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11.22am
17 October 2013
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Ron Nasty said
I just find that kind of attitude, @Wigwam, incomprehensible.Whether you like Yoko as a performer or not, it’s hard to argue she hasn’t written some interesting songs over the years, and with compilations like this you’re able to judge the songs without Yoko as their performer.
You’re actually showing yourself to have a quite blinkered view since – however good these reinterpretations of her work here – you’re writing it off simply because you dislike Yoko and aren’t prepared to judge anything but the baggage you’ve attached.
But we can ask on what did occur the question: Given that the impact of the Beatles on the world was huge, socially and politically, is the world a better place because of Yoko’s influence in it?
It’s like your point here. Given that John was the one who made the most political impact, and that most of that was after he met Yoko, and probably wouldn’t have happened without her, with so much of it influenced, you’re actually totally writing off John’s work after he met Yoko. No Revolution . No Happiness Is A Warm Gun . No Julia . No Don’t Let Me Down . No Give Peace A Chance . No John Lennon /Plastic Ono Band. No Imagine .
You like a single thing he did after May 1968, it’s her influence that helped John find himself somewhere he could create that work.
I understand why some/many don’t like Yoko. I’ll never understand how those who think he created some great work after they got together, some of his best, refuse to acknowledge that that work grew out of his life with Yoko, and her influence.
It’s saddens me that so many can’t get over their prejudice.
Off with my ears and ‘blinkers’ would be welcome too, you could even poke out my eyes with blunt spoons rather than submit me to Yoko’s music.
FYI I did try….From 2 Virgins… through, ‘Mummy’s only looking for a hand in the Snow… to Double Fantasy . I simply don’t like ‘it’……Sorry!
She got the benefit of the doubt of my initial repulsion because of John’s infatuation. But my first impression has been a lasting one I’m afraid. Later I resented having to purchase her, (in my humble opinion) worthless drivel in order to listen to John’s latest work. I don’t need to do that anymore. But if it floats your boat…..(honestly?) then go for it in the privacy of your own home. Don’t waste your time castigating me or adopting mock sadness over my justifiable dislike…and then falsely claiming the high ground by adding a ‘prejudice’ tag.
Not sure I can agree some of his best work was after he met Yoko…….From ‘No Reply ‘..throughout AHDN …..Help ……Rubber Soul …..Revolver …..Strawberry Fields…. SPLHCB …I Am The Walrus .
There were good moments on the White Album that you could attribute to his having met Yoko…..Part of Happiness can be credited to her and perhaps his heroin addiction …… But Dear Prudence owes nothing to Yoko and all the better for it.
By the time of Let it Be and Abbey Road John was at his lowest ebb in my opinion and was becoming overshadowed by Paul and George.
John was stimulated to write by many things that happened in his life, from reading the newspapers to police car sirens and would have perhaps written better and more songs had Yoko never bushwhacked him pretending she’d never heard of him and the Beatles……..and he not lost so many creative years.
Neither of us can answer what would have happened…….Pointless trying.
I’ll leave it at that……As John might have said, ………….’Sorry Nasty I’m Ron’
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Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<11.56am
Reviewers
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1 May 2011
Offline What impact (aside from ‘Give Peace A Chance ‘) did johnandyoko really make? Even John in later life realised they did next to nothing. (There is a thread on this here so not to derail here).
As for Yoko, by all means have an album of re-interpretations of her music but, like Atlas, i have no interest in listening to it or her. Its not to my music taste. I’ve listened and i’ve skipped.
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Wigwam, Zig, parlance, Mademoiselle Kitty >^..^<"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
10.05pm
8 November 2012
Offline From the Hyde Park Herald (Hyde Park is a neighborhood that includes the University of Chicago):
Yoko Ono is consulting on designs for a new landscape in Jackson Park.
The project is part of Chicago non-profit Project 120’s sweeping vision for Jackson Park that includes a multi-million dollar visitor’s center and an updated framework plan inspired by Frederick Olmsted’s 1895 designs for the park.
Project 120, headed Masuda Funai lawyer Bob Karr Jr., is raising private money for the plans irrespective of whether the Obama presidential library will be built there, and taking into consideration the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) current restoration of native park habitats.
Yoko Ono is consulting Project 120 on landscaping for a “sky landing” just to the west of the Japanese Garden, around the site of the now-gone Phoenix Pavilion — a gift from Japan to the U.S. during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
More at the link. I can’t fathom why Yoko is involved.
Edit: Another article.
parlance
8.06am
17 October 2013
Offline ……..Because she can be relied upon to come up with slogans like, ‘Please walk on the grass.’ Or…..’Breathe in with your ears’..Conceptual clap trap that hides the fact she’s basically just a contrarian with the instincts for what people will swallow of P.T. Barnum and the gullible support of the supposed intelligentsia.
