Some Time in New York City
Encyclopedia
Some Time in New York City (rendered Sometime in New York City on the record label, inner jacket, and original compact disc) was released in 1972 and is John Lennon
's third post-Beatles album, fifth with Yoko Ono
, and third with producer Phil Spector
. Some Time in New York City fared poorly critically and commercially compared to Lennon's previous two albums, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
and Imagine
.
, they were quickly contacted by activists Jerry Rubin
and Abbie Hoffman
who pursuaded them to appear at a rally for left-wing writer John Sinclair
, who was jailed for possession of two marijuana joints. The Lennons also spoke out against the Attica Prison riots
, the jailing of Black Panther
Angela Davis
and women's rights. By January 1972, the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) had opened a file on the Lennons, fearing they would organise the youth vote and prevent a second term for President Richard Nixon
. Soon, the government would begin deportation proceedings against the couple, and the FBI began intense surveillence, documenting their every move.
It was against this backdrop that Lennon and Ono, with the assistance of studio drummer Jim Keltner
, hired Elephant's Memory
, a local band known for their hard partying and anti-establishment musical style, to back them for a series of albums and live performances. Lennon once again brought in Phil Spector
to co-produce the new studio album, which was completed 20 March 1972—John & Yoko's third wedding anniversary.
" (a phrase Ono had coined in the late 1960s), was intended as a negation of sexism
and was also issued as a single in the US to controversial reaction, and – as a consequence – little airplay and much banning. The Lennons went to great lengths (including a press conference attended by staff from Jet
and Ebony
magazines) to explain that the word "nigger
" was being used in an allegorical sense and not as an affront to black people.
Lennon's other tracks include the biographical "New York City", a Chuck Berry
-styled rocker that details the Lennons' early months in their new home, as well as "John Sinclair
", his musical plea for Sinclair's release from a ten-year sentence for giving two marijuana
joints to an undercover policewoman.
Yoko Ono, very much a feminist supporter, responds musically with "Sisters O Sisters", tackles the lacking education system with "Born in a Prison", and celebrates a culture of one in "We're All Water". In fact, this album is generally seen as the beginning of Ono's emergence as a songwriter after her rather challenging previous two releases.
Together, Lennon and Ono lament police brutality in "Attica State
", the hardships of war-torn Northern Ireland
in "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "The Luck of the Irish", and pay tribute to Angela Davis
with "Angela".
The original two-record package included a "bonus disc" of live recordings. Lennon and Ono's 15 December 1969 live performance of "Cold Turkey
" and "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow)" at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, from a UNICEF charity show with Eric Clapton
, George Harrison
and Keith Moon
, among others, was unearthed. (Extended live versions of both songs were already included on the Live Peace in Toronto 1969
album that was released three years earlier). In addition, a selection of performances with Frank Zappa
and The Mothers of Invention
from a Fillmore East gig in June 1971 was added, in effect creating a bonus live album for the Lennon/Ono faithful. The inner sleeve for the second disc featured Lennon's doodling over the cover of Zappa's album, Fillmore East - June 1971
, adding his credits and commentary to Zappa's.
Some Time In New York City was packaged like a newspaper of the events covered in the album, causing even more consternation with an altered photo of Richard Nixon
and Mao Tse Tung dancing nude together. (The photo was stickered over on many of the issued copies, with a non-removable seal). With most of the gatefold cover space taken up by printed lyrics and photographs, the album credits appeared on the first disc's inner sleeve. The customised label, featuring the face of Lennon morphing into Ono's, was created by Iain Macmillan
.
wrote that "the Lennons should be commended for their daring", but not before calling the album "incipient artistic suicide", adding, "except for "John Sinclair" the songs are awful. The tunes are shallow and derivative and the words little more than sloppy nursery-rhymes
that patronize the issues and individuals they seek to exalt. Only a monomaniacal smugness could allow the Lennons to think that this witless doggerel wouldn't insult the intelligence and feelings of any audience." Dave Marsh
wrote a mixed review for Creem
, writing that "it's not half bad. It may be 49.9% bad, but not half." The Milwaukee Sentinel declared that John and Yoko had produced "another crude, superficial look at trendy leftist politics and have plunged even further into their endless echo chamber." Although the UK release managed a #11 chart peak, it only went to #48 in the US. Lennon was reportedly stunned by the album's failure and consequently did not record new music for almost a year.
