“Mind Games: Ultimate Mixes / The Out-Takes”, John Lennon

According to son Sean Ono Lennon, this album is a masterpiece: official producer, he made it a museum piece, extreme case: ten 33 rpm, six CDs, two Blu-Rays, a massive book, a pile of papers and a big cube whose disassembly requires an engineering degree. If there were any left in stock, it would save you $2,285.99. In my opinion, the double disc version is enough: well-remixed, lot of very bare and very touching takes. Mind Gamesreleased in 1973, signaled John Lennon’s return to quality pop rock songs, after two years of all-out activism. A return that was not celebrated, alas. From the album Mind Gameswe mostly remember the title track. The rest was forgotten because of what followed on the A-side: a session of self-flagellation (Aisumasen), an attempt at an anthem (Freda People). From the ease that overshadowed the simply beautiful tunes of the B side: Out the Blue evoking the Sexy Sadie The Beatles, the exquisite You Are Herethe melodic marvel I Know (I Know). All revived here. For not so much.

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