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parlance9.46am
Reviewers
17 December 2012
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…….Or because she is far from the talentless manipulative pantomime villain so long portrayed by a prejudiced media who blamed her for the break-up of The Beatles, has created public spaces in parks before (Strawberry Fields in Central Park), and will be involved in working on areas of Jackson Park that have connections to the country of her birth.
I find the lead role played by the US Army in the restoration of parks more surprising as I doubt there are many countries, if any, who use their military forces on civil beautification projects. I know it’s the type of thing that the UK Army would not be given responsibility for. If there was ever a suggestion that the Royal Engineers take a lead role in restoring, say, London’s Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Regents Park, Green Park) there would be uproar over taxpayers money being used in that way.
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vonbontee, Beatlebug"I only said we were bigger than Rod... and now there's all this!" Ron Nasty
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The Beatles Bible 2020 non-Canon Poll Part One: 1958-1963 and Part Two: 1964-August 1966
12.36am
17 October 2013
Offline Ron Nasty said
….. If there was ever a suggestion that the Royal Engineers take a lead role in restoring, say, London’s Royal Parks (Hyde Park, Regents Park, Green Park) there would be uproar over taxpayers money being used in that way.
The Albert hall was designed by Captain Francis Fowke and Major-General Henry Y. D. Scott of the Royal Engineers……….Probably too late to ask for a tax refund Ron…….But why would you?
5.36am
8 November 2012
Offline Posted by a friend in Austin:
Super-excited and very honored to be performing at the Blanton Museum for the first time this Sunday, Jan 25, during the Soundspace presentation, 2-4pm. I was asked to present two different works by Fluxus artists, Yoko Ono and Benjamin Patterson, as a preview to the upcoming exhibition, Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties, opening February 15th.
I adore both pieces, and they perfectly mirror concerns I explore in my own work. I’ll perform each one twice: the Ono piece will open and close the event (it’s, um, very loud) outside and the Patterson (it’s decidedly not) will happen twice in between indoors.
The Soundspace itself is going to be overwhelming and super-cool – improvisational music in the galleries, interactive installations, and dance by Ballet Austin – I highly recommend!
Free for members, and included in regular admission for non-members. Technically, if you’re outside the front door at 2pm or just before 4, you can see the Ono for free, but I really think you’ll want to head inside!!
@Expert Textpert
parlance
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Expert Textpert7.36pm
20 January 2015
Offline She’s the reason the Plastic Ono Band split up
H. Simpson
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meanmistermustard, Wigwam, vonbonteeThe Beatles are English - They have influences from all over - but they are English
12.24am
17 October 2013
Offline There isn’t any doubt that John loved her…………..If there’s doubt she loved him………there’s no doubt.
2.35am
18 April 2013
Offline parlance said
Posted by a friend in Austin:
Super-excited and very honored to be performing at the Blanton Museum for the first time this Sunday, Jan 25, during the Soundspace presentation, 2-4pm. I was asked to present two different works by Fluxus artists, Yoko Ono and Benjamin Patterson, as a preview to the upcoming exhibition, Witness: Art and Civil Rights in the Sixties, opening February 15th.
I adore both pieces, and they perfectly mirror concerns I explore in my own work. I’ll perform each one twice: the Ono piece will open and close the event (it’s, um, very loud) outside and the Patterson (it’s decidedly not) will happen twice in between indoors.
The Soundspace itself is going to be overwhelming and super-cool – improvisational music in the galleries, interactive installations, and dance by Ballet Austin – I highly recommend!
Free for members, and included in regular admission for non-members. Technically, if you’re outside the front door at 2pm or just before 4, you can see the Ono for free, but I really think you’ll want to head inside!!
@Expert Textpert
parlance
Thanks…don’t know if I can make it, though. 
"If you're ever in the shit, grab my tit.” —Paul McCartney
3.15am
8 January 2015
Offline I respect Yoko Ono. A lot of stuff written about her isn’t just simple racism, its also culturally insensitive. She does her own thing and doesn’t afraid of anything. And as an artist who’s always made positive messages part of her responsibility, she could teach a lot other so-called celebrities a few things about humanity. I don’t care for a lot of her music, but there is stuff I like. Yoko’s cool by me.
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but I may have to get more specific in the future.
3.24am
8 November 2012
Offline I meant to x-post this back when I posted at the News thread:
* Genesis Publications is publishing a book by Yoko called Infinite Universe that will come with a limited edition print.
There’s also a limited edition print series at Genesis. There are only 20 signed copies of each artwork available for £1900 each.
parlance
9.49pm
8 November 2012
Offline Examiner article on a new book on Yoko called See Hear Yoko* by Jody Denberg and Bob Gruen.