for the mentally challenged at friend Geraldo Rivera
's request; the event was called, One To One, and New York mayor John Lindsay
declared the date "One To One Day". Both performances were filmed and recorded, with the evening show broadcast on ABC Television, and the earlier matineé show compiled for release as the 1986 live album and video, Live In New York City
. It proved to be Lennon's last full live concert.
Some Time In New York City was remixed, remastered and reissued in November 2005 as a single CD, removing, in the process, several of the "Live Jam" cuts, while adding on "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
" and "Listen, The Snow Is Falling". In the remixed and remastered release of 2005, "John Sinclair" and "Attica State" were not remixed. In 2010, the album was digitally remastered in its original format.
Elephant's Memory
:
A remixed version of the live recordings of John & Yoko and Frank Zappa captured on Side Four of Some Time in New York City was released in 1992 on Frank Zappa's album, Playground Psychotics
. On the album, the recordings have been remixed, making Zappa more prominent in the mix, and in some cases, the songs were given new titles. The songs, which appear as tracks 22 through 26 on Disc One of the compact disc, are denoted as such:
John's handwritten credits on the, Live Jam inner sleeve.
For everyone except himself and Yoko, John made up pseudonym
s:
Uncredited:
) and includes two bonus tracks. Some of the track times, notably, "We're All Water" and "Don't Worry Kyoko", differ from those on the original vinyl LPs.
Bonus Tracks:
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 third post-Beatles album, fifth with Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
, and third with producer Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
. Some Time in New York City fared poorly critically and commercially compared to Lennon's previous two albums, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band was received with high critical praise upon release. Critic Greil Marcus remarked, "John's singing in the last verse of 'God' may be the finest in all of rock." In early 1971, the album reached number eight on the UK and went to number six in the US, spending eighteen...
and Imagine
Imagine (album)
Imagine is the second album by John Lennon. Recorded and released in 1971, the album tended toward songs that were gentler, more commercial and less avant-garde than those on his critically acclaimed previous album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. The album is considered the most popular of his works...
.
Background
John Lennon and Yoko Ono moved to New York City in September 1971 and continued their involvement in political, peace and social justice causes. When they eventually settled in Greenwich VillageGreenwich Village
Greenwich Village, , , , .in New York often simply called "the Village", is a largely residential neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City. A large majority of the district is home to upper middle class families...
, they were quickly contacted by activists Jerry Rubin
Jerry Rubin
Jerry Rubin was an American social activist during the 1960s and 1970s. During the 1980s, he became a successful businessman.-Early life:...
and Abbie Hoffman
Abbie Hoffman
Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman was a political and social activist who co-founded the Youth International Party ....
who pursuaded them to appear at a rally for left-wing writer John Sinclair
John Sinclair (poet)
John Sinclair is a Detroit poet, one-time manager of the band MC5, and leader of the White Panther Party — a militantly anti-racist countercultural group of white socialists seeking to assist the Black Panthers in the Civil Rights movement — from November 1968 to July 1969...
, who was jailed for possession of two marijuana joints. The Lennons also spoke out against the Attica Prison riots
Attica Prison riots
The Attica Prison riot occurred at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York, United States in 1971. The riot was based in part upon prisoners' demands for better living conditions...
, the jailing of Black Panther
Black panther
A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any of several species of larger cat. Wild black panthers in Latin America are black jaguars , in Asia and Africa they are black leopards , and in North America they may be black jaguars or possibly black cougars A black panther is...
Angela Davis
Angela Davis
Angela Davis is an American political activist, scholar, and author. Davis was most politically active during the late 1960s through the 1970s and was associated with the Communist Party USA, the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panther Party...
and women's rights. By January 1972, the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
(FBI) had opened a file on the Lennons, fearing they would organise the youth vote and prevent a second term for President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. Soon, the government would begin deportation proceedings against the couple, and the FBI began intense surveillence, documenting their every move.
