Imagine: The Ultimate Collection

There are bound to be those who say, “Not another reissue. How many times is this stuff going to be regurgitated?” Not as many as you think. And this isn’t ‘just a reissue of the Imagine album’. Whilst it has that 1971 classic remixed and remastered, this six CD edition is choc full of different takes and demos, isolated elements of the songs as well as unadorned ‘live’ versions. Oh and there’s a collage of each songs trip from demo to finished recording.The strange thing about the different takes included here is that to my ears there’s nothing wrong with any of them; Lennon obviously heard something he didn’t much care for. Mind you, whilst I expected the solo to come in on ‘Gimme Some Truth’, the elements mix of piano, drums and bass only on ‘Jealous Guy’ is magnificent. The alternate take of ‘Power To The People’ is jazzier but nowhere near as heavy and well worth a listen. The vocal only version of 'Oh My Love' is outstanding and strangely, take 3 of ‘Do The Oz’ has vocals by someone called Michael RamsdenBy wandering around your room, the unadorned mixes (‘Imagine’ stripped, if you like) sound even better in 5.1. Want to hear George’s guitar on ‘Oh My Love’? Stand front right. There’s plenty of chat before and after these raw mixes, though the first take of ‘Imagine’ was included in his ‘Anthology’ collection 20 years ago. However, if you don't have a 5.1 system, you are paying for two discs that you won't be able to get the full benefit from.The 120 page hardback book is a terrific read. With plenty of previously unseen photos, it gives an over view of the album before giving a detailed insight into each track, as well as the five extra songs. And some of the lyrics of 'Imagine' itself don't mean what you might think. There’s also information on the elements mixes, raw mixes, etc. and a handy 5.1 surround sound map. This insight helps you hear things in the songs you would certainly have missed - the stand up bass on 'Crippled Inside', for instance, is played by someone hitting the strings with drumsticks to make it sound like a tin can. Lennon's interview with Elliot Mintz is reproduced in full.As the casual listener won't care for hearing multiple versions of the songs, and the whole album was recorded in just 146 takes, this six CD set is for the die-hard Lennon fan (and for the overall package is good value) but there’s also a double CD that has a collection of outakes and demos on the second disc, a single CD of the original LP, a double album incorporating a dozen different takes, and a heavyweight vinyl version. This is the way all deluxe box sets should be, but the material has to be strong and familiar enough in the first place; and this album always was.

This represents terrific value for money at just over £60. Compare this to the deluxe release of Roxy Music’s first album often twice the price for far less content and no hi res. If you have blu ray facilities you won’t need the 4 CDs as everything plus more is on the blu rays in hi-res stereo and often multi- channel.A highpoint should be the new 5.1 mix – “expansion to the 5.1 Surround Sound soundstage” is how it is described. Unfortunately the mix is so subtle that there is no proper surround. What we get is a waste of effort as it is little better than playing the stereo version with the amp’s Dolby pro-logic or DTS decoder on. The original quadraphonic mix (or quadrasonic as they bizarrely call it) was never that wonderful but it is at least it was an attempt at surround, though marred by its 1970s technology with no centre channel to anchor the vocals. Ironically the best surround mixes are the rough cuts on the second blu ray disc that sound like a 1970s quadraphonic album.There is a massive amount of material on these discs that significantly help understand the creative process and allow us different perspectives on the album. The most bizarre part is the elements mix that plays each track but with only a few key instruments. It’s not a conventional instrumental version of each track and I found it difficult to get through: I would have preferred edited sections rather than whole tracks. There is a fun audio documentary that is a very much behind the scenes addition and an insight into Lennon’s personality and creative process.The hardback book is an excellent accompaniment to the package.I’m giving this 5 stars - though it really should be 4+ because of the duff 5.1 mix – as it is such good value for money.

I bought Imagine when it was released in 1971, on vinyl. I replaced it in 1975 on cassette so it was portable and I could listen on my walkman. In 1989 I bought it again on cd and with the extras included this time as well as the remastering since it has moved on considerably since 1989 I had to buy the super deluxe box and it was well worth the money.The album sounds clearer, and while some might argue that spoils it I find it refreshing to hear Lennon sing and make out the lyrics.I also bought the blu-ray of the movie (Gimme Some Truth) which shows the making of this album and also included on that disc was the Imagine film, this contains almost all of the album, with tracks from Fly by Yoko and is interesting to see them so madly in love in Ascot and New York. While I still feel lost because he is no longer with us, this album and Walls and Bridges let me know we still have him with us. It's just a shame that he isn't making any new music as that would have been incredible.If you're a fan then buy the box set, if you don't know Lennon well, stick to the album and forget the 2 blu-rays which include the Quadrophonic version of the album which sounds brilliant in surround sound 5.1 and all the extras on discs 2-4. Now I need to start saving for the Walls and Bridges super deluxe 50th Anniversary issue when it comes around.

I'm a sucker for a nice boxset whether that's on CD or vinyl but only if it's at the right price. I was going to hold off on this one but when the price dropped to a price that I felt was reasonable I went and purchased it. The music content speaks for itself. Great album and lots of different mixes and versions included that will only really appeal to the music collector - most likely the only people who purchase physical media these days, especially boxsets such as this.The included hardbound book is nice and overall this is a well thought out and nice boxset for collectors.Recommended, just not at full price.