*(Joe’s referral link)
[x-posted to the new books thread]
parlance
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Ahhh Girl11.21pm
18 January 2014
Offline Happy birthday, Yoko! Pitchfork article about her limited edition vinyl collaborations in honor of her 82nd birthday (with her remake of “I Love You, Earth” linked on soundcloud).
7.57pm
11 November 2013
Offline I am grateful to Yoko for providing John with some sort of spiritual fulfilment. Hindsight shows that to be something he was searching for, and failing to find, all through his teens and the Beatle years: the closest he came was with Yoko and fathering Sean.
What I’m not grateful for is the way she interposed herself as his creative partner because that was the point where John’s work stopped speaking to me: John lost all commitment to the Beatles duringthe White Album sessions. I also think she deliberately sought to separate him from the other three in the way that a new paramour often seeks to present her fella with a choice between her and his old friends.
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10 August 2011
Offline Expert Texpert said (on the YO appreciation thread), “Allow me to correct your perception. I’m not saying anything about Cynthia. I am imagining what those who dislike Yoko might think. And my guess is that they would prefer John to be with a nice, white Englishwoman who will stay behind the scenes (as Cynthia in fact did) instead of someone like Yoko, who is always outspoken and challenging others.”
I don’t think anyone would have had a problem with an outspoken feminist/activist who challenged others. Think “Joan Baez”
"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)
11.18am
18 April 2013
Offline Into the Sky with Diamonds said
Expert Texpert said (on the YO appreciation thread), “Allow me to correct your perception. I’m not saying anything about Cynthia. I am imagining what those who dislike Yoko might think. And my guess is that they would prefer John to be with a nice, white Englishwoman who will stay behind the scenes (as Cynthia in fact did) instead of someone like Yoko, who is always outspoken and challenging others.”
I don’t think anyone would have had a problem with an outspoken feminist/activist who challenged others. Think “Joan Baez”
Your choice of Joan Baez maybe just shows your preference for Joan Baez, or for pleasant-sounding folk singers in general over Yoko and the avant garde. I personally find Joan Baez more irritating than Yoko. Joan Baez is an activist in an old-fashioned “Kum Ba Yah” school teacher sort of way. Yoko is more punk rock. I think Yoko appeals to a younger generation. She was perhaps ahead of her time.
"If you're ever in the shit, grab my tit.” —Paul McCartney
2.07pm
10 August 2011
Offline I don’t know that peace marches and civil rights protests were Kum Ba Yah school teacher tactics, but fair enough, each to his own.
The point is that no one objected to Lennon being with an outspoken woman; avant-garde was already all the rage, so that wasn’t a problem either. Was her Asian ethnicity an issue? I’ll grant you that for some people it was whether consciously or not. But remember: the Beatles appealed to the under-30 crowd. The “old” conservatives didn’t care for the Beatles (especially Lennon) to begin with. And the under-30 Beatle fans were much more liberal than their parents; so ethnicity was probably less of an issue than one might think.
No, the real issues were the ones mentioned up higher on this thread.
To a large extent she’s rehabilitated her image over the last 30 years, but I think the damage she’s done was lasting – and that’s independent of her qualities as an artist, songwriter and vocalist.
"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)
3.20pm
Reviewers
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1 May 2011
Offline Joe said
That Dylan/heroin thing, does that refer to the car scene in Eat The Document, and Lennon’s 1970 Rolling Stone interview (“We were both on fuckin’ junk”, or words to that effect)? Because I’ve always taken that interview with a big bag of salt – Lennon mouthed off in every direction, exaggerating for effect wherever he could.
FWIW, in 1980 he spoke about Mr Kite!, and how Henry the Horse wasn’t a heroin reference, saying he’d never even seen heroin in 1967. Just thought I’d mention it.
Also, from what I’ve been able to work out, Lennon and Ono probably started using heroin via Robert Fraser, who was really part of McCartney’s circle. So I’m not sure it’s really all that fair to single out Yoko as a key influence. Lennon was a huge drug user who would try just about anything.
Was listening to John’s interview with Jean-François Vallée for Un Jour Futur, Antenne 2 recorded on the 4th April 1975 and he addresses that interview with 1970 Rolling Stone magazine. Cant find a transcript but an edit of the interview and the relevant part is here (45 seconds in). Basically John says that he was bitter and emotionally upset as they had just spilt up (or divorced) and that it was the insistence forced up him and the other three that the Beatles were the figureheads when in fact the Beatles were in the crows nest of the same ship as every one else shouting “land ahoy”.
Folk may already know all this but felt i should post it.
A 28 minute cut of the interview is out there undubbed if anyone wants in and is well worth listening to.
And i have no idea where else to post this.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
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