John Lennon - Alternative Mind Games and Shaved Fish

Reloaded 01/June/2015 - When I was much, much younger, I remember being asked on a number of occasions, who my favourite Beatle was? The years pass by and I guess the same question goes around with the latest charting boy bands today, probably the age group asking is much younger and the lifespan of the bands are possibly shorter. The reality was I never had a favourite, I just wished they had stayed together longer, there had to be a couple of more exceptional albums in them at least, surely? However my opinion is that John Lennon bared his soul and his grievances far more than any other member and that lead to some stunning solo material. Hearing again how they were formed into songs remains fascinating for me, by the number of visits this recording gets on Beehive Candy, I am clearly not alone.

As you probably know, The Beatles and their component parts, are probably the most bootlegged band in the world.

One constant theme seems to be 'alternative' album versions and this is no exception.

There are in circulation, alternative versions of John Lennon's 'Mind Games' and 'Shaved Fish' this copy is an amalgamation of some of the first and most of the second.

This version originates from Auckland, New Zealand, of all places, on 'Apple Ghost' Records, and appeared as a bootleg CD back in 1991.

It is a real mixture of songs in development and from different mixes and sources.

Track listing is as follows:

Mind Games

1. Mind Games (rough vocal - early mix).
2. Tight A$ (guitar & vocals demo)
3. Aisumasen (I'm Sorry) - (rough mix)
4. Bring On The Lucie (alternative mix)
5. Out Of The Blue (rough mix & alternative vocal)
6. Only People (rough mix)

Shaved Fish

7. Give Peace A Chance (acoustic demo)
8. Cold Turkey (alternative vocals - early mix from an acetate)
9. Instant Karma (film clip version - double tracked vocals)
10. Power To The People (alternative version)
11. Mother (live one to one concert - matinee show - different version to album)
12. Woman Is The Nigger Of The World (acoustic demo)
13. Imagine (live one to one concert - matinee show - different version to album)
14. Whatever Gets You Through The Night (alternative version)
15. Mind Games (Make Love Not War) - (early prototype version)
16. #9 Dream (acoustic demo)
17. Happy Xmas War is Over (acoustic demo version)
18. Give Peace A Chance ( live one to one concert - full version featuring guest vocalists Stevie Wonder and Melanie Safka).

Sound quality is extremely good (many stereo mixes - and close to original source)

Reloaded - 01/June/2015 - download link in comments.

John Lennon site HERE (well maintained website).