msLinds: thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I love that you keep the GOASTT love alive. They are amazing and I'm falling more and more for them as a duo/band as well as with Sean (and Charlotte) in general. I'm getting pumped about Saturday. I'm going all the way to Atlanta, Georgia to see them so you know I love me some Sean Lennon.
I'm glad we all resolved the Elvis/Tom stuff. However I did like the fact that we had a pretty civilized discussion, which means if another controversial Lennon article comes around I will post and comment...without berating any particular individuals- for the most part.
Here are my answers to 3rd World Man's questions:
1. What is your favorite JL solo album and why?
Very difficult. My JL solo album love as evolved in the past few years. For the longest time it was always
John Lennon Plastic Ono Band, bar none. But now
Walls & Bridges and
Double Fantasy share the spot at number 1.
POB is primal, cathartic, brave, and gorgeous. I have had shivers down my spine, tears in my eyes, and sat with mouth agape at it's stunning greatness. Masterpiece.
W&B is a stark contrast. Energetic, fun, melodic, youthful-almost "Beatle-esque" in it's delivery and presentation. The songs are all SO amazing and I can sit in my car and play it 12 times beginning to end without tiring. Classic.
DF is exactly what it was meant to be: a heart play. When I was younger I always ignored Yoko's contributions because I guess I felt she was simply mediocre (at best) next to John. Fast forward to now...I can't play the album without listening to every single breath all the way through. It is the most perfect combination of the emotional ups and downs of a powerful love/relationship. John's songs are all so incredible. I have decided my favorite DF is the new "stripped" version, but in terms of appreciating what J&Y were trying to show, I melt for the original. I try to block out the tragedy and enjoy it for exactly what it was: a man coming to terms with himself and trying to make it "better and better" each day. Perfection.
2. If you could travel back in time and meet John in any year, what would it be?
My gosh. I can't even think...there are too many. So suffice to say it'd have to be 1980. I'd tell him his music was beautiful, he should write a play, and hire some very good bodyguards for exiting and entering his house.
3. What is your favorite John Lennon documentary?
Imagine and
LennonNYC. I say see them both back to back- starting with the former.
4. Tell me your true feelings about Yoko Ono. A beautifully misunderstood woman. I believe she gave John exactly what he needed; inspiration, love, and courage. I think she understood him better than anyone else, and their love was 100% pure, though not without tumult. I think they BOTH were incredibly possessive of each other and, unfortunately, it hurt them both: Yoko in her independent career, and John in his relationships with other people like his first family, the other Beatles, etc. However, I also believe that John needed Yoko to step off to his new plateau and she became his partner because he absolutely respected her as an artist and as a person. They were, in my opinion, one of the most incredible romances of the 20th century.
5. Whose music do you prefer: Julian's or Sean's? Unfair. I love both. I remember Jules' music when I was 6 or 7 and he was kind of a part of my childhood. His voice is beautiful, and he's a very talented songwriter. Sean's music touched me when I heard Spaceship from
Into the Sun. I was mesmerized by his imagination, his melodies, and his voice. I think Sean is more adventurous, intelligent, and imaginative in his music and Julian is more tender, reflective, and emotional. I really can't pick, but Sean's
Friendly Fire album is a work of art and wins out over
Photograph Smile and
Valotte for me.
6. Favorite John Lennon lyrics from a song?
Are you kidding me? That's like choosing a favorite child. ALL of them. Freakin' what!! This is
John Lennon after all. But off the top of my head for tonight: Instant Karma, In My Life, Crippled Inside, Jealous Guy, Across the Universe, Watching the Wheels, #9 Dream, You Are Here, Oh My Love, Isolation, Mind Games, Woman, Strawberry Fields Forever, Because, Don't Let Me Down....ok, let me just stop...
7. Favorite John Lennon melody? Uhm, yeah. Refer to first two statements from above post! Let me go with Norwegian Wood, A Day in the Life,Julia, Dear Prudence, Girl, If I Fell, Imagine, Oh Yoko, Beautiful Boy, Real Love, and Grow Old With Me...just some one-off thoughts.
8. one thing you loved most about John. His music.
9. Best John Lennon hairstyle. 1966. Around the time he made the "bigger than Jesus" apology at that press conference. GORGEOUS. And I loved it in 1974 the way it looked on the cover and sleeves of
Walls & Bridges. I also adore it when he had it sheared with sideburns around 1973 and then the whole 1980 thing where he tried a different hairstyle each week was
FIERCE.
10. Favorite John Lennon Beatles song/solo song? Strawberry Fields Forever is easily my favorite song of all time. Why? It blew me away upon first hearing it as a child. I would always play the part where he sings, "no one I think is in my tree, I mean it must be high or low, that is you can't, you know, tune in but it's alright, that is I think it's not too bad..."
WHO WRITES LYRICS LIKE THAT??!!
After SFF, I could easily say A Day in the Life, Woman, Instant Karma, I Want You (She's So Heavy), ALL his songs on
the White Album (except the one...you know). I mean, I made a top 10. But with JL you really can never make a definitive. He was too great, too prolific, too consistent. It's difficult.