It was against this backdrop that Lennon and Ono, with the assistance of studio drummer Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
, hired Elephant's Memory
Elephant's Memory
Elephant's Memory was a New York band, most notable for backing John Lennon and Yoko Ono during 1972 on a pair of albums, and a handful of TV and live appearances, including the John Lennon "One To One Concert", with two performances the 30th of August 1972 to benefit the Willowbrook School for...
, a local band known for their hard partying and anti-establishment musical style, to back them for a series of albums and live performances. Lennon once again brought in Phil Spector
Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
to co-produce the new studio album, which was completed 20 March 1972—John & Yoko's third wedding anniversary.
Content
The opening song of the studio album, "Woman Is the Nigger of the WorldWoman Is the Nigger of the World
"Woman Is the Nigger of the World" is a song written by John Lennon & Yoko Ono and recorded by John Lennon. It was released as a single on Apple Records in the United States and in New Zealand and Japan, but was withdrawn from release in Britain. It peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, making...
" (a phrase Ono had coined in the late 1960s), was intended as a negation of sexism
Sexism
Sexism, also known as gender discrimination or sex discrimination, is the application of the belief or attitude that there are characteristics implicit to one's gender that indirectly affect one's abilities in unrelated areas...
and was also issued as a single in the US to controversial reaction, and – as a consequence – little airplay and much banning. The Lennons went to great lengths (including a press conference attended by staff from Jet
Jet (magazine)
Jet is an American weekly marketed toward African-American readers, founded in 1951 by John H. Johnson of Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, Illinois...
and Ebony
Ebony (magazine)
Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market, was founded by John H. Johnson and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945...
magazines) to explain that the word "nigger
Nigger
Nigger is a noun in the English language, most notable for its usage in a pejorative context to refer to black people , and also as an informal slang term, among other contexts. It is a common ethnic slur...
" was being used in an allegorical sense and not as an affront to black people.
Lennon's other tracks include the biographical "New York City", a Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
-styled rocker that details the Lennons' early months in their new home, as well as "John Sinclair
John Sinclair (poet)
John Sinclair is a Detroit poet, one-time manager of the band MC5, and leader of the White Panther Party — a militantly anti-racist countercultural group of white socialists seeking to assist the Black Panthers in the Civil Rights movement — from November 1968 to July 1969...
", his musical plea for Sinclair's release from a ten-year sentence for giving two marijuana
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
joints to an undercover policewoman.
Yoko Ono, very much a feminist supporter, responds musically with "Sisters O Sisters", tackles the lacking education system with "Born in a Prison", and celebrates a culture of one in "We're All Water". In fact, this album is generally seen as the beginning of Ono's emergence as a songwriter after her rather challenging previous two releases.
Together, Lennon and Ono lament police brutality in "Attica State
Attica State (song)
"Attica State" is a song by John Lennon. It appeared on his and Yoko Ono's album, Some Time in New York City. It is about the Attica State prison riots...
", the hardships of war-torn Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "The Luck of the Irish", and pay tribute to Angela Davis
Angela Davis
Angela Davis is an American political activist, scholar, and author. Davis was most politically active during the late 1960s through the 1970s and was associated with the Communist Party USA, the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Panther Party...
with "Angela".
The original two-record package included a "bonus disc" of live recordings. Lennon and Ono's 15 December 1969 live performance of "Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey
Cold 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...
" and "Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking for Her Hand in the Snow)" at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, from a UNICEF charity show with Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
, George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
and Keith Moon
Keith Moon
Keith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
, among others, was unearthed. (Extended live versions of both songs were already included on the Live Peace in Toronto 1969
Live Peace in Toronto 1969
-Side two:-Personnel:* John Lennon — lead vocals, rhythm guitar* Yoko Ono — vocals* Eric Clapton — lead guitar, backing vocals* Klaus Voormann — bass* Alan White — drums* Kim Fowley — spoken introduction-External links:*...
