The July 1969 single release of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" marked the first time that the name of the Plastic Ono Band appeared on a record label.  Lennon and his new wife Yoko Ono - they'd married in March - resolved to use the flexible band handle for whichever group happened to be playing with them; the onstage document Live Peace in Toronto 1969 was credited to the band, as was the harrowing single "Cold Turkey."  "Instant Karma!" modified the name slightly to "John Lennon and Yoko Ono with the Plastic Ono Band," and then the Lennons decided to each release an album titled, simply, after the malleable band name.  Now, John's Plastic Ono Band is seeing reissue once more, in a joint box set.  The 6-CD/2-BD John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band: The Ultimate Collection is due on April 16 from UMe.  This comprehensive set contains everything recorded by John and Yoko during the sessions for John's LP, totaling 159 tracks on CD and 131 on Blu-ray, or 11 hours of music, all completely remixed from the original multitracks.  This set follows the 2018 release of Imagine: The Ultimate Collection and the 2020 release of Lennon's solo career-spanning Gimme Some Truth.  The complete live-in-the-studio session for Yoko's LP is also featured on Blu-ray with the songs at their original length and speed.

The twin Plastic Ono Band albums arrived from Apple Records on December 11, 1970, just months after the May 8 release of The Beatles' swansong, Let It Be.  John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band bore striking, complementary cover photos and shared musicians including Lennon, Ono, Ringo Starr and Klaus Voormann.  Billy Preston and co-producer Phil Spector showed up on John's LP; George Harrison appeared on Ono's set.  Lennon's first proper solo album of music made explicit his split from Paul, George and Ringo. His songwriting was heavily influenced by the primal scream therapy of Dr. Arthur Janov, and filled with painful confessions, including the shocking proclamation of the song "God": "I don't believe in Beatles."  Fab Four fans didn't turn their back on Lennon, however, and the album reached No. 8 on the U.K. album chart and No. 6 in the U.S., where it spent eighteen weeks in the Top 10.  The album's songs were uniformly bracing, but "Working Class Hero" became an anthem, and the haunting "Mother" a touchstone of Lennon's unflinching confessional songwriting.

Ono's Plastic Ono Band was a much looser affair than her husband's.  An early and powerful example of what would now be deemed art-rock, Ono blended musical jamming with lyrical improvisation on its six tracks.  Indeed, it's hard to imagine the post-punk and alt-rock genres flourishing without inspiration from trailblazing records such as this one.  John contributed some of his most searing guitar on these experimental pieces.  The connection with free jazz is also significant to note; one track on the LP, "AOS," was recorded two years earlier with The Ornette Coleman Quartet.  (Because of its earlier lineage, this track is not represented on The Ultimate Mixes.)  Despite the artistic and visual connection to John's album, Yoko's Plastic Ono Band stalled at No. 182 on the Billboard 200, and it took years before critics and audiences alike came around to Ono's ahead-of-her-time creations.  Both Lennon and Ono's LPs bared the artists' souls through music, and now comes the chance to reevaluate them anew.

The tracks here encompass remixed versions of John's master takes plus demos, alternate takes, alternate mixes, jams, and live material.  The CDs feature The Ultimate Mixes, Outtakes, The Elements Mixes, The Raw Studio Mixes, and The Evolution Documentary with each disc in album order; plus one CD of The Jams and The Demos.  The two Blu-ray Discs present the material in high-resolution stereo, 5.1 surround, and Dolby Atmos.  The Blu-rays also have exclusive content not on the CDs, such as 110 minutes of Yoko's uncut live-in-the-studio session for Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band.

It's all been overseen by the team of engineer Paul Hicks and mixers/engineers Rob Stevens and Sam Gannon, with Yoko serving as executive producer.  The accompanying 132-page hardcover book designed and edited by compilation producer Simon Hilton boasts essays, lyrics, photos, tape box images, and memorabilia.  A "War Is Over!" poster and two postcards are also included.

In addition to the box, 1CD, 2CD, and 2LP versions are also available.  All of the configurations' track listings can be found below.  John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band: The Ultimate Collection arrives April 16 from Capitol/UMe!

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band: The Ultimate Collection (Apple SW 3372 (U.S.) / PCS 7124 (U.K.), 1970 - reissued Capitol/UMe, 2021)

6CD/2BD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2CD (includes contents of CD 1 & 2 below): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
1CD (includes contents of CD 1 below): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (includes tracks marked by + below) : Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Box Set:

CD 1: The Ultimate Mixes 

1. Mother (Ultimate Mix) 5:35 +
2. Hold On (Ultimate Mix) 1:52 +
3. I Found Out (Ultimate Mix) 3:37 +
4. Working Class Hero (Ultimate Mix) 3:47 +
5. Isolation (Ultimate Mix) 2:52 +
6. Remember (Ultimate Mix) 4:32 +
7. Love (Ultimate Mix) 3:22 +
8. Well Well Well (Ultimate Mix) 5:57 +
9. Look At Me (Ultimate Mix) 2:53 +
10. God (Ultimate Mix) 4:12 +
11. My Mummy's Dead (Ultimate Mix) 0:51 +
12. Give Peace A Chance (Ultimate Mix) 4:54
13. Cold Turkey (Ultimate Mix) 5:02
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) (Ultimate Mix) 3:20

