Comments on: Some Time In New York City

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 02:56:58 +0000

It was sad how rock critics turned on John about this album. I think it was because the sourpuss critics wrote all that through cowardice. John hit the States in one of those nativist periods and the public were ostriches, hiding their heads in the sand. John and Yoko were great. Compare their version to Zappa’s « Live at the Fillmore » version. At least they weren’t singing « My dick is a monster » as Zappa was doing. Too political? Give me a break! The songs were thoughtful and intelligent reflections on immoral war, racism, sexism and the brutal Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry. Does anyone have a problem with that? I certainly do not and loved the album. Yes, It is best on vinyl and there must be thousands of copies in good condition out there, based on the chilly response here. Long live John’s spirit! Cheers.

By: Barry Smith

Barry Smith — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 21:07:41 +0000

I’ve always been more of a fan of the Live Jam disc, especially the Zappa Fillmore East side. Things get especially crazy as the jams meander onward. Listen in headphones (or earphones) they are a lot of fun.

BEWARE of the absolutely horrible CD remaster of the album that severely truncates the Live Jam stuff. I unknowingly purchased it, and was extremely unhappy to say the least. I returned it. SOMETIME IN NEW YORK CITY is best in its original 1972 format. Don’t settle for an edited version.

By: MikeP

MikeP — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 20:05:07 +0000

Always totally disliked this album. Even as a young teen at the time, I felt that, topically, it was naive, short-sighted, and yes, just a bit immature.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 16:40:44 +0000

Great album, though the criticism it received knocked Lennon for 6 . His music never had the same bite again.

By: ken

ken — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 01:11:14 +0000

When this album came out, I felt it spoke for me.

By: Barry Smith

Barry Smith — Thu, 29 Sep 2016 18:21:38 +0000

I dig this album despite all the negative press it received over the years. I prefer the Live Jam record, which is live Lennon at its best and most chaotic. My favorite songs on the studio record are “New York City”, “Attica State”, “John Sinclair” and “Luck of the Irish.”

By: Gregory

Gregory — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:22:40 +0000

The album has great music on it and some really good songs. It’s underrated certainly not his best but no where near as bad as some make it out to be. Woman is the n—-r of the world and New York City are two of his best.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 13 May 2016 22:10:34 +0000

Agree completely. I dont care what others say about this album. I love it.

By: Graham Paterson

Graham Paterson — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 15:40:16 +0000

Whilst this is an album that gets a hard time from critics, it has its share of outstanding songs. It also has great significance because of the hard time the Nixon administration were giving him and Yoko. NewYork City is a great rocker and I aiso have alot of time for Woman Is The N—-r Of The World, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Luck Of The Irish and John Sinclair.Maybe it is my Irish ancestry on my mothers side of the family influencing me; but I think Lennons response to the Bloody Sunday massacre great. Put those two along with Paul McCartneys single at the time Give Ireland Back To The Irish and they are fascinating listening.

By: GK

GK — Sat, 08 Feb 2014 00:39:23 +0000

Following Imagine, John and Yoko had gone to live in New York City, any interviews/ comments in the uk music papers were exciting, as at the time, it felt as they were along way from home. This album was delayed in the UK, the reviews were awful, yet there was for me defining moments.
New York City blasted as one of JL’s finest rock moments, a diary of their time in NYC. “Woman is the N—-r of the World” incredibly brave, lyrics and singing superb! John Sinclair great slide guitar and singing.
“The Luck of the Irish” was superb, lyrically biased, but after the shootings in Derry, someone (brave) had to say something. “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, is not remembered in the same way as the U2 track, the lyrics are hard, but it does bite as a track.
The “Live Jam” cd has the heaviest version of “Cold Turkey” you will ever hear plus the excellent ” Well Baby Please Dont Go”, with the opener “something I used to play at the Cavern !”
So, what about the rest? Too much Yoko for popular opinion (although some of the songs are better than given credit for) too many slogans, sure. The package is of its time, the vinyl better than the modern cd, but interesting! Not for the casual fan, but if you want an album from 1972 that speaks (and sings) from the heart. try it!

By: Tweeze

Tweeze — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:11:18 +0000

If you don’t dwell too much on the politics, even if much of it had validity at the time, or get too bogged down on the really uncharacteristic-for-Lennon lame lyrics, the material here is quite good. “New York City” rocks with the best. What a great riff! “WITNOTW” is actaully quite awesome, especially the ending – ‘We make her paint her face and dance’. A bit frightening actually. “Attica State” is sonically similar to “Gimme Some Truth” and at least as good musically. I found this to be a strong album actually but the political tide in the country then was geared to disparage John – as his paranoid rants were eventually proven to be true. Today, this album has no relevance and so most can’t or won’t give it a chance. John took a bold move issuing this and probably thought he’d be opening minds with this. Instead, they clamped shut basically because the Establishment told them to. After Kent State and Attica, people were quick to cow.