Mind Games was my entry point to solo Lennon as a kid courtesy of my big sisters record collection. It’s still his album that I return to most often. Can’t wait for this to be released. Thanks Mazzy.
Good review Not my favourite Lennon album But I’m a music fan Can’t be bothered with torches and hidden tracks and all that mince This should play on every player. It’s not art it’s a pain in the ass
Thank you for your walk through of the Mind Games box set. It's seems like the details of the accompanying book gives you a fly on the wall perspective in some ways. Thank you for the UV torch cut and additional view into a small bit of the secrets. What's next do you think? It be wonderful to have a Double Fantasy with the stripped down version on vinyl someday, perhaps with the same love as given to Mind Games.
As a general rule, I prefer original albums. A lot of people back in the 60s and 70s took care of their records, and finding A- or A copies isn’t too difficult (prices vary of course). I don’t regret selling most of my albums (200 or so; kept about 50 rare collectibles) when CD versions came out. I listen to a lot of Dead, and most of that is available only on CD, the best are Betty Boards. I do play old and new albums, and often a nuanced improvement can be heard over the CD version. But my ears are 74 years-old now and I’m kinda lazy, so the convenience of CDs does it for me just fine.
A couple of weekends ago, I went CD shopping, and I found the soundtrack for the documentary John Lennon: Imagine. I had the cassette years ago. One of the things I enjoy about the soundtrack is that it mixes Beatles songs written by John with some of his solo songs. Because I don’t have any Lennon solo albums, this soundtrack is a great fit for me.
Great review again - thanks for clarifying the differences to the Gimme Some Truth set - ironically the fun and mind games with this set have made me more inclined to buy this ! 😂
There are actually TWO single versions of "Meat City". The album and US single versions have different backwards speech in the middle, but the JPN single has yet a third backwards message.
Great review Mazzy. Excited by release. But I'm one of the people whose head is gonna explode in frustration at not being able to find the Easter eggs. Why ? Why ?!?
What a thoughtful review and insights. Thank you. Please do you guess the Super Deluxe LP's will sound better, the same, or just different? Thank you Mazzy :-)
Nice review! Mind Games was never a favorite Lennon album of mine I will pick this up! I love the Lennon boxes and all the different element mixes on them! McCartney could learn a lesson from the Lennon boxes!!
I challenge you Mr Jazzy to check out the first Elephants memory album. I grew up listening to it the playing is great. The different styles are great. "Old man willow" is a psych gem masterpiece and also featured in the party scene in the Midnight Cowboy film. I also grew up w Feeling the space and mind games albums. I think their songs are better than the songs they played for JL on the Sometime in NYC. Its definitely very dated but for me holds up far better than hearing Yoko's attempt at a more conventional pop singing voice approach...which honestly is not what she does best. I prefer hearing Y'all on things like "Why" from her plastic on o band album etc. I'm sure this won't change your mind but for anyone out there looking for a lost underrated album here it is.
I wish I could afford this. I wish it didn't cost $169.00; Do you have thoughts on The Signature Box? I've always toyed with getting that, but I'm afraid of the $$ commitment. Maybe when it comes to John, money shouldn't be a consideration. Your review Mazzy of Mind Games is masterful, and I really did enjoy it.
Oh no! People are gonna be so frustrated by the hidden tracks situation. Some are going to demand refunds, I can see it, just watch! I get Sean's intention, mind games! But, people are not going to be happy, if they can't even access the hidden tracks on their CD players. The box is retailing for around $250 in my country, and people will be very frustrated if they can't properly access the hidden tracks. And understandably so. I may just grab the 2 CD set for now, with the 50's rock jam and the single version of "Meat City" as bonus tracks at the end of CD 2, and tack on "I'm The Greatest" from "The John Lennon Anthology" and "Rock 'N' Roll People" from my alternate "Mind Games" CD, and call it a done deal. "I'm The Greatest" might be on CD 1 of the 2 CD set, but before the first track, "Mind Games", like on the box set.
