Photograph Smile

Amazon.com
John Lennon's oldest son spent the seven years preceding this album traveling Europe, painting, and even working in a stage production of Mr. Holland's Opus. Expanding his horizons certainly paid off, since his fifth album, Photograph Smile, has been crafted with a self-knowledge that recognizes both his strengths and limitations. No longer defensive about sounding like his father, Lennon has finally acknowledged his artistic lineage. While not exploiting the vocal similarities to his father, he makes the most of them, turning in a riveting neo-Beatles performance in the upbeat "I Don't Want to Know"; a fierce rocker, it recalls what was best about Something New, and therefore what was best about the Beatles. Lyrically, Lennon's bittersweet renderings of love, loss, and fidelity hint at the pain he suffered as a result of his uprooted early years. He's a multi-instrumentalist, and his stylist experiments borrow from the songbooks of both Beatle John and Led Zeppelin--Zep's being the better loan. --Jaan Uhelzski

Entertainment Weekly
Smile is a heartfelt, expertly crafted collection.

Photograph Smile,Julian Lennon,Varese Records,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

Photograph Smile

Average customer rating:

GREAT album.
Julian Lennon Comes Home
Love this CD!!! It is truly Julian's best work to date!!!
beautiful music
Mature Julian album

Photograph Smile
Julian Lennon
Manufacturer: Varese Sarabande
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Help Yourself
Valotte
Mr. Jordan
VH1 Behind the Music: The Julian Lennon Collection
The Secret Value of Daydreaming

ASIN: B00000I0KG
Release Date: 1999-02-23

Tracks:

Day After Day
Cold
I Should Have Known
How Many Times
I Don't Wanna Know
Crucified
Walls
Believe
Good To Be Lonely
Kiss Beyond The Catcher
And She Cries
Photograph Smile
Faithful
Way To Your Heart

Amazon.com

John Lennon's oldest son spent the seven years preceding this album traveling Europe, painting, and even working in a stage production of Mr. Holland's Opus. Expanding his horizons certainly paid off, since his fifth album, Photograph Smile, has been crafted with a self-knowledge that recognizes both his strengths and limitations. No longer defensive about sounding like his father, Lennon has finally acknowledged his artistic lineage. While not exploiting the vocal similarities to his father, he makes the most of them, turning in a riveting neo-Beatles performance in the upbeat "I Don't Want to Know"; a fierce rocker, it recalls what was best about Something New, and therefore what was best about the Beatles. Lyrically, Lennon's bittersweet renderings of love, loss, and fidelity hint at the pain he suffered as a result of his uprooted early years. He's a multi-instrumentalist, and his stylist experiments borrow from the songbooks of both Beatle John and Led Zeppelin--Zep's being the better loan. --Jaan Uhelzski

Customer Reviews:

GREAT album. .......2007-04-26

I never owned a Julian Lennon album before picking this up. I was familiar with the few hits he had back in the 80's (early 90's?)and was never impressed enough to listen further.
I don't remember why I picked this up. What I do remember is how blown away I was at the quality of the music. This is an exceptional album. Julian does not shy away from his heritage (and why should he ?). His voice sounds hauntingly like his father's in a lot of places. Some of the musical passages and arrangements are also quite Beatle-esque.
Still, this is HIS album and is full of well written, beautifully arranged songs. The title song, Day After Day, Good to be Lonely, Cold, Faithful(and others) are all powerfully moving, honest, plain old great sounding songs. If you are a Beatle fan or are just looking for some quality melodic music, you can't go wrong here.

Julian Lennon Comes Home.......2007-02-21

Being a child of a Beatle must have been daunting to Julian Lennon. But as for inheriting the creative genes, Julian did indeed inherit them. For his 1999 release, Photograph Smile, which he lovingly dedicated to his `Step'-Father Roberto Bassanini, Julian produces one of his best albums to date. The entire record has a melodic Beatles style from the string arrangements to the gentle guitar strums, but it is all Julian along with songwriting partner Mark Shapiro contributing the musical compositions and Bob Rose also at the production reigns.

Every track is praiseworthy. With Julian producing, writing, playing, and singing the songs on Photograph Smile, he most likely was showered with inspiration by the music of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. From two opening tracks, "Day After Day" and the very John-like and atmospheric "Cold," you know this is going to be an amazing record. As the album progresses a "hard day's night" opening chord begins "I Don't Wanna Know," Julian contemplates the future as he had done in "Saltwater" in the philosophical, "How Many Times," and the song for the broken-hearted, "And She Cries." But apart from the Beatles comparisons, Julian offers two of the most beautiful tracks on the record, "Believe" and "Faithful" (with guest vocals done by Gemma Hayes).

