A new comprehensive box set titled "Power to the People" chronicles the work of John Lennon and Yoko Ono between 1971 and 1972. The 12-disc collection features 123 tracks, including 92 previously unreleased recordings. However, the release has generated significant discussion due to its decision to omit the controversial song “Woman Is The N****r Of The World” from the remixed version of the album Some Time In New York City.
Key Takeaways
- The "Power to the People" box set contains 9 CDs and 3 Blu-ray discs, covering John Lennon and Yoko Ono's activist period in New York.
- It includes a total of 123 tracks, with 92 of them being previously unreleased home demos, studio jams, and live performances.
- The set's remixed and renamed version of the 1972 album Some Time In New York City, now called New York City, does not include the original opening track “Woman Is The N****r Of The World.”
- The collection also features fully remixed audio from the 1972 One To One benefit concerts, Lennon's only full solo concerts.
An Expansive Collection of an Era
The John Lennon estate has released "Power to the People," a lavish box set that documents the creative and political activities of John Lennon and Yoko Ono following their move to New York. This period, between the release of Imagine and the recording of Mind Games, was marked by intense political activism and musical experimentation.
The collection spans 12 discs and is accompanied by a detailed book that provides context for the recordings. It offers an in-depth look at their lives through home demos, studio outtakes, and complete live performances.
Bridging the Gap
This release is part of the ongoing 'Ultimate Collection' series, which has previously revisited other Lennon solo albums like Imagine and John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. "Power to the People" fills a chronological gap in this reissue campaign, focusing on the often-overlooked and politically charged material from 1972.
The Controversy Over a Missing Song
A central point of discussion surrounding the new box set is the handling of the 1972 album, Some Time In New York City. The album has been completely remixed, re-titled to New York City, and features a reconfigured tracklist.
Most notably, the album's original lead single and opening track, “Woman Is The N****r Of The World,” has been entirely removed. This decision has sparked widespread debate online among fans and critics about censorship, artistic intent, and the evolution of language.
Original Intent and Modern Interpretation
The song's title was first used by Yoko Ono in a 1969 magazine interview to highlight global sexism. Lennon adopted the phrase for the song to provoke a reaction and draw attention to the oppression of women. While the title was intended to be shocking, its use of a racial slur is widely seen as inappropriate by modern standards.
The title is so impactful that it overshadows nuanced verses which explore deeply ingrained misogyny, discuss its damaging effects and encourage men to reconsider their relationship with the women in their lives.
Critics of the omission argue that removing the song erases a significant part of Lennon's political statement from that era. Proponents of the decision suggest it avoids promoting a deeply offensive term, regardless of the original intent. The original version of Some Time In New York City remains available separately.
Inside the Unreleased Material
Beyond the controversy, the box set provides a wealth of new material for listeners. The collection is organized into several distinct sections, each offering a different perspective on Lennon and Ono's creative process during their first year in New York.
Home Jam Recordings
One disc is dedicated to intimate home recordings made at the St. Regis Hotel and a Michigan inn during 1971. These tracks capture Lennon in a casual setting, playing acoustic versions of rock and roll classics that influenced him, including:
- 'Honey Don’t'
- 'Wake Up Little Susie'
- 'Peggy Sue'
- 'Heartbeat'
These recordings showcase Lennon's raw vocal talent and his deep connection to early rock music. The disc also includes previously unreleased original songs like the bluesy 'I Got You' and a slower, more compelling version of 'Gone From This Place'.
A Rare Find
Among the home demos is a previously unbootlegged original titled 'When The Teacher'. The recording captures Lennon developing the melody and lyrics, offering a rare glimpse into his songwriting process.
Studio and Live Jams
The "Studio Jam" disc features 16 tracks of Lennon and his backing band, Elephant's Memory, playing energetic covers of songs like 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'Ain’t That A Shame'. These sessions reveal a spontaneous and fun side of the recording process, a stark contrast to the more polished sound of his later covers album, Rock 'n' Roll.
Two "Live Jam" discs document the couple's public appearances. These include performances from a 1969 UNICEF benefit in London, a 1971 show with Frank Zappa, and several activist concerts supporting causes like the John Sinclair Freedom Rally and families of victims from the Attica State prison riot.
Remixed and Remastered Content
A significant portion of "Power to the People" is dedicated to presenting existing material with dramatically improved audio quality. The remixed albums and concerts form the core of the collection.
The New York City Ultimate Mix
The newly remixed and re-titled New York City album is described as a major sonic improvement. The original 1972 production was often criticized for its thin sound. The new 'Ultimate Mix' provides a more powerful and clear presentation, with Lennon's vocals pushed to the forefront. Tracks like 'New York City' and 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' now have a much stronger impact.
The set also includes 'Evolution' mixes, which document the development of each song from early demos through studio rehearsals to the final take. This format allows listeners to hear the songs take shape and listen to unguarded studio chatter.
The One To One Concerts
The final three discs are dedicated to the One To One Concerts, held at Madison Square Garden on August 30, 1972. These were Lennon's only full-length solo concerts after The Beatles. The box set presents the complete afternoon and evening shows on separate discs, plus a third disc with a 'best of' compilation.
According to reviews, the audio is a substantial upgrade from the 1986 album Live In New York City. The sound is fuller, giving proper weight to the Elephant's Memory band and highlighting the raw energy of Lennon's performance. However, similar to the studio album, “Woman Is The N****r Of The World” has been omitted from these live recordings, as has Ono's “Sisters, O Sisters.”