By Terry Ott

For this BB350-a millstone in pop history-I would like to talk about the newest John Lennon CD reissues.

Sometime In New York City, and Walls and Bridges are out, both remixed and remastered and with bonus-albeit few-extra tracks-only 4 between them, plus a Lennon interview from 1974.

First up, SINYC.

Many critics and fans have deemed this original 1972 double LP as the "worst" effort from John. Although some of the live stuff is pretty brutal, on the whole,I don't agree.

It may not be the "best" album from the former Beatle, but teaming up with the Elephant's Memory band seemed to breathe new life into John's music, and Woman Is The Nigger of The World, is, in my opinion, one of John's all time better songs.Walls, is of course, a classic, and the remxing and remastering, as with Sometime, make the music really come alive. And John showed real guts sharing the album with Yoko Ono.

Packaging is a little plain, and the purists are already barking that the scuttling of the original cover of Walls for an outtake shot from the original LPs back cover, is, well, not too good.

More strangeness ensues, with Yoko subsituting the Sometime original record label for the original Walls label on the new CD, and using a repeat of the Sometime cover for the Sometime label. Go figure.

But what Ms. Ono taketh, she also giveth back.

Happy X-Mas (War is Over), a bonus track on Sometime, has an alternate opening, with John whispering "Happy Christmas Julian," which has to be some sort of olive branch to the "other" side of the family.

(OOps! Don't know what I been smoking for the past 35 years, but I always thought that John whispered "Happy Christmas, Yoko." Several readers have pointed out that he ALWAYS said "Happy Christmas, Julian," and so I guess I need me ears checked and/or cleaned out. Thanks to those that set me straight.)

But on the down side, the dearth of extra tracks is not good, but the 74 interview with John, is. Geez, it's great to hear his voice.

So, what comes next? Live In New York City, or another box set?

(I understand that Live Peace in Toronto will be released by Mobile Fidelity next year.)

I'd be willing to bet it is Live first-with perhaps the evening show added-sometime around mid 2006, and then another Lennon Anthology box in time for X-mas ' 06.

Um, whatever gets you through the night.

OK, so many of you watched last week's NBC Dateline show on John Lennon killer Mark David Chapman.

Apparently, Yoko Ono did too, because the NY Post said that she was "furious" about the program.

Most of the posts I have seen on the Internet forums have been highly critical of the show as well, and I did note some factual errors of a fairly minor scope while watching.

However, on the whole, I thought it was a pretty good introduciton into the nutbar world of MDC, and don't forget that these shows are not conceived for the hard core fans who already know most of this stuff, but rather, for the average person who may not been aware of many of the gory and even macabre and sickly fascinating details.

The only real problem I have with the NBC show was that it was built around audio tapes of Chapman that are 15 years old, and that point, although disclosed, was not reinforced enough throughout the broadcast.

It would have been supremely interesting to hear what MDC has to say now, if for no other reason than to further look for answers as to the why he did such a senseless act.

Obviously, I feel for Yoko, Sean and Julian, who, according to the NYDaily News will spend Dec. 8 together at the Dakota, yet when a star of the magnitude of John Lennon is addressed by the media, it will always be the good with the bad, something John himself never shied away from.

And for that matter, neither did Yoko, as a record she released a year or so after John's murder had a cover shot of John's bloodied glasses.

But I'll tell you what really surprises me is that the album that John signed for Chapman has not been making the rounds-at least that I know about-and I was certain that it would be pitched for big profit on this anniversary of John's murder.

So I guess we should thank heaven for small mercies.

Finally, can it really be possible that 25 years have gone by?

Watched the John and Yoko, Dick Cavett DVD recently and it was a gas-albeit a dated one.

The Shout Factory 2 disc set released this week features J&L from a September 1971 show, and one from 1972.

The '71 show has John wearing his US army jacket, and Yoko wearing a beret and dressed provocatively in a low cut blouse and matching mini skirt that sure don't leave much to the imagination.

For some reason, John appears quite nervous and edgy for the first part of the program, and both he and Yoko chain smoke throughout the 65 minutes, which is actually a regular show, plus extra footage tacked on.

In fact, Yoko appeared to be the cool, self-assured one, as John cracked several jokes about "Yesterday," which he pointed out was "Paul's song." It was fairly easy to see that he was only half kidding when he talked about his old band mate in his chatter and back and forth with Cavett.

Unfortunately, John comes off as a bit too clever by half, and some of his great wit misses the mark. He also appears almost menacing in a way, and it is not hard to see he still carried some residual Beatle anger.

The unintentional comedy highlight is when a clip of Yoko's Fly film is screened, and John brags about it being well received at the Cannes Film Festival. A pure Rutles moment.

