Vinyl Review of John Lennon MIND GAMES Ultimate Collection

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Links: 6CD Deluxe Box: amzn.to/3V1ctpU 2LP Vinyl: amzn.to/3ykUXUN 2CD: amzn.to/3QMJVxI Standalone book: amzn.to/3wCC5QA Mind Games Super Deluxe Box: store.johnlennon.com/collections/music/products/mind-games-the-ultimate-collection-super-deluxe-box-set UV Torch: amzn.to/3xheHsb These and other variants available through johnlennon.com

[@djreid]

I just bought the 2 CD set for now and I will say the sound and performances of John's vocal with his band is outstanding. It's changed my mind totally on where I place Mind Games for my top three John Lennon albums. It's lovely sound, smoother and not the jumpy with drums too loud and wow, Meat City is what I've dreamed for since 1974. It is one of my favorite Lennon rock songs and boy it comes through so beautifully. Intuition is more interesting than the drab take and the keyboard is more in synch, simply beautifully constructed piece of music, much more cohesive. Bring on the Lucie is tempered down and not off the beaten track like the original. The record in '74 on Mind Games and Freda People was horrendous and my parents kept telling me to turn it down, but I had to turn the volume up to hear the words. Now, thank goodness, a much smoother and balanced delivery, a more calmer in control John Lennon than the Mind Games of '74. It seemed John wasn't interested and slacking off, but now it is John Lennon in the driver's seat with a purpose, more in control of the songs than say, Yoko, because it seemed so Yoko Ono cliche driven. You are Here is perhaps the best song on the Album, it far exceeds the title track at # 3 pick with Meat City racing in at #2. Great takes on disc 2 has convinced me that Mind Games is one of his best works.

[@pedrofraga4366]

Thank you for the awesome review, Andrew! I went ahead and bought the 2LP version. Nice to hear it sounds great (and quiet)! Cheers from Brazil, mate!

[@natlee8947]

Great review Andrew !! I love how you break everything down and how you experiment with your stereo sound to see what would make each song better for your listening pleasure. Most would just slap down a disc and listen.and then determine what's good or bad. Great video sir!

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Thank you! 🙂

[@Rockstaralan]

Indeed, I do hope they get around to issuing the vinyl box separately, even if it's a slightly scaled back version without the two zoetrope discs included. As far as that goes, I still think it was incredibly foolish for them NOT to offer the vinyl box as standalone item in the first place, like they did the CD box.

[@djreid]

Thanks for the thorough work on Mind Games. I hope you can in the future reveal a special disc or two that you really enjoy with new mixes. Take care.

[@gbirving]

Brilliant love it. I've the double coming. Thanks again Andrew...🙏🎼✌️🕶️

[@tyronewhitehead3123]

Love the review the Strobe is Superb I love the vinyl art I’m playing those mind games for ever👏

[@daytripper9222]

Very cool Andrew. I got my 6 CDs box set last Friday and I'm still trying to figure out how to play the secret tracks without blue ray. I'm very happy with this mix of mind games.

[@bifftannen74]

Great vid, Andrew. I'm lucky enough to be attending an advance playback event for Mind Games tomorrow evening at the Dolby studios in London (a stone's throw from MPL!).

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@bifftannen74 Great, enjoy! I got the invite also but unfortunately already have plans tomorrow and can't get to London.

[@bifftannen74]

Ah, shame! I'd have liked to say hello!

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@bifftannen74 Yes I would have e loved to have come down for it and said hello to various people!

[@terrymann1341]

Thanks for this Andrew. I've just heard that my 6 CD box, my 2 LP and 2CD sets are on their way and I might be getting them all tomorrow (Thursday), I've ordered it all from HMV and I usually find they do get stuff to me the day before release as they did with my Revolver SDE back in '22. So fingers crossed it may be here in the morning...

[@paulaelizabethg]

It's a Mind Games summer!! ✌️💛

[@sharonevans6864]

Great job Andrew, I ordered the 2 disc along with the deluxe CD package, glad to know about making the adjustments if needed. Really looking forward to this set, Amazon is scheduled a Friday delivery, we will see ( fingers crossed ) Take care !

