Double Fantasy Stripped Down [New Mix + Original Recording Remastered] [Import]

John Lennon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B003Y8YXH6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,067 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2010 two CD release containing the digitally remastered version of the 1980 Double Fantasy album plus a never before released 'Stripped Down' version produced by Yoko Ono and Jack Douglas. Includes '(Just Like) Starting Over', 'Woman', 'Watching The Wheels', 'Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)' and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real(er) Fantasy, October 5, 2010

By 

Steven Alter (Redmond, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Fantasy Stripped Down [New Mix + Original Recording Remastered] (Audio CD)

It's been impossible to listen to this album separate from the context of Lennon's death for the past 30 years, and in many ways it still is. But if the "Stripped Down" version doesn't exactly reclaim the album (it is, after all, a collection of pop songs meant as a snapshot in time, not the valedictory artistic statement fate turned it into), the warmth and immediacy of the remix definitely unyokes it from the time and place of it's making and turns it into an album for the ages. For me, it's less about what's missing here, or what's been changed there, but that the whole overall feel of the album, and specifically the presence of Lennon's voice, is more direct and impactful. So, if it's not a revelatory rediscovery of the music, it's definitely the better version of the album, and the one I'll be listening to.

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Staring Over: Double Fantasy Reboot, October 6, 2010

By 

Maclen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Fantasy Stripped Down [New Mix + Original Recording Remastered] (Audio CD)

For too many years to recall, Double Fantasy was a difficult listen, very problematic to separate the murder of John Lennon from the joyfulness of the music that John displays here in his half of the album. When I went back to the album years later with the release of Milk and Honey, I excluded the Yoko material. Yesterday, I played the entire record and I must say I'm quite surprised at how good Yoko's material is, the vocals are not up to professional standards, but the music is really quite vital and exciting in no small measure due to John's intuitive abilities. The new mix is the real deal for me, I never liked the Gospel singing girls on "Starting Over", they are completely wiped off the "Stripped Down" version to astonishing effect. The new mix features a crispness to the songs, with John's voice no longer being double tracked and background singers being wiped clean. JL's voice is also brought far up into the mix as is the drums. The guitars sparkle with clarity, and in fact all of the songs have a spaciousness and clarity not heard before with these tracks, also most importantly the whole affair has been flattened out, it doesn't sound like John's singing between two mountains, the echo of the vocals has vanished and that brings a lot of warmth to the proceedings. I'd give this album as a whole, 4 stars, but the Lennon songs are worth five, this collection represents some of his best solo material. The song "Woman" actually sounds like an alternate take to me, the others sound like the originals, some of the songs continue to run past the original length and offer some interesting differences. All in all this is a terrific buy as you get the Original CD and the new mix for the price of one, so really only a Blue Meanie would criticize something that's essentially given away with the original. Highly recommended.

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh take, October 5, 2010

By 

beatles88 "Go Dolphins" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Fantasy Stripped Down [New Mix + Original Recording Remastered] (Audio CD)

First of all, some people don't like remasters/re-releases since they see it as just for money. You don't have to buy it though. However, one point for them besides improved sound that the big fans do want, is a way to introduce it to younger or newer fans. And it's also a good way to mark a certain occasion, like what would be his 70th Birthday week.

As for the album, I went and got it today, and the original version sounds good and crisp. John's songs are all perfect, he was at the top of his game. As for Yoko's, it's not that bad. Her music is not very mainstream, but there are some songs that are worth listening to: "Kiss Kiss Kiss", "I'm Moving On"(Does go great with John's "I'm losing you"), "Give me something" and "Hard times are over."

As for the stripped down version, you can definitely hear the vocals more. The differences aren't intense, but you can tell. To me, "Woman" is the biggest difference from the original, the acoustic guitar really stands out. The stripped version is like an added bonus, and was a good idea to make the music fresh and make the vocals stand out some more, without changing it too much. I think it's worth a buy, $12.99(price as of this writing) is a great deal for the two albums.