Back in the early 2000s, I had three John Lennon albums and didn't know they were remixes. I haven't heard the original mixes until later on. But I found an original copy of Mind Games. Mind Games has some good songs. I don't know about you, but I prefer the original stereo mix of Mind Games. How on earth would you find original copies of these albums? They're out of print. And where can you find an original single version of Meat City? I would rather hear the original mix of Meat City single version. Not the Ultimate mix. This is an all-out cash grab, in my opinion. Have you seen that big cube set of this album? It's ridiculous. All the original mixes will be replaced with these pointless remixes. The original mix of Mind Games is fine the way it is. It really bugs me that they feel the need to remix the album when the original mix is just fine. It's not a perfect stereo mix, but it's something.
Love the Lennon Ultimate mixes thus far. However, a remix should never remove any music. It should only fix the hard panning, bad edits, missing/hard to hear sound effects etc. I was told the horns are completely missing from One Day At A Time at the end? Is this true with headphones also?
@@mazzysmusic Yeah, but they should stick to John’s original recordings like the Beatles mixes and only add stuff that’s on the original master tapes. Sean could have just buried it in the mix. I love remixes, but don’t remove stuff…
@mazzysmusic One Day At A Time without the sax would sound uneven. It would feel naked without it. I'm sorry, but this remix is completely unnecessary. It's a cash grab.
I've always thought Mind Games is a better album than Imagine. Of course, you don't have a monsterhit like Imagine, but there is no bad song on the album. Every song is a good song. I don't think Imagine has only good songs. The problem with Mind Games is that small "monolike" sound. And I think that's why people don't think it's a good record.
@@bwpm1467 I've never like Jelous guy. Well, I did when I was a teenager and Imagine was new. Strange harmonies that don't go anywhere. The song is stucked. It doesn't come forward. Same arrangement throughout the song. Nothing happens. And that is a big problem with the whole Imagine album. Every song starts in a instrumentation and arrangements and continues in the same pattern throughout the song. That tells me that Paul was responsiible for most of Beatles interesting arrangments, where something new happens for every new verse or chorus. Paul was the genius. Without him Beatles would have been 60 % less exciting. The song Imagine is about the only song with an developing arrangment on that whole album. And that wasn't even John's idea. It was Alan White's idea that John should sing the first verse with only hus piano. If you compare Imagine or Plastic Ono Band to Ram, for me both John's albums are in black and white, whilst Ram is in color.
A couple of weekends ago, I went CD shopping, and I found the soundtrack for the documentary John Lennon: Imagine. I had the cassette years ago. One of the things I enjoy about the soundtrack is that it mixes Beatles songs written by John with some of his solo songs. Because I don’t have any Lennon solo albums, this soundtrack is a great fit for me.
Mind Games has always been my favorite John Lennon solo album, going back even to 1973. Thank you, Mazzy, for the strong review. I’ve ordered the double vinyl set and can’t wait to pop the discs on my 1971 Pioneer turntable.
I was looking forward to getting the remix, but i pulled out my old cd of the album and listened. I decided i actually don't like it outside of a couple tracks. I'll try & listen again but i don't think that will change my mind.
I know you bought that "torch" to inspect the guest room Rob stayed in. Loved this video! One of your best. The Easter Egg deal is just a game, a "Mind Game" but what's the deal with 78 23 seconds bonus tracks on The Ultimate Mixes CD?
Am I the only one that is seeing a bunch of reviews for the Mind Games box set by a bunch of reviewers, but my purchase for the Mind Games box set isn’t even being shipped until July 13? I don’t get it. Are the VC influencers getting this in advance? Im not mad or hating on Mazzy or any other VC member, I love Mazzy. But I see so many reviews for a box set that isn’t going to be in my hands for another month or so!! Did the John Lennon estate just send these out to the influencers months in advance or am I tripping, lol???
@@mazzysmusic thanks for the response Mazzy. I had a feeling that had to what is going on. Yeah it’s just annoying that all these videos are out and you guys seem stoked and happy, haha. I’m trying to not watch the videos- But I have about a month until I’ll get my copy. Mind Games is over my algorithms!! lol
I’ve tried numerous times to really get into this album. I still have my Mind Games 45 record. The sound quality of the original album is horrible. It’s compressed and thin, it dulls the songs, I also thought were weak and uninspired. I’m willing to give this album another listen, I’ll buy the 2cd set, but can’t invest in the bigger set.
