Terminology in recorded music can get really confusing sometimes. There is the “remix,” which is generally a dramatic alteration of a song, with new elements added, and some elements removed. The “mix” is only a small element of the change. When I opened up the press release for Gimme Some Truth. The Ultimate Mixes, I was skeptical to say the least… I was expecting a full album of Diplo-fied John Lennon songs, and expected it to be pure pain. By the grace of either God or respect for one of rock’s most important songwriters ahead of his 80th birthday, this release is NOT that. Instead, it’s a compilation of many of John Lennon’s greatest tracks, only going back to the original master tapes and giving a few subtle adjustments to the actual levels of different elements.
We haven’t heard the whole thing yet, but the Lennon Estate has kindly granted us “Instant Karma.” The comparison is subtle, but the new version is actually better. Lennon’s voice is pushed all the way to the front of the mix, centered between the channels. The bass guitar is also more prominent, and the drums sound fuller. When the choir kicks in, the effect is much more dramatic. We do lose a bit of the piano, but I don’t think we are losing much there. If you wish, you can compare for yourself:
If you are missing John Lennon from you vinyl collection (like I am, sadly), this is a worthwhile way to get the essential cuts quickly. And, it’s coming out on his 80th Birthday: October 9th, 2020! Preorders / Presaves can be found here.
Full track listing:
LP 1
SIDE A
1. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)
2. Cold Turkey
3. Working Class Hero
4. Isolation
5. Love
LP 1
SIDE B
6. God
7. Power To The People
8. Imagine
9. Jealous Guy
LP 2
SIDE A
10. Gimme Some Truth
11. Oh My Love
12. How Do You Sleep?
13. Oh Yoko!
14. Angela
LP 2
SIDE B
15. Come Together (live)
16. Mind Games
17. Out The Blue
18. I Know (I Know)
LP 3
SIDE A
19. Whatever Gets You Thru The Night
20. Bless You
21. #9 Dream
22. Steel And Glass
23. Stand By Me
LP 3
SIDE B
24. Angel Baby
25. (Just Like) Starting Over
26. I’m Losing You
27. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
28. Watching the Wheels
LP 4
SIDE A
29. Woman
30. Dear Yoko
31. Every Man Has A Woman Who Loves Him
32. Nobody Told Me
LP 4
SIDE B
33. I’m Stepping Out
34. Grow Old with Me
35. Give Peace a Chance
36. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