album that was released three years earlier). In addition, a selection of performances with Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
and The Mothers of Invention
The Mothers of Invention
The Mothers of Invention were an American band active from 1964 to 1969, and again from 1970 to 1975.They mainly performed works by, and were the original recording group of, US composer and guitarist Frank Zappa , although other members have had the occasional writing credit...
from a Fillmore East gig in June 1971 was added, in effect creating a bonus live album for the Lennon/Ono faithful. The inner sleeve for the second disc featured Lennon's doodling over the cover of Zappa's album, Fillmore East - June 1971
Fillmore East - June 1971
Fillmore East – June 1971 is a live album by The Mothers, released in 1971. It was the twelfth album by Frank Zappa. It was produced by Frank Zappa, and mixed by Toby Foster.-History:This was a live concept-like album...
, adding his credits and commentary to Zappa's.
Some Time In New York City was packaged like a newspaper of the events covered in the album, causing even more consternation with an altered photo of Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
and Mao Tse Tung dancing nude together. (The photo was stickered over on many of the issued copies, with a non-removable seal). With most of the gatefold cover space taken up by printed lyrics and photographs, the album credits appeared on the first disc's inner sleeve. The customised label, featuring the face of Lennon morphing into Ono's, was created by Iain Macmillan
Iain MacMillan
Iain Stewart Macmillan, was the Scottish photographer famous for taking the cover photograph for The Beatles' album Abbey Road in 1969. After growing up in Scotland, he moved to London to become a professional photographer. He used a photo of Yoko Ono in a book he published in 1966 and was invited...
.
Reception
Coming after Imagine, Some Time In New York City proved a sharp about-face for Lennon fans expecting more of the same when the double album appeared that summer. Critics were not impressed. In a scathing review published in Rolling Stone, Stephen HoldenStephen Holden
Stephen Holden is an American writer, music critic, film critic, and poet.Holden earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Yale University in 1963...
wrote that "the Lennons should be commended for their daring", but not before calling the album "incipient artistic suicide", adding, "except for "John Sinclair" the songs are awful. The tunes are shallow and derivative and the words little more than sloppy nursery-rhymes
Nursery rhyme
The term nursery rhyme is used for "traditional" poems for young children in Britain and many other countries, but usage only dates from the 19th century and in North America the older ‘Mother Goose Rhymes’ is still often used.-Lullabies:...
that patronize the issues and individuals they seek to exalt. Only a monomaniacal smugness could allow the Lennons to think that this witless doggerel wouldn't insult the intelligence and feelings of any audience." Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh is an American music critic, author, editor and radio talk show host. He was a formative editor of Creem magazine, has written for various publications such as Newsday, The Village Voice, and Rolling Stone, and has published numerous books about music and musicians, mostly focused on...
wrote a mixed review for Creem
Creem
Creem , "America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine," was a monthly rock 'n' roll publication first published in March 1969 by Barry Kramer and founding editor Tony Reay. It suspended production in 1989 but received a short-lived renaissance in the early 1990s as a glossy tabloid...
, writing that "it's not half bad. It may be 49.9% bad, but not half." The Milwaukee Sentinel declared that John and Yoko had produced "another crude, superficial look at trendy leftist politics and have plunged even further into their endless echo chamber." Although the UK release managed a #11 chart peak, it only went to #48 in the US. Lennon was reportedly stunned by the album's failure and consequently did not record new music for almost a year.
Legacy
On 30 August 1972, John and Yoko performed two charity shows at Madison Square GardenMadison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
for the mentally challenged at friend Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo Rivera is an American attorney, journalist, author, reporter, and former talk show host...
's request; the event was called, One To One, and New York mayor John Lindsay
John Lindsay
John Vliet Lindsay was an American politician, lawyer and broadcaster who was a U.S. Congressman, Mayor of New York City, candidate for U.S...
declared the date "One To One Day". Both performances were filmed and recorded, with the evening show broadcast on ABC Television, and the earlier matineé show compiled for release as the 1986 live album and video, Live In New York City
Live in New York City
Live in New York City is a posthumous live album by John Lennon. It was prepared under the supervision of his widow, Yoko Ono, and released in 1986 as his second official live album, the first being Live Peace in Toronto 1969.-Performances:...