CD 2: The Ultimate Mixes - Outtakes

1. Mother (Take 61 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 4:18 +
2. Hold On (Take 2 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 2:11 +
3. I Found Out (Take 1 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 3:46 +
4. Working Class Hero (Take 1 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 3:50 +
5. Isolation (Take 23 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 2:51 +
6. Remember (Rehearsal 1 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 3:11 +
7. Love (Take 6 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 2:36 +
8. Well Well Well (Take 2 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 3:34 +
9. Look At Me (Take 2 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 2:50 +
10. God (Take 27 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 4:05 +
11. My Mummy's Dead (Take 2 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 1:15 +
12. Give Peace A Chance (Take 2 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 6:00
13. Cold Turkey (Take 1 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 5:23
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) (Take 5 / Out-take / Ultimate Mix) 2:53

CD 3: The Elements Mixes

1. Mother (Elements Mix) 4:59
2. Hold On (Elements Mix) 1:52
3. I Found Out (Elements Mix) 5:25
4. Working Class Hero (Elements Mix) 3:10
5. Isolation (Elements Mix) 2:44
6. Remember (Elements Mix) 8:38
7. Love (Elements Mix) 5:39
8. Well Well Well (Elements Mix) 5:57
9. Look At Me (Elements Mix) 2:56
10. God (Elements Mix) 4:09
11. My Mummy's Dead (Elements Mix) 0:53
12. Give Peace A Chance (Elements Mix) 4:54
13. Cold Turkey (Elements Mix) 5:02
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) (Elements Mix) 3:20

CD 4: The Raw Studio Mixes

1. Mother (Take 64 / Raw Studio Mix) 5:12
2. Hold On (Take 32 / Raw Studio Mix) 1:51
3. I Found Out (Take 3 / Extended / Raw Studio Mix) 5:34
4. Working Class Hero (Take 9 / Raw Studio Mix) 4:07
5. Isolation (Take 29 / Raw Studio Mix) 2:52
6. Remember (Take 13 / Raw Studio Mix) 4:58
7. Love (Take 37 / Raw Studio Mix) 4:27
8. Well Well Well (Take 4 / Extended / Raw Studio Mix) 6:47
9. Look At Me (Take 9 / Raw Studio Mix) 3:07
10. God (Take 42 / Raw Studio Mix) 4:26
11. My Mummy's Dead (Take 1 / Raw Studio Mix) 0:53
12. Give Peace A Chance (Take 4 / Extended / Raw Studio Mix) 6:34
13. Cold Turkey (Take 2 / Raw Studio Mix) 5:06
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) (Take 10 / Raw Studio Mix) 3:31
15. Mother (Take 91/ Raw Studio Mix)
16. I Found Out (Take 7 / Raw Studio Mix)
17. God (Take 1 / Raw Studio Mix)

CD 5: The Evolution Documentary

1. Mother (Evolution Documentary) 9:16
2. Hold On (Evolution Documentary) 8:46
3. I Found Out (Evolution Documentary) 6:01
4. Working Class Hero (Evolution Documentary) 3:34
5. Isolation (Evolution Documentary) 9:39
6. Remember (Evolution Documentary) 7:01
7. Love (Evolution Documentary) 7:36
8. Well Well Well (Evolution Documentary) 4:50
9. Look At Me (Evolution Documentary) 5:51
10. God (Evolution Documentary) 8:09
11. My Mummy's Dead (Evolution Documentary) 1:36

CD 6: The Jams & The Demos

1. Johnny B. Goode (Jam) 1:02
2. Ain't That A Shame (Jam) 1:54
3. Hold On (Jam 1) 2:22
4. Hold On (Jam 2) 1:36
5. Glad All Over (Jam) 1:12
6. Be Faithful To Me (Jam) 0:44
7. Send Me Some Lovin' (Jam) 1:05
8. Get Back (Jam) 1:05
9. Lost John (Jam 1) 1:55
10. Goodnight Irene (Jam)1:50
11. You'll Never Walk Alone (Jam) 1:43
12. I Don't Want To Be A Soldier Mama, I Don't Wanna Die (Jam 1) 3:30
13. It'll Be Me (Jam) 1:07
14. Honey, Don't! (Jam) 1:39
15. Elvis Parody (Don't Be Cruel, Hound Dog, When I'm Over You) (Jam) 2:48
16. Matchbox (Jam) 1:57
17. I've Got A Feeling (Jam) 0:19
18. Mystery Train (Jam) 2:44
19. (You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care (Jam) 0:28
20. I Don't Want To Be A Soldier Mama, I Don't Wanna Die (Jam 2) 1:46
21. Lost John (Jam 2) 0:48
22. Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow) (Jam) 2:06
23. Mother (Home Demo) 5:00
24. Hold On (Studio Demo) 2:17
25. I Found Out (Home Demo) 4:08
26. Working Class Hero (Studio Demo) 3:50
27. Isolation (Studio Demo) 2:55
28. Remember (Studio Demo) 5:24
29. Love (Home Demo) 2:38
30. Well Well Well (Home Demo) 1:15
31. Look At Me (Home Demo) 2:48
32. God (Home Demo) 3:51
33. My Mummy's Dead (Home Demo) 1:18

