Overall Thoughts on Power to the People

[LetTheFourWindsBlow]

Yeah, yeah: we’re all used to reissues and remixes. It’s really just a simple necessity to keep music alive and moving through generations…but Power to the People, like the other JL remixing projects, are more of an archival project, something I think is especially important at this point of time. We could have had a simple remixing of the One to One concerts and just moved on.

I’m not going to comment on the omission of “WITNOTW” because there’s already been a ton of discussion about it, and it is what it is. The song still exists and is accessible. However, apart from that, we get so much in this box set. Essentially we get a widely complete picture of this time period in John and Yoko’s life: snapshots of their political activism and the development of the songs that responded to the contemporary political/social talking points; a look at John’s musical reawakening in NY and early establishment with the Elephant’s Memory Band; an interesting fly-on-the-wall document of home recordings and warm-up performances that bring you right into their bedroom; a beautiful presentation of the STINYC evolution and elemental documentaries; and of course the stellar new sound of John’s only post-Beatles full concert performances, with all the nuances and shades of the afternoon and evening performances.

The mixing itself is no joke. John’s voice is treated so tenderly, with only enough work done to clear it up and still retain his gorgeous, vulnerable vocals. The instruments are brought out in a more dynamic way that really pumps the sound in your veins. (Just listen to the remixes of “New York City” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday”!) Yoko’s vocals aren’t so buried anymore and we get to really hear the wide extent of her vocal abilities. (I especially adore the remix of “Born in a Prison.”) The overall experience listening to these remixes is like being thrown in the center of a coliseum with John & Yoko and Band surrounding you, bashing, singing, and screaming away.

These tracks, along with the superb book detailing the relevant events and musical happenings, make Power to the People a hell of a collection of music and a phenomenal artifact that captures the context and history of a significantly complex country. Seriously, this is every researcher and historian’s dream! I give a lot of thanks to Sean, Simon, Paul, Sam, and the team for developing this remarkable collection. Someone one day will pick up this box set and be taken through a spectacular musical and historical experience.

 

[BIBO99]

I first ordered the single CD, which I am listening to for the first time right now. The new mix is more than impressive. I will be buying the complete box set in the next few days.
I am particularly pleased that Yoko's songs from ONE TO ONE are available on disc for the first time in the best sound quality. However, I am extremely annoyed that “Sisters O Sisters” (and, of course, "Woman Is The N****r Of The World") has been left out.
Be that as it may, all in all, the complete CD box set should be more than pleasing.

 

[LetTheFourWindsBlow]

I first ordered the single CD, which I am listening to for the first time right now. The new mix is more than impressive. I will be buying the complete box set in the next few days.
I am particularly pleased that Yoko's songs from ONE TO ONE are available on disc for the first time in the best sound quality. However, I am extremely annoyed that “Sisters O Sisters” (and, of course, "Woman Is The N****r Of The World") has been left out.
Be that as it may, all in all, the complete CD box set should be more than pleasing.

I get it — there will always be a slight nagging feeling that those two songs are gone.
I think there’s more than enough to make this box wonderful, though!

 

[BIBO99]

I get it — there will always be a slight nagging feeling that those two songs are gone.
I think there’s more than enough to make this box wonderful, though!

When it became clear that the song wouldn't be included, I decided NOT to buy the box set: censoring John is simply unacceptable, regardless of the reasons behind it. It still pisses me off. But, as you just said, there are so many reasons to buy the box set.

 

[BIBO99]

Yeah, yeah: we’re all used to reissues and remixes. It’s really just a simple necessity to keep music alive and moving through generations…but Power to the People, like the other JL remixing projects, are more of an archival project, something I think is especially important at this point of time. We could have had a simple remixing of the One to One concerts and just moved on.

I’m not going to comment on the omission of “WITNOTW” because there’s already been a ton of discussion about it, and it is what it is. The song still exists and is accessible. However, apart from that, we get so much in this box set. Essentially we get a widely complete picture of this time period in John and Yoko’s life: snapshots of their political activism and the development of the songs that responded to the contemporary political/social talking points; a look at John’s musical reawakening in NY and early establishment with the Elephant’s Memory Band; an interesting fly-on-the-wall document of home recordings and warm-up performances that bring you right into their bedroom; a beautiful presentation of the STINYC evolution and elemental documentaries; and of course the stellar new sound of John’s only post-Beatles full concert performances, with all the nuances and shades of the afternoon and evening performances.

The mixing itself is no joke. John’s voice is treated so tenderly, with only enough work done to clear it up and still retain his gorgeous, vulnerable vocals. The instruments are brought out in a more dynamic way that really pumps the sound in your veins. (Just listen to the remixes of “New York City” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday”!) Yoko’s vocals aren’t so buried anymore and we get to really hear the wide extent of her vocal abilities. (I especially adore the remix of “Born in a Prison.”) The overall experience listening to these remixes is like being thrown in the center of a coliseum with John & Yoko and Band surrounding you, bashing, singing, and screaming away.

These tracks, along with the superb book detailing the relevant events and musical happenings, make Power to the People a hell of a collection of music and a phenomenal artifact that captures the context and history of a significantly complex country. Seriously, this is every researcher and historian’s dream! I give a lot of thanks to Sean, Simon, Paul, Sam, and the team for developing this remarkable collection. Someone one day will pick up this box set and be taken through a spectacular musical and historical experience.

By the way, have you noticed that J&Y's 1980s logo is being used again? The Japanese and English flags together, with LENONO MUSIC underneath? Very sweet.