. It proved to be Lennon's last full live concert.
Some Time In New York City was remixed, remastered and reissued in November 2005 as a single CD, removing, in the process, several of the "Live Jam" cuts, while adding on "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....
" and "Listen, The Snow Is Falling". In the remixed and remastered release of 2005, "John Sinclair" and "Attica State" were not remixed. In 2010, the album was digitally remastered in its original format.
Side 1
- "Woman Is the Nigger of the WorldWoman Is the Nigger of the World"Woman Is the Nigger of the World" is a song written by John Lennon & Yoko Ono and recorded by John Lennon. It was released as a single on Apple Records in the United States and in New Zealand and Japan, but was withdrawn from release in Britain. It peaked at #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, making...
" (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...
/Yoko OnoYoko Onois a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
) – 5:15 - "Sisters, O Sisters" (Ono) – 3:46
- "Attica StateAttica State (song)"Attica State" is a song by John Lennon. It appeared on his and Yoko Ono's album, Some Time in New York City. It is about the Attica State prison riots...
" – 2:54 - "Born in a Prison" (Ono) – 4:03
- "New York City" (Lennon) – 4:30
Side 2
- "Sunday Bloody Sunday" – 5:00
- "The Luck of the Irish" – 2:56
- "John Sinclair" (Lennon) – 3:28
- "Angela" – 4:06
- "We're All Water" (Ono) – 7:11
Personnel
- 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...
: guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s (including a resonator guitarResonator guitarA resonator guitar or resophonic guitar is an acoustic guitar whose sound is produced by one or more spun metal cones instead of the wooden sound board . Resonator guitars were originally designed to be louder than conventional acoustic guitars which were overwhelmed by horns and percussion...
), vocals - Yoko OnoYoko Onois a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
: percussion, vocals, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Jim KeltnerJim KeltnerJames Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
: drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion - Klaus VoormannKlaus VoormannKlaus Voormann is a German Grammy Award-winning artist, noted musician, and record producer. He designed artwork for many bands including The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Wet Wet Wet and Turbonegro. His most notable work as a producer was his work with the band Trio, including their worldwide hit "Da Da...
: bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Elephant's Memory
Elephant's Memory
Elephant's Memory was a New York band, most notable for backing John Lennon and Yoko Ono during 1972 on a pair of albums, and a handful of TV and live appearances, including the John Lennon "One To One Concert", with two performances the 30th of August 1972 to benefit the Willowbrook School for...
:
- Stan Bronstein: fluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, saxophoneSaxophoneThe saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846... - Wayne 'Tex' Gabriel: guitar
- Richard Frank Jr.: drums, percussion
- Adam Ippolito: keyboards, piano
- Gary Van Scyoc: bass guitar
Side 3
- Performed live at the Lyceum Ballroom in London, England on 15 December 1969, for a UNICEF charity concert
- "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...
" (Lennon) – 8:35 - "Don't Worry Kyoko" (Ono) – 16:01
- "Cold Turkey
Side 4
- Recorded live at the Fillmore East in New York City with Frank Zappa and The Mothers of InventionThe Mothers of InventionThe Mothers of Invention were an American band active from 1964 to 1969, and again from 1970 to 1975.They mainly performed works by, and were the original recording group of, US composer and guitarist Frank Zappa , although other members have had the occasional writing credit...
on 6 June 1971- "Well (Baby Please Don't Go)" (Walter WardWalter Ward (singer)Walter Ward was an American R&B singer, and lead vocalist of The Olympics.Ward was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and began singing professionally as a child with his father and three uncles, in a gospel group known as 'The Ward Brothers'.Ward's family moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s...
) – 4:41 - "Jamrag" (Lennon/Ono) – 5:36
- While credited to Lennon/Ono, the band is actually performing the Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
song "King KongKing KongKing Kong is a fictional character, a giant movie monster resembling a gorilla, that has appeared in several movies since 1933. These include the groundbreaking 1933 movie, the film remakes of 1976 and 2005, as well as various sequels of the first two films...