[@sharonevans6864]

BTW are you hosting a listening party ?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Not sure yet about a listening party but will definitely be doing a live stream next week on the subject 🙂👍

[@grahampratchett8207]

Hi Andrew. I've started playing the first 'Normal' CD in my Blu-Ray Player. It plays through the whole album brillantly. But it then plays the rest of the CD 92 tracks in all. Each track is roughly under 50seconds. But no sound. I brought the Double Vinyl + The Ultra Deluxe Set CD/Blu-Ray. Think we needd you to tell us where the Hidden Tracks are, and how to find them. The Blu-Ray is 100% Great Sound. Regards

[@R_Jackson]

Thank you Andrew for the strobe warning. 🙏

[@dutchcoyote]

Hi Andrew, With me, both the albums sound good (but no more than that), apart from some minor crackles on side 4. What is clearly noticeable is that the sound quality of both LPs is significantly less than the sound quality of the limited edition vinyl EP released earlier this year in April on Record Store Day, which also features Mind Games (Ultimate Mix) and Aisumasen (Ultimate Mix) and You Are here (Out-take, take 5). Unlike both these albums (pressed in CZ), this vinyl EP was pressed in Germany at Optimal Media GmbH and sounds outstanding. The second album on side two also contains more than 30 minutes of music, this does not help the sound quality either. Very unfortunate that they didn't pay a bit more attention to the sound quality, it could have been so much better.... Best regards from the Netherlands

[@nigelbaker5062]

That note from a Beatles KZbin account like Parlogram, Andrew makes his videos really interesting, very informative. Yours are like watching paint dry! You just tend to state the bleeding obvious! Here's a sticker, here's a cover, here's the record!

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Well you're a ray of sunshine. Please make your opening sentence a bit more coherent, they were definitely words, but perhaps not in the correct order? Overall, you could do better.

[@terrymann1341]

Today (11/07/24) my 2 LP set arrived, and it looks mighty fine I have to say. Sadly I will not be able to give this a first proper listen until this evening when I get back from work. I have been contacted by both HMV and the Post Office to inform me that my 6 CD Box is arriving tomorrow and that I will have to sign for it. I simply cannot wait. What made this morning all the more special and Beatley was the arrival of my copy of The McCartney Legacy vol 1 by Allan Kozinn. I held off to get it at a reasonable price, and now I learn that Vol 2 is out early December. Got that on pre order.. I've no doubt that you will be getting an advanced copy to review, something that I for one will look forward to. Peace n Love My friend and enjoy your day...

[@keithbertschin1213]

I really hope they revisit Sometime In NY, love that album

[@keithglobus]

Andrew, good analysis. The mix sounds a little dry. Especially the bass drum. I wonder who mixed the 2024 edition of Mind Games.

[@keithbertschin1213]

Andrew delivers

[@danswan1047]

I would definitely pay whatever it costs for the vinyl set to get released separately from the super deluxe set. More of us vinyl lovers out here than 1,100 people. I don’t care how much it costs, but it would definitely be a welcome addition to my vinyl collection for sure.

[@adrianmist6681]

The Elemental and Elements mixes are excellent, it's a shame we didn't get these in The Beatles box sets.

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@adrianmist6681 it's definitely noticeable that the Beatles sets are designed to be approved by committee, always feels like there's compromises made.

[@Beatlesjohn1960]

Hello Andrew great video my box is on the way but storing it might be a problem but might not I am concerned about the vinyl laying flat in the box set when most vinyl should be upright in standing mode so to speak I am worried that the vinyl will maybe get warped so I am keeping the cardboard outside with the foam so I can turn the box to the regulator way I store vinyl if you can think about it and maybe talk about it in your next video it is just a thought I went to the New York City listening party and was lucky to meet Sean Lennon there were photographers taking pictures and it will be on Johns Facebook and instagram page pretty cool cheers mate and great videos god bless

[@stevendhaliwal1649]

