Yes, I'm a Witch

Yoko Ono | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000LC520K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,085 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

At first glance, this looks like it might be yet another one of those records where an older cult artist is paired with a bunch of younger/ supposedly hipper musicians in efforts to add legitimacy to the younguns and street cred to said cult figure. Such is not the case with Ono's version of a collaborative hipster album, Yes, I'm A Witch. Yoko chose all the artists herself, and her choices range from predictable (Cat Power, Antony, Flaming Lips) to not (Le Tigre, Porcupine Tree, Hank Shocklee). The musicians were asked to pick elements of songs from Ono's back catalog and rework them. Most chose her distinctive vocals and created new songs using them (surprisingly, no one chose to work with "Mind Train" off her daring 1971 LP Fly). Unsurprisingly, Peaches chose to rework "Kiss Kiss Kiss," the infamous Double Fantasy song wherein Ono appears to achieve orgasm. Jason Pierce from Spiritualized turns the dance-y 1981 number "Walking on Thin Ice" into a powerful drone/ guitar workout percolating with a drum machine's pulse. The awesomest song is the Flaming Lips' take on Lennon/ Ono's "Cambridge 1969," carving a marvelous krautrock-ish groove that cradles Ono's unique vocal talents and Lennon's feedback and makes it something new, and better. The results overall are surprisingly great, though it's a bit disorienting given the eclectic array of artists. Ono fans, of course, will not likely be bothered by that. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description

Astralwerks releases an incredible new album from the controversial, outspoken and avant-garde Yoko Ono. Millions are familiar with the name Yoko Ono for her ability to inspire an entire generation of musicians. The album Yes, I'm A Witch is a collaboration with some of today's most exciting musicians. Each artist was given the original master recordings from ONO's 1977 LP, A Story, an era where Ono's work with the pop mainstream and synth-oriented music became evident. The artists were given free reign on re-recording and re-imagining these tracks, using those elements they wished to retain - and adding whatever they desired. The result is a freewheeling and inspiring set of songs all held together and defined by the voice of Yoko Ono. The set includes contributions from The Flaming Lips, Cat Power, Antony And The Johnsons, The Apples In Stereo, The Sleepy Jackson, Le Tigre, Peaches and more. From the melancholic duet style of Ono & Cat Power, evoking the most luscious new version of Revelations ever heard - to the droned out psych version of Spiritualized's 'Walking on Thin Ice', these bands have crafted their own take on the original scream queen.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bennett February 6, 2007

By Bennett G. Jackson

Format:Audio CD

Always having struggled with Ono's music (namely her contributions to Lennon/Ono albums like "Double Fantasy"), I was excited to her of this album of collaborations, figuring it was something I would definitely enjoy, or at the very least appreciate. At first listen I was moved more than any other time I had listened to her music. It's an outstanding album. Although quite avante-garde at time, there is more musical substance on these songs than the original versions, making them much more palatable. Although very diverse in styles, there is a cohesiveness to the album that can only be understood after listening to it. The album is a bit lengthy, but this glorious return of one of the world's most enigmatic artists is truly greater than the sum of its parts...and that's quite an accolmplishment considering how many parts there are. I look forward to the upcoming Ono release (remixes) coming out this year on the Astralwerks label as well. Rock on Yoko!

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love It! February 10, 2007

By Jokie X Wilson

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This CD is a lot of fun. The styles of the songs are diverse musically and topically. A broad range of emotions are covered. What really struck me is how the musicians hear Yoko's voice as revealed by how they handled its quality. Sometimes, it is light, almost whispery, other times femininely sonorous. The "Yes, I'm a Witch" track is incredible and inspiring. If you feel down and disenfranchised, this CD will really pick you up! If you're feeling good, it will make you feel that much stronger. Yay!