", which saw release on Zappa's 1969 album, Uncle MeatUncle MeatUncle Meat is the fifth studio album by the Mothers of Invention, released in 1969. It is billed as a supposed "soundtrack" to a film by The Mothers of Invention which was, in the end, never made. The front cover, designed by Cal Schenkel, included the words ""...
.
- While credited to Lennon/Ono, the band is actually performing the Frank Zappa
- "Scumbag" (Lennon/Ono/Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
) – 4:27 - "Au" (Lennon/Ono) – 8:04
- "Well (Baby Please Don't Go)" (Walter Ward
Remixed version of Side 4
A remixed version of the live recordings of John & Yoko and Frank Zappa captured on Side Four of Some Time in New York City was released in 1992 on Frank Zappa's album, Playground Psychotics
Playground Psychotics
Playground Psychotics is a two-CD live album by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention. It was originally released in 1992 through his mail order label, Barking Pumpkin, and was re-released in 1995 through Rykodisc. The album features recordings of Zappa and his band, the Mothers of Invention...
. On the album, the recordings have been remixed, making Zappa more prominent in the mix, and in some cases, the songs were given new titles. The songs, which appear as tracks 22 through 26 on Disc One of the compact disc, are denoted as such:
- "Well" (Walter Ward) - 4:43
- "Say Please" (Lennon, Ono, Zappa) - 0:57
- "Aawk" (Lennon, Ono, Zappa) - 2:59
- "Scumbag" (Lennon, Ono, Howard KaylanHoward KaylanHoward Kaylan is an American rock and roll musician, best known as a founding member and lead singer of the 1960s band, The Turtles, and "Eddie" of 1970's rock band Flo & Eddie.-Early days:...
, Zappa) - 5:53- In this mix, Mark VolmanMark VolmanMark Volman is an American rock and roll singer, best known as a founding member of the 1960s band The Turtles. At times during his career he has used the pseudonym "The Phlorescent Leech"...
and Howard Kaylan can be heard improvising lyrics, including "Now Yoko's in the scumbag". This is inaudible on Some Time in New York City
- In this mix, Mark Volman
- "A Small Eternity with Yoko Ono" (Lennon, Ono) - 6:07
15 December 1969
John's handwritten credits on the, Live Jam inner sleeve.
- John Lennon: guitar, vocal
- Yoko Ono: bag, vocal
For everyone except himself and Yoko, John made up pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
s:
- Eric ClaptonEric ClaptonEric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
- 'Derek Claptoe': guitar - Delaney & Bonnie - 'Bilanie & Donnie': guitar, percussion (and friends, brass, percussion)
- Jim GordonJim Gordon (musician)James Beck "Jim" Gordon is an American recording artist, musician and songwriter. The Grammy Award winner was one of the most requested session drummers in the late 1960s and 1970s, recording albums with many well-known musicians of the time, and was the drummer in the blues-rock supergroup Derek...
- 'Jim Bordom': drums - George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonGeorge Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
- 'George Harrisong': guitar - Nicky HopkinsNicky HopkinsNicholas Christian "Nicky" Hopkins was an English pianist and organist.He recorded and performed on noted British and American popular music recordings of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s as a session musician....
- 'Sticky Topkins': electric piano (overdubbed in N.Y. as organ was lost) - Bobby Keyes - 'Robbie Knees': sax
- Keith MoonKeith MoonKeith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
- 'Kief Spoon': drums - Billy PrestonBilly PrestonWilliam Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
- 'Billy Presstud': organ - Klaus VoormannKlaus VoormannKlaus Voormann is a German Grammy Award-winning artist, noted musician, and record producer. He designed artwork for many bands including The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Wet Wet Wet and Turbonegro. His most notable work as a producer was his work with the band Trio, including their worldwide hit "Da Da...
- 'Raus Doorman': base (sic) - Alan WhiteAlan White (Yes drummer)Alan White is an English rock drummer known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes. White was also a member of the Plastic Ono Band, playing live in 1969 at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, which was recorded and released three months later as Live Peace in Toronto 1969...
