Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon DVD
Encyclopedia
Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon was released on DVD in November 2003 as a series of remastered, remixed & new videos with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound audio mixes.
The DVD featured never-before-seen footage from the Lennon/Ono archive, rare newsreel and private footage, 15 new and newly-remastered music videos, 5.1 surround sound, new animations of Lennon’s drawings and an extensive photo gallery including rare and previously unseen images.
Featuring 20 tracks in total, the DVD featured footage that was traced back as close to its original source as possible. In many cases this meant going back to the original film negative, which was then digitally re-transferred and remastered. With footage shot on video, it was necessary to go back to John Lennon
’s original camera tapes (all on long-obsolete formats) and have them re-transferred.
This has been a source of contempt for Lennon fans, as the wide majority of videos on the DVD were newly made, with the exceptions of "Imagine", "Instant Karma!", and "Woman." Both "Power to the People" and "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" are the originals, albeit in extended form, and the video for "Stand By Me" has new footage inserted. The originals can be found on the 1992 VHS
compilation The John Lennon Video Collection, which as of this writing has not been re-released.
The DVD featured never-before-seen footage from the Lennon/Ono archive, rare newsreel and private footage, 15 new and newly-remastered music videos, 5.1 surround sound, new animations of Lennon’s drawings and an extensive photo gallery including rare and previously unseen images.
Featuring 20 tracks in total, the DVD featured footage that was traced back as close to its original source as possible. In many cases this meant going back to the original film negative, which was then digitally re-transferred and remastered. With footage shot on video, it was necessary to go back to John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
’s original camera tapes (all on long-obsolete formats) and have them re-transferred.
This has been a source of contempt for Lennon fans, as the wide majority of videos on the DVD were newly made, with the exceptions of "Imagine", "Instant Karma!", and "Woman." Both "Power to the People" and "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" are the originals, albeit in extended form, and the video for "Stand By Me" has new footage inserted. The originals can be found on the 1992 VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
compilation The John Lennon Video Collection, which as of this writing has not been re-released.
DVD Video Listing
All track notes taken from the DVD booklet.- "ImagineImagine (song)"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971...
"- A brand new transfer, taken from a first-generation 35mm inter-negative of the original 16mm Imagine film negative. Restored and remastered for the very first time in a stunning new digital transfer. Directed by John & Yoko, this was originally filmed on July 22, 1971, and is now seen with its full original intro sequence.
- "Instant Karma!Instant Karma!"Instant Karma!" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1970 on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 1003 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1818 in the United States. It is the third solo single issued by Lennon, and it peaked at #3 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 singles...
"- John & The Plastic Ono Band, filmed for BBC 1’s “Top Of The Pops” on February 11, 1970.
- This version has never before been commercially released. It is a longer audio version than the original single version, containing extra choruses at the end.
- "MotherMother (John Lennon song)Mother is a song by British musician John Lennon, first released on his 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. An edited version of the song was issued as a single in the United States on Apple Records, catalogue 1827, about three weeks after the album. The single runs about fifteen seconds...
"- A brand new video featuring a journey through emotive stills from John’s life. This is the full album version of the song; the CD compilation contains only the single edit.
- "Jealous GuyJealous Guy"Jealous Guy" is a song written and performed by John Lennon which first appeared on his 1971 album Imagine. It is one of the most commonly covered Lennon songs, with at least ninety-two recorded cover versions, the most notable being Roxy Music's version, which reached number one in several...
"- A new video taken from footage of John recording “Jealous Guy” in the studio at Tittenhurst Park Studios in June 1971, and the “Jealous Guy” driving and rowing sequences (filmed on July 21, 1971) used in John & Yoko’s “Imagine” film.
- "Power to the PeoplePower to the People (song)"Power to the People" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1971 by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apple R5892 in the United Kingdom and Apple 1830 in the United States. It peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the British singles chart...
"- An extended version of John & Yoko’s original video, including John & Yoko on the Oz march protests on August 11, 1971.