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From art to pop and back again February 16, 2007

By A music lover

Format:Audio CD

These collaborative efforts have transformed many "interesting", arty songs into great pop, and in the process produced as effective works of art as Ono herself has ever done, if not more so. This is an eclectic mix of styles, and nearly everyone should find something appealing here. Take a look at the collaborative artists here; if they are up your alley, buy this disc, you won't be disappointed.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "That was beautiful!" April 10, 2007

By Steve Gronert Ellerhoff

Format:Audio CD

This album is great! Yoko comes through with an incredible sort of retrospective done right. Working with so many artists, it's really fun to hear how they've gone about arranging and producng these songs. I'm normally horrified by these compilation albums where an aging artist teams up with the youngins, but Yoko Ono has such a vitality to her, and she so definitely allows these artists to be themselves along with her that the resulting album is refreshing.

Also, another reviewer (from my own hometown of Des Moines, funnily enough) ignorantly said Yoko didn't allow anyone else to sing. Not true. Cat Power sings with her, as do the Polyphonic Spree. And I may have missed a few more--I dunno. I just know this album lifts my spirits in surprising ways!

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy!!! February 12, 2007

By Fernando Zavala

Format:Audio CD

Either if you are ONO fan or not, this cd is for you, as long as your ears are open enough for her challenging name. Yes, I'm a Witch is a moving, energetic and sincere album made out of all time ONO classics. Even tracks such as Cambridge 1969 sound so fresh, you'll be surprised to hear this particular cd by Yoko Ono and friends, this is the kind of record you can play to your friends and enjoy, a great cd for all ages.

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Radical February 10, 2007

By Roho

Format:Audio CD

At first, it was a bit 'awkward' to listen to since most of the tracks are so extremely re-mixed, eg. Jason's On Thin Ice, but after a few listens, I've fallen in love - again. Some of the tracks are simply amazing, I especially love The Sleepy Jackson's I'm Moving On, The Apples In Stereo's No One Can See Me Like You Do and of course, Cat Power's Revelations. Yoko's voice is undeniable and relentless even after all these years.

I love you, too.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Yoko filtered through a variety of artists March 9, 2007

By D. Cantrell

Format:Audio CD

The various artists working with Yoko on this album have taken their favorite bits from her previous work and created a very enjoyable recording that withstands repeat listenings. The harsh edges have been toned down, and a variety of song atmospheres combine to produce the most commercial work of Yoko's catalog.

Yoko haters will never give her an honest listen, but John saw great value in her musical work. Perhaps her collaborators here bring forth some isolated elements of what John appreciated.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yoko "Ocean Child" Ono brings us 7 seas of sound December 20, 2008

By Skeet9

Format:Audio CD

I've been living with this album for over 1 & 1/2 years. There is so much music there for me to take in, that only recently have I begun to listen to the entire album in one sitting. If the album was on vinyl, it's long enough that it would need to be a double album, so that's how I experienced it at first, as if I would choose record one or record two.
Now when I listen to the whole cd, it's like immersing myself into an ocean of many different kinds of sound, with Yoko's voice and songs acting as my lighthouse.

My first favorite was "O'Oh" with Shitake Mushroom. The guitar solo, borrowed from some old song I can't recall, still makes me smile, as does the brief sample from the crescendo of "A Day In the Life".

My first well-I-don't-know-if-this-works-for-me song was Jason Pierce's version of "Walking On Thin Ice", beginning with only harmonium and a thumping beat backing Yoko. Then I associated the harmonium sound with another favorite musician of mine, the late Nico. Eventually I was won over.

I still have an issue with DJ Spooky's mix of "Rising". For me it just fades away too soon. Spooky drapes aural strands of Yoko vocals from her song "Air Male" from the album FLY, and a bit of "Mindtrain", also from FLY. It all contributes to a very atmospheric track that I think could be extended at least another two or three minutes.

I could comment on every track, but I'll just add that "Cambridge 1969/2007", with the Flaming Lips, is great fun and a real gift to fans of Yoko and John's early experimental days.

Yoko often mentions the "unfinished" aspect to much of her art. The wonderful, multi-faceted YES, I'M A WITCH album can be considered "A" finishing of the various songs, but by no means "THE" finishing of any of them.... There are approximately infinite finishes possible. i ii iii Read more ›