Rock'n'Roll

Bruce Beatlefan (May 22, 2006)

Hope you\'ll bear with me for rating an album twice, but as I continue playing it, it continues to grow on me. Also, I have become aware of circumstances surrounding the making of this album which force me to evaluate it much more sympathetically. Namely, that the eccentric producer Phil Spector disappeared about 2/3 of the way through the album\'s recording, taking with him many of the masters, and also that John Lennon was under pressure to release it quickly so as to predate a bootleg of these sessions \'stealing this album\'s thunder\'. Given these mitigating factors, it is pretty remarkable that the album is as good as it is (although \"Sweet Little Sixteen\" remains awful, and the bonus tracks should have remained in the wastebin).

Bruce Beatlefan (December 13, 2005)

I enthusiastically purchased this album with visions of "Twist and Shout", "Please Mr. Postman", "Rock n Roll Music", and so many other legendary Lennon covers tickling my ears. After a couple listenings, arg, I wanted to throw it out as a dead loss. I've come around some, but it remains something of a disappointing album considering the material he chose (great stuff). Best moments are the first four tracks and the final two. "Just Because" was terrific, my first exposure to that song. "Sweet Little 16", my God, what did he do to that song?

John (July 17, 2005)

This would be the last time we would hear any new music from John until 1980's Double Fantasy. John pays tribute to his favorite songs and artists from his youth. In some cases it works, like in the terrific Stand By Me. John makes that song his own with a passionate vocal that out does the original. Slippin and Slidin is also very good. John rocks out. Unfortunately the whole album doesn't live up to those songs. It's worth a listen.