Happy Birthday Yoko Ono

[clifford_thornton]

Whatever one thinks of her work/personality, she's quite an interesting figure.

Hope she has many more years left in which to F L Y.

[7/4]

Yikes!

.

[AllenLowe]

I had never been a big fan, but at a conference last year I heard an incredible recording she did some years back with Ornette Coleman; her voice was absolutely perfect in context and I was shocked that she was so musically right in this particular case - unfortunately I remember nothing about when it was recorded or even if it was ever officially released -

[AllenLowe]

other than that I think she's slime - tried to box Lennon's family out of his life AND death; after he died took away a house that he had wanted his aunt and uncle, who had little else, to own; and sang on the Mike Douglas show years ago in a way that was so annoying that it insured her a reserved place in music hell -

[Hot Ptah]

I had never been a big fan, but at a conference last year I heard an incredible recording she did some years back with Ornette Coleman; her voice was absolutely perfect in context and I was shocked that she was so musically right in this particular case - unfortunately I remember nothing about when it was recorded or even if it was ever officially released -

It might have been this 1968 performance, listed in an online Ornette Coleman discography:

Ornette Coleman (tp, vln) Charlie Haden, David Izenzon (b) Ed Blackwell (d) Yoko Ono (vo)

"Royal Albert Hall", London, England, February 29, 1968

Emotion Modulation (A.O.S.) Apple SAPCOR 17

Sunrise unissued

Forgotten Children - unissued

Long Time No See - unissued

Lonely Woman - unissued

Hight Abhbury - unissued

Buddha Blues - unissued

[catesta]

other than that I think she's slime - tried to box Lennon's family out of his life AND death; after he died took away a house that he had wanted his aunt and uncle, who had little else, to own; and sang on the Mike Douglas show years ago in a way that was so annoying that it insured her a reserved place in music hell -

Yeah, she's a real piece of work. That shit with Lennon's first kid and all.

[Christiern]

She morphed into a person very different from the withdrawn, sweet file clerk who worked in my music department some 45 years ago. Because she was so reserved, I was quite surprised when she requested permission to go on the air as part of our fund-raising marathon. I gave her the go-ahead and still have the tape of that appearance (she described and sang Japanese children's songs).

[Hot Ptah]

She morphed into a person very different from the withdrawn, sweet file clerk who worked in my music department some 45 years ago. Because she was so reserved, I was quite surprised when she requested permission to go on the air as part of our fund-raising marathon. I gave her the go-ahead and still have the tape of that appearance (she described and sang Japanese children's songs).

That is very interesting. Did she sing the children's songs in a conventional sweet voice, as opposed to her screaming style on her commercial recordings?

[clifford_thornton]

I'd like to get the stuff with Ornette as well as the material with John Tchicai and John Stevens.

Some of the Plastic Ono Band material is nice as well.

[Christiern]

She morphed into a person very different from the withdrawn, sweet file clerk who worked in my music department some 45 years ago. Because she was so reserved, I was quite surprised when she requested permission to go on the air as part of our fund-raising marathon. I gave her the go-ahead and still have the tape of that appearance (she described and sang Japanese children's songs).

That is very interesting. Did she sing the children's songs in a conventional sweet voice, as opposed to her screaming style on her commercial recordings?

It was funny, in a way, because Yoko described each song in a sweet voice, then rendered it in a deafening, grating manner.

[Jazzmoose]

Jeez, it's been almost forty years since she "broke up the Beatles"; time to let go, guys...

[Hot Ptah]

She morphed into a person very different from the withdrawn, sweet file clerk who worked in my music department some 45 years ago. Because she was so reserved, I was quite surprised when she requested permission to go on the air as part of our fund-raising marathon. I gave her the go-ahead and still have the tape of that appearance (she described and sang Japanese children's songs).

That is very interesting. Did she sing the children's songs in a conventional sweet voice, as opposed to her screaming style on her commercial recordings?

It was funny, in a way, because Yoko described each song in a sweet voice, then rendered it in a deafening, grating manner.

Did she express a desire to become a musical artist while she was working in your office, Chris?

[AllenLowe]

for more on the John/Yoko stupidity, read Geoff Emerick's book - particularly the part about when they brought the bed into the studio so she could lie down,as she was not feeling well.

Her real crime, IMHO (and Lennon was complicit) was taking a guy with brilliant intellectual and musical instincts and turning him into a self-conscious 'avant gardist.' From that point on about 80 percent of the music he made was crap, going from ok to bad to worse. His CDs turned into narcissistic and embarassing self-exposure.

[mjzee]

I had never been a big fan, but at a conference last year I heard an incredible recording she did some years back with Ornette Coleman; her voice was absolutely perfect in context and I was shocked that she was so musically right in this particular case - unfortunately I remember nothing about when it was recorded or even if it was ever officially released -

It might have been this 1968 performance, listed in an online Ornette Coleman discography:

Ornette Coleman (tp, vln) Charlie Haden, David Izenzon (b) Ed Blackwell (d) Yoko Ono (vo)

"Royal Albert Hall", London, England, February 29, 1968

Emotion Modulation (A.O.S.) Apple SAPCOR 17

Sunrise unissued

Forgotten Children - unissued

Long Time No See - unissued

Lonely Woman - unissued

Hight Abhbury - unissued

Buddha Blues - unissued

"Aos" can be found here.

