John Lennon strips down for his 70th

John Lennon will receive a complete make-over for his 70th birthday including reissues of his classic albums plus a brand new "stripped down" version of the 'Double Fantasy' album.

'Double Fantasy Stripped Down' mirrors the adjustments made to The Beatles 'Let It Be … Naked' with the Phil Spector strings were taken off the album for its reissue.

"Double Fantasy Stripped Down really allows us to focus our attention on John's amazing vocals," says John's wife Yoko Ono in a statement. "Technology has advanced so much that, conversely, I wanted to use new techniques to really frame these amazing songs and John's voice as simply as possible. By stripping down some of the instrumentation the power of the songs shines through with an enhanced clarity. Double Fantasy Stripped Down will be complemented by the original album in the 2CD format. It was whilst working on the new version of this album that I was hit hardest emotionally, as this was the last album John released before his passing."

John Lennon would have been 80 on 9 October 2010.

"In this very special year, which would have seen my husband and life partner John reach the age of 70, I hope that this remastering / reissue programme will help bring his incredible music to a whole new audience. By remastering 121 tracks spanning his solo career, I hope also that those who are already familiar with John's work will find renewed inspiration from his incredible gifts as a songwriter, musician and vocalist and from his power as a commentator on the human condition. His lyrics are as relevant today as they were when they were first written and I can think of no more apposite title for this campaign than those simple yet direct words 'Gimme Some Truth'."

The albums due for reissue are:

• John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)
• Imagine (1971)
• Some Time In New York City (1972)
• Mind Games (1973)
• Walls and Bridges (1974)
• Rock 'n' Roll (1975)
• Double Fantasy Stripped Down (2010) / Double Fantasy (1980)
• Milk and Honey (1984)

Also, a new 15-track compilation 'Power To The People: The Hits', a 4CD box-set 'Gimme Some Truth' and the 11CD 'The John Lennon Signature Box' will also be released.

'The John Lennon Signature Box' will include John's eight albums, a disc of rare and previously unreleased material and an EP on non-album singles.

The albums will be released on John's birthdate, October 9.


Undercover.com.au