(For the unfamiliar, Fly was badly shot tripe about a fly meandering over a nude woman's body whilst Yoko warbled.)

The 1972 show finds John looking more preppy, Yoko with her hair down, and dressed more conservatively and the duo sharing the cheesy, yellow shag covered riser set with chalky white complexioned actress Shirley Maclean.

J&L are much less whimsical this time 'round, with most of the talk going towards John's immigration problems, and Yoko's attempt to find daughter Kyoko.

John comes across much less flippant, and in fact makes a very logical and knowlegable case against the treatment he is being afforded by the Nixon adminstration which was trying very hard-and illegally- to kick him out of the country.

Try to stiffle a laugh though, as Cavett reads a letter from a UAW union official lauding John and Yoko for their "anti-drug" stance. Well, maybe in public, or as John said in an interview before his death, "I've always needed a drug, to survive."

The dynamic duo also perform two numbers with their band Elephant's Memory, with a tasty take of Women Is The Nigger Of The World being the keeper.

Cavett explains that the ABC censor tried to nix the song from the show, and the ironic thing is that the offensive word in question is perhaps even more incendiary today then 32 years ago.

And Cavett, who was sort of out of his element with these shows, does manage to try to trip John up with a question of whether he (Cavett) had seen the "best of the Beatles," with John, and a previous visit by George Harrison.

John does not take the bait, and says all the Fabs were fabulous, but does sing the praise of Ringo Starr, a little more than Paul McCartney.

Overall, this set is a must-have for serious Beatle and Lennon fans as it makes us appreciate how great those times were-no matter how naive-and as well, how much we miss John.

So, it's all well and ducky that publicly, Dirk and Chastity- well at least Yoko-appear ready to bury the near 40 year hatchet, and not once and for all in one another's backs.

Last we heard from Paul, he was saying that Chastity was not the "brightest bulb," yet now Ms. Ono is telling the UK press that she and Dirk do not hate each other's guts anymore.

No word from Paul yet publicly on whether Yoko's guts are now loved by Him; perhaps he will speak of it during his transmission to the space station, which is bizarre enough on its own.

In any event dear readers, I believe the proof pudding will be next year, when Dirk puts out his next live album and DVD, and we see who the Beatles songs performed are credited to.

If you recall, the last major cock-up between Paul and Yoko was when Paul left off John Lennon's name on a performance of Yesterday, from the Back in the US tour live album. Chastity told Dirk, "none of this, now," and a nasty row ensued.

Interestingly, Paul commented that he was proud that "my song"-Good Day Sunshine-was being used in the historic space rock wanking.

Funny, but I thought that that GDS was a "Lennon-McCartney" song.

So, will this latest slip up by Dirk cause another song publishing piss-fest?

More "expert" minds than mine will be straining to know the eventual constipation of this particular affair.

But I think the best way to handle this delicate situation is for Paul and Yoko to trade, straight up: Dirk gets Yesterday, and Chastity gets sole custody of Give Peace A Chance.

Yes it is, it's true. Yes it is.

According to AbbeyRd, it looks like the reissue of the next batch of John Lennon remasters won't arrive until well into November.

Pity that, because I was really looking forward to hearing the Yoko Ono supervised remake of Live Peace in Toronto.

I had the record as 14 year old youngster, and played the 'ell out of it and proudly hung the bonus provided Prententious Gallery calendar on me wall.

According to Listen To This Book, about a week after the impromptu gig in Toronto in September, 1969, John had personally mixed down the raw 8 track tapes into a final mix suitable for release.

Although retaining the original "rawness" of the performance, John wisely chose to bury somewhat Yoko's mostly shreiking contributions, especially during the set that made up side one of the inital LP offering.

Of course, side two, besides the excellent opening jam salvo, after John says, "And now Yoko's gonna do her thing, all over ya," is pretty much unbearable, as Ms. Ono had her way, way out with the set, which according to ear witnessess even had the Toronto mounted police steeds cowering.

But actually, Yoko was quite proud of that gig, and when I interviewed her in 2000, recalled the show fondly, as she felt she had broken through into the "macho" world of big time stadium rock.

In any event, will Yoko tinker with John's orginal production and mix, and will Live Peace 2005 have more pronounced Ms. Ono vocal stylings?

Enquiring mind games want to know, as well as any bonus material, that may exsist coming to light.

There are perviously published reports that the band jammed on the airplane on the way over to Toronto. Could some of it been recorded?

Perhaps the two solo Ono pieces, Dont Worry, and John, John, Let's Hope For Peace, were longer than presented on the original release. Scary.

I guess we may be about to find out.

"I am very sorry."

Yoko Ono, to Sir Paul McCartney, Nov. 2005

All right all you half and full crazed Macca Madhatters, have you got your scarlet quench and belly of blood now?