[Rooster_Ties]

Any opinions of this album??

Approximately Infinite Universe

(1973, double-LP originally on Apple)

I've heard a number of on-line clips, and two or three full-length tunes (from Youtube), and I've been tempted to try and track down a copy.

Tempted a few times, but not enough to actually get it yet. Should I??

[Big Al]

Her real crime, IMHO (and Lennon was complicit) was taking a guy with brilliant intellectual and musical instincts and turning him into a self-conscious 'avant gardist.' From that point on about 80 percent of the music he made was crap, going from ok to bad to worse. His CDs turned into narcissistic and embarassing self-exposure.

Damn straight and a-freakin'-men!!! It wasn't even limited to his albums: did anyone see that movie "Imagine: John Lennon"? {{{shudder}}}

[JohnS]

I had never been a big fan, but at a conference last year I heard an incredible recording she did some years back with Ornette Coleman; her voice was absolutely perfect in context and I was shocked that she was so musically right in this particular case - unfortunately I remember nothing about when it was recorded or even if it was ever officially released -

It might have been this 1968 performance, listed in an online Ornette Coleman discography:

Ornette Coleman (tp, vln) Charlie Haden, David Izenzon (b) Ed Blackwell (d) Yoko Ono (vo)

"Royal Albert Hall", London, England, February 29, 1968

Emotion Modulation (A.O.S.) Apple SAPCOR 17

Sunrise unissued

Forgotten Children - unissued

Long Time No See - unissued

Lonely Woman - unissued

Hight Abhbury - unissued

Buddha Blues - unissued

I wasat this gig. The band were on a boxing ring size stand in the middle of the promenade rather than the stage. As far as I recall Ono's orgasmic squeals puzzled the audience who only wanted to hear Ornette.

[Jazzmoose]

As far as I recall Ono's orgasmic squeals puzzled the audience who only wanted to hear Ornette.

For some reason that reminds me of the first time I saw Martina Hingis play tennis...

[mjzee]

Any opinions of this album??

Approximately Infinite Universe

(1973, double-LP originally on Apple)

I've heard a number of on-line clips, and two or three full-length tunes (from Youtube), and I've been tempted to try and track down a copy.

Tempted a few times, but not enough to actually get it yet. Should I??

IMHO, any album on which YO sings (as opposed to ululating, which I'll get to in a moment) should be avoided. It's a painful experience; she makes Irene Aebi sound pleasant by comparison (go ahead, flame away!). YO also does not have songwriting ability. But, I dunno: if you liked her half of Double Fantasy, then maybe you'd like AIF.

Where I do think she was talented was her avant-garde side (maybe John Lennon was HER downfall in domesticating her!). My absolute favorite was the studio version of "Don't Worry Kyoko", the flip side of the 45 of Instant Karma. But side 2 of Live Peace In Toronto is also great - hear John and Eric Clapton channeling Sonic Youth! As a whole, Live Peace In Toronto is a GREAT rock and roll album.

[dave9199]

My favorite Lennon solo album is the 2nd album of Some Time In New York City. I love that album.

[jazztrain]

Out of curiosity, do you remember if her fund raising efforts were effective?

She morphed into a person very different from the withdrawn, sweet file clerk who worked in my music department some 45 years ago. Because she was so reserved, I was quite surprised when she requested permission to go on the air as part of our fund-raising marathon. I gave her the go-ahead and still have the tape of that appearance (she described and sang Japanese children's songs).

That is very interesting. Did she sing the children's songs in a conventional sweet voice, as opposed to her screaming style on her commercial recordings?

It was funny, in a way, because Yoko described each song in a sweet voice, then rendered it in a deafening, grating manner.

[Christiern]

Out of curiosity, do you remember if her fund raising efforts were effective?

Not specifically (remember, there was no name recognition involved), but the marathon, as a whole, was very successful. It was, I am told, the first such marathon and—if that is so—I have very mixed feelings about having come up with the concept. Our goal was a mere (by today's standards) $25,000 and the actual amount we raised was $35,000.

[BruceH]

Her real crime, IMHO (and Lennon was complicit) was taking a guy with brilliant intellectual and musical instincts and turning him into a self-conscious 'avant gardist.' From that point on about 80 percent of the music he made was crap, going from ok to bad to worse. His CDs turned into narcissistic and embarassing self-exposure.

He DID already have that tendency, though. She just fanned the flames.

[dave9199]

Don't forget Lennon was an art student. He may not have done stuff like Yoko's at that time, but artist progress & change. He was always someone who rebelled against something & Yoko help fit that bill & brought it out more. He was tired of being a Beatle and I think Yoko helped him break that and redefine himself in his eyes & the eyes of the world. I also think he used Yoko to say to the other Beatles, "I'm done being a Beatle, but am too scared to leave right now." It's all he knew in his whole adult life. Lennon wanted to leave before Yoko ever showed up. I read it was around Help!; mid 1965. He started to lay low leadership-wise & let whatever happened happen. Then he meets Yoko, they get together in 1968, and his leader personality comes roaring back on The White Album. That was his last try at it. In 1969, he was moving towards leaving & wasn't there as much creatively.

[AllenLowe]

I remember being told by a former Rolling Stone staffer that, in the days when Wenner just fawned over her, the staff called her "yoyo."

I also found her exploitation of John's death to be distasteful -