 

[JoBeatles]

Yeah, yeah: we’re all used to reissues and remixes. It’s really just a simple necessity to keep music alive and moving through generations…but Power to the People, like the other JL remixing projects, are more of an archival project, something I think is especially important at this point of time. We could have had a simple remixing of the One to One concerts and just moved on.

I’m not going to comment on the omission of “WITNOTW” because there’s already been a ton of discussion about it, and it is what it is. The song still exists and is accessible. However, apart from that, we get so much in this box set. Essentially we get a widely complete picture of this time period in John and Yoko’s life: snapshots of their political activism and the development of the songs that responded to the contemporary political/social talking points; a look at John’s musical reawakening in NY and early establishment with the Elephant’s Memory Band; an interesting fly-on-the-wall document of home recordings and warm-up performances that bring you right into their bedroom; a beautiful presentation of the STINYC evolution and elemental documentaries; and of course the stellar new sound of John’s only post-Beatles full concert performances, with all the nuances and shades of the afternoon and evening performances.

The mixing itself is no joke. John’s voice is treated so tenderly, with only enough work done to clear it up and still retain his gorgeous, vulnerable vocals. The instruments are brought out in a more dynamic way that really pumps the sound in your veins. (Just listen to the remixes of “New York City” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday”!) Yoko’s vocals aren’t so buried anymore and we get to really hear the wide extent of her vocal abilities. (I especially adore the remix of “Born in a Prison.”) The overall experience listening to these remixes is like being thrown in the center of a coliseum with John & Yoko and Band surrounding you, bashing, singing, and screaming away.

These tracks, along with the superb book detailing the relevant events and musical happenings, make Power to the People a hell of a collection of music and a phenomenal artifact that captures the context and history of a significantly complex country. Seriously, this is every researcher and historian’s dream! I give a lot of thanks to Sean, Simon, Paul, Sam, and the team for developing this remarkable collection. Someone one day will pick up this box set and be taken through a spectacular musical and historical experience.

Very well stated. The mixing is simply incredible. For me, the revelation of Yoko's contributions to the concert are eye opening. My personal favorites - We're All Water and Open Your Box. The muddiness of the 1986 vinyl and cd is gone and we can truly feel like we were there. This set is powerful, and awe inspiring and even though expensive, it is indeed a must for all John & Yoko fans despite the missing couple of tracks. It is indeed something to behold and treasure.

 

[LetTheFourWindsBlow]

By the way, have you noticed that J&Y's 1980s logo is being used again? The Japanese and English flags together, with LENONO MUSIC underneath? Very sweet.

Yes!! It’s a sweet little easter egg.

 

[BIBO99]

Yeah, yeah: we’re all used to reissues and remixes. It’s really just a simple necessity to keep music alive and moving through generations…but Power to the People, like the other JL remixing projects, are more of an archival project, something I think is especially important at this point of time. We could have had a simple remixing of the One to One concerts and just moved on.

I’m not going to comment on the omission of “WITNOTW” because there’s already been a ton of discussion about it, and it is what it is. The song still exists and is accessible. However, apart from that, we get so much in this box set. Essentially we get a widely complete picture of this time period in John and Yoko’s life: snapshots of their political activism and the development of the songs that responded to the contemporary political/social talking points; a look at John’s musical reawakening in NY and early establishment with the Elephant’s Memory Band; an interesting fly-on-the-wall document of home recordings and warm-up performances that bring you right into their bedroom; a beautiful presentation of the STINYC evolution and elemental documentaries; and of course the stellar new sound of John’s only post-Beatles full concert performances, with all the nuances and shades of the afternoon and evening performances.

The mixing itself is no joke. John’s voice is treated so tenderly, with only enough work done to clear it up and still retain his gorgeous, vulnerable vocals. The instruments are brought out in a more dynamic way that really pumps the sound in your veins. (Just listen to the remixes of “New York City” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday”!) Yoko’s vocals aren’t so buried anymore and we get to really hear the wide extent of her vocal abilities. (I especially adore the remix of “Born in a Prison.”) The overall experience listening to these remixes is like being thrown in the center of a coliseum with John & Yoko and Band surrounding you, bashing, singing, and screaming away.

These tracks, along with the superb book detailing the relevant events and musical happenings, make Power to the People a hell of a collection of music and a phenomenal artifact that captures the context and history of a significantly complex country. Seriously, this is every researcher and historian’s dream! I give a lot of thanks to Sean, Simon, Paul, Sam, and the team for developing this remarkable collection. Someone one day will pick up this box set and be taken through a spectacular musical and historical experience.

On the individual CD, John counts in “Hound Dog” twice, so there's a mistake there (it is the same audio snippet that is repeated). And something's not right at the end either. Is it the same on the CD box set?

 

[nobodytoldme]

On the individual CD, John counts in “Hound Dog” twice, so there's a mistake there (it is the same audio snippet that is repeated). And something's not right at the end either. Is it the same on the CD box set?

I heard at least one editing error (‘Maybe Baby’ on the Clock soundtrack) so far, so it’s possible something went astray. For what it’s worth, it’s not on the digital box set hybrid version. There’s a “well well well” from Lennon, which belongs to the tail end of ‘Don’t Worry Kyoko’ from the afternoon performance, as noted. Then it crossfades to the count-in and the song from the evening performance, both of which belong to ‘Hound Dog’.

Just to be sure, you mean the standalone hybrid CD release?

 

[LetTheFourWindsBlow]

On the individual CD, John counts in “Hound Dog” twice, so there's a mistake there (it is the same audio snippet that is repeated). And something's not right at the end either. Is it the same on the CD box set?

I did not have that experience with the boxset! What a strange quirk. You have a special copy!