John Lennon’s birthday today, October 9, is marked by the release of a new deluxe and expanded version of Imagine (The Ultimate Collection).
The set is now available to stream and download, and features the entire full-length collection of tracks, some of which have previously only been available on Blu-Ray, in Hi-Res Stereo and Spatial Audio/Dolby Atmos.
Yoko Ono Lennon and Sean Ono Lennon have sent a note to Lennon’s legions of fans worldwide to explain that each set of mixes from the compilation – Ultimate, Elements, Evolution, Raw Studio and Out-Takes – has been released as a separate album. This allows his songs to be enjoyed in the way that was originally intended, curated by Yoko Ono Lennon, rather than release all 78 tracks from the themed retrospective in one vast playlist.
Imagine: The Ultimate Collection was first released in October 2018, celebrating John’s second solo album, released in 1971. It was launched with Lennon’s unheard, original piano-and-vocal demo of its flagship song “Imagine” itself.
Yoko and Sean advise: “We’ll be doing the same with the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band Ultimate Collection soon, and then releasing a brand new, completely remixed Mind Games (The Ultimate Collection) in the summer of 2024, featuring an incredible six albums worth of material, followed by even more surprises later in the year.” Mind Games was Lennon’s fourth solo studio album, self-produced and first released in October 1973, and featured the title track U.S. Top 20 hit single.
The Lennons conclude their message with the words: “We hope you enjoy Imagine and on John’s birthday make a wish on Yoko’s WISH TREE to send to the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER at wishtreeforyoko.com. Join us to view the tower lighting up in Iceland on October 9th at imaginepeacetower.com. Love, Yoko and Sean.”
Buy or stream the new digital edition of Imagine (The Ultimate Collection).