My personal favorite John Lennon album is 1974's "Walls And Bridges," which may seem like an odd choice to some people since the album is considered to be one of John's "weakest" releases (and recorded during John's "lost weekend" period, when he was separated from Yoko Ono). Personally, I don't understand the criticism at all. "Walls And Bridges" a "weak" album? Nonsense! Whatever personal problems Lennon was going through during this period, I think he still cranked out a fantastic album. Mind you, I enjoy all of John's solo stuff, including such classics as "Plastic Ono Band," "Imagine," and his songs on "Double Fantasy," but there's just something about "Walls And Bridges" that appeals to me the most. What else can I say? I think the songs, the production, and of course, John's singing and songwriting is just wonderful on this disc. There are memorable melodies and performances throughout "Walls And Bridges." Great songs include "Going Down On Love," the #1 hit "Whatever Gets You Through The Night" (featuring Elton John), the jazz-rock throwdown "What You Got," the gorgeous feel of "Bless You," the atmospheric dreamscapes of "#9 Dream," the powerful "Steel And Glass," the funky instrumental "Beef Jerky," and the classic Lennon ballad "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down And Out)". These songs are absolutely amongst Lennon's best work, so don't tell me that this album is weak. If I'm alone in my opinion that "Walls And Bridges" is the best solo album Lennon ever recorded, then so be it. Maybe I'm just weird. But I totally love John Lennon's "Walls And Bridges" and I always have. I hope you will, too.

Forget what the critics say concerning his "lost weekend" period. The songs on this album are among his best written. #9 Dream, Steel and Glass, Bless You, When You're Down are among the best songs on this album. "Whatever Gets You through the Night" was his number 1 song co-written with Elton John, and as much as I like that song, it isn't even close to being the best on the album.

While I think that his first solo (Plastic Ono Band) was his best, this is my second favorite.

Buy it, you'll like it.

"Walls and Bridges" (1974) captures the essence of John Lennon better than any of his solo efforts, with the exception of "Imagine." The harshness of "Plastic Ono Band" still can be found in memorable tracks such as "Steel and Glass" and "Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out" - two of Lennon's most underrated songs. The CD also features the hit singles "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" and "#9 Dream," which showcase Lennon's mastery of popular-music composition. Other surprises include John's collaboration with Harry Nilsson, "Old Dirt Road," and a funky instrumental titled "Beef Jerky." For years, music critics have considered "Walls and Bridges" a water-treading work from an artist in decline. Nothing could be further from the truth. Unlike "Mind Games" and "Double Fantasy," this integral Lennon recording has stood the test of time.

A lovely CD restored to sonic clarity... from John's 'lost weekeend' period. He's Sooo

honest, melodic and inventive. Lyrically he's emotionally generous ("Bless You")

resigned ("Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out"") self aware the 'Hatred and jealousy' section of "Scared") and what was a bit of a dull, murky original mix and pressing is now pristine. Bless Yoko for her stewardship of his aural catalogue but both of my thumbs down for her repackaging -- losing John's orignal cover of childhood drawings, and the disk graphics are maybe a bit misleading/self serving (John and Yoko's faces morphing, originally from the Sometime In NYC record; but

this was the lost weekend, and May Pang was in the picture as well.)

This is one of my favorite Lennon albums filled with lovely melodies (Whatever Gets You Through the Night, #9 Dream), revealing and ironic lyrics (Nobody Loves You When You're Down and Out; Steel and Glass) and a classy production. It has a little for everyone from romantic ballads (Bless You) to rockers (You Don't KNow What you Got). John's vocals are in fine form and he is backed by top notch musicians.

I noticed that another commentator stated that John was in an "artistic slump." I wish every artist would have a "slump" like this.

This release shows what John was capable of once out from under "The Yoke." It is no wonder that Walls and Bridges features two top ten hits (Whatever Gets You Thru the Night and #9 Dream), was a Top 10 LP, and was one of his best selling releases at the time.