After you mentioned the Elements Mix of You Are Here, I went and listened to it. Actually I watched it as the video has the words that seem to be a conversation that John had. Possibly a response to a question about the song. It sounds like it is just Sneaky Pete's pedal steel. Thanks for mentioning it, It was a wonderful listen.
Thanks Mas! Mind Games is a favorite of mine. Walls and Bridges, Rock n Roll and Mind Games, along with Shaved Fish were the first group of Lennon albums I bought, and I prefer them over his earlier solo albums. Looking forward to getting my Mind Games box set and double LP.
Thank you for the overview. I'm with you on this. An excellent album that we are now going to be able to appreciate in an entirely new way and with greater clarity and definition. Your insights into the manner in which the musicians are spotlighted in the book is intriguing and the various different mixes included here will throw spotlights onto their performances and contributions that I know I will find fascinating. Really looking forward to the whole experience that this set will provide, so thank you for giving me a bit of a preview while I wait for my turn. I recently gave Feeling The Space a spin and it is a good album and will do so again in the run-up to the Mind Games set with added reason following your mention here. These are very special releases and Sean should be congratulated on the effort he has put into this. I hope he finds a way to get the Some Time In New York City album to us in a similar format.
@@mazzysmusic Thanks Mazzy. I had gotten the Lennon comp. Some better, some worse but overall a good play. I’ve been focusing on old records-BS Artisan greenie as I missed the boat and got old Warner brother’s releases of two Devos. Bad idea. Should have gotten the rhino on that one. What was up with WB and the later 70’s? Heavens Gate bills? Rumors coke bill? Lp after Lp sounds equivalent to A.M radio in terms of sonics. You hear the potential but it’s buried; mastering/bad lacquer? Cheap vinyl? Hmmm? The BS artisan is stunning with its wide image. Feels like a room and shares a lot with good jazz recordings. Didn’t expect that. My WB Paranoid white label is lacking but not nearly as bad as those two Devos. My BS Masters greenie also sounds great.
Always in the KNOW complete with good taste
Mazzy you are the BEST
Excellent review! The new remix is great. I finally received my box set yesterday. I guess I need to order a UV blacklight! 😃
Mind Games was my entry point to solo Lennon as a kid courtesy of my big sisters record collection. It’s still his album that I return to most often. Can’t wait for this to be released. Thanks Mazzy.
Thanks Mazzy! I can’t wait to experience it
Sometime in New York City years ago i found a SHM- 2 SACD Japan only 2014 all the Lennon studio albums were on SACD.
Good review
Not my favourite Lennon album
But I’m a music fan
Can’t be bothered with torches and hidden tracks and all that mince
This should play on every player.
It’s not art it’s a pain in the ass
Thank you for your walk through of the Mind Games box set. It's seems like the details of the accompanying book gives you a fly on the wall perspective in some ways. Thank you for the UV torch cut and additional view into a small bit of the secrets. What's next do you think? It be wonderful to have a Double Fantasy with the stripped down version on vinyl someday, perhaps with the same love as given to Mind Games.
As a general rule, I prefer original albums. A lot of people back in the 60s and 70s took care of their records, and finding A- or A copies isn’t too difficult (prices vary of course).
I don’t regret selling most of my albums (200 or so; kept about 50 rare collectibles) when CD versions came out. I listen to a lot of Dead, and most of that is available only on CD, the best are Betty Boards. I do play old and new albums, and often a nuanced improvement can be heard over the CD version.
But my ears are 74 years-old now and I’m kinda lazy, so the convenience of CDs does it for me just fine.
A couple of weekends ago, I went CD shopping, and I found the soundtrack for the documentary John Lennon: Imagine. I had the cassette years ago. One of the things I enjoy about the soundtrack is that it mixes Beatles songs written by John with some of his solo songs. Because I don’t have any Lennon solo albums, this soundtrack is a great fit for me.
Great review !!! Totally agree on keeping consistent on size. I was hoping for the Sometime box set. Hope he don"t forget it. Congrats on hitting 35k.
