Search - John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band: Live in Toronto '69 on DVD

Good performance, BAD sound mix

Philip A.Cohen | Bay Harbor Islands, Florida United States | 07/17/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"If you've heard the L.P. or (Remixed) CD of the album "Live Peace in Toronto 1969", then you know what to expect musically: 6 songs featuring John Lennon(hastily learned & rehearsed on an airplane flight from London) and an unusual 2nd half featuring Yoko Ono's avant-garde wailing backed by the group's jamming & guitar feedback.
Unfortunately, due to record company permission issues, this video program cannot use the mix heard on the 1969 L.P., or the even better remix which replaced it in the CD era. Instead, the filmmakers use the live soundmix that the audience heard. Alan White's drums are down too low, and Eric Clapton's fine lead guitar wanders in and out of audibility.
This disc is disappointing. Hopefully, someday, we'll get a DVD of this show with audio that does justice to the performances."

It's a treasure...

Walter Five | 13th Floor Elevator, Enron Hubbard Bldg. Houston T | 06/09/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a document of the only John Lennon Plastic Ono Band performance ever filmed, and it's filmed by legendary documentarist D.A. Pennebaker ("Don't Look Back," "Monterey Pop"). The band of course includes John & Yoko, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voorman (bass) and Alan White (drums). The concert is the same as the "Live Peace In Toronto" CD, but with a different sound source, Pennebaker's stereo recording remixed to 5.1 surround sound. I don't know if it's a new mix, or the same one on the previous "Sweet Toronto" 2002 release.

Yes, the performance is rough and raw. Yes, the band only rehearsed together once, acoustically on their flight to Toronto. But it is what it is: one of the few filmed John Lennon performances in existance, at the beginning of his solo career.

The historic nature of this show is obvious. The Beatles had just finished the Abbey Road LP, and although they had not yet broken up, it is thought that John's appearance here (his first public performance in over 2 years) was rather an impetus, contributing to the further fragmentation of the band.

Some people *will* find the Yoko portions of this performance unwatchable and unlistenable. But until we finally get a rerelease of John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Elephant's Memory Band's "Live In New York City" on DVD, or the actual evening performance of the Madison Square Garden "One To One" show, it will have to suffice. If you want some comic relief, watch John & Eric's reactions to Yoko's performances."

A joy in every respect

M. Emery | MO, United States | 06/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shout Factory is to be thanked for releasing this wonderful documentary film of the Live Peace in Toronto LP on DVD. It opens with an interview with Yoko Ono at an art show of John's work in 1988 (the music in the gallery is "Teach Your Children" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young). The film turns to the rock 'n' roll revival artists the concert was arranged to display: Bo Diddley (the first part of his song is played as John and Yoko's limousine moves from the airport to the concert grounds), then the energetic Jerry Lee Lewis pounding on the piano, and finally Little Richard, who's a bit less over the top than usual. Then the sun is down and the Plastic Ono Band takes the stage: John and Yoko, as well as Eric Clapton on guitar, Klaus Voormann on bass, and Alan White on drums. Anyone who knows the album will recall the entire set, but it's great to see them playing live. The Plastic Ono Band's appearance was arranged quickly (according to Clapton's autobiography, John called him and asked, "What are you doing tonight?"), and John needs a crib sheet held by Yoko for the lyrics to "Cold Turkey," which had just been written. Fans of Yoko's will be pleased to know that she is fully represented on the DVD, with only the last few minutes of "John, John (Let's Hope for Peace)" cut off. Clapton's strongest guitar work is on Yoko's "Don't Worry Kyoko." John looks most assured singing a ferocious version of "Money" (a song whose lyrics contradict the values he espoused). Director D. A. Pennebaker offers a true film here, not just a video of the concert appearance. Length is 50 minutes."

You can tell John & Yoko was havin' a good time.

Chris Moriarty | Arizona, USA | 06/23/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had the album Live Peace In Toronto 1969
I bought in in 1970, and i really dug the album...
Contrary to "alphadogstudio" I say don't prejudge it.
If they digitally clean up the film and remaster the soundtrack into 5.1,
and include Clapton and Jerry Lee and Chuck and Little Richard
it will be very good! Songs like Give Peace A Chance, Cold Turkey,
Yer Blues, 50's rock classics.....You can tell John was havin a good time.
"On the video cassette, Eric Clapton can clearly be seen looking at
John Lennon with a look of horror on his face as Yoko starts her caterwauling. Additionally, as the band are leaning
their guitars against the amplifiers to create the feedback, Clapton breaks the fourth wall by looking directly into the camera and
rolling his eyes in frustration at Yoko's performance."---
--Wikipedia
Oh I gotta see this!"