Blu-rays:

THE ULTIMATE MIXES (53 mins)

1. Mother
2. Hold On
3. I Found Out
4. Working Class Hero
5. Isolation
6. Remember
7. Love
8. Well Well Well
9. Look At Me
10. God
11. My Mummy's Dead
12. Give Peace A Chance
13. Cold Turkey
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)

THE ULTIMATE MIXES / THE OUT-TAKES (49 mins)

1. Mother / Take 61
2. Hold On / Take 2
3. I Found Out / Take 1
4. Working Class Hero / Take 1
5. Isolation / Take 23
6. Remember / Rehearsal 1
7. Love / Take 6
8. Well Well Well / Take 2
9. Look At Me / Take 2
10. God / Take 27
11. My Mummy's Dead / Take 2
12. Give Peace A Chance / Take 2
13. Cold Turkey / Take 1
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) / Take 5

THE ELEMENTS MIXES (60 mins)

1. Mother
2. Hold On
3. I Found Out
4. Working Class Hero
5. Isolation
6. Remember
7. Love
8. Well Well Well
9. Look At Me
10. God
11. My Mummy's Dead
12. Give Peace A Chance
13. Cold Turkey
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)

THE DEMOS (45 mins)

1. Mother (Home Demo)
2. Hold On (Studio Demo)
3. I Found Out (Home Demo)
4. Working Class Hero (Studio Demo)
5. Isolation (Studio Demo)
6. Remember (Studio Demo)
7. Love (Home Demo)
8. Well Well Well (Home Demo)
9. Look At Me (Home Demo)
10. God (Home Demo)
11. My Mummy's Dead (Home Demo)
12. Give Peace A Chance (Home Demo)*
13. Cold Turkey (Home Demo)*
14. Instant Karma! (Studio Demo)*

THE RAW STUDIO MIXES (59 mins)

1. Mother / Take 64
2. Hold On / Take 32
3. I Found Out / Take 3 Extended
4. Working Class Hero / Take 9
5. Isolation / Take 29
6. Remember / Take 13
7. Love / Take 37
8. Well Well Well / Take 4 Extended
9. Look At Me / Take 9
10. God / Take 42
11. My Mummy's Dead / Take 1
12. Give Peace A Chance / Take 4 Extended
13. Cold Turkey / Take 2
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) / Take 10

THE RAW STUDIO MIXES / THE OUT-TAKES (50 mins)

1. Mother / Take 91
2. Hold On / Take 18*
3. I Found Out / Take 7
4. Working Class Hero / Take 10*
5. Isolation / Take 1*
6. Remember / Take 1*
7. Love / Take 9*
8. Well Well Well / Take 5*
9. Look At Me / Take 3*
10. God / Take 1
11. My Mummy's Dead / Take 2*
12. Give Peace A Chance / Take 4*
13. Cold Turkey / Take 2*
14. Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) / Take 5*

THE EVOLUTION DOCUMENTARY (93 mins)

1. Mother
2. Hold On
3. I Found Out
4. Working Class Hero
5. Isolation
6. Remember
7. Love
8. Well Well Well
9. Look At Me
10. God
11. My Mummy's Dead
12. Give Peace A Chance*
13. Cold Turkey*
14. Instant Karma (We All Shine On)*

THE JAMS / LIVE AND IMPROVISED (36 mins)

1. Johnny B. Goode
2. Ain't That A Shame
3. Hold On (1)
4. Hold On (2)
5. Glad All Over
6. Be Faithful To Me
7. Send Me Some Lovin'
8. Get Back
9. Lost John (1)
10. Goodnight Irene
11. You'll Never Walk Alone (Parody)
12. I Don't Want To Be To be A Soldier Mama I Don't Wanna Die (1)
13. It'll Be Me
14. Honey Don't
15. Elvis Parody (Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog / When I'm Over You)
16. Matchbox
17. I've Got A Feeling
18. Mystery Train
19. You're So Square
20. I Don't Want To Be A Soldier Mama I Don't Wanna Die (2)
21. Lost John (2)
22. Don't Worry Kyoko (Mummy's Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow)

YOKO ONO / PLASTIC ONO BAND - THE LIVE SESSIONS (110 mins)

1. Why*
2. Why Not*
3. Greenfield Morning I Pushed An Empty Carriage All Over The City*
4. Touch Me*
5. Paper Shoes*
6. Life*
7. Omae No Okaa Wa*
8. I Lost Myself Somewhere In The Sky*
9. Remember Love*
10. Don't Worry Kyoko*
11. Who Has Seen The Wind*

(*) exclusive to Blu-ray Discs