Sunday 12 August 1973 | John Lennon, Studio
| Studio | Record Plant, New York City |
| Producer | John Lennon |
| Engineers | Roy Cicala, Dan Barbiero |
| Session | Third overdub session for Mind Games |
The third day of overdubs for John Lennon’s fourth solo album Mind Games took place on 12 August 1973 at the Record Plant in New York City. The specific songs worked on during this session are not known, and no guest performers were involved — the session drew on the album’s core band.
The core band
The core musicians on Mind Games were:
John Lennon (vocals, guitar), David Spinozza (guitar), Ken Ascher (piano, organ), Gordon Edwards (bass guitar), and Jim Keltner (drums, percussion).
David Spinozza was a New York session guitarist who had worked extensively with Paul McCartney on the Ram album (1971) and with Yoko Ono. His presence on a Lennon album was a notable crossover between the two former Beatles’ musical worlds.
Ken Ascher was a New York pianist and arranger who had worked with a wide range of artists. He later collaborated with Paul Simon and contributed to the Still Crazy After All These Years album (1975).
Gordon Edwards was a highly regarded New York session bassist, a member of the studio collective known as the Stuff band, which also included Steve Gadd and Richard Tee.
Jim Keltner was one of the most celebrated session drummers in rock history, with a long association with all four former Beatles. He had played on Lennon’s Imagine (1971) and Some Time in New York City (1972), on Harrison’s All Things Must Pass (1970) and The Concert for Bangladesh (1971), and on Starr’s Ringo (1973). He was one of the most in-demand drummers of the era.
John Lennon — officially licensed merch
John Lennon: Imagine Peace Unisex T-Shirt (Black).
Mind Games: the album
Mind Games was John Lennon’s fourth solo album, released on 2 November 1973. It was recorded during the ‘Lost Weekend’ — the 18-month period from late 1973 to early 1975 when Lennon and Yoko Ono separated, and Lennon lived in Los Angeles with May Pang. The album was recorded primarily at the Record Plant in New York City.
The previous two overdub sessions had taken place on 11 August 1973 — when saxophonist Michael Brecker recorded overdubs on four tracks — and on 10 August 1973.
John Lennon — officially licensed merch
John Lennon: Imagine Peace Ladies T-Shirt (Black).
Key Facts
| Date | Sunday 12 August 1973 |
| Session | Third overdub session for Mind Games |
| Songs worked on | Not known |
| Guest performers | None |
| Album released | 2 November 1973 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who played on the Mind Games album?
The core band on Mind Games comprised John Lennon (vocals, guitar), David Spinozza (guitar), Ken Ascher (piano, organ), Gordon Edwards (bass guitar) and Jim Keltner (drums, percussion). Guest musicians included saxophonist Michael Brecker.
Who was Jim Keltner?
Jim Keltner is one of the most celebrated session drummers in rock history, with a long association with all four former Beatles. He played on Lennon's Imagine and Some Time in New York City, Harrison's All Things Must Pass and The Concert for Bangladesh, and Starr's Ringo album.
What was the 'Lost Weekend'?
The 'Lost Weekend' was an 18-month period from late 1973 to early 1975 when John Lennon and Yoko Ono separated. Lennon lived in Los Angeles with May Pang, during which time he recorded Mind Games and Walls and Bridges.
Why was David Spinozza's involvement notable?
David Spinozza had previously worked with Paul McCartney on the Ram album (1971). His presence on a Lennon album represented a notable crossover between the two former Beatles' musical worlds.
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→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
→ August in Beatles History
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