Photograph Smile [Import]

Julian Lennon | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Music from Another Room/Pinnacle UK
• ASIN: B000025NS8
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,188 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

John Lennon's oldest son spent the seven years preceding this album traveling Europe, painting, and even working in a stage production of Mr. Holland's Opus. Expanding his horizons certainly paid off, since his fifth album, Photograph Smile, has been crafted with a self-knowledge that recognizes both his strengths and limitations. No longer defensive about sounding like his father, Lennon has finally acknowledged his artistic lineage. While not exploiting the vocal similarities to his father, he makes the most of them, turning in a riveting neo-Beatles performance in the upbeat "I Don't Want to Know"; a fierce rocker, it recalls what was best about Something New, and therefore what was best about the Beatles. Lyrically, Lennon's bittersweet renderings of love, loss, and fidelity hint at the pain he suffered as a result of his uprooted early years. He's a multi-instrumentalist, and his stylist experiments borrow from the songbooks of both Beatle John and Led Zeppelin--Zep's being the better loan. --Jaan Uhelzski

Product Description

1998 solo album for Rough Trade by John's elder son. 14tracks, including the single 'Day After Day'.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why is this out of STOCK? The most brilliant of Jules yet!, July 26, 2004

By 

Trekkintheplains "Take a sad song and make it... (South Dakota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photograph Smile (Audio CD)

I LOVE this album! I had never heard of Julian's music until a few years ago. I have been a fan of The Beatles and John since I was 11 but didn't know much about Julian until I was 16. Then, I watched an interview with him on ABC's Primetime. Immediately I was struck by how much he resembled John and how alike their voices are! Yet, I saw him as an individual with a LOT of talent ALL his own! I also heard some samples of his songs and KNEW that I had to buy his newest album.

From the first time I listened to it, I LOVED IT!!! At times, I swore I was listening to John sing. He is hauntingly similar to his father, and that is a good thing! But, in voice only. Yes, he has some of the same unconscious mannerisms and stances of John, but, Julian has his own UNIQUE, beautiful style that really touched my heart. His voice has a lovely timbre, and he is quite talented in his writing, singing and playing of various instruments.

The songs themselves are so varied, from the Environmentally conscious "How Many Times" to the hopeful "Faithful" and "Day After Day" to the lighthearted "Kiss Beyond the Catcher" to yet another depth with "Good to be Lonely" and "Believe", personal favorites of mine. Hopeful songs in themselves. Other notables are "She Cries" "I Should Have Known" "Cold" and "Walls". Oh heck! The whole album is worth listening to OVER and OVER for the rest of your life!!! In fact, I'm listening to it as I write this review.

It's sad that today's music has changed so much, now we have to endure hip hop and rap dominating the charts, real musicians like Julian have been overlooked in favor of the one-hit wonders and fads that grow old quickly. Julian's style is enduring, he has put care and thought into each and every song! I found no fillers or "banged together" quickly-done songs on this album.

The years Julian took to put this together and pursue other interests really paid off, he constructed an enduring, spiraling, solid collection of his own ART! It can be compared to old-style architecture: slow to build but timeless in its endurance! He makes the most of his talents and in no way exploits them. Julian uses them to create songs truly drawn from the depths of his soul. Years in between albums has allowed Julian to mature and ripen like a fine wine, and I applaud the result!

Why on earth is it no longer available New on Amazon? As many critics have said, this was a new beginning for Julian! A true masterpiece of his own. As the great George Martin (producer for The Beatles) said: "Julian in himself is great, he would be greater if it were not for John, but still, he is a great artist on his own" which basically means that he always has to live in John's shadow because people will always compare him to John. If it weren't for John, Julian might be more well-known, but unfortunately, people write him off as an imitation of John without really knowing anything about Julian and his own brand of genius!

"Wind through the window, come sing me a song, show me a way to go on. I've been disconnected, loved and rejected, traveling inside of my soul. And I've clenched my fist, and I've cried for love, and I've prayed for the other souls out of control and the answers that came from above."
"Rain on the traintracks, the beat of my heart, the rhythm of life carries on. In mem'ries and dreams of the faces and places, I know I'll always belong."

That is pure genius in itself! And, it is wrapped in such a lovely melody! Julian speaks to me, his songs have found a kindred connection with my soul, I can't wait to hear more from him! Please Amazon, bring this back!!!

This is Julian's best yet! Jules is the best, he is a genius in his own right and has a beautiful, original creativity!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top notch album!, February 15, 2000

By 

Bret M. Herholz (Worcester, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Photograph Smile (Audio CD)

Julian Lennon has done his fans proud with probably his best album to date. He is finally letting his emotions out and not holding back one bit. Especially towards Yoko Ono whom he describes in the song "I should have Known" (just listen to the lyrics and you'll understand what I'm saying). Finally free of record companies trying to squeeze number one hits out of him and making him feel like he has to live up to his father, John Lennon's, legend. Julian shows everyone that he is his own person and the result is an album of beautiful songs. He even pays homage to his Beatle heritage "I Don't Wanna Know" with an equally humourous music video featuring a Beatlesque band which Julian does not appear as a band member. Which I think is a very smart move on his part. To all the skeptics out there, Julian is not trying to be his father or overshadow his father's career. He is a talented musican in his own right and I feel he deserves that respect. So get over it! I love this album and I hope that he keeps proving the skeptics wrongs with the albums that follow. Great work Jules!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Beatles Related Album Period!, October 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Photograph Smile (Audio CD)

This album is solid! My wife loves it! Julian is in fine form vocally...and his songwriting has blossomed, matured...Paul Mccartney should do a colloboration with Julian...musically they stand on similar terrain...immediate standout tracks are "And she Cries" with a sound similar to George harrison All Things Must Pass Album, the last track which takes off cleverly from Lucy in the Sky...after all, John said Julian did co-author the song in a way....and the 64 Beatlesque or should I say Rutley "I don't Want to Know".....all the other tracks are richly melodic...and a Beatles fan will find themselves proudly ading Julian to their Beatles collection!