Since the unfortunate turn of events on December 8, 1980, numerous collections and compilations in the name of John Lennon have been rolled out to sustain his legacy for generations to come. With his 80th birthday on October 9, 2020, it’s inevitable another set of Lennon’s songs was bound for the marketplace. This time, it’s about a total audio upgrade. Taking up from where 2018’s Imagine – The Ultimate Collection left off, Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes. offers 36 tracks, selected by Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon, from Lennon’s solo career completely remixed from the master tapes. A double CD, single Blu-ray Disc configuration features the songs in high resolution stereo 96/24 PCM, new 5.1 surround mixes, and Dolby Atmos. Add a 124-page book with rare photos and extensive notes from Lennon, Ono, and others, and you have a suitable tome honoring what would have been the former Beatle’s 80th birthday.
John Lennon’s solo work was both remarkable and uneven. There’s a strong argument that his first two albums — John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine — are his best, while everything that followed can be dodgy affairs. Still, his ability as a singer, songwriter and musician were rarely questioned. Gimme Some Truth offers a comprehensive overview by aligning hits and favorites like “Instant Karma! (We All Shine On),” “Give Peace A Chance,” “Imagine,” “Mind Games,” “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night,” and “(Just Like) Starting Over” with deeper, lesser-known cuts such as “Oh My Love,” “Angela,” “Out The Blue,” “Bless You,” “Steel And Glass,” and “Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him.” Including a version of the Beatles’ “Come Together” from 1986’s Live In New York City (recorded on August 30, 1972 at Madison Square Garden) is a stark acknowledgment of the band that made Lennon a star. As a compilation, this may be one of the better servings without the clutter of exclusive extras (i.e., previously unreleased outtakes) often dangled before the faithful.
What really sets the whole package apart from the others are the high resolution and 5.1 surround mixes. Engineers Paul Hicks, who was behind Imagine – The Ultimate Collection, and Sam Gannon completely remixed the songs, leveraging 21st century technological advances with vintage equipment to create a powerful, sonically charged end product that trumps your everyday remastered reissue. If your ears are bleeding from bad MP3s and you have a high-end sound system, especially one with surround sound capabilities, you owe yourself the pleasure of tracking through the CDs and/or Blu-ray Disc for a total immersive experience. It might even go down better with a glass of fine wine. Whichever way you chose, Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes., executive produced by Yoko Ono Lennon and produced by Sean Ono Lennon, is a commendable way to revisit John Lennon’s solo years. It’s just a damn shame he isn’t here to enjoy the celebration.
~ Shawn Perry