The "evil witch," who "broke up the Beatles," and also broke up the greatest songwriting team since Martin & Lewis, has upon this current issue of Rolling Stoned magazine admitted her mistake and apologized to Pauly for accusing SPM of ryhming spoon with June, and other such un-natural acts.

The MMs must be positively wet with excitment and smuggery, now that Ms. Ono has done the polite thang and mea culped to Dirk, er Paul.

The way I see it, former Beatle breaker uppers live in glass high end apartments, and must be careful of busting their own mirrors and accordingly, should never take the piss out of a former Fab, no matter how obtuse they may appear.

Yet see how Ms. Ono has retained the tactical advantage: she apologized before SPM could do same for saying that Yoko was "not the brightest bulb," which to be fair, was unfair to both brights, and bulbs.

Yes, I think that Ms. Ono studied history-know thien enemy better than thien self!-and recalled that in 1966, John had to say he was sorry for something that he never quite said, and that if he had, was probably true anyway.

In that spirit, I would like to say 'I am very sorry' to any MM who heretofore may get their bowels in an uproar over this dispatch.

It was not my intention to push you over the edge.

Have been getting some delicious hate mail from some of the more emotionally challenged readers lately, but one from a Mr. "George Harrison," was especially tasty. It was a millstone in the anals of reader mail, and I will treasure it a lunchtime.

However, after passing it on to the Canadian authorities that monitor hate propaganda, in all fairness, I must admit that this Stig O'Hara e-mailer did get one thing sort of right: Stig claimed I never write about Ringo Starr.

Well, Mr. O'Hara, never is a very long time indeed, but yes, it has been some ages since I have commented on the former Beatle bongo boy, so here goes.

I've always liked Ringo, and especially his run of hit singles in the early 70s, as well as several of his excellent solo albums from around the same time period, up to say, 1974.

It is also great to see Rings in the newly remastered Concert For Bangla Desh, yet, I am still at a loss as to how he could mess up the words to his only song of the concert, a song he must have sang at least 100 times by the time he took the stool in Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971.

Starr cetainly did not appear to be intoxicated or out of it, so it may remain a mystery. Perhaps Bruce Spitz can clear it up!

In any event, I think Ringo has done a great job also of keeping his 25% of Beatlemania going strong with his almost continous All Star Band gigs, although why won't he turn up for any Macca shows?

That would make a "Tootles" reunion, and methinks the fans would love that.

Maybe next year's Macca "When I'm 64 Tour," will produce such an eventuality.

If so, I hope Ringo remembers the words to "With A Little Help From My Friends."

"Life is very short,
and there's no time
for fussing and fighting, my friend."

John Lennon and The Other Guy, We Can Work It Out

Pity the poor author Bob Spitz.

He is most likely the first Beatle writer to be assassinated-terminated with extreme prejudice, actually- by the Internet forum suck and blowers, before his fricken book is even offically released!

Some pre-publication copies of Spitz's nearly 1000 page book, The Beatles, began to circulate about 2 weeks ago, and the publishers made the mistake of letting the Internet vanity press jackasses get hold of one, and dissect it like a frog.

Of course, these Internet Beatle forum "experts," are smarter than the New York Times, and Readers Digest, etc, and are advising anyone with a monitor that Spitz's book is a crime against humanity.

Your trusted correspondent at this very moment is having his name taken in vain across cyberspace, and to they, I say, bite me.

You have ZERO credibilty really, and if you doubt that is true, why not call up the media outlets that have or may review Spitz's book and tell them-on your say-so-that the book is a piece of sheit and that it should be burned. And then tell me what they say, if it is anything other but "thank you Mr/Mrs. Crackpot,now get lost."

And you may have noted that Bruce Spizer, who is a respected Beatle author, has not been publicly taking the piss out of the Spitz on the forums, and that's because Bruce is actually a credible and ethical person who does not need to attack others to mollify himself.

As I have noted in previous BBs, I am not defending any factual errors in the Spitz book, nor do I have any financial, or any other kind of interest in the book, other than I may review it for a major newspaper. At that time, I will call it as I see-and read-it, and then, that's it.

In my opinion, the Internet posters are behaving like a pack of rabid jackals, and really, truely, need to think about getting a life besides vomiting up their mean spirited-and frequently wrong- musings over a web forum that should be devoted to information, instead of opinionated attacks from holier than thou cyber trolls who have nothing better to do.

Finally, I do not mean to tar all of the Internet forum posters with the same brush.

Most of them seem to be pretty decent and interesting folk who appear to have some fun on the forum, share some info and memories,and that's what it should all be about.

As for the few on the Beatle forums who pollute the Internet with their narcissistic and ego-driven, needy, wannabe crap: goose step, mama, you can do no wrong.