Customer Reviews

Walls and Bridges

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

My personal favorite John Lennon album is 1974's "Walls And Bridges," which may seem like an odd choice to some people since the album is considered to be one of John's "weakest" releases (and recorded during John's "lost weekend" period, when he was separated from Yoko Ono). Personally, I don't understand the criticism at all. "Walls And Bridges" a "weak" album? Nonsense! Whatever personal problems Lennon was going through during this period, I think he still cranked out a fantastic album. Mind you, I enjoy all of John's solo stuff, including such classics as "Plastic Ono Band," "Imagine," and his songs on "Double Fantasy," but there's just something about "Walls And Bridges" that appeals to me the most. What else can I say? I think the songs, the production, and of course, John's singing and songwriting is just wonderful on this disc. There are memorable melodies and performances throughout "Walls And Bridges." Great songs include "Going Down On Love," the #1 hit "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" (featuring Elton John), the jazz-rock throwdown "What You Got," the gorgeous feel of "Bless You," the atmospheric dreamscapes of "#9 Dream," the powerful "Steel And Glass," the funky instrumental "Beef Jerky," and the classic Lennon ballad "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out)". These songs are absolutely amongst Lennon's best work, so don't tell me that this album is weak. If I'm alone in my opinion that "Walls And Bridges" is the best solo album Lennon ever recorded, then so be it. Maybe I'm just weird. But I totally love John Lennon's "Walls And Bridges" and I always have. I hope you will, too.

"Walls and Bridges" was the remains of the "lost weekend". Alcohol dominated Lennon's life during this period. The album isn't as tough sounding as other Lennon albums from earlier and, in fact, it seems Lennon was trying to rediscover his sense of melody and produce something as lush as McCartney's "Ram". While "Walls and Bridges" doesn't measure up to Lennon's first two solo albums, it more than compensates with melodic, rich songs that feature some of the most interesting arrangements of any from his solo career. While the music is a tad inconsistent with filler, the best tracks here compare well to Lennon's best material as a solo artist.

The new reissue has a mix of remixed/remastered tracks for the album. While this edition sounds improved compared to the cloudy first edition, it isn't as large a difference as "Mind Games" or even "Sometime in New York City" (which always sounded a bit muddy to me). The good news is that the best tracks here stand up very well to Lennon's best material; "Going Down on Love", "#9 Dream", "Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out", "Surprise, Surprise" and others may lack the fire of the primal scream albums but they make up for it with some of Lennon's best vocal performances. it also features Lennon's biggest #1 hit until his death "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" recorded with Elton John. Fans know the story that John predicted it would be a #1 and bet Lennon that it would be. John challenged Lennon to appear in concert with him for the number if it did become a #1 hit. True to his word, Lennon did appear and Lennon performs the song with John (it is missing his performance of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" which Elton John sang lead vocals on as it was his single at the time). Also included is a nice early version of "Nobody Loves You" and an interview with John. While it isn't John's best album, it has enough of his fire and talent in it to make it worthwhile for Beatles and Lennon fans. Like McCartney, Lennon did indeed endure an artistic slump as he lost his place in the changing world of rock music during the 70's but his talent never deserted him. If anything Lennon could have used an outside producer to help him consolidate and weed through his ordinary songs vs. the gems on this album.

Although I understand Yoko's reluctance to include "Move Over Ms. L" (since it's written about their "break up")as a bonus track here, it was written around the same time and would have fit perfectly. I'm not really clear as to why it wasn't included since it isn't on any of the other albums. Strange days indeed. It's a minor criticism at best and some of the remixed tracks here are a relevation such as "Going Down on Love".

I really dislike the redesign of the cover and prefer Lennon's original one (which I still have as an LP). The original cover folded out with the picture of Lennon sticking out his tongue on the flip side. I would have loved to see the original album cover reproduced (and, in fact, ordered the import edition in hopes that it would reproduce it but it doesn't). The booklet reproduces the original 12 page booklet that came with the album pretty accurately (I haven't broken it out yet for a head-to-head comparison though).

Forget what the critics say concerning his "lost weekend" period. The songs on this album are among his best written. #9 Dream, Steel and Glass, Bless You, When You're Down are among the best songs on this album. "Whatever Gets You through the Night" was his number 1 song co-written with Elton John, and as much as I like that song, it isn't even close to being the best on the album.

