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If you like remixes,
If you like electro-pop and techno,
If you like unfettered and creative experimentation, and,
If you simply like Yoko Ono and her art.
So, dive in. All of these songs were written by Yoko with one exception; "No Bed For Beatle John" was a joint effort with husband John Lennon. But she collaborated with different artists on the recording of each track. The resulting variety is staggering. I was already familiar with some of these songs, so for these I can tell you how the originals were transformed into something new. For the others I can only describe what I hear and say how I feel about them. Some of them defy classification. One thing to mention is that I found far less of Yoko's wordless vocalisations on these tracks than I have encountered on other collections. This could be important to some listeners, although it is not important to me. There are 17 tracks, clocking in at 69:15.
One of Yoko's most familiar songs, the rock-disco "Walking On Thin Ice", is radically transformed by a slow, funereal orchestral arrangement that is really quite beautiful. Likewise, the buzz-saw punk-rock "Give Me Something" from "Double Fantasy" has a waltz tempo and lilting piano accompaniment, becoming a very different animal. Another "Double Fantasy" song, "Yes, I'm Your Angel", is no longer a bouncy old-fashioned sing-along; it has been given a very odd, darkish electro-pop arrangement that is rather mysterious. 1985's dance track "Hell In Paradise" is inexplicably stretched to 9:51 in length but reduced to a phrase that is simply repeated for the duration, changing minimally as it winds on. To me, it is pretty much a wasted effort. It is the only track that I plan to ignore in the future.
Now for the songs that I was not familiar with beforehand. There are some pop/techno/dance tracks. "Forgive Me My Love" has a busy electro-pop arrangement which descends into that I would call "controlled chaos". "Wouldnit" is speedy electro-pop with a vocal that alternates between smooth harmonies and conversational asides. "Catman" has a speedy arrangement matched by a soft but manic vocal. I like Yoko doing hard rock, and some hard rock is provided. "Move On Fast" has a "screamer" vocal. "Warrior Woman" is loud rock combined with loud techno, and "Approximately Infinite Universe" is a righteous rock track too. Some mid-tempo tracks are noteworthy. "Coffin Car" is dramatic, with bluesy guitar. "No Bed For Beatle John" is a slice of Lennon/Ono history which Yoko relates in a high-pitched nasal voice, like a chant, against a rather spare and industrial arrangement. And although in the past I usually preferred Yoko to sing pop or rock rather than ballads, I must say that the ballad vocals on this album have made me reconsider. "Mrs. Lennon" is an especially notable example. Set against a rock ballad arrangement punctuated with intense effects, the vocal is extremely well done and poignant. Others include "Soul Got Out Of The Box", "Coffin Car" and "I Have A Woman Inside My Soul".
I like Yoko's willingness to experiment. I realize that this music is not for everyone. But if you like music as much as I do, and if you hear as much music as I hear, you appreciate it when new and different things appear on your radar. Each of these tracks has some merit in my opinion, with the exception of "Hell In Paradise". All I can say about that one is, "What were they thinking?"
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Cristian Cizmar
Un'artista complessa ben remixata
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