First released: 1969
As said in other books, this is more of a chant than a true song, but it performed quite well as John Lennon’s first solo single. A live version appeared shortly thereafter on "The Plastic Ono Band – Live Peace in Toronto 1969" album released in 1970. A severely shortened version and also a live edit version (called "Give Peace a Chance: Reprise") made it onto Lennon’s "Shaved Fish" album in 1975. The first album release for the full-length version was on 1982’s "The John Lennon Collection", the "Imagine: John Lennon" soundtrack from 1988, 1990’s "Lennon", "Lennon Legend" from 1997, and "Working Class Hero" from 2005. "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" version from 2006 contains dialogue from the film.
Lennon also performed this live in 1972 and this version was released in 1986 on "Live in New York City". I believe it is this version that the live edit came from. This version was also on "Instant Karma" from 2001. The import only collection called "Peace, Love & Truth" from 2005 contains two interesting variations with new rapping and singing by others with the original chorus line intact. One is called "Give Peace a Chance Remix 2005" (Featuring the Voices of Asia) and the other is "Give Peace a Chance Y2K". There is also a remixed version of the original track included as well. There’s also a demo version released on 1998’s "The John Lennon Anthology".
Paul plays it live as part of a John Lennon medley in 1990 on the b-side of "All My Trials" CD single along with "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Help!" and later as a medley with "A Day in the Life" on 2009’s "Good Evening New York City".
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
"Give My Regards to Broad Street" (feature) by Paul McCartney – *
First released: 1984
Dreadful, absolutely awful feature film that was a vanity piece for McCartney that makes "Magical Mystery Tour" look good. Unlike that film, McCartney chose to recreate Beatles, Wings and solo songs plus a couple of new ones, in a series of boring videos. The plot as such concerns some ex-con on McCartney’s staff that supposedly stole the tapes of his latest album, and so McCartney proceeds to re-record some of them which doesn’t make much sense as he begins to re-record old Beatles tunes. Ringo is along for the ride, but doesn’t contribute much here in regards to acting or playing.
The highlight (if there is one) is the "Eleanor’s Dream" sequence.
Dreadful, absolutely awful feature film that was a vanity piece for McCartney that makes "Magical Mystery Tour" look good. Unlike that film, McCartney chose to recreate Beatles, Wings and solo songs plus a couple of new ones, in a series of boring videos. The plot as such concerns some ex-con on McCartney’s staff that supposedly stole the tapes of his latest album, and so McCartney proceeds to re-record some of them which doesn’t make much sense as he begins to re-record old Beatles tunes. Ringo is along for the ride, but doesn’t contribute much here in regards to acting or playing.
The highlight (if there is one) is the "Eleanor’s Dream" sequence.
"Give My Regards to Broad Street" by Paul McCartney – **
First released: 1984
Equally dismal soundtrack to an awful film and the true beginning of McCartney’s troubles. If the teaming of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder were considered career killers, this was the final nail in the coffin. The album sports three all-new tracks (four if you count the CD): "No More Lonely Nights", "Not Such a Bad Boy", "No Values" and "Goodnight Princess". Of the four, "Lonely Nights" is not bad and was a hit single, "Bad Boy" could have been released as a follow up single, but McCartney chose to move on to another film project "Spies Like Us". The rest of the songs, including the Beatles, Wings and solo remakes are dispensable. Buy the originals or a good greatest hits compilation.
Equally dismal soundtrack to an awful film and the true beginning of McCartney’s troubles. If the teaming of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder were considered career killers, this was the final nail in the coffin. The album sports three all-new tracks (four if you count the CD): "No More Lonely Nights", "Not Such a Bad Boy", "No Values" and "Goodnight Princess". Of the four, "Lonely Nights" is not bad and was a hit single, "Bad Boy" could have been released as a follow up single, but McCartney chose to move on to another film project "Spies Like Us". The rest of the songs, including the Beatles, Wings and solo remakes are dispensable. Buy the originals or a good greatest hits compilation.
Give Me Something by Yoko Ono – ****
First released: 1980
Another great Yoko track from John and Yoko’s "Double Fantasy", but a bit short. Naysayers would probably shout, “Shorter, shorter!”.
Another great Yoko track from John and Yoko’s "Double Fantasy", but a bit short. Naysayers would probably shout, “Shorter, shorter!”.
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) by George Harrison – ****
First released: 1973
One of the all time great George Harrison tunes, it ranks up there with his best like "Something" or "Here Comes the Sun" and is easily the best thing on the "Living in the Material World" album. It also easily climbed to number one as a single. I could listen to this one over and over. This was another one of many Beatles solo tunes that I didn’t know who did it, but remember hearing it a lot and liking it when I was a wee lad of six during the summer of 1973. Later, it was included on "The Best of George Harrison" and 2009’s "Let it Roll – Songs by George Harrison". Also performed on George Harrison’s "Live in Japan" album and tour in 1991.
One of the all time great George Harrison tunes, it ranks up there with his best like "Something" or "Here Comes the Sun" and is easily the best thing on the "Living in the Material World" album. It also easily climbed to number one as a single. I could listen to this one over and over. This was another one of many Beatles solo tunes that I didn’t know who did it, but remember hearing it a lot and liking it when I was a wee lad of six during the summer of 1973. Later, it was included on "The Best of George Harrison" and 2009’s "Let it Roll – Songs by George Harrison". Also performed on George Harrison’s "Live in Japan" album and tour in 1991.
Give Me Back the Beat by Ringo Starr – ***
First released: 2005
Almost note for note remake of "Fading In, Fading Out" from the same album by Ringo, "Choose Love"! It’s also on 2008’s "5.1".
Almost note for note remake of "Fading In, Fading Out" from the same album by Ringo, "Choose Love"! It’s also on 2008’s "5.1".
Give Me Back My Dynamite by George Harrison – ***
First released: 1969
George Harrison composition from Doris Troy’s Apple album. I don’t know if there is a George version.
George Harrison composition from Doris Troy’s Apple album. I don’t know if there is a George version.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
