John Lennon - Menlove Ave (Compilation) (1986)

John Lennon - Menlove Ave (Compilation) (1986)

Tracklist front / back album covers

Side one

1. "Here We Go Again"   4:50

2. "Rock 'n' Roll People"   4:21

3. "Angel Baby"   3:42

4. "Since My Baby Left Me"   3:48

5. "To Know Her Is to Love Her"   4:37

Side two

1. "Steel and Glass"   4:10

2. "Scared"   4:17

3. "Old Dirt Road"   3:53

4. "Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)"   4:29

5. "Bless You"   4:05

Notes

Side 1, tracks 1 and 3–5 were recorded in late 1973.

Side 1, track 2 was recorded mid-1973 for, but left off of Mind Games.

2, tracks 1–5 are mid-1974 rehearsal recordings for Walls and Bridges.

John Lennon Band Members / Musicians

John Lennon: vocals, guitar, piano (side 2), producer (side 1, track 2; side 2)

Jesse Ed Davis: guitar (side 2)

Klaus Voormann: bass (side 2)

Jim Keltner: drums (side 2)

Phil Spector: producer (side 1, tracks 1, 3–5)

Menlove Ave. is a 1986 compilation album by English rock musician John Lennon. It is the second posthumous release of Lennon's music (after Milk and Honey), having been recorded during the sessions for his albums Walls and Bridges and Rock 'n' Roll. Menlove Ave. was released under the supervision of Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow.

The first side of the LP comprises session outtakes from the Rock 'n' Roll sessions with Phil Spector in late 1973, apart from "Rock and Roll People", which is from the Mind Games sessions. The remainder features rehearsal recordings in mid-1974 for Walls and Bridges.

The song "Rock and Roll People" was originally recorded and released on Johnny Winter's seventh studio album John Dawson Winter III.

The title refers to Lennon's childhood home, 251 Menlove Avenue, in Liverpool. Menlove Avenue is a long road in South Liverpool, part of the Liverpool ring road. While it is mainly residential, it is also a primary route – the A562. It also passes Woolton Village where Lennon and Paul McCartney first met.

Yoko Ono's liner notes mention that "John's American rock roots – Elvis Presley, Fats Domino and Phil Spector are evident in these tracks. But what I hear in John's voice are the other roots of the boy who grew up in Liverpool, listening to "Greensleeves", BBC Radio and Tessie O'Shea."

The artwork for the release was effected by artist Andy Warhol, just months before Lennon's death in 1980. It was later used as the cover for the 2005 compilation album Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon.