“I’m just a guy”
So summarizes John Lennon’s perspective as he converses with a pair of stalking stoned fans in front of his house during the filming of the Imagine documentary. These two films on dvd/blu-ray speak volumes of John Lennon and his relationship with Yoko, his music and his social activism, making this an insightful video in putting Lennon in flesh and blood.
The Imagine album is an artsy Ono and Lennon creation mixing together the pair’s activism for world peace, as they were major protestor’s against the Vietnam war. Songs such as “Jealous Guy,” “I Don’t Want To Be A Soldier,” “Oh Yoko” and “Whisper Peace” are interspersed with cameos including Miles Davis at a party and clever Monty Python-ish skits with Dick Cavett, George Harris and Fred Astaire. Other guest like Jack Palance and Andy Warhol are caught on camera as well as personal moments between Oko and Lennon performing their own songs, both pop and avant garde.
Gimme Some Truth is a documentary that gives behind the scenes glimpses of Lennon during the creation of the Imagine album. There are lots of conversations with producer Phil Spector as well as rich moments of Lennon recording with George Harrison. The version of “Imagine” in his pristine white room is stunning in simplicity and potency. A couple bonus features include out-takes of “Jealous Guy,” “How?” and “Gimme Some Truth.” Viewed with almost half a century of hindsight, in view of Lennon’s various personal demons, untimely death and state of today’s youth, it’s refreshing to remember a time when popular artists were truly and publicly using their art in seeking a meaningful voice in the public square, and willing to risk both reputation and financial gain in the process. Any one out there to carry the baton?