‘I Aimed to Portray It in a Way That Offered a Second Chance’

When Sean Ono Lennon was first exposed to his father’s solo works, including the 1973 album “Mind Games,” he experienced them collectively rather than in chronological order. Sean grew up viewing “Mind Games” as a significant part of John Lennon’s repertoire without any preconceived notions about its relative importance. Now, Sean wants the world to reevaluate the album with fresh ears, free from any comparative benchmarks with the more acclaimed works in his father’s discography.

Sean has undertaken the ultimate remix of the “Mind Games” tracks, following a tradition established with the “Plastic Ono Band” and “Imagine” albums. These remixes are available in various physical formats, including a 6-CD/2-Blu-ray boxed set featuring a 128-page hardback book, available for about $167 on Amazon. For those with modest budgets, there are 2-CD or 2-LP editions priced around $30. There’s also a super deluxe version with additional physical items in a massive cube, limited to 1100 copies at $1350.

For those who find these sets too pricey, the 72 official tracks from the deluxe set are accessible via standard streaming platforms. These include several fascinating bonus discs: the Elemental Mixes, featuring stripped-down backing tracks; the Elements Mixes, showcasing specific instruments; Evolution Documentaries, which detail the development of each track; Raw Studio Mixes, presenting tracks without overdubs or reverb; and Outtakes. Fans of Lennon will find valuable insights in each volume.

Variety recently spoke with Sean about the project and the varying receptions to “Mind Games.” For Sean, the album has always been among his favorites. He sees it as an opportunity to shine a light on an album that historically slipped through the cracks due to its initial reception and various non-musical factors.

The early ’70s witnessed a surge of new artists and influential pop music. Additionally, John and Yoko’s previous political activism and avant-garde projects confused the mainstream audience. At that time, John was less focused on heavy promotional efforts, impacting the album’s reception. Sean feels fortunate to revisit “Mind Games” and represent it anew.

Sean acknowledges that the original mix might have contributed to its lukewarm reception. He suggests that perhaps John, in producing the album himself for the first time, may not have focused enough on the final mastering process. Sean’s meticulous effort now aims to enhance the album’s sound quality, believing that the improved mixes can change perceptions of the album.

Regarding the broader purpose of the Ultimate Mixes, Sean emphasizes his personal approach. He mixes the tracks based on what sounds best to him, aiming to make the music resonate more deeply with listeners. He mentions “Out the Blue” and “Aisuimasen (I’m Sorry)” as tracks that have particularly benefited from this approach.

Sean also shares his excitement about some of the more experimental discs in the set, like the Elemental Mixes, which isolate specific instruments. However, his main pride lies in the final Ultimate Mixes, which took significant effort and love to produce.

The deluxe set also offers a nostalgic, physical connection. Sean appreciates the depth and intricacy of the arrangements, thanks to a stellar cast of musicians. Drummer Jim Keltner, keyboardist Ken Ascher, bass player Gordon Edwards, and others contribute significantly to the album’s richness.

The project even inspired a meditative, interactive experience through the Nutopia citizen website and the Lumenate meditation app. These elements tie into the “Mind Games” theme, encouraging fans to engage more deeply with the album’s content.

Sean remains tight-lipped about any upcoming projects but hints at more to come related to “Mind Games.” He stresses the importance of the music itself, emphasizing that the various formats and physical media are simply mediums to deliver the experience.

He concludes by highlighting the supportive feedback from musicians involved in the album, reaffirming that the new mixes are just an additional way to enjoy John Lennon’s work. The original mixes remain available for those who prefer them.

Source: Variety