Great review again - thanks for clarifying the differences to the Gimme Some Truth set - ironically the fun and mind games with this set have made me more inclined to buy this ! 😂
Your CD collection makes me verklempt 😊
I have a U. K. pressing of Mind Games. Sounds pretty good to me on "my system"
"my ears"
"my room"
As Mazzy would say........
There are actually TWO single versions of "Meat City". The album and US single versions have different backwards speech in the middle, but the JPN single has yet a third backwards message.
A beautiful mind
Great review Mazzy. Excited by release. But I'm one of the people whose head is gonna explode in frustration at not being able to find the Easter eggs. Why ? Why ?!?
which are the titles of the hidden tracks on this new release ?
What a thoughtful review and insights. Thank you. Please do you guess the Super Deluxe LP's will sound better, the same, or just different? Thank you Mazzy :-)
Looking forward to your Culture Club and Pet Shop Boys reviews.
😎😵💫🕺🏽
Nice review! Mind Games was never a favorite Lennon album of mine I will pick this up! I love the Lennon boxes and all the different element mixes on them! McCartney could learn a lesson from the Lennon boxes!!
I agree. The Beatles could learn a lesson from the Lennon estate. Evolution tracks of Beatles songs would be amazing.
Great review....can't wait till I get my copy. Whats you opinion on One Hand Clapping?
I challenge you Mr Jazzy to check out the first Elephants memory album. I grew up listening to it the playing is great. The different styles are great. "Old man willow" is a psych gem masterpiece and also featured in the party scene in the Midnight Cowboy film. I also grew up w Feeling the space and mind games albums. I think their songs are better than the songs they played for JL on the Sometime in NYC. Its definitely very dated but for me holds up far better than hearing Yoko's attempt at a more conventional pop singing voice approach...which honestly is not what she does best. I prefer hearing Y'all on things like "Why" from her plastic on o band album etc.
I'm sure this won't change your mind but for anyone out there looking for a lost underrated album here it is.
I wish I could afford this. I wish it didn't cost $169.00; Do you have thoughts on The Signature Box? I've always toyed with getting that, but I'm afraid of the $$ commitment. Maybe when it comes to John, money shouldn't be a consideration. Your review Mazzy of Mind Games is masterful, and I really did enjoy it.
I’ve seen this set as low as $120. Otherwise streaming is an option.
It’s $249.99 on Amazon Canada and with 13% sales tax of $32.50 = almost $300
Enjoyed the review
Oh no! People are gonna be so frustrated by the hidden tracks situation. Some are going to demand refunds, I can see it, just watch! I get Sean's intention, mind games! But, people are not going to be happy, if they can't even access the hidden tracks on their CD players. The box is retailing for around $250 in my country, and people will be very frustrated if they can't properly access the hidden tracks. And understandably so. I may just grab the 2 CD set for now, with the 50's rock jam and the single version of "Meat City" as bonus tracks at the end of CD 2, and tack on "I'm The Greatest" from "The John Lennon Anthology" and "Rock 'N' Roll People" from my alternate "Mind Games" CD, and call it a done deal. "I'm The Greatest" might be on CD 1 of the 2 CD set, but before the first track, "Mind Games", like on the box set.
Who cares what other people think. If they're that stupid they don't deserve this greatness anyway
There's Joe, the forgotten Kennedy, and Julian, the forgotten Lenon.
Back in the early 2000s, I had three John Lennon albums and didn't know they were remixes. I haven't heard the original mixes until later on. But I found an original copy of Mind Games. Mind Games has some good songs. I don't know about you, but I prefer the original stereo mix of Mind Games. How on earth would you find original copies of these albums? They're out of print. And where can you find an original single version of Meat City? I would rather hear the original mix of Meat City single version. Not the Ultimate mix. This is an all-out cash grab, in my opinion. Have you seen that big cube set of this album? It's ridiculous. All the original mixes will be replaced with these pointless remixes. The original mix of Mind Games is fine the way it is. It really bugs me that they feel the need to remix the album when the original mix is just fine. It's not a perfect stereo mix, but it's something.
OGs are not hard to find. The original mix is just not very good to me. Cash grab is always a lazy throwaway term imho.
