The low point in Lennon's career would be this travesty of blatant plagiarism of the Mothers of Invention in 1971 live at the Filmore East...
In Frank Zappa's own words; King Kong vs John Lennon
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Jamrag a strange phenomenon..
King Kong- Frank Zappa and the Mothers Feat. John Lennon and Yoko Ono- Fillmore East 1971
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as published on Some time in New York City
Jamrag - John Lennon & Yoko Ono (Remastered 2010)
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John's seventh "solo" album release, and first double album Some time in New York City
Record One was credited to John and Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephants Memory and Invisible Strings.
Record Two was credited to John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with The Mothers of Invention and star studded cast of thousands !!
The first thing to mention is that the album is called "Some Time In New York City" and NOT "Sometime In New York City".
This double album was frustratingly released in America THREE MONTHS before here in the U.K. which meant that import copies were appearing before it`s release, which then means lower sales figures are achieved here. The reason for the delay was again copyright problems with Yoko's name appearing as co-writer on some songs. Northern Songs refused to acknowledge this claim.
Also the album was meant to be a single album WITH a FREE bonus album of the "Live Jam", but as usual, it was assigned a catalogue number pushing it into a higher retail price bracket.
Record One was recorded between 1st March and 20th March 1972 in New York with John and Yoko and Phil Spector producing.
As well as the tracks for record one, a number of unreleased tracks are also recorded with Elephants Memory which are :
"Don't Be Cruel", "Hound Dog", "Send Me Some Lovin", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Whole Lotta Shakin Going On", "It'll Be Me", "Not Fade Away", "Ain't That A Shame", and "Caribbean".
Elephants Memory were a New York rock band who were best known at the time for their musical contribution to the 1969 movie "Midnight Cowboy" which starred Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight (George once owned a car previously owned by Jon Voight).
Record two details are listed below with the tracklisting.
The album cover is designed to look like a newspaper, and along with the lyrics has a few political statements too.
The face in the apple top left is Phil Spector, and underneath the picture it says, "To know him is to love him".
On the rear it says, "This album was completed on March 20th 1972, our third wedding anniversary".
Sleeve concept was by John and Yoko and realized by Al Steckler.
The sleeve design was by Michael Gross.
The record labels do not feature an Apple, but have the John and Yoko "merging heads" design.
The double album also came with a postcard of the Statue of Liberty and a petition about John's expulsion from the U.S. (not included in the American release).
CREDITS:
Personnel :
John - Lead Vocal, guitar
Yoko - Vocals, drums
Jim Keltner - Drums, percussion
Elephants Memory
Stan Bronstein - Saxophone, flute
Richard Frank Jr. - Drums, percussion
Gary Van Scyoc - Bass
Adam Ippolito - Piano, organ
Wayne 'Tex' Gabriel - Guitar
John Las Bosca - piano (on "Born In A Prison")
"Is he being himself (John Lennon) or a copy of himself being Irish?" - Robert Anton Wilson
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