Customer Reviews

Wedding Album

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

The "Wedding Album" is the third and final installment of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's avant-garde albums. Originally released in late 1969, this album is an audio souvenir of John and Yoko's much publicised marriage and subsiquent 'bed-in's for peace'. The original LP came in a box which included a booklet of press clippings, a photo of a piece of wedding cake, two posters of John and Yoko's photos and artwork and a reproduction of their marriage certificate. Some of the above items are reproduced in the artwork for the CD.
As for the album itself, many would dismiss the so-called music as pure self-indulgence. The original album included just two long tracks. The first was "John and Yoko". During this track's 22 and 1/2 minute duration, John and Yoko take turns calling out each other's name in every possible inflection. Additionally, the sound's of John and Yoko's heartbeats add an awkward hynotic 'rhythm' to the piece.
The second track is the 25-minute "Amsterdam". This track is an audio collage of John and Yoko's honeymoon in Amsterdam, Holland. It begins with Yoko wailing the word "Peace" while John whispers and shouts in the background. This is followed by an interesting interview between John, Yoko and the Dutch press. Other highlights include the sounds of John and Yoko departing from a jet airplane and John ordering room service from his hotel room. "Amsterdam" is like listening to a movie without the picture.
Like their other two avant-garde works, "Wedding Album" is more of a collectors piece than it is an essential title. The original LP box set is well worth searching out but can be very expensive depending on its condition. The CD is a well worthy substitute and is a must if your a Beatle collector.
The Rykodisc Remastered CD includes two rare B-sides "Who Has Seen The Wind" and "Listen, The Snow Is Falling" as well as an early version of "Don't Worry Kyoko" recorded at Queen Charlotte Hospital at the same time as the second half of John and Yoko's second album "Life With The Lions".

The third in a series of anti-popstar releases designed to, and largely successful in, knocking John Lennon off the pedestal his fans had erected for him. With his new avant-garde wife at his side -- and enough money in the bank to last a lifetime -- Lennon set about ruining his bank value so he could return to being a 'private citizen.' All three albums -- Two Virgins, Life With The Lions & Wedding Album -- are potent reminders of a simpler time when artists could experiment wildly (or just be very silly) and still get released and distributed (erm, somewhat). Rykodisc nicely duplicates the original packaging and the remastered sound quality is, for 1967, pretty darn good.

Of course you can't actually LISTEN to this stuff....

It's essential for mega-fans, but I would suggest getting the afore-mentioned "Two Virgins," "Life With the Lions," "Plastic Ono Band," or even "Season of Glass" first. Yes, "John & Yoko" is just that..."John!!! Yoko!!! John!!! Yoko!!! John, John!! Yoko, Yoko, Yoko!" for about 20 minutes (estimate) but it is so much more. It seems an effort at pure emotional expression without the contempt that "Cambridge 1969" received. "John & Yoko" is very interesting with excellent instrumental backing, just not as interesting as other Yoko Ono songs. "Amsterdam" begins with a short improvised song recorded during their honeymoon "Bed-In" in Amsterdam. Basically, it's "Peeeeeeeace. Let's hope for Peeeeeeeace." It then goes on to a quite fun interview with John and Yoko explaining their "Bed-In" to baffled reporters. They talk about the idiocy of "getting peace through violence" (their method being much less of an oxymoron) and other various topics, all with the ultimate goal of ending the stupid Vietnam War. Followed, as all re-released Yoko Ono albums by bonus tracks. "Who Has Seen the Wind?" was brilliantly played by the unknown backing musicians and stands as yet another anthem of John and Yoko's love. "Listen the Snow Is Falling" is by the usual Plastic Ono Band and is also brilliantly played and overdubbed with snow and wind sound effects. "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking For Her Hand in the Snow)" is a much earlier home demo with just her and John on guitar and is much easier to take (2:30) than the seventeen-minute tour de force of the version on "Sometime in New York City." "Wedding Album" is a must for any established Yokophile.

