John Lennon's two LP release Sometime In New York City seems like it was born in the cutout bins, landing there as soon as it became apparent that the followup to Plastic Ono Band and Imagine was not at all like those records and would tank in the sales department as soon as fans caught a whiff of it.
Interesting comments about the post-Beatles solo work of all four members - you'll probably ruffle some feathers by saying that Lennon's rep as a solo artist largely comes from his first two solo records, but I agree with you.
If there was a ever a band where the whole was greater than the sum of the parts, it was The Beatles. All four of them started their solo careers with strong records - kind of still riding the creative wave of their former band - but then their output tapered off into more mediocre or downright weak material (Extra Texture, anyone?).
Consider that Imagine (1971), Band On The Run (1973), All Things Must Pass (1970) and Ringo (1973) - the albums that are arguably the best releases by former Beatles - were all created within 3 years of The Beatles' breakup. A few career highlights (i.e. hits) came for them later, but the creative firestorm that the Fab Four represented never surfaced again in any of the solo work.
Lennon and Zappa were both self-centered egotists who didn't like people sharing their limelight, so the fact that their collaboration had mixed results is not surprising.
Your review is ten times more interesting than that album ever was. Thank you.
Interesting comments about the post-Beatles solo work of all four members - you'll probably ruffle some feathers by saying that Lennon's rep as a solo artist largely comes from his first two solo records, but I agree with you.
If there was a ever a band where the whole was greater than the sum of the parts, it was The Beatles. All four of them started their solo careers with strong records - kind of still riding the creative wave of their former band - but then their output tapered off into more mediocre or downright weak material (Extra Texture, anyone?).
Consider that Imagine (1971), Band On The Run (1973), All Things Must Pass (1970) and Ringo (1973) - the albums that are arguably the best releases by former Beatles - were all created within 3 years of The Beatles' breakup. A few career highlights (i.e. hits) came for them later, but the creative firestorm that the Fab Four represented never surfaced again in any of the solo work.
Really interesting post, and kind of shocking seeing that album cover. Had no idea!
Lennon and Zappa were both self-centered egotists who didn't like people sharing their limelight, so the fact that their collaboration had mixed results is not surprising.