Live in New York City (1986) 


 

  1. New York City
  2. It's So Hard
  3. Woman is the Ni**er of the World
  4. Well, Well, Well
  5. Instant Karma!
  6. Mother
  7. Come Together
  8. Imagine
  9. Cold Turkey
  10.Hound Dog
  11.Give Peace a Chance

 

Live in New York City is one of the very few official documents of John Lennon performing live, and for that reason alone, it holds a certain historic weight. Recorded at Madison Square Garden on August 30, 1972, during two charity concerts organized to benefit the Willowbrook School for children with disabilities, the show became something of a myth over the years. For Lennon—a notoriously reluctant performer plagued by stage anxiety—it was a rare reemergence into the public eye. That the concert wouldn’t be released until 1986, six years after his death, only added to its legend. The myth, however, is stronger than the music.

Backed by the Elephant’s Memory band, Lennon delivers a rough, sometimes chaotic set that reflects the limitations of a hastily assembled ensemble and a frontman who, by his own admission, had no real interest in being on the road. The performance is more souvenir than showcase—a snapshot of Lennon in his short-lived “political phase,” caught between activism and artistry.

The material leans heavily on Imagine and Some Time in New York City, with only one Beatles song (Come Together) making the cut—and not a particularly strong version at that. Mother is among the more effective tracks, its primal-scream climax delivered with conviction if not finesse. Cold Turkey also makes an impression, mostly for its sheer rawness, while Lennon’s unexpected cover of Hound Dog provides a brief moment of levity, though one wishes he had mined that early rock ’n’ roll vein a little deeper.

As a live album, the recording is undeniably ragged. The mix is murky, the vocals often strained, and the band—though competent—lacks the polish or punch to elevate the songs beyond their studio counterparts. There’s a sense throughout that this was more of an obligation than a calling. Lennon’s voice carries the weight of his message, but the performances rarely rise above the level of a rehearsal.

Yoko Ono’s presence is, inevitably, part of the equation. Her vocal contributions here are more restrained than in previous collaborations, but her inclusion—however measured—still disrupts the flow for listeners unacclimated to her style. Thankfully, the set focuses more on Lennon’s own material, with Ono largely relegated to background roles.

Historically, Live in New York City is important: it captures Lennon during a turbulent, transitional period, freshly immersed in New York politics and temporarily energized by the causes of the day. But as a live musical document, it’s limited. There is no real sense of cohesion, no attempt to build a narrative or emotional arc. It is Lennon on stage—reluctantly—and while that’s worth hearing, it’s not always worth revisiting.

In the end, Live in New York City feels less like a celebration than a curiosity—valuable, yes, but more for what it represents than what it achieves.

Go back to the main page
Go To Next Review