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John Aizlewood's rating
, Yoko Ono steps out of John Lennon's shadow
By
John Aizlewood
15 Jun 2009
As if to prove that everybody is ultimately rehabilitated, Yoko Ono is no longer that strange little woman who split up The Beatles (a ludicrous notion then as well as now) who — when not making her own unlistenable albums — went on to ruin most of John Lennon’s.
Last night, the second of the South Bank’s mouth-watering Meltdown Festival, not only was she looking and moving remarkably well for a grandmother of 76 (we’ll have to agree to forget the cap she appeared to have purchased from a website specialising in Dick Emery memorabilia), but Ono basked in new veneration and, on balance, rightly so, having curated Lennon’s legacy with love and dignity for the last 29 years in the face of more than one philistine onslaught.
And while her albums will never be especially easy on the ear, they are testament to a woman with an undeniably singular vision.
For all her on-stage curtness (you still wouldn’t want to cross her), she admitted to being nervous and she handled herself gracefully: “People talk about me and Britain having a love-hate relationship. To me it’s always been a love relationship.”
Backed by a tightly rehearsed, often brilliant and always empathetic Plastic Ono Band featuring her son Sean on guitar, piano and drums, members of Japanese band Cornelius, plus cameos from Mark Ronson, Antony Hegarty and jazz colossus and Meltdown curator Ornette Coleman, Ono’s first British performance since 2005 was packed with unreleased material. Reassuringly, it was as uncompromising as the woman herself.
Often, she appeared to be on a one-woman mission to keep the Japanese wailing industry afloat, especially when squawking her way through an excerpt from Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For Her Hand In The Snow) and the immaculately constructed Rising.
Meanwhile, the new Moving Mountains was entirely howling, but for all its incomprehensibility it mesmerised a crowd including Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes and ex-Smith Johnny Marr.
Aside from Kurushi, about a Hiroshima bomb victim and sung in Japanese with some rather am-dram coughing and choking, there were moments of undeniable tenderness, most notably two duets with Hegarty, Toyboat and I’m Going Away Smiling, a genuinely moving eulogy to her relationship with Lennon.
To close, Ono spent the dreamy but dancey The Sun Is Down flashing “I love you” in Morse code via a hand-held torch. The awed reception she received suggested the feeling is finally mutual.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (14)
It was awesome, the best gig I have ever been too. It knocked Dylan, Throbbing Gristle, The Pixies, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Suicide all into a cocked hat. I guess some people just don't have the capacity to understand it, thats fine, don't attend, but don't trash other peoples views. You stick to Coldplay.
- Zoe, NW3, 17/06/2009 12:40
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None of you really get it, if it was john (one of the best musical minds got it) was up there you would all be singing his praises. You all need to ask your selves why you went in the first place, you must have had an idea of what you were going to hear. The planet needs a will to be weird and if that means Yoko Ono wailing down a microphone with a fantastic band behind her then I say keep it coming ten fold. But don’t forget there was a bigger message there PEACE AND LOVE. Let your selves go people and enjoy the time you are given.
- Danny, London, 15/06/2009 22:09
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I loved this concert, I didn't know what to expect and really enjoyed the magic of it. Yes Yoko wailed, but it was mesmerising, hypnotic, strange and yet familiar. Whereas Antony's voice is heavenly I think Yoko's is human, earthly, real. The band was fantastic, and having Antony and Ornette Coleman joining them on stage was very special.
- Linda, London, 15/06/2009 21:05
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I respect her as a person and I admire her vision and her bravery. But admit it, she cannot sing. Actually she did not sing, she wailed. She wailed her way through for the whole concert. If you are rich and famous, you can just do practically anything. If she is a nobody, she'll not be allowed to busk in the tube station as some buskers are much more talented than her when it comes to singing. I respect her too much to give her the sympathy vote and she deserves some honest opinion for her honesty in her vision.
- Simon, London, 15/06/2009 17:43
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Daveb,-yes I had the great misfortune of seeing her in concert many years ago,-and walked out in disgust after 20minutes, if that is your idea of art or avant garde music,-your welcome to it,-in my eyes its talentless rubbish.
- Jacob, Canterbury Kent, 15/06/2009 17:21
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It was like the Emperor's new clothes - Yoko can't sing for toffee but nobody dare say it. Antony was wonderful however.
- Derek, London, 15/06/2009 17:21
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I can't think of a concert - ever - exuding more warmth, conviction and imagination. And if I look as good in a Dick Emery hat when I'm 76 I'll be more than happy.
- Jonathan Futrell, London, United Kingdon, 15/06/2009 16:39
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have you seen her perform jacob? or are you basing this purely on beatlemania anti-yoko cliche
- Daveb, london,, 15/06/2009 16:32
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How many more years of this untalented woman must we endure?,-before she met Lennon she was a nobody,-since his death she's been a very rich nobody.
- Jacob, Canterbury Kent, 15/06/2009 15:02
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I was lucky enough to be at the concert, and this woman deserves nothing but our respect. Granted, her musical style may not be to everyones liking, but this amazing woman who has suffered not only an unjustified public opinion in years gone by, but also witnessed the brutal murder of her husband, trully should be held to high esteem. Yoko - you trully are a breath of fresh air, a unique talent and a legend in your own right! One final message: i ii iii
- Adrian, London, 15/06/2009 13:28
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Yeah, this was superb- dream for me seeing her backed by Cornelius and band. Rising and the Sun is down being highlights. Sean Lennon oversaw proceedings perfectly-multi-instrumentalist galore-looking forward to new album in the autumn. Also, just like to mention how respectful the audience was-totally respectful and enthralled (and thank god not talking during songs)-Sadly exception to the rule, nowadays
- Paul Dennis, Ramsgate UK, 15/06/2009 12:43
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This was a godawful concert. Not uncompromising, just bad. No songs, no singing - indulgent and boring.
- Graham, London, 15/06/2009 12:29
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Yoko Ono is no longer that strange little woman who split up The Beatles"
No she is the strange little woman who can't sing or write decent music. It is like Woody Allen playing clarinet at Glastonbury or Phil and Fearne doing the X Factor
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 15/06/2009 11:42
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Thanks for this review. I would have gone to this if money had allowed.
- Alison, Lancs, 15/06/2009 10:26
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