "Mind Games'd" out, I'll pick and choose some of the outtakes and stems. But you need to trust me and if nothing else, listen to "The Elemental Mixes" on Disc Two and maybe you will enjoy it as much as I did.


 

 

20 comments:

Whattawino said...

Both tracks sound superb to my ears…Thanks for sharing, Sal.
Go Johnny Go Johnny Go Johnny Go!

Sal Nunziato said...

I have a question for anyone reading:

Last week, I posted three Graham Gouldman tracks and a comment mentioned "both tracks."
Today, I posted three Lennon tracks and the first comment said both tracks.

Are only two visible?

Whattawino said...

Yes, only two. I Know and Tight A$…

Sal Nunziato said...

The title track is a huge video above the text.
All three appear on my computer and my phone.
Is it your browser, possibly?

Whattawino said...

Now I have Mind Games!

Whattawino said...

And not for nuthin’… but the SOTD sounds Mind Blowingly Great! Crackin’ good stuff!

Deadmandeadman said...

Nope. Its still weak-ass Lennon

Sal Nunziato said...

~big eye roll~

daudder said...

Bring on the Lucie (Freda People) is one of the finest rocker/protest songs Lennon did. Just fantastic. Really like the Element version is so cool, stripped down. Almost folky.

BTW, Richard Ashcroft does an version of Bring on the Lucie, that is superb...very faithful, with his tremendous voice raising it above the standard cover.

Bill said...

3 songs/videos for me.

M_Sharp said...

I had the same "why?" reaction when I saw that it was six discs. But I like those two samples, and if the rest matches those, it would be worth it.

Sal Nunziato said...

Again with the "two."

There are three. It must be a browser issue.

Anonymous said...

mind games and imagine albums are now available on apple music in hi res lossless and dolby atmos surround sound versions fyi
rs

Anonymous said...

both elemental and ultimate versions are available as well.

pmac said...

The gift that keeps on giving. My wife's father (violininst) played on several Lennon lps and she still is getting nice royalty checks. More on point, I also like the new mixes. It was almost like Lennon wanted to get as far away from the Beatles as possible, including the studio mastery that they had. These remixes are finally giving these songs the quality reproduction they deserved from the beginning.

hpunch said...

After reading this I gave it a listen. I'm right with you. Who knew dropping out the rhythm section would make it so much more thrilling. A revelation indeed. All three videos are on the post One at the beginning, two at the end. I bet most checked the two after the text, not the one before.

M_Sharp said...

No browser issue, I just scrolled right past the first one to read the article and listen to the two songs I wasn't as familiar with.

Noel M said...

All three videos are on the post I see.

And wow, that Elemental version of Mind Games ... amazing that has stayed away from our ears for 50 years now. Sounds fantastic.

Mr. Baez said...

I was very curious about this set and wondering if it's really necessary. Well. I love these. Lennon's still playing those mind games fifty years on.

DaveF said...

I was surprised at the great joy I hear in John's singing especially on the title track. The remixes (ultimate, elements, raw studio evolution) all reveal different elements that had been buried in a murky mix back in 1973. But it's the sheer joy in John's vocals that I think these mixes reveal.