- 'Dallas White': drums
Uncredited:
- Jim PriceJim Price (musician)Jim Price was, together with Bobby Keys and Jim Horn, one of the most in demand horn session players of the 1970s. He toured extensively with The Rolling Stones from 1970 until 1973, including their 1972 American Tour, and appears on the albums, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. and Goats Head Soup...
: trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
6 June 1971
- John Lennon: guitar, vocals
- Yoko Ono: bag, vocals
- Aynsley DunbarAynsley DunbarAynsley Thomas Dunbar is an English drummer. He has worked with some of the top names in rock, including Eric Burdon, John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Ian Hunter, Lou Reed, Jefferson Starship, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Whitesnake, Sammy Hagar, UFO, and Journey...
: drums - Bob Harris: keyboards, vocals
- Howard KaylanHoward KaylanHoward Kaylan is an American rock and roll musician, best known as a founding member and lead singer of the 1960s band, The Turtles, and "Eddie" of 1970's rock band Flo & Eddie.-Early days:...
: vocals - Jim PonsJim PonsJim Pons was a bass guitarist and singer for several 1960s rock bands, including The Leaves, The Turtles, and The Mothers of Invention....
: bass guitar, vocals - Don PrestonDon PrestonDonald Ward Preston also known as Dom DeWilde or Biff Debrie born September 21, 1932 in Flint, Michigan. Preston is an American jazz and rock and roll musician.-Biography:Preston was born into a family of musicians and began studying music at an early age...
: Mini-Moog - Ian UnderwoodIan UnderwoodIan Robertson Underwood is a woodwind and keyboards player. He began his career by playing San Francisco Bay Area coffeehouses and bars with his improvisational group the Jazz Mice in the mid 1960s before he became a member of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention in 1967 for their third studio...
: keyboard, vocals, woodwinds - Mark VolmanMark VolmanMark Volman is an American rock and roll singer, best known as a founding member of the 1960s band The Turtles. At times during his career he has used the pseudonym "The Phlorescent Leech"...
: vocals - Klaus VoormannKlaus VoormannKlaus Voormann is a German Grammy Award-winning artist, noted musician, and record producer. He designed artwork for many bands including The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Wet Wet Wet and Turbonegro. His most notable work as a producer was his work with the band Trio, including their worldwide hit "Da Da...
: bass guitar, vocals - Frank ZappaFrank ZappaFrank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
: guitar, vocals
2005 CD reissue
This remixed/remastered edition, issued on a single disc, omits much of the live material with Zappa (though it is available in a different mix/edit on Zappa's 1993 album, Playground PsychoticsPlayground Psychotics
Playground Psychotics is a two-CD live album by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention. It was originally released in 1992 through his mail order label, Barking Pumpkin, and was re-released in 1995 through Rykodisc. The album features recordings of Zappa and his band, the Mothers of Invention...
) and includes two bonus tracks. Some of the track times, notably, "We're All Water" and "Don't Worry Kyoko", differ from those on the original vinyl LPs.
- "Woman Is The Nigger Of The World" (John Lennon/Yoko Ono) – 5:17
- "Sisters O Sisters" (Yoko Ono) – 3:48
- "Attica State" (John Lennon/Yoko Ono) – 2:55
- "Born In A Prison" (Yoko Ono) – 4:05
- "New York City" (John Lennon) – 4:29
- "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (John Lennon/Yoko Ono) – 5:03
- "The Luck Of The Irish" (John Lennon/Yoko Ono) – 2:59
- "John Sinclair" (John Lennon) – 3:30
- "Angela" (John Lennon/Yoko Ono) – 4:08
- "We're All Water" (Yoko Ono) – 5:19
- "Cold Turkey [Live Jam]" (John Lennon) – 8:35
- "Don't Worry Kyoko" (Yoko Ono) – 15:20
- "Well (Baby Please Don't Go)" (Walter Ward) – 4:33
Bonus Tracks:
- "Listen, The Snow Is Falling" (Yoko Ono) - 3:06
- "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....
(John Lennon/Yoko Ono) - 3:34