Menlove Ave.

This article is about the compilation album. For John Lennon's childhood home, see251 Menlove Avenue.

Menlove Ave.
Artwork byAndy Warhol
Compilation albumby John Lennon
Released	27 October 1986 (US), 5 November 1986 (UK)
Recorded	Late 1973, July–August 1974, October 1974
Genre	Rock
Length	42:20
Label	Parlophone/EMI
Producer	John Lennon,Phil Spector
John Lennonchronology
Live in New York City (1986) Menlove Ave. (1986) Imagine: John Lennon (1988)

Professional ratings

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Source	Rating
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Blender
Robert Christgau	B+
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The Rolling Stone Album Guide

Menlove Ave.is a 1986compilation albumby Englishrock musicianJohn Lennon.It is the second posthumous release of Lennon's music (afterMilk and Honey), having been recorded during the sessions for his albumsWalls and BridgesandRock 'n' Roll.Menlove Ave.was released under the supervision ofYoko Ono,Lennon's widow.

Background

The first side of the LP comprises session outtakes from theRock 'n' Rollsessions withPhil Spectorin late 1973, apart from "Rock and Roll People", which is from theMind Gamessessions.The remainder features rehearsal recordings in mid-1974 forWalls and Bridges.

The song "Rock and Roll People" was originally recorded and released onJohnny Winter's seventh studio albumJohn Dawson Winter III.

The title refers to Lennon's childhood home,251 Menlove Avenue,inLiverpool.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: theA562.It also passes Woolton Village where Lennon andPaul McCartneyfirst met.

Yoko Ono's liner notes mention that "John's American rock roots –Elvis Presley,Fats DominoandPhil 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 andTessie O'Shea."

Album cover

The artwork for the release was effected by artistAndy Warhol,just months beforeLennon's death in 1980.It was later used as the cover for the 2005 compilation albumWorking Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon.

Reception and aftermath

ThoughMenlove Ave.included previously unreleased material of John Lennon, it failed to chart in the United Kingdom. It did manage to reach number 127 in the United States, making it Lennon's least-successful album.Menlove Ave.was issued on CD in 1987, and remains available from Capitol Records in that format.

Side 1, tracks 3–5 appeared as bonus tracks on the 2004 remastered version ofRock 'n' Roll.The song "Here We Go Again" was included on the 2006 soundtrack albumThe U.S. vs. John Lennonand 2010 box setGimme Some Truth.

The album is the only one of Lennon's not available on music streaming platforms.

Track listing

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Here We Go Again"	John Lennon,Phil Spector	4:50
2.	"Rock 'n' Roll People"	Lennon	4:21
3.	"Angel Baby"	Rosie Hamlin	3:42
4.	"Since My Baby Left Me"	Arthur Crudup	3:48
5.	"To Know Her Is to Love Her"	Spector	4:37

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Steel and Glass"	Lennon	4:10
2.	"Scared"	Lennon	4:17
3.	"Old Dirt Road"	Harry Nilsson,Lennon	3:53
4.	"Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out)"	Lennon	4:29
5.	"Bless You"	Lennon	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 ofMind Games.
• Side 2, tracks 1–5 are mid-1974 rehearsal recordings forWalls and Bridges.

Personnel

• 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)