I have everything available on cd by Yoko Ono. Her music stimulates me intellectually and emotionally like no other current recording artist. I had searched for the B-sides "Who Has Seen The Wind" and "Listen, The Snow Is Falling" for years. Was greatly disappointed when they were not included on the extensive "OnoBox". So for me, "Wedding Album" is worth the price for these two Ono songs, which contain some of her most interesting lyrics. "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking For Her Hand In The Snow)" is a thought provoking title but never one of my favorite Ono songs. Track One "John & Yoko 22:41" is interesting and relevant because it's John and Yoko. The bantering back and forth by calling out their names goes from a lighthearted to an almost desperate tone. It's very long. I listen to this maybe once a year. But glad to have it in my collection, and a must in my Lennon/Ono collection. Track Two "Amsterdam 24:54" can be painfully long at times. Again, it's John and Yoko (and she does test your patience) with an interesting interview. Is this album music? art? politics? a John and Yoko "event" as they did before and better than anyone else? More importantly for me it's a significant piece to a puzzle that I enjoy piecing together. Lennon and Ono are an intellectual and creative force I enjoy submitting myself to.

First, the B-sides "Who Has Seen The Wind?" and "Listen, The Snow Is Falling" are two of my favorite Ono songs. Very disappointed when they weren't included on the "OnoBox" release. So to have them here makes the cd worth the price. I always liked the title "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking For Her Hand In The Snow)" but was never very enthused about the recording. Track one "John & Yoko 22:41" could almost be Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby" in s-l-o-w motion. I'm glad to have it but don't listen to it more than once a year. Track two "Amsterdam 24:54" is very difficult to listen to. Doesn't mean I'm not glad to have this interview and song (if you want to call it a song). I however, think Yoko Ono an incredible writer, artist and musician, and want to collect all that John and Yoko recorded. Call it music, call it art, call it politics, call it an "event", but it's John & Yoko singing, talking, doing what they did before and better than anyone else!

There was a time in the mid-60s when I would have bought an album of the Beatles belching and farting just because it was by the Beatles. If only this solo outing by Lennon with new wife Yoko Ono were that good. This is the album the CIA should have used to get Manuel Noriega to surrender to authorities! (After listening to this release a couple times, you'll be begging your local radio programmer to play "You Light Up My Life"!)

I should have learned my lesson when I first bought Unfinished Music No. 2: Life with the Lions (best track: "Two Minute's Silence"), but John was still my favorite Beatle and I gave him another chance. Big mistake. Is this album experimental? Yes. Is it avant garde? Yes. Is it music? Hey, I'd rather listen to the collected love songs of William Shatner. I'm amazed Rykodisk went to the trouble of rereleasing an album that sold so poorly the first time around in 1969. The only Lennon/Ono collaboration that worked was Double Fantasy. Stick with that one; this is for completists only.

John & Yoko's wedding album couldn't possibly BE more worthless. It consists of fragmented pieces of interviews concerning the topic of war and violence, which European countries are most and least responsible for the many war-related problems that exist (back then at least, with Austria getting considerable mention) and how it's better for one to experience love and peace besides hate and anger. To me this was already 100% completely obvious by the many MANY years I've been listening to Lennon's music. I *know* he's a peaceful guy. This album -with its share of uninteresting interviews- doesn't make that realization any more obvious to me.

The Wedding Album unfortunately also reveals how limited Yoko's vocal range is, as evident by her mediocre attempt to sing a heartfelt vocal melody that lasts ENTIRELY too long. Yikes. No ladies and gentlemen- this isn't actually music, and the supposed avant garde aspect is totally overrated (check out some Frank Zappa or King Crimson for the real deal is THAT regard).

You'll also experience Yoko answering a good chunk of the interviewers questions, even though Lennon is obviously the one who should be in charge concerning questions and answers. What's especially hilarious is how many times Yoko basically just repeats whatever John says immediately after, making her answers nothing more than a second unnecessary voice in the background, which therefore drags this album on even *longer*. UGH!!

Want music? Pick up Plastic Ono Band, Imagine, Mind Games and Walls & Bridges to hear the best music John Lennon ever made, and perhaps some anthology collection to tie up any loose ends. Leave the Wedding Album in the back corner of that dusty shelf on the bottom intended exclusively for things you don't like. Yeah you know which shelf I'm referring to- we all have one!

Save your money - download it for free from internet - check a minute of each number - throw it to the recycle bin.

I checked this album out from the local library. I can not give this album a great rating because it puts me to sleep! Get "Imagine". It's a better album.

As a lifelong Beatles fan and collector, I owned and treasured all of John's work. All three of pre-Plastic Ono Band albums are the sign of what was happening in the late 60's. John was using these albums and Yoko to shake the image of Beatle John. I do admit these albums did not get very much needle time on my turntable (does that age me!!) If you are starting to get into John's work this would be low on the list for must have CD's, I even took a while to purchase these. But my collection would not be complete without these wonderful pieces of history