JOHN LENNON: "Gimme Some Truth"

Original released on Delux Box Set Edition CD/DVD 

Universal 0602435002088

(US 2020, October 9)

The definitive new Best of John Lennon – 36 tracks completely remixed from the original master tapes, giving these classic songs a new life for generations to come and sounding better than ever before. Box contains 2 CD’s and 1 Blu-ray which features all 36 tracks in hi-res stereo 96/24 PCM, new 5.1 surround mixes and Dolby Atmos for the ultimate immersive experience. Also contains an incredible 124 page book with rare photos and extensive notes from John and Yoko and others who were there at the time. Additionally contains fold-out 2 sided poster, 2x postcards and GIMME SOME TRUTH bumper sticker.

Eighty five years! John Lennon would have been eighty five years old. I still find it hard to believe that he’s been gone for half that time, an event that still shocks many people, and now we can only be grateful for what he left us with. Released in five editions, this is the deluxe version. Missing just one A-side, half the tracks here were issued as singles (and he only ever released 11 in his lifetime), with three more that were B-sides, and the rest being good selections from his albums, this is, for all intent and purposes, a ‘greatest hits’ compilation, though I doubt it will be promoted as such. Many might say “So what?” Well, everything has been remixed to delight our aural senses. As with most remixes, you get to hear previously buried sounds and has you thinking it was all recorded last week. It makes "Instant Karma" and "Power To The People" sound more powerful than you previously imagined. "Cold Turkey" has you feeling his pain of withdrawal, but I don’t think live versions mix well with studio songs, so "Come Together" does seem a bit out of place. 

The 5.1 surround and Dolby Atmos mixes sound even better, though, truth be told, if you don’t have the equipment for those, you will be paying for something you can’t benefit from. In addition to the discs is a sumptuous 124 page book that details all the songs in the words of John and Yoko and others who were there, with an abundance of photos of lyric sheets, tape boxes and plenty of bits and pieces, many of which have not been seen. Oh, you also get a bumper sticker, two postcards and a poster in this deluxe edition. I do think the title could have been different, as there was a four CD set with the same title released back in 2010. Be that as it may, if you’re a committed Lennon fan, even though you’ll have everything here (unless you have "Imagine – The Ultimate Collection", not in this remixed form), you know it will end up as part of your collection. If you’re merely dipping your toe in to his solo work, in which case where have you been for the last five decades, there is no better place to start than this. (in Amazon)