I never truly appreciated the genius of John Lennon as a solo artist until I bought this CD. This is a great introduction to Lennon's music, combining a number of true Beatles classics along with some amazing Lennon solo tracks. The fact that several of the Beatles songs are not the group's more famous ones is an added plus. The very familiar Twist and Shout and Help! are great, but these songs are only an oldies' station away most of the time. The psychedelic Strawberry Fields Forever is great fun, the hard-riffing Revolution packs a punch, and Sgt. Pepper's A Day in the Life highlights Lennon's singular contribution to rock music. I was most thrilled, however, to find A Day in the Life in this collection-it may not immediately come to mind when you think of Beatles classics, but I think it is the Fab Four's most poignant song. The slow, sentimental sound of the White Album's Julia and the frenetic, catchy delivery of The Ballad of John and Yoko help set the stage for the Lennon solo tracks. Naturally, the song Imagine is the highlight of Lennon's solo career, earning a short rehearsal track along with the original in this collection. For me, Woman is the quintessential Lennon track, bursting with emotion and beauty. Then there is the controversial God; I really like the song, especially Lennon's list of things and people he doesn't believe in (which includes "beatles"); the song certainly reflects Lennon's personal philosophy, and this will doubtless flavor some listeners' regard for the track. The remaining songs were less familiar to me, but songs like Jealous Guy and (Just Like) Starting Over encompass the variety, genius, and easy listenability of this great artist's unique music.

This album offers the listener a great sampling of Lennon's entire discography. Certainly, arguments can be made about songs that should or should not have been included, but this collection represents a noble and much-appreciated effort to keep alive the memory, music, and genius of an artist struck down much too soon. Imagine what could have been, but enjoy and appreciate what was.

Well if you want insight into the man and the music of John Lennon, this is a good one CD purchase. I know most everybody has all the pieces on the CD BUT you don't have them all on one representing John's life. When I feel I need to remember this man and his work this is the CD that I put on. It also reminds what happens to a man's work that is left behind. If you listen to REAL LOVE on this CD you will understand that the remake of it for the anthology was totally off the original concept by John. I think this is a good compilation of music of his life.

This album is the perfect epidemy of anything a person could ever ask for in a CD. Anything you could possibly want is on this album. Easy listening music, insightful lyrics, decent Voorman guitar, the works! It's all here! Flawless album.

Add Cold Turkey (single version), Instant Karma, and a half-dozen others and this could have been THE definitive JL Best-Of collection.

Real Love on this CD is NOT the one that was used for the new "Beatles" single.

When you buy the soundtrack to the DVD chronicling Lennon's life, you can expect to get the best when it comes to Lennon's music. This includes about an equal mix of John's Beatles and solo tunes, which really allows for Lennon's best to come forward. Notably, it starts out with "Real Love," which began as a solo John track but later (in the 90's during anthology taping) got the full band treatment and became a Beatles tune. I prefer this to "Free As A Bird," and although I like both tunes, I'm glad they chose to include "Real Love" instead of "Free As A Bird." The sountrack continues starting with a cover song from his Beatle days, "Twist and Shout," although one for which he was well known for his raucous singing.

Many of Lennon's hit original tunes from his Beatle days are predictably included here, with "Help!", "In My Life," "Strawberry Fields Forever," "A Day In The Life," "Revolution," "The Ballad of John and Yoko," "Julia," and "Don't Let Me Down" all included. These songs show off the many angles of John Lennon.

Then, several Plastic Ono Band and solo Lennon songs are included on the second half of the soundtrack. "Give Peace A Chance," "How?", "Imagine," "God," "Mother," "Stand By Me," "Jealous Guy," "Woman," "Beautiful Boy," and "(Just Like) Starting Over," are the tracks chosen from Lennon's solo years. All of them are strong tracks. "Imagine" is a rehearsal version, which gives a fresh look at the song by not including the version released on other Lennon CD's. "Stand By Me" is, of course, a cover from his 'Rock 'n' Roll' album, a 1975 release that consisted of all cover songs from the good old days of Rock 'n' Roll. Again, this selection of songs shows off the many sides of John Lennon.

Most importantly, 'Imagine' the soundtrack shows Lennon's superior songwriting ability and shows why he has attained such high status in rock music and music in general. He had a knack for it, and he did it throughout his life. If only his career had been allowed to continue, we would have even more material and more ingenious pop songs and pop records from Lennon. Unfortunately, we must hold onto what we have and take from it what we may. We must not wish for the impossible, and we must accept what we cannot change.