- "Cold TurkeyCold TurkeyCold Turkey is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1969 by the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apples 1001 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1813 in the United States. It is the second solo single issued by Lennon, and it peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on...
"- A new video, taken from 16mm film performance footage of John & ‘The Plastic Ono Elephant’s Memory Band’ live onstage in New York in Madison Square Garden on August 30, 1972, and John & Yoko leaving Marylebone Magistrates’ Court in London after his November 1968 cannabis conviction. It also features an excerpt from John’s short film “Freedom”.
- "LoveLove (John Lennon song)"Love" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, originally released in 1970 on the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album.-Song:The song first came out on Lennon's 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. "Love" later appeared on the 1982 compilation The John Lennon Collection, and was released...
"- A new video, featuring footage of John and Yoko from November 26, 1980 at the Sperone Gallery in New York and from the beach at South Beach, Staten Island, New York in 1971.
- "Mind GamesMind GamesMind Games is John Lennon's fourth post-Beatles album, and was recorded and released in 1973. Like his previous album, the politically topical and somewhat abrasive Some Time in New York City, Mind Games was poorly received by music critics...
"- A new video. On November 15, 1974 a BBC film crew, directed by John, spent a day with him around Central Park and various other locations in New York, to make a video for “Whatever Gets You Through The Night”. The video was never broadcast, but a small amount of the footage emerged as a very short edit for “#9 Dream” in February 1975. We unearthed all the original camera film reels from the day, which were very aged and damaged from decay and scratching, cleaned them up, and discovered incredibly charismatic footage of John, obviously greatly enjoying himself on a sunny day out.
- "Whatever Gets You Thru the NightWhatever Gets You thru the Night"Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" is a song written by John Lennon, released as a single in 1974 on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 1874 in the United States and Apple R5998 in the United Kingdom. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #36 on the British singles chart...
"- A restored and extended version of the original John Kanemaker animation video, based on John’s drawings and sketches.
- "#9 Dream"
- A new video, made from the films “Smile” and “Two Virgins” (August 1968) and footage shot for the “Imagine” film in 1971.
- "Stand By MeStand by Me (song)"Stand by Me" is the title of a song originally performed by Ben E. King and written by King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller, based on the spiritual "Lord Stand by Me,", plus two lines rooted in Psalms 46:2-3...
"- A new video, featuring John’s performance, filmed at The Hit Factory in New York on March 18, 1975 (subsequently licensed to the BBC’s “Old Grey Whistle Test”), and footage of John & Yoko together, most of it previously unseen.
- This is a longer version of the original album version, with the end fade-out removed.
- "(Just Like) Starting Over(Just Like) Starting Over" Starting Over" is a song written and performed by John Lennon for his album, Double Fantasy. The B-side was Yoko Ono's "Kiss Kiss Kiss". It was released as a single on 24 October 1980 and reached number one in both the USA and UK two weeks after he was murdered. It is his biggest solo American...
"- A new video, by legendary director Joe Pytka (who made The Beatles’ “Free As A Bird” video), made in 2000.
- "Woman"
- A restored version of Yoko’s original video from January 1981, featuring a brand new digital transfer of footage of John and Yoko walking in Central Park on November 26, 1980.
- "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)"Beautiful Boy " is a song written and performed by John Lennon. It was released on the 1980 album Double Fantasy, the last album by Lennon and Ono released before his death....
"- A new video capturing the feeling of a relaxed day at John & Yoko’s mansion in Coldspring Harbour, Long Island, filmed on April 20, 1980.
- "Watching the WheelsWatching the Wheels"Watching the Wheels" is a single by John Lennon released posthumously in 1981 after his murder. It was the third and final single released from Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy album, and reached #10 in the U.S and #30 in the UK....
"- A new video, featuring unique home movie holiday footage of John and Sean in the Cayman Islands, Florida, Japan and New York, much previously unseen.