Andrew will you be reviewing the McCartney One hand clapping vinyl? I think a hidden gem

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@stevendhaliwal1649 Yes it's next on my to do list! 👍

[@briantooze3415]

Been loving the John Lennon content but do you intend to review Paul McCartney's One Hand Clapping?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

I do, yes! It came out just as I was going on holiday so the timing was awkward but now Mind Games is out I can start to focus on that

[@timmdoolen5041]

With all due respect, you gave us half a dozen reviews of Mind Games in the past 6 weeks (much appreciate the thoroughness), but why not even a mention of One Hand Clapping? It's been released almost a full month now. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on it. Thanks.

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

It's a fair comment, it is coming but it's been delayed due to a series of circumstances. I plan to discuss those in my live stream tonight and I'm at the point now where my KZbin priority is One Hand Clapping.

[@AnthonyBragger-d7u]

Why is there 80 tracks on the CD version with nothing on them after the first 12 tracks finish?

[@Mewzik4ever]

Excellent work!! You are fortunate you only have a somewhat minor edge warp on the first LP, but that is to be expected with GZ pressings. It could have been much worse... Enjoy!

[@makka7890]

Cheers Andrew, I've got the 2cd, t-shirt and yours too 😉

[@Mewzik4ever]

Hello again, Andrew: You really did a bang up job on here... so very thorough. I am wondering about your observations on the sound on the ultimate LP. Too much noise reduction applied with excessive bottom end might combine to have you turn up the volume and turn off the subwoofers to get the high end to come to life. Just an observation on my part. All the best to you from an extremely hot Las Vegas!

[@roberth9197]

Did they manage to include the full long version of the 'You Are Here' out-take on the vinyl?

[@keithbullen2242]

Not sure if others have the same problem but I have to crank my 50th anniversary Abbey Road up to 11 o'clock to get a reasonable listening level sound

[@dannyelevelt2875]

Great video! Interesting that almost nobody talks about the quality of the music itself. To my taste Mind Games is one of Lennons boring albums with the title track as by far the best song on the album.

[@ingemarstenstrom2524]

You are a Lucky Man!! Whell Deserved!! Best Withes!! From Sweden!!💛🖤😋!!!!!…. The 2 CD Collection is OK for Me!!😋😀🖤💛!!!

[@chiewatanabe-s7v]

Hi Andrew, I bought the deluxe edition. Unfortunately, the stylus jumps on the track Intuition on the picture disk of the ultimate mixes. Yours are no problem?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Hi, no issues on my copy. Would you be able to return it for a replacement?

[@grahampratchett8207]

Hi Andrew still waiting for the day of delivery. Silly question when you showed us your turntable. A looked like the turntable itself was floating on Blue Air. Could you show us your system so we can see your turntable. What make is it, I'm after a Technic Turntable. Thanks

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@grahampratchett8207 Yes it's a plan to do that, I did a part one on the digital side of things but once I get back to regular videos after Mind Games I'll be doing that 👍

[@florenceschweinzger9538]

So can I order the MIND games All Vinyl?. How many comes with the set? Ty.❤

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@florenceschweinzger9538 There is a 2 disc version with the main album remix on disc 1 and various extras in disc 2, but the only place to get the whole thing on vinyl is in the super deluxe box set.

[@emjel-yi9eg]

Very interesting video Andrew. Now I might be wrong but it seems like your are saying that the sound on the vinyl is better than the CDs and if that is correct, then it means that fans who simply cannot afford the big super deluxe box will miss out. On the better sound quality. And it certainly seems like they will miss out on all those interesting strobe effects from the labels as the regular 2 LP version seems very basic, almost boring by comparison, unless I missed something. As others have mentioned, it would be good if they released the vinyl box separately, but I suspect that will never happen.

[@evertvdb000]

Thanks Andrew.

