When I First heard this album I was expecting the rythm to be very close to the classic ones, (How little I knew John Lennon) so I was initially shocked!!! But....after that initial shock I started to pay more attention to John's arrangements without any prejudice and fell in love with this album.
If you like classic Rock and roll It may shock you at First but give It a try, put some headphones, relax and you will see how a genius John Lennon was.
Phill Spector was also involved. (Like him or not)
I've made an 'alternate' John Lennon Rock 'N roll album By taking all of the John Lennon sung Beatles covers such as 'Money', 'Bad Boy', 'Slow Down', 'Anna', etc. Enough to make a whole album.
Play that back to back with this and you will see a difference. First, as great as John sounded in 1973-1974 when he recorded these songs, It is not the John Lennon of 1963-1965.
This is something that you never hear John Lennon fans talk about- His voice changed quite a bit as he got older. in fact, the change is almost as dramatic as the change in His physical appearance. he looked like a street tough thug when he was in His early 20's (just look at this album cover). he looked quite a bit wimpier in His 30's. the difference is not just the clothes, hair, etc. he changed.
Secondly, the production- No overproduced horns Used on the Beatles cover songs! and you can't blame Phil Spector for all of this- he actually only produced 4 songs on this album.
Want a real taste of what could have been? try playing 'Sweet little Sixteen' from this album back to back with the same song done By the Beatles live on the BBC in 1963. Better still if you can find it, the same song done By the Beatles live at the star Club in 1962. Whoa...
So why 5 stars? Well, a not-quite-in-his-prime John Lennon singing on a slightly overproduced album is still amazing stuff!
Lennon snarling out the vocal on 'You can't Catch Me' is worth It alone. I can't pay It any higher compliment than saying It doesn't get any greasier than this one. I've never once heard a compliment of it, but 'Just Because' is Simply incredible. Blows the original out of the water. Also, once again, very GREASY stuff! Enough has been said about 'Stand By Me', so not any need for me to add anything.
Overall, some fantastic material here- especially if your are already a Lennon fan and also like 50's music.
Ah, but It could have been better...