John Lennon's Jukebox

Various Artists
 
John Lennon's Jukebox - CD cover
John Lennon's Jukebox - Front Cover
Label Virgin
Catalogue No. VTDCD 698
7243 5 77555 2 8 (International number)
Release Date 8th March 2004
Total Time C.D. 1 - 55:22
C.D. 2 - 52:35
Comments:
A few years ago a portable jukebox was discovered
which belonged to John Lennon in the 1960's.
The jukebox contained a fascinating tracklist of
40 records - soul, R&B and Rock 'n' Roll
- written in Lennon's own handwriting.

These are the songs which shaped Lennon's musical
education and they reveal many of the original
sources of inspiration for his later songwriting.

This album has been carefully researched and brings
together Lennon's favourite music while revealing
how his originality was born out of imitation.

Not quite sure I agree with that last comment from the sleeve-notes, but, this is a superb eclectic collection of the period. Clearly, there are influences apparent and of course, John would have had on his jukebox those favourite tunes that The Beatles loved to cover.

The jukebox was a Swiss-made "KB Discomatic" which John is believed to have purchased in 1965. He is thought to have left it behind when he moved to America, possibly at the Abbey Road studios. The 33lb portable jukebox was bought by the late Bristol music promoter, John Midwinter for just £2,500 at the 1989 Christie's sale of Beatle's memorabilia. He then spent years restoring the machine and researching the list of 41 discs made in John's own handwriting.
John Midwinter died of throat cancer at the age of 57. His widow and son have refused to cash in on the jukebox and have planned to give it to Yoko for possible display at John's childhood home in Liverpool.

The Sunday after this C.D. was issued, a programme of The South Bank Show was broadcast on ITV all about it's origins and the influence of the tracks upon it.

This is certainly an essential set !


C.D. One

No. Artist Title U.K. Chart U.S. Chart
1 Wilson Pickett In The Midnight Hour 1965 - No. 12 1965 - No. 21
2 Fontella Bass Rescue Me 1965 - No. 11 1965 - No. 4
3 Smokey Robinson & the Miracles The Tracks Of My Tears 1969 - No. 9 1965 - No. 16
4 Otis Redding My Girl 1965 - No. 11 * Uncharted
5 Len Barry 1, 2, 3 1965 - No. 3 1965 - No. 2
6 Tommy Tucker Hi-Heel Sneakers 1964 - No. 23 1964 - No. 11
7 Jimmy McCracklin The Walk * Uncharted 1958 - No. 7
8 Timmy Shaw Gonna Send You Back To Georgia * Uncharted * Uncharted
9 Contours First I Look At The Purse * Uncharted * Uncharted
10 Gary U.S. Bonds New Orleans 1961 - No. 16 1960 - No. 6
11 Bobby Parker Watch Your Step * Uncharted * Uncharted
12 Derek Martin Daddy Rollin' Stone * Uncharted * Uncharted
13 Larry Williams Short Fat Fannie 1957 - No. 21 1957 - No. 5
14 Little Richard Long Tall Sally 1957 - No. 3 1956 - No. 6
15 Barrett Strong Money (That's What I Want) * Uncharted 1960 - No. 23
16 Bruce Channel Hey Baby 1962 - No. 2 1962 - No. 1
17 Bob Dylan Positively 4th Street 1965 - No. 8 1965 - No. 7
18 The Lovin' Spoonful Daydream 1966 - No. 2 1966 - No. 2
19 Donovan Turquoise 1965 - No. 30 * Uncharted
20 Buddy Holly Slippin' And Slidin' * Uncharted * Uncharted


C.D. Two

No. Artist Title U.K. Chart U.S. Chart
1 Gene Vincent Be-Bop-A-Lula 1956 - No. 16 1956 - No. 7
2 Chuck Berry No Particular Place To Go 1964 - No. 3 1964 - No. 10
3 Paul Revere and the Raiders Steppin' Out * Uncharted * Uncharted
4 The Lovin' Spoonful Do You Believe In Magic * Uncharted 1965 - No. 9
5 The Big Three Some Other Guy 1963 - No. 37 * Uncharted
6 The Isley Brothers Twist And Shout 1963 - No. 42 1962 - No. 17
7 Larry Williams She Said "Yeah" * Uncharted * Uncharted
8 Buddy Holly Brown Eyed Handsome Man 1963 - No. 3 * Uncharted
9 Little Richard Slippin' And Slidin' * Uncharted 1956 - No. 33
10 Gary U.S. Bonds Quarter To Three 1961 - No. 7 1961 - No. 1
11 Little Richard Ooh My Soul 1958 - No. 22 1958 - No. 31
12 Gene Vincent Woman Love * Uncharted * Uncharted
13 The Miracles Shop Around * Uncharted 1960 - No. 2
14 The Animals Bring It On Home To Me 1965 - No. 7 1965 - No. 32
15 James Ray with
  the Hutch Davie Orchestra
If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody * Uncharted 1961 - No. 22
16 The Miracles What's So Good About Goodbye * Uncharted 1962 - No. 35
17 Larry Williams Bad Boy * Uncharted * Uncharted
18 Edwin Starr Agent Double O Soul * Uncharted 1965 - No. 21
19 The Miracles I've Been Good To You * Uncharted * Uncharted
20 Barrett Strong Oh I Apologize * Uncharted * Uncharted
21 The Miracles Who's Lovin' You * Uncharted * Uncharted



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