Two Virgins was an experimental journey into an avant-garde world of psychedelic sounds, snippets, piano pecking and John's and Yoko's screams and howls. Yoko sounds like a parrot on crack. Some people refer to Yoko as the godmother of punk. I've listened to this several times and come up with the conclusion that it was just them being them and whatever came out got recorded. The overall effect is confusing at best. For completists go out and get it, for others, beware.

Unfinished Music No. 1 Two Virgins was the first of the three experimental albums released by John Lennon in the late 1960's. (This one in 1968) It represents Lennon and Ono's first "collaboration" together in which they experiment with different sounds such as special effect tape loops, yelling, Lennon playing riffs on the piano, and a plethora of birds singing in the background. Yes, it is a lot of "noise" but it is good noise. Lennon noise. And anything John Lennon had ever released on vinyl (critics be damned) is fine with me. (Along with millions of other Beatle fans) It is called "Two Virgins" -- Not because Lennon or Ono were virgins, but because this is their first plunge into the avant-garde together -- hence "Virgins". According to Lennon, after they finished the recording of these tapes, the two of them made love. (Their first time together, and so they were two virgins from each other until they made love, and after the tapes were finished.) Yes I recommend this CD to even the most casual of Beatle/Lennon fans as it really does represent a part of musical history. Beatle history.

Kansas City, Mo 5/28/99

"Two Virgins" is one of the most historical and hysterical rock records ever released. It's historical because it was recorded during John Lennon's first get-together with future wife Yoko Ono. It's hysterical because of the controversial album cover as well as the music heard therein.
Basically, "Two Virgins" in its entirety is 30 minutes worth of Yoko squaking, warbling and screaming while John fiddles around with tape machines, plays notes at random on piano and guitar and also makes strange vocal noises. The recording quality is very lo-fi because the album was recorded in John's home studio in his attic.
This album probably would never be as big as it is today had it not been for its cover. The front cover shows John and Yoko completely full-frontal nude while the back cover shows them from behind. Obviously, this was more shocking than the music on the album itself.
While "Two Virgins" is by no means a musical masterpiece, it still is a peace of Beatles history that collectors should not be without.
The remastered Rykodisc CD includes one bonus track, Yoko Ono's "Remember Love" (the B-side to John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance" single). This is a beautiful child-like song and proves that while Yoko is not a great singer, she can actually sing on key when she wants to.

Some reactions to this record over the years as I return to it again and again:

1. How astonishing it is that Yoko can hold a note *that long.* Physiologically it is very difficult for a woman to be able to hold a note that long.

2. How interesting it is that the bird call tape loop at the beginning turns into a melody when slowed down to half speed.

3. What a catchy tune "Hushabye Hushabye" is.

4. All of the jokey interactions between John and Yoko and the oddball asides are absolutely joyous. They show that they were having the time of their lives when they made this record.

5. What interesting harmonies Lennon gets out of that old out of tune piano.

6. How is it that Yoko can mimic all those birds, mechanical drones, and saxophones and *not* fry her voice? (Anyone who says she's just screaming needs to try making those sounds for 30 minutes and see what it does to you). How did she get so much control over her voice?

7. What a goofy trombone melody they chose to loop.

8. It's over too soon. How I wish it were longer. I want to share more of John and Yoko's joy.

9. There's not a single gloomy feeling about this album -- it's pure joy, pure happiness, two people having the time of their lives. Perhaps those who don't like it have never experienced this feeling, because it's all I hear in this record.

"Two Virgins" lives up to its title--it sounds like it was created by someone with absolutely no musical experience at all. While I'm a big fan of Lennon's Beatles and post-Beatles solo albums (even the weakest Lennon album "Sometime in New York City" has its minor moments), I found this completely unlistenable and a waste of 30 minutes of my time.

Is "Two Virgins" misunderstood? If it is it's because it's in an incomphrensible musical langauge. The cover was the only thing this album was notable for--a nude portrait of a couple who had found love. It created controversy (EMI didn't want to distribute it). As avant-garde its too simplistic as music it's a disaster. Avoid unless you must have everything (including every fart, belch and toe nail trimming) from Lennon.