Love the Lennon Ultimate mixes thus far. However, a remix should never remove any music. It should only fix the hard panning, bad edits, missing/hard to hear sound effects etc. I was told the horns are completely missing from One Day At A Time at the end? Is this true with headphones also?
No horns. I like it better without the sax
@@mazzysmusic Yeah, but they should stick to John’s original recordings like the Beatles mixes and only add stuff that’s on the original master tapes. Sean could have just buried it in the mix. I love remixes, but don’t remove stuff…
@mazzysmusic One Day At A Time without the sax would sound uneven. It would feel naked without it. I'm sorry, but this remix is completely unnecessary. It's a cash grab.
For me the original stereo Beatles albums are rough for the most part especially when The Beatles themselves say to listen to em in mono.
Dammit Mazzy I already made my mind up not to get this. Now thanks to your very insightful inspiring review I’m going to get it. Lol
“Better to regret getting it than regret not getting it!” - (VC TH-camr Brenden Snyder’s words of wisdom that always stuck with me)
I've heard it, and especially on tracks like Bring On The Lucie and Meat City, the new mixes sound terrible compared to the 2002 mix in my opinion.
+1 purchase
I've always thought Mind Games is a better album than Imagine. Of course, you don't have a monsterhit like Imagine, but there is no bad song on the album. Every song is a good song. I don't think Imagine has only good songs. The problem with Mind Games is that small "monolike" sound. And I think that's why people don't think it's a good record.
Nothing that even vaguely touches Jealous Guy on Mind Games.
@@bwpm1467 I've never like Jelous guy. Well, I did when I was a teenager and Imagine was new. Strange harmonies that don't go anywhere. The song is stucked. It doesn't come forward. Same arrangement throughout the song. Nothing happens. And that is a big problem with the whole Imagine album. Every song starts in a instrumentation and arrangements and continues in the same pattern throughout the song. That tells me that Paul was responsiible for most of Beatles interesting arrangments, where something new happens for every new verse or chorus. Paul was the genius. Without him Beatles would have been 60 % less exciting.
The song Imagine is about the only song with an developing arrangment on that whole album. And that wasn't even John's idea. It was Alan White's idea that John should sing the first verse with only hus piano.
If you compare Imagine or Plastic Ono Band to Ram, for me both John's albums are in black and white, whilst Ram is in color.
@@bwpm1467Jealous Guy is on Imagine.
@@jimmymelendez1836 Er, yeah. I know. I never said it wasn't. Is English not your first language?
The Mobile Fidelity version sounds terrible. I bought the RSD EP, and it’s much better.
Mind Games as an album is amazing. "New York City".....a waste.
I have Minde games mp3 and I am verry happy with it, don t need this box and papers
Cool. MP3s get you about a third to the full dynamics of the recording.
No matter how many gimmicks you can add to this will make it anymore than a mediocre record.
A couple of weekends ago, I went CD shopping, and I found the soundtrack for the documentary John Lennon: Imagine. I had the cassette years ago. One of the things I enjoy about the soundtrack is that it mixes Beatles songs written by John with some of his solo songs. Because I don’t have any Lennon solo albums, this soundtrack is a great fit for me.
That a great soundtrack. One of few places to get A Day in the Life with the full acoustic guitar beginning. Not a cross fade
Mind Games has always been my favorite John Lennon solo album, going back even to 1973. Thank you, Mazzy, for the strong review. I’ve ordered the double vinyl set and can’t wait to pop the discs on my 1971 Pioneer turntable.
Chuck that away. Buy a new Rega ferchrissakes.
@@apollomemories7399rega?
*vinyl
This is the only box set review of the music itself that I need. Thanks for the dive into Mind Games Mazzy!
Mazzy, I cannot find the hidden tracks and I do not have a blue ray player. Are the hidden tracks just on the regular CDs? Very frustrating.
We need this released on different colored vinyl.
I was looking forward to getting the remix, but i pulled out my old cd of the album and listened. I decided i actually don't like it outside of a couple tracks.
I'll try & listen again but i don't think that will change my mind.
why would i want six of the same album lol the original is the best
I know you bought that "torch" to inspect the guest room Rob stayed in. Loved this video! One of your best. The Easter Egg deal is just a game, a "Mind Game" but what's the deal with 78 23 seconds bonus tracks on The Ultimate Mixes CD?
