Double Fantasy

by John Lennon, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Yoko Ono

Overview

The most distinctive thing about Double Fantasy, the last album John Lennon released during his lifetime, is the very thing that keeps it from being a graceful return to form from the singer/songwriter, returning to active duty after five years of self-imposed exile. As legend has it, Lennon spent those years in domestic bliss, being a husband, raising a baby, and, of course, baking bread. Double Fantasy was designed as a window into that bliss and, to that extent, he decided to make it a joint album with Yoko Ono, to illustrate how complete their union was. For her part, Ono decided to take a stab at pop and while these are relatively tuneful for her, they nevertheless disrupt the feel and flow of Lennon's material, which has a consistent tone and theme. He's surprisingly sentimental, not just when he's expressing love for his wife ("Dear Yoko," "Woman") and child ("Beautiful Boy [Darling Boy]"), but when he's coming to terms with his quiet years ("Watching the Wheels," "Cleanup Time") and his return to creative life. These are really nice tunes, and what's special about them is their niceness -- it's a sweet acceptance of middle age, which, of course, makes his assassination all the sadder. For that alone, Double Fantasy is noteworthy, yet it's hard not to think that it's a bit of a missed opportunity -- primarily because its themes would be stronger without the Ono songs, but also because the production is just a little bit too slick and constrained, sounding very much of its time. Ultimately, these complaints fall by the wayside because Lennon's best songs here cement the last part of his legend, capturing him at peace and in love. According to some reports, that perception was a bit of a fantasy, but sometimes the fantasy means more than the reality, and that's certainly the case here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	08/21/2015
Label:	Capitol
UPC:	0600753571026

Tracks

1. (Just Like) Starting Over
2. Kiss, Kiss, Kiss
3. Cleanup Time
4. Give Me Something
5. I'm Losing You
6. I'm Moving On
7. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)
8. Watching the Wheels
9. Yes, I'm Your Angel
10. Woman
11. Beautiful Boys
12. Dear Yoko
13. Every Man Has a Woman Who Loves Him
14. Hard Times Are Over

Album Credits

Performance Credits

John Lennon   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Yoko Ono   Primary Artist,Vocals
John Lennon & Yoko Ono   Primary Artist
Kings Temple Choir   Primary Artist,Orchestra,Vocals (Background)
Howard Johnson   Guest Artist,Horn
Tony Levin   Guest Artist,Bass,Guitar (Bass)
Seldon Powell   Horn
Andy Newmark   Drums
Benny Cummings Singers   Vocals (Background)
Earl Slick   Guitar
Hugh McCracken   Guitar
Robert Greenidge   Drums (Steel)
Roger Rosenberg   Horn
George Opalinsky   Horn
David Tofani   Horn
Eric Troyer   Vocals (Background)
Ron Tooley   Horn
George Small   Keyboards
Matthew Cunningham   Hammer Dulcimer
Grant Hungerford   Horn
Ed Walsh   Synthesizer,Oberheim Synthesizer
George Opalisky   Horn
Cassandra Wooten   Vocals (Background)
Randy Stein   Concertina
Arthur Jenkins, Jr.   Percussion
Cheryl Mason Jacks   Vocals (Background)
Cas Mijac   Vocals (Background)
John Parran   Horn
Michelle Simpson   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Flux Fiddlers   Musician
Jack Douglas   Producer,Remixing
John Lennon   Drawing,Composer,Producer,Songwriter,Art Direction
Lee DeCarlo   Engineer
Julie Last   Assistant Engineer
Plastic Ono Band   Musician
Yoko Ono   Artwork,Composer,Musician,Producer,Songwriter,Art Direction,Executive Producer,Remastering Producer
Justin Gerrish   Assistant Engineer
George Marino   Mastering,Remastering,Mastering Engineer,Remastering Engineer
Hank Snow   Composer
Jon Smith   Assistant Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Sean Lennon   Illustrations
Anthony Davilio   Music Assistant,Horn Arrangements
Kishin Shinoyama   Photography,Artistic Director
Toshihiro Hamaya   Production Manager
Art Hotel   Artwork
David Spindel   Photography
Rob Stevens   A&R
Bob Gruen   Photography
Allan Tannenbaum   Photography
Nishi F. Saimaru   Photography
Karla Merrifield   Art Coordinator,Artistic Director
Frederic Seaman   Production Manager
Xilonen Oreshnick   Research,Photo Research
Peacock   Design
Paul Goresh   Photography
Lilo Raymond   Photography
Paul Du Noyer   Liner Notes,Sleeve Notes
James Ball   Assistant Engineer
Christopher Whorf   Artwork