- "Nobody Told MeNobody Told Me"Nobody Told Me" is a song by the British musician John Lennon. Recorded shortly before his death in 1980, the song was later completed by Lennon's widow Yoko Ono in 1983 and released as the first single from Lennon and Ono's album Milk and Honey in 1984. The song was later released in the UK in...
"- A new video, edited from newly transferred footage and out-takes from John & Yoko’s “Imagine” film and other previously unseen footage. It also features George Harrison, Dick Cavett, and Fred Astaire!
- This version is longer than the original album version.
- "Borrowed TimeBorrowed Time (John Lennon song)"Borrowed Time" is the title of a song from John Lennon and Yoko Ono's last album, Milk and Honey. While the single failed to chart in the United States, it charted at #32 in the UK Singles Chart....
"- A new video, edited from a wide variety of never-before-seen excerpts and out-takes from deep within the Lennon film archives from 1968-1980."
- This is a slightly longer version than the album version.
- "Working Class HeroWorking Class Hero"Working Class Hero" is a song from John Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album, 1970's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.-Theme:The song is a take on the class split of the 1940s and 1950s, and of the 1960s in which he was famous. The song appears to tell the story of someone growing up in the working...
"- A new video, directed by Simon Hilton, filmed in Liverpool. at John’s childhood school, Dovedale Primary, at Strawberry Fields, and John’s childhood home, Mendips, recently acquired by Yoko and donated to the National Trust.
- "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)Happy Xmas (War Is Over)"Happy Xmas " is a song written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono and released in 1971 as a single by John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir....
"- War is over if you want it. A new video that speaks for itself.
- "Give Peace a ChanceGive Peace a Chance"Give Peace a Chance" is a song written by John Lennon, originally under the moniker Lennon–McCartney, released as a single in 1969 by the Plastic Ono Band on Apple Records, catalogue Apple 13 in the United Kingdom, Apple 1809 in the United States. It is the first solo single issued by Lennon, and...
"- A new video, featuring the original “Bed-In” recording of “GPAC” from May 1969, plus additional protest footage from the era, including John & Yoko appearing at the National Peace Rally in Duffy Square, New York on April 22, 1972. It concludes with the tens of thousands who gathered in Liverpool, London and New York for vigils on December 14th, 1980, singing “GPAC”.
Extra features
- "Working Class Hero (Anthology Version)Working Class Hero"Working Class Hero" is a song from John Lennon's first post-Beatles solo album, 1970's John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.-Theme:The song is a take on the class split of the 1940s and 1950s, and of the 1960s in which he was famous. The song appears to tell the story of someone growing up in the working...
"- A video made for the “Anthology” version of “WCH” that acts as a short documentary of John’s life, narrated by him.
- "Slippin' & Slidin'"
- John’s performance was filmed at The Hit Factory in New York on March 18, 1975 (subsequently licensed to the BBC’s “Old Grey Whistle Test”).
- "Imagine (live)Imagine (song)"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971...
"- Filmed at the “Salute to Lew Grade” concert on April 18, 1975. This was John’s last live performance.
- "Hair Peace"
- A little something we uncovered in the archives.
- "Everybody Had A Hard YearI've Got a Feeling"I've Got a Feeling" is a song by The Beatles, from the 1970 album Let It Be. It is one of the songs on the album from the Rooftop Concert...
"- An excerpt from John & Yoko’s “Film #6” that features a never before released performance by John & Yoko from Dec 1968.
- "AnimationAnimationAnimation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
s in the style of John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
's drawings"- Animations by Zombie Flesh Eaters of Gorillaz fame
- "Imagine photo galleryImagine (song)"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971...
"- Featuring rare/unseen images
- Contains previously unreleased instrumental of "Imagine"
Charts and certifications
| Chart (2003) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Top 40 Music DVDs | 7 |
| Austrian Top 10 Music DVDs | 4 |
| Japanese DVDs Chart | 11 |
| Netherlands Top 30 Music DVDs | 27 |
| Swedish Top 20 DVDs | 4 |