While I think that his first solo (Plastic Ono Band) was his best, this is my second favorite.

Buy it, you'll like it.

On this outstanding album, John fends for himself, for the first time in his professional life without Yoko AND Paul. It also is one of his few albums that feature no other Beatle. His band is comprised of such "Fifth Beatles" as Klaus Voorman, Jim Keltner, and Nicky Hopkins. It seems he is now totally screamed out, and has had his say about political problems in the world. He has been stiffed by Yoko - and moves on now much more easily than he did, when dealing with the abandonment of his mother and father. He even has a little bit of Julian on the album.

He seems to be comfortable with himself - the music is accessible, with the expected depth. I have always considered it a letter he is writing to Paul, George, Ringo, Yoko, his fans - heck, even Cynthia and Julian.

#9 Dream connects with Beatles material in more ways than its title. It is one of the 10 or so best Beatles solo tracks, in terms of having a "Beatles" sound to it. "Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out", is "Isn't It A Pity" written sideways. He seems to have the same need to write this as George had with his similarly-penned number. It is a continuation of the Beatles story. Songs like this allowed us to get to know the Beatles personally, and to be able to connect their problems in life with our own.

Steel and Glass, of course, is penance for his "Stick it, Paul" rant, "How Do You Sleep?" from Imagine. YaYa is a return to a Hamburg favorite.

In "God" John says "I was the Walrus", and "I don't believe in Beatles." On this entire album, John seems to say, "well, okay - maybe I am kind of a walrus, and well, maybe I do believe in a little bit of Beatles."

John's personal and professional development is shared with the world in his music. Walls and Bridges, like all of his albums, is a critical piece in that development. When listening to his music with that perspecive, I find it much more enjoyable.

I would encourage the two Beatles fans in the world that do not have this album, to go ahead out and purchase it.

"Walls and Bridges" (1974) captures the essence of John Lennon better than any of his solo efforts, with the exception of "Imagine." The harshness of "Plastic Ono Band" still can be found in memorable tracks such as "Steel and Glass" and "Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out" - two of Lennon's most underrated songs. The CD also features the hit singles "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" and "#9 Dream," which showcase Lennon's mastery of popular-music composition. Other surprises include John's collaboration with Harry Nilsson, "Old Dirt Road," and a funky instrumental titled "Beef Jerky." For years, music critics have considered "Walls and Bridges" a water-treading work from an artist in decline. Nothing could be further from the truth. Unlike "Mind Games" and "Double Fantasy," this integral Lennon recording has stood the test of time.

Most critics seem to agree that "Walls and Bridges" is Lennon's second weakest album, right after "Sometime In New York City." It's been criticized as being unfocused and having filler. Although most critics will grant that the album does have some redeeming qualities and a few good songs. I strongly disagree with what most critics say about this album. In my opinion, "Wall and Bridges" stands alongside "Plastic Ono Band," and "Imagine" as being some of the best music Lennon ever recorded. I would even put "Walls and Bridges" right alongside Led Zeppelin's "Zoso" and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" as one of the best albums of the 1970s. This album does have its flaws. There is some filler, the production is a bit stuffy and it sounds a bit dated. However, I find that these flaws enhance its overall charm.

John Lennon's music has often been autobiographical. This album shows that as much as any other album he recorded. At the time, Lennon was a man in pain. He was separated from Yoko and unsure of what to do or where he wanted to go. He indulged in drinking and heavy partying in the infamous "Lost Weekend." This album is not a catharsis of raw emotion like "The Plastic Ono Band." This album is more like a diary from a dark period in a mans life. It's not so much a cry for help, but more of an album of resignation and defeat.

