Unfinished Music Vol.1 (Two Virgins) [Digipak] - Yoko Ono & John Lennon

A Memorable Collection

Advantages: A beautiful collection of happy, sad and funny memories
Disadvantages: It's not a starting point

This book passed me by unnoticed. It was commisioned and compiled by Yoko Ono (who also introduces and edits it) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death last year. She asked many friends to contribute memories and both the friends and memories are extremely varied. Every part of Lennon's life is covered from childhood (remembered by his cousin Mike Cadwallader and mentioned by others), to the days in Hamburgh, Beatles stardom, peace protests, immigration problems, the househusband/dad years and, finally, his brutal, inane and tragic murder. I was delighted to discover aspects of Lennon's character as remembered by his friends that don't turn up in the biographies and commentaries I've read. There is a wealth of material, of memories, in this book. The memories also vary in length, from Normal Mailer's "WE HAVE ...

DoubleFantasy11 30.05.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Memories of John Lennon - Yoko Ono

"Imagine"... being married to John Lennon

Advantages: An honest account of life with John Lennon.
Disadvantages: Very little that hasn't been written already.

have been the bitter recriminations of a spurned ex-wife, but Cynthia is always careful in what she says, and tries very hard to see the other side of the story. John's aunt Mimi and Yoko Ono do not come across as very likeable, but Cynthia had to put up with a lot from those two, at different times in her life. Interestingly, she makes a parallel between their personalities and suggests that John's involvement with Yoko was perhaps due to her controlling ways. He did after all call her mother! As for John himself, the book can be uncomfortable reading for the die-hard fan. Not so much in the first part (although there is one incident where Cynthia was victim of physical violence from him), but from the time the marriage started to disintegrate. It is very difficult to reconcile the image of the peace ambassador whose songs 'Imagine ...

weetoon 06.05.2006 · Read full review
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Review of John - Cynthia Lennon

A good selection of Lennon's post-Beatle works all in one place

Advantages: A mostly great selection of John Lennon's post-Beatles work
Disadvantages: The tracks could have been put in a slightly different order

aged just 40. Of course, not all of Lennon's musical compositions are steeped in the peace movement. He wrote some amazing love songs, interesting and at times amusing surreal songs, plus others about the human condition in general. Always listenable to, John Lennon's unusual, sometimes vulnerable-sounding voice will haunt me forever.....he also had a great voice for singing raw rock & roll. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. IMAGINE I can't think of anyone who doesn't enshrine this song as being one of the most idealistic pieces of pop music ever written - but it may surprise you to know that I'm not overly impressed with it. I love the piano backing and John's voice, but I feel he has penned far more message-worthy pieces that for me as an individual, hit the spot of travelling as close to an ideal world as we can ...

CelticSoulSister 17.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Lennon Legend - John Lennon