Product Description

Remastered version of Lennon's 1973 album now featuring home demos of 'Meat City','Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)' and 'Bring OnThe Lucie (Freda People)' as well as digitally remastered sound on all tracks.

Track Listing

1. Mind Games
2. Tight As
3. Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)
4. One Day (At A Time)
5. Bring On The Lucie (Freda People)
6. Nutopian International Anthem
7. Intuition
8. Out Of The Blue
9. Only People
10. I Know (I Know)
11. You Are Here
12. Meat City
13. Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)
14. Bring On The Lucie (Freda People)
15. Meat City

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24214 in Music
• Released on: 2002-10-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered

Customer Reviews

Mind Games - Utterly Lennon in every way
Being a true member of the Lennon faithful since I was 10 (34 years running) I was always completely preoccupied with the Beatles portion of John's career. It was only very recently that I have delved into his solo career beyond the "Lennon:Legends" cd (Can you believe it - I know shame on me). What I have found is that while there are many great songs, John's solo work feels uneven compared to his Beatles days. Maybe without the competition with Paul his ballast wandered. Who knows, but John has always shown the ability to share his life with his fans through his music without the veiled pretense, perhaps more so than any other artist, and his solo work feels like he just really had to say some things or else, and this dedication to expressing "feeling" in his solo work provided some of his greatest moments - and sometimes made the music suffer. "Mind Games" is a perfect example of this because while he had mellowed some towards his former bandmates, and seemed to have a bit to prove here musically, there are moments on "Mind Games" when John lets the pureness of his message become more important than the music itself, as if he felt it OK to go with a less than perfect chord pattern becasue he beleived in what he was saying SO much. This very weaknesses has been correctly pointed out by other reviewers here, but it is also precisely what makes Lennon the truly great artist he was. He remained true to himself always by laying it all on the line everytime, no matter what. He has always given us beautiful songs, deep emotional songs, rockers, sarcastic songs, angry songs - and a few I dare say clunkers. All of this is here for the taking on "Mind Games" and in a very Lennon way works to varying degrees. I actually love this cd because even when John falls short it's still better then when most musicians try to make great music. And who really played the fantastic guitar solo on "Aisumasen" becasue I can't believe John did. It just doesn't feel like him. Anyway, if you are a fan - this is already part of your collection. If you are a casual member of the Lennon fan club this is a collection that you will like but it will leave you short because of it's uneven feel. It's highpoints are amongst his finest and it's lower points will not win any new converts. It is in this way that "Mind Games" is utterly Lennon because it showcases his talents and shortcomings so vividly.

Everytime I listen to Lennon I am reminded why I value the power of music so much. I can never remained "untouched" by his music when I listen to it and "Mind Games" does have this special quality to be sure. It was the discovery of "Aisumsen" that rekindled my passion for John's non-Beatles music. The very fact that I am still discovering things to appreciate from this once in a lifetime talent is what makes me want to write this review. And that makes me glad. "Mind Games" represents Lennon very well I think.

Some Underrated Stuff On Here!
Mind Games has some great songs on it. The title track should have obviously been a bigger hit and Ausimasen (i'm sorry), Bring On The Lucie and Out The Blue are real underated gems but there is also some forgettable ones that should have never made the album and that to me is why it only gets it's three stars. A great songwriter who was more than likely uninspired whilst making the record.

Not given its due credit
Many have criticised this 1973 release from Lennon, caling it "bitter", "clumsy", "directionless" etc. I have to disagree. For me, this is possibly Lennon's most coherent, unified album release. A lot of the (at times) embarrassing vitriol heard on "Imagine" (the album) have mellowed and the tub-thumping sloganeering of "The Plastic Ono Band" seems light years away. Lennon seems out to prove a few things on "Mind Games" - a) that he is more than just a fist in the air, and b) that he is a man with a lot of peace of mind. This feeling continued over into the follow-up, "Walls And Bridges", but it started here, and nowhere better exemplified than on the dreamy, late Beatles-esque title track. Listen to this track over and over and realise what a great achievement it is. Great single release too. "Tight As" is rocky in a "Glass Onion" way and "Asimusen" is touching and melodic enough to warrant its acceptance despite being a "Yoko song".

The album's highlight, however, admittedly harks back to the POB days with the anthemic "Freda People - Bring On The Lucie" which grows with every listen. "One Day At A Time" (covered by Elton John later) is a better ballad than some have said, while "Meat City" is a rumbling, menacing, underrated rock closer to an eclectic yet finely moulded album. The musicianship is top notch too. Great guitar and drum work throughout.

Lennon is tuneful here on "Mind Games", he is also harsh when needs be and he is tongue in cheek occasionally. He is lyricaly both to the point and mystical. He croons, he rocks. He is tender, he is edgy. For me, "Mind Games" somehow personifies the man.