The album opens with "Down On Love" a mid-tempo song about falling to pieces. In his delivery, Lennon sounds as though he is pleading for help, but he also sounds dejected. "Whatever Get You Through the Night" is one of Lennon's biggest solo hits. A great catchy duet with Elton John. "Old Dirt Road" is a beautiful balled about being lost. "What you Got" is not one of the album's strongest tracks. It's just a sort of sloppy rocker, but it adds to the album's overall charm. "Bless You" another beautiful balled in the vein of "Imagine." "Scared" is a cool mid-tempo song whose meaning is self-explanatory. But in his singing, the song sounds as though Lennon really is scared--it sounds lived in. When he's yelling that he's scared, you can feel the mans torment. "Scared" runs perfectly into "#-9 Dream" a lush, pop-savvy mid-tempo rocker with cool cellos. "Surprise, Surprise (Sweet Bird of Paradise)" is another filler song--not great, not bad--just filler. The album would have been slightly better without its inclusion. "Steel and Glass" is the follow-up to "How Do You Sleep at Night." The contrast of it's raw, angry delivery with the lush music sounds great and enhances the song. "Beef Jerky" is a cool jam instrumental. "Nobody Loves You (When Your Down and Out)" is a depressing song about looking at life straight in the eye when you are lonely and dejected. "Ya Ya" is a filler sound byte, with Lennon's son, Julian on drums. It's a cool way to end the album.

A lovely CD restored to sonic clarity... from John's 'lost weekeend' period. He's Sooo
honest, melodic and inventive. Lyrically he's emotionally generous ("Bless You")
resigned ("Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out"") self aware the 'Hatred and jealousy' section of "Scared") and what was a bit of a dull, murky original mix and pressing is now pristine. Bless Yoko for her stewardship of his aural catalogue but both of my thumbs down for her repackaging -- losing John's orignal cover of childhood drawings, and the disk graphics are maybe a bit misleading/self serving (John and Yoko's faces morphing, originally from the Sometime In NYC record; but
this was the lost weekend, and May Pang was in the picture as well.)

First let's get this straight. Jerry McCulley's amazon review says that Lennon's solo career experienced a slump. Well ok, maybe Sometime in New York City isn't his most beloved album, but by no means was he in a slump! He not only put out a very good disc, Mind Games, but he produced Harry Nilsson, played with Elton John, Johnny Winter and made Walls and Bridges. Which is one of his best! In fact it stands up to his greatest works, such as Plastic Ono Band, Imagine, and a lot of his Beatles material. Here was a man in a lot of emotional pain, and using music to heal. He has some incredible moments on this disc. First, the writing is very personal. Scared, Nobody Loves You When Your Down and Out, and Bless You. All bare his emotions for all to see, and questions so much about himself, love, and his longing for connection. Dream #9 echos The Beatles, Mind Games and the lost forgotten gem Here We Go Again (Menlove Ave). It is a great mystical track. The production is very funky on this disc. Some great horn arrangements and strings with a lot of classic lennon accoustics. This is a great disc, one of his best! In fact to be honest, this is much better than Double Fantasy. More gritty and full of the New York/LA feel that echoed his lifestyle. Get it!

This is one of my favorite Lennon albums filled with lovely melodies (Whatever Gets You Through the Night, #9 Dream), revealing and ironic lyrics (Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out; Steel and Glass) and a classy production. It has a little for everyone from romantic ballads (Bless You) to rockers (You Don't KNow What you Got). John's vocals are in fine form and he is backed by top notch musicians.

I noticed that another commentator stated that John was in an "artistic slump." I wish every artist would have a "slump" like this.

This release shows what John was capable of once out from under "The Yoke." It is no wonder that Walls and Bridges features two top ten hits (Whatever Gets You Thru the Night and #9 Dream), was a Top 10 LP, and was one of his best selling releases at the time.

This is a very high-energy album, loaded with killer songs from start to finish. Many of them reflect what John was going through during the Lost Weekend, including a few songs about how much he missed Yoko. There are rockers like "What You Got," songs that are just fun to listen to, like "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night," softer songs like "Old Dirt Road," and contemplative songs like "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)." The two best-known songs on here are "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" and "#9 Dream"; the latter song John later dimissed as "a piece of garbage I had around." The album would be 100% perfect if it weren't for "Ya-Ya," which really kills the mood set by "Nobody Loves You." That was the perfect closing track, but John had to cover "Ya-Ya" so that the copyright owner would get royalties from a settlement on the songs he would release on the 'Rock and Roll' album. For revenge, John made it the last song on this album, as well as the worst and shortest. The only redeeming thing about it is that his son Julian is also playing on it, a really sweet moment between parent and child.

My faves are "Nobody Loves You," "Going Down on Love," "#9 Dream," "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night," "Bless You," and "Steel and Glass" (an attack on Allen Klein which John later said didn't work the way he'd wanted it to). It might not be praised as highly or consistently as POB or 'Imagine,' but the songs on here are just as well-crafted, great, and brutally honest and soul-searching.