[@RichardStevens-z3s]

I would like to ask you a question about the tracks on this Mind Games box set. Do you think these Evolution and Elemental Mixes are actually a good idea? I am fairly disappointed in all of those Evolution and Elemental Mixes. I would rather have the complete versions of the songs instead of mixing up various versions of the demo, then maybe a take 1 then maybe the slide guitar then maybe take 9. I think I mention this before, I would rather have an entire LP/CD of the demos then outtakes rather than these Element and Elemental mixes. I don't mind stripped down versions because they are more of a complete song, but when Sean wanted to do these other versions I am not crazy about them at all. And having all LP's/CD's with the same track listing is annoying. Give us more music in a somewhat recorded order. Well, I might be the only person with this opinion, but I think it is necessary to express it. Thanks for your video even though I am not getting this massive set. I am getting complete CD box set.

[@stationminute]

Hmmm... I wasn't going to buy the 2-LP version since I've already got the big CD/blu-ray box coming, but now I'm intrigued. Improved dynamics is always a good thing. I may wait till the box arrives and live with the new mix for awhile before dipping in again. Regardless, I'm gonna have to learn to live without having it ALL on vinyl, because that mega-cube is just out of my league.

[@taoofjohnandpaul]

Reviewing One Hand Clapping?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

I will be doing soon!

[@musicsoundgear]

I like that the APPLE LABEL looks like the normal vintage apple, not the newer stupid looking Apple that they used for the Let It Be box set.

[@PMC7027]

When you have to turn up your stereo to get the LP to match the CD you are not listening at "louder than normal volume" you are just listening with the volume control turned higher than normal. That is actually not unusual. The output of most phono preamps (or the phono preamp in a receiver) is usually much lower than the output of most CD players. If you were actually listening to the LP at higher volume than the CD your comparison would not be valid. Psychoacoustic testing has shown that when comparing two sound sources of the same music the louder one is almost always preferred. I enjoy your videos very much; I just wanted to make this minor correction. Keep up the great work.

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Thanks but just to clarify I'm not saying I need to increase the volume on vinyl to match CD (I always have to do that and understandably so), I'm saying I have to turn the volume up louder on this vinyl than I normally do with other vinyl to get to my preferred volume level.

[@PMC7027]

@@AndrewDixonMusic Sorry I misunderstood you, I apologize.

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@PMC7027 No apologies necessary! I may not have explained myself clearly in the video

[@BigSky1]

Sgt Pepper!

[@mazzysmusic]

Better dynamics with the vinyl then.

[@BillClinton112]

Are any of the hidden tracks on the 2 LP?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

@@BillClinton112 No

[@christiandoll4435]

Will the vinyl Zoetrope be sold separately?

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

No plans announced for that so far.

[@eartraffic]

thanks. Ill share the wave form info on the FB apple page.

[@andrewbrazier9664]

Interesting that it's been transferred to vinyl at a low db level 🎶

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

I think it's no bad thing so long as you're aware of it and can adjust accordingly

[@andrewbrazier9664]

@@AndrewDixonMusic It's a good job the vinyl is quiet or you would be amplifing surface noise too.

[@kindredwinecoff]

@@andrewbrazier9664 It's been happening in audiophile jazz circles for awhile, especially in the Blue Note Tone Poet series. If done well, when played on a good system it will do what Andrew said it did: open up the stereo mix, often with a wider soundstage. More atmosphere, more "like you were there" feeling. It's doesn't always come off, in my opinion, but when it works it can sound great.

[@GlennNeuwirth]

i ordered mine months ago(the big expensive cube)...delivery in atlanta georgia seems to be very bad...i can't listen to it!...i have been a fan of john's since 1973...i am almost 61 years old...who can reach sean,and tell him of my dissatisfaction with universal/capitol?.....i bet andrew dixon can fix it!(sorta like 'jim used to fix it')...

[@GlennNeuwirth]

still haven't got it!......??????????/

[@fabiodolfi1050]

Too much for this album. Money money money... and no misundestood me, i love this album

[@sueblue3523]

I listen to albums... even 3 seconds of silence... gimmicks ... yeah right

[@applerecordsltd]

You are speaking my language....

[@bilguana11]

Thanks Andrew, but I still have no reason to buy any of this Sean's expensive lipstick on a pig.