Customer Reviews

Blueprint for a Sunrise

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Yoko Ono has been laughed at for the past 30+ years. Why? Because she dared to be different. She's now 69, I'm 17, and I absolutely love her!! "Blueprint For A Sunrise" is an album of treasures. From the very beginning, I knew this was going to be a magnificent CD. "I Want You To Remember Me" Parts A & B are haunting and outstanding! Other standout tracks include the stunning "It's Time For Action!", the sweet "I Remember Everything", and the gorgeous "Are You Looking For Me?" Live recorded tracks include "Rising II" and "Mulberry", both of which are incredible! All in all, "Blueprint For A Sunrise" is a must-have for all serious music aficionados. It's time Yoko received the praise she truly deserves!!

And that means good! The reason certain so-called "critics" don't get it is because they're reviewing it for something it isn't supposed to be or trying to be in the first place. If one just listens to it like it's one woman's personal message to them, it will effect them so much more rightly than if they try to think of what the stupid radio would do with it...
This is not meant for radio. It is not meant for anything other than what it is, which is, as said, Yoko's personal message to every individual person.
Here, she expels her thoughts on the the treatment of women, but without coming off as though she has some kind of political agenda...one truly can sense that she cares about these issues, and is Not suggesting female superiority, or being trite, and one finds onesself agreeing with it after listening to it as though it were the first time they had ever heard this message.
It also contains a very touching tribute to John...(how can one not cry?)
Sean plays guitar on the songs, and also it contains some tracks that were from live performances, such as Mulberry, where Sean's guitar~work is amazing!
And I tell you! The woman's voice and ability to transmit all sorts of emotions through it has never changed a bit! It's amazing. Oh yeah; she's a senior citizen and shows no signs of it. Go Yoko! ;-)
Her ability to keep being honest is striking...
Yeah...this one is something special, and you'll know what I mean if you buy it, so do! It is quite astounding..

Bloody marvelous!! In my view, this tops Dylan's "Love & Theft" for album of the year honors. Once again, Ima's backing is stellar throughout, and seems to have even gotten tighter since her last disc. As track 7 is entitled, It's Time for Action! ... so buy this album now!

Here's hoping that Yoko decides to tour in support of this album too. I saw her backed by Ima, at the Park West in Chicago, during her Rising tour. It was one of the most profound musical experiences I have ever had the privilege to experience. It sure would be great to experience her type of positive energy in a live setting once again, especially since the world is in such a dark state right now.

Peace!

Ono had classical music training (in both voice and piano) in Japan, and then she rebelled against that (but it stuck with her anyway) when she joined the avant garde art movement Fluxus, whose musical arrangements (such as those by John Cage) are known for playing with the listener's perceptions of time, beauty, boredom and humor. This album combines both. It meshes the off-beat sweetness of someone like Nico with the Kali-esque ferocity of someone like Diamanda Galas. She's Bjork turned up the "weird" notch, and above all, she is Yoko, with a powerful voice and a rich history to draw from in her song-writing. She does nothing short of pushing her medium to its very limits, and this album is a fantastic introduction to her. I would definitely also recommend picking up a copy of Grapefruit (Ono's book of instructions, which are dark, sattirical, and hysterical) while you're at it.

"Blueprint for a Sunrise" is another superior album from this wonderfully inspiring artist. This is certainly not a commercial effort on Yoko's part. Then again, when has she ever been? If you are a Yoko fan, this album is like having "Rising" and "Feeling the space" melded together.
Yoko is communicating some powerful messages in songs such as "I want you to remember me" (in which Yoko takes a sample from the song "Coffin Car") and faces female issues in "Is this what we do". One song that I think is the best (and has a fantastic backbeat & samples a guitar lick from the 1972 song "Kite") is "It's time for action". It's Yoko at her best telling/yelling to "get a life!" and "Stay alive!".
"Rising II" is a live track of the original from 1995, BUT it is very different vocally - Yoko speaks to us in Japanese and lets out a laugh that really freaked out my friends. Not me though. I'm used to Yoko sounding different!
With all of the messages of hope and survival Yoko Ono brings to us with this effort, I can say that I was very pleased to have the song "I remember everything" close out the album. I don't know about you, but I needed to hear about John on this album and the song delivers it. You're going to like this album alot. Vocally, The Double Fantasy album kept popping up in my head with this album for some reason. I'm glad Yoko is going into the studio at 68 years young and I hope she continues her insprirational and mind train - like music.

