Music Review: The US vs John Lennon Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD)
Published October 06, 2006
In the relatively brief history of pop music there has rarely — if ever — been a figure as simultaneously polarizing and influential, while at the same time being as wildly popular as John Lennon.
Let's look at the competition at the time. Paul McCartney was too busy being the "cute one." Mick Jagger, for whatever lip service he paid to the sixties revolution on "Street Fighting Man," was far more interested in playing a contrived Satanic popstar role that eventually bit him on the ass at Altamont.
And Bob Dylan? Both the media and the heart-struck teens of the sixties found Lennon far more interesting. That is unless you count a lot of girls in berets (and a few guys in turtlenecks), who followed Dylan around at the time.
Even so, I have to be honest here. Somewhat reluctantly, I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed with the much ballyhooed John Lennon documentary film, The US vs John Lennon, after seeing it last week. Not that it isn't a good film because it most certainly is. I'm not sure how long this movie actually is, but it has a great pace to it. It tells the story of John Lennon's rise from innocent Beatle to political activist both succinctly and well in what seems to go by in about ninety minutes.
Actually, this is my one relatively minor beef with the film. Given it's rather weighty subject, and in particular the period of his life this film zeroes in on — when Lennon was the subject of some very dubious political hijinx because of his outspoken views — the movie just seems to zip by not unlike the way a VH1 Behind The Music episode does. Which I guess shouldn't be too surprising given VH1's name being prominent in the production credits.
But most of the information revealed here in interviews and stock footage, is hardly new to anyone who has followed Lennon (or this story) through the years. It's pretty much a matter of public record nowadays that Lennon was harassed by the FBI — through every means from personal surveillance to wiretaps — because of his associations with figures of the radical left. People like John Sinclair, Abbie Hoffman, and Jerry Rubin. It also eventually came to light in the post-Watergate years that Lennon's much publicized Immigration problems (until he finally got his green card) could be directly traced to people close to Richard Nixon and the Republican Party.
So none of this is exactly new. In fact, for those of you really interested in the conspiracy theories this movie only scratches the surface of, I'd recommend reading Fenton Bresler's bizarre, yet riveting book Who Killed John Lennon?.
Still, as an insight into a fascinating historical period, and into one of the most truly enigmatic and influential men of his time, The US vs John Lennon is an absolutely fascinating and entertaining ride. Part of what makes the trip worthwhile are the interviews with people from both sides — right and left — who were there in the sixties. Former Watergate conspirator G. Gordon Liddy tells a particularly funny story about how he made practical use of a candle carried by one of those no-good peaceniks during a protest march.
- Music Review: The US vs John Lennon Motion Picture Soundtrack (CD)
- Published: October 06, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Soundtracks, Music: Rock, Music: Recording, Music: Original, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies
- Writer: Glen Boyd
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Comments on this articleComments
Dave,
If what you say is true, than I thank you for pointing out the error. But the slide I hear on the track sure sounds like George to me...and I agree if John had (or "did" if again you are right about this) played it the sound would be much "dirtier and edgier" as you put it. Come to think of it though, some of the accents are very "Helter Skelter" like so perhaps you are right.
Either way, I thank you for the comment.
-Glen
I was just coming here to say what Dave said..."The Ballad Of John & Yoko" is all Lennon & McCartney. And I was surprised to learn of that, too. I'll see if I can find a link for that.
-P
Here's one of several references I've found: wikipedia
BTW, this doesn't take anything away from your article, enjoyed reading about both the movie and the soundtrack. Good job, sir!
-P
Pico,
And of course we all know how "reliable" Wikipedia is right?
But seriously, I thank you for pointing this out. I've believed those guitar twangs on "John & Yoko" were George for like thirty years now...so I guess it's about time I was properly educated to the facts.
Talk about getting taken to the woodshed today...LOL. But I do thank you for letting me know you enjoyed the article anyway. That makes the sting feel a bit less painful.
Soooo....
If an editor could kindly correct this by editing off the reference to George:
"which, by the way, includes some of George Harrison's tastiest latter day rhythm guitar accentuations. Now those were some licks."
So the sentence now reads:
All of the obvious song choices are included here, from "Power To The People," to "Instant Karma," and of course, the anthem "Give Peace A Chance" itself. In addition to Lennon's mostly seventies solo output, The Beatles are also represented here with "The Ballad Of John & Yoko."
I'd be very grateful.
And thanks again to Pico and Dave for the comments and for alerting me to the error.
-Glen
heh, i was just going to chime in on the ballad of j&y thing... but i see that's been taken care of. there's a really great book called revolution in the head or something like that that goes over the beatles history song by song. you should check it out. quite a good read. and useful too. sometimes i just read along while listening to the albums. almost like a book on tape story book type thing. mmhmm.
Zing,
thanks mate. I probably will check out that book. Here all those years I've thought I was this walking Beatles dictionary myself. Guess it goes to show even we ever so brilliant writers can occassionally get something wrong.
Anyway, I've asked our ever vigilant editors to correct this, so that should be taken care of fairly shortly.
So other than my George fuck-up, how'd everybody like the review otherwise?
Thanx!
-Glen
I see the "George" correction has now been made, so I thank the editors very much for doing so.
Now if anybody wants to chime in on what they thought of "the rest" of the review...please feel free to do so.
Thanx again...
-Glen
One of the great things about the Beatles is that they had relatively few clunkers in their catalogue. However, The Ballad of John & Yoko is an exception - in fact, it's my contention that it is THE WORST BEATLES' SONG OF ALL TIME BY A LOOOOOOONG SHOT. A snotty holier than thou personal rant from Lennon without even a Ringo backbeat or George guitar break to back it up. And Paul I figure just wanted to play drums for laffs - there's no innovation on his part here - he doesn't do much more than play follow the leader on this one. The chord pattern is simplistic to the point of being simple minded, and there is next to nothing in terms of musical dynamics to be heard. And Lennon's Christ you know it ain't easy tag is just JL trying too hard to piss people off. Where's his great wordplay & insight got off to? I bet George & Ringo were happy not to have had to put their names on this one.
Nothing comes close to this as der Beatleschmitzel's uber alles stenchmeister.
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George Harrison didn't play on "Ballad of John & Yoko". Only Lennon and McCartney play on the track. Lennon handles all the guitar work (which is why its dirtier and edgier), MCCartney plays bass, drums, maracas and piano.