@@harrysmusicroom ha yeah. That strange. Nutopia ✌🏼
Great review, Mazz
Thanks for the overview Mazzy! Looking forward to getting my copy. The book looks wonderful.✌
Am I the only one that is seeing a bunch of reviews for the Mind Games box set by a bunch of reviewers, but my purchase for the Mind Games box set isn’t even being shipped until July 13?
I don’t get it. Are the VC influencers getting this in advance?
Im not mad or hating on Mazzy or any other VC member, I love Mazzy.
But I see so many reviews for a box set that isn’t going to be in my hands for another month or so!! Did the John Lennon estate just send these out to the influencers months in advance or am I tripping, lol???
Yes. A handful of print and online reviewers have received advanced copies.
@@mazzysmusic thanks for the response Mazzy. I had a feeling that had to what is going on.
Yeah it’s just annoying that all these videos are out and you guys seem stoked and happy, haha. I’m trying to not watch the videos- But I have about a month until I’ll get my copy. Mind Games is over my algorithms!! lol
I’ve tried numerous times to really get into this album. I still have my Mind Games 45 record. The sound quality of the original album is horrible. It’s compressed and thin, it dulls the songs, I also thought were weak and uninspired. I’m willing to give this album another listen, I’ll buy the 2cd set, but can’t invest in the bigger set.
The positives of Sean's erudition should have been the pattern for Dhani Harrison's skewed documentation of All Things Must Pass.
After you mentioned the Elements Mix of You Are Here, I went and listened to it. Actually I watched it as the video has the words that seem to be a conversation that John had. Possibly a response to a question about the song. It sounds like it is just Sneaky Pete's pedal steel. Thanks for mentioning it, It was a wonderful listen.
Thanks Mas! Mind Games is a favorite of mine. Walls and Bridges, Rock n Roll and Mind Games, along with Shaved Fish were the first group of Lennon albums I bought, and I prefer them over his earlier solo albums. Looking forward to getting my Mind Games box set and double LP.
Great stuff Maz. John Lennon's 1973 radio commercial for Tower Records (and Mind Games) on the Strip is far out.
Thank you for the overview. I'm with you on this. An excellent album that we are now going to be able to appreciate in an entirely new way and with greater clarity and definition. Your insights into the manner in which the musicians are spotlighted in the book is intriguing and the various different mixes included here will throw spotlights onto their performances and contributions that I know I will find fascinating.
Really looking forward to the whole experience that this set will provide, so thank you for giving me a bit of a preview while I wait for my turn. I recently gave Feeling The Space a spin and it is a good album and will do so again in the run-up to the Mind Games set with added reason following your mention here.
These are very special releases and Sean should be congratulated on the effort he has put into this. I hope he finds a way to get the Some Time In New York City album to us in a similar format.
hey norman. awesome review. im considering gettimg the mind games box- 6 cd and 2 blu ray
Play audio cd with Blue-ray so I'm ready. Got to have the book. Thanks.
Thanks Mazzy! I can’t wait to experience it!
Hi Norman. Thanks again for another great review. I've aways enjoyed your well thought out & honest reviews. Regards, GAZ (Mebourne/Australia)
My pleasure!
Thanks for your take and the update on the mix
Nice review, Mazzy.
Nice set
Did they release a remix single lp?
A double LP comes out in July. Once disc the remix and a second of outtakes.
@@mazzysmusic Thanks Mazzy. I had gotten the Lennon comp. Some better, some worse but overall a good play. I’ve been focusing on old records-BS Artisan greenie as I missed the boat and got old Warner brother’s releases of two Devos. Bad idea. Should have gotten the rhino on that one. What was up with WB and the later 70’s? Heavens Gate bills? Rumors coke bill? Lp after Lp sounds equivalent to A.M radio in terms of sonics. You hear the potential but it’s buried; mastering/bad lacquer? Cheap vinyl? Hmmm?
The BS artisan is stunning with its wide image. Feels like a room and shares a lot with good jazz recordings. Didn’t expect that. My WB Paranoid white label is lacking but not nearly as bad as those two Devos. My BS Masters greenie also sounds great.