Either you like Yoko or you hate her, and BLUEPRINT FOR A SUNRISE will not change anyone's mind either way. This is one of Yoko's most eclectic works, with two live cuts ("Rising II" and "Mulberry", recorded in New York in 1997), a song originally written in 1973 ("Soul Got Out Of The Box"), a remake of "Wouldnit" from RISING with a new arrangement, a bit of reggae ("I'm Not Getting Enough", which sounds like a Bob Marley tune musically), some hard funk with chanting in 16 languages ("It's Time For Action", my favorite on the record), a ballad to John ("I Remember Everything") and yes, some vocal gymnastics that most people hate ("Mulberry", "Rising II", "I Want You To Remember Me"). Yoko throws in plenty of samples from past work, too, especially on the final number, "Are You Looking For Me?", which includes bits from "Greenfield Morning" and "The Path" which are fascinating. Sean and IMA again provide backing, which is excellent; Sean sounds just as far-out on guitar as his dad on "Mulberry", originally recorded by John & Yoko in 1968 (available on UNFINISHED MUSIC #2 as a bonus track). Plus, there are a few guest musicians on weird, wonderful things like electric harp. Some of the early numbers concentrate on the abuse of women; "I Want You To Remember Me" is particularly chilling, with an account of a woman being murdered by her lover. It can be a bit hard to take, but it's certainly challenging and exciting music, especially from a 68-year-old woman! Overall, if you love Yoko, you will love this album. If not...there's always something nice and safe, like Wings.

Like fine wine it seems that Yoko Ono get's better with age. In the 21'st Century we find Yoko continuing here internal and external dialogue. On "Blueprint for a Sunrise" Yoko neither deflects or avoids herself...instead she embraces her inner Yoko, thus, expanding her. If there was ever one person who's work stands as a testament to individualism and its value as expression...its Ms. Ono. This seminal work can be described as "zen existentialism" for Yoko's ability to see herself from both the historical and personal perspectives.
These hauntingly attractive compositions are vintage Yoko and are worthy of deeper contemplation (as are most of her and Lennon's work).
The dialogue continues.
"I Remember Everything" and "It's Time for Action" are among the best of the work.
I'm a student at the School of the Art Institute here in Chicago if anyone would like to communicate with me.

Another piece of brilliance from one of the 20th centurys greatest artists who continues to receive bad press. I have also noticed from the last two reviews that the negative opinions are starting to come out of the woodwork. I must disagree strongly with the last reviewer, who feels that she is "running out of ideas". As one journalist stated, Yoko Ono's work seems to be wholly unified. What is wrong with sampling your own material, only to stem new ideas from it? Especially when those samples sound just as new now as they did nearly 25 years ago!

If anything, even if you dislike Yoko, cherish her outlook. One of my ambitions in life it to stay young at heart, relish the times that have finally caught up to me, stay postive in spite of earth shattering events. Yoko is a very young 68 years, and I hope to see her continue 20-30 years from now.

Bless you.

I've always admired the artistic and musical works of Yoko Ono, and find true beauty and honesty in her voice and self-written lyrics. This album is no different, it's pure quality, pop/dance/avand-gard/rock and everything else rolled into one album. "Are u looking for me" is my personal track, i wish it was extended in legnth. If u enjoy John Lennon's solo work, get into Yoko Ono's catalogue, u must have an open mind and be able to read between the lines if so, also don't expect to hear this on the radio... Overall, excellent album form a woman who's been doing it that way for over 30 years now strong.

This album-like all of Yoko Ono's albums-is great. People trash her, but those that trash her, either do not understand her music, or they've never actually listened to any of it,(I find it's usually the latter of the two).
I felt that I should review this album, because it is brilliant, and I've had it since it first came out, and I would hate someone to miss the chance to hear a truly remarkable artist, because too many people have negative opinions of her. So throw away your preconceived notions about her.
She's amazing, and she's finally being paid her dues. For a few years now, she has become more popular, due to the remixes of her older songs-which by the way have given her many top ten hits on the dance club charts. Her music in the late 60's through the mid-90's was way ahead of its time, but the time has come, it is now!