For the first and probably also last time I will present two albums at the same time. It’s a special situation since both John Lennon and Yoko Ono released their first solo albums on the same day, today 50 years ago. Both with the same title, Plastic Ono Band, with almost identical sleeves and with several of the same personnel. But very different music for sure. Somehow The Beatles almost “came together” in these studio recordings after they split up earlier this year.

Lennon’s album is said to be heavily inspired by his primal therapy with Arthur Janov,  reflecting his personal issues and trauma’s. Starting with the iconic Mother over Hold Out and Found Out to another iconic song, Working Class Hero. This great song played by many great artists, my 2 favorite versions are with John Lennon and David Bowie. Side one ending with Isolation. The album is one of the highest rated in lot’s of hit lists and magazines and more or less a must have album in my opinion. I can’t say I listen it often, but when I do it is always complete and I will hereby tag it as a  Complete album – one that have to be heard in it’s whole length because it’s a complete structure of lyrics and compositions.

Apropos John Lennon it was sadly 40 years ago he was shot down this Tuesday, the 8.th of December 1970.

Here is the cover from Yoko Ono’s album:

And that’s all about that album. As you can see almost the same personnel is playing, but certainly a different style and vocal. I simply can’t stand it and had to shut her down after the first song. Sorry Yoko – but your music and screaming is horrible. I think she should have listened to the Danish performer Annisette Koppel from Savage Rose to get a bit of inspiration. They could have met in the Danish “hippie camp”,  Thy lejren,  where John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed for a month, more or less without getting any attention from the press.

Well, John is one of my favorite artists of all time, solo and with the Beatles – Yoko Ono is not….

Lennon’s album:
John Lennon – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, organ, piano
Ringo Starr – drums
Klaus Voormann – bass guitar
Phil Spector – piano
Billy Preston – piano
Yoko Ono – wind

Yoko Ono’s album:
Yoko Ono – vocals
John Lennon – guitars
Klaus Voormann – bass guitar
Ringo Starr – drums
Ornette Coleman – trumpet
Charlie Haden – double bass
David Izenzon – double bass
Ed Blackwell – drums