John Lennon – Beatles – Alternate Unreleased UK Imagine 12 Acetate

A 12′ UK Apple acetate of alternate versions of songs from John Lennon’s album, ‘Imagine.’ This one-sided disc features 4 unreleased early versions of Lennon songs, before they were overdubbed, sweetened and mixed by Phil Spector. Lennon recorded the basic tracks for ‘Imagine’ in his home studio, Ascot Sound, in Tittenhurst Park, England. Extensive footage of these sessions appears in the DVD documentary ‘Gimmie Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon’s Imagine.’ Later, Lennon, Yoko Ono and Spector traveled to New York’s Record Plant Studios, where they overdubbed strings and additional instrumental and vocal tracks, and mixed the album. We obtained this from a former Apple employee, and friend of Lennon and Phil Spector. It contains radically different versions of “Oh Yoko,” “How Do You Sleep,” Crippled Inside,” and “It’s So Hard.” “Oh Yoko” is 20 seconds longer than the released version, has an extra verse, a different and more tentative vocal, different piano, no harmonica or vocal or instrumental overdubs at all. “How Do You Sleep,” Lennon’s jab at Paul McCartney is an entirely different version; a lethargic extended practice take with repetitive instrumental sections, longer piano solo, no strings or overdubs at all, and a break-down ending–and almost a minute and a half longer than the released version. “Crippled Inside” uses the same basic track as the released version, but sounds radically different with no false start at the beginning, different piano and guitar levels, and a more “open,” rougher mix. “It’s So Hard” has no saxophone, strings nor vocal overdubs and again sounds vastly different than the released track. All are essentially mono versions, with only some slight differences between the channels. As far as we can determine, none of these versions have ever been bootlegged. A unique opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind disc, with perfect provenance, and never before heard John Lennon music–from perhaps his most revered album. In EX condition. With our written lifetime guarantee of authenticity. This acetate has been authenticated by world renown Beatles expert Perry Cox, author of “Price Guide to the Beatles American Records” and his signed letter of authenticity is included.

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