Photograph Smile is a highly recommended album for any Julian Lennon fan or anyone who has an interest in good songwriting and music.

Love this CD!!! It is truly Julian's best work to date!!!.......2006-10-21

This album is a wonderfully written and performed work of art. What a joy to listen to! I love every minute of it! :)

You can tell that this album was definitely Julian's "baby". The time and care he took in putting it together certainly shows. It's full of heart, soul and life experiences that truly speak to you.

The "I Don't Wanna To Know" video on the CD is absolutely hilarious! It's a parody of the Beatles phenomenon; and it is definitely done in good taste. He also appears throughout the video as different characters (guy in balcony, police officer, bus driver). And, of course, Jules purposely tried to sound like his dad, John Lennon, with this song in true Beatles, or should I say "Butlers" form HAHA, which makes it even more fun. Of course, he does sound quite similiar to his dad anyway, a fact that he can't help. But this song certainly shows he can REALLY sound like him if he wants to, which is cool! :)

But, as far as I'm concerned, he can just sound like Julian. :) He has a sound all his own that is truly remarkable and unique as well. I love his voice and how he takes full advantage of his wide vocal range. I could listen to him all day and never get bored.

I'm also looking forward to the release of his new album. Not sure when yet; but straight from the horse's mouth on his official website, he is definitely working on it. COOL! :)

Anyway, this CD is DEFINITELY worth every penny if you decide to buy it. You won't be disappointed.

beautiful music.......2005-12-22

I never in my mind relate Julian and John Lennon, I think of them as two separate musicians. Whether I like or dislike Julian is regardless of what I think of John.
The music on this CD is spectacular from start to finish. I should say that it is an extremely gentle album, with the vast majority of the tracks being soft ballads. 'Walls' springs to mind as a beautiful piano ballad, which is haunting to say the least. 'Faithful' is a duet and it is probably the most catchy song here. I love this one, particuarly the duets and the girl's voice singing is extremely pure and sexy.
'Good to be lonely' is also acoustic driven and contains some excellent lyrics.
Even though I haven't mentioned most of the tracks, they are all wonderful. It should also be pointed out that all those who love this should try and get the b-side 'don't let me down', which is another piano ballad, as fantastic as anyting on the album.

Mature Julian album.......2005-09-09

Julian finally makes an album after 7 years. (As of 2005, another 7 years have passed still no new one in sight which is disappointing) But here Julian has matured, and his music and lyrics are much better than anything he has done, nice melodies. There is nothing groundbreaking here, but if you like Julian, this is a must have. Highlights are Day after Day, I Should Have Known, How Many Times, I Dont Wanna Know.

Average customer rating:

HE'S FINALLY COME INTO HIS OWN
Sad, Sad, Songs...
Back at last!
He DEFINATELY got his father's talent!

Photograph Smile
Julian Lennon
Manufacturer: Avex Trax Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000G6EZ
Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

Day After Day
Cold
Good To Be Lonely
Kiss Beyond The Catcher
And She Cries
Photograph Smile
Faithful
Way To Your Heart
Don't Let Me Down
I Need You
I Should Have Known
How Many Times
I Don't Wanna Know
Crucified
Walls
Believe

Album Description

Japanese edition of Julian's 1998 solo album featuring the singles 'Day After Day' & 'I Don't Wanna Know', and two bonus tracks: 'Don't Let Me Down' & a cover of America's hit'I Need You'. 16 tracks total. 1998 Avex Trax release.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Two Bonus Tracks: Don't Let Me Down and I Need You. Also features Limited Edition Packaging for Initial Pressing Only.

Customer Reviews:

HE'S FINALLY COME INTO HIS OWN.......2004-03-21

I've followed Julian since Valotte, and I stumbled on this album a while back & was just amazed. It is a very mature & professional album,. Like you'd find in any good example of rock music, the Beatles' influence is very strong. If it was just a great Beatles' style album that would be enough, but this album is more than just a John jr. clone. This has great originality to it. I listen to this & think Julian (though yes, he does sound a bit like Dad - is that a bad thing?) I'm the same age as Julian and with this I realize there's real advantages to entering middle age, which is really the prime of life for an artist. His talent is genuine. I look forward to more from Julian, hopefully soon.

Sad, Sad, Songs..........2003-09-18

I gave it 4 stars for adventuring out of the box. 3.5 on general merit.

I loved the hope and optomism in "Help Yourself", and have enjoyed his talent. He must have been going thrugh hell when he wrote this album; the liner notes mention 2 things including the dealth of his step father. It shows.

I appreciate the talent, and it is good to see him try new things. There are a couple songs which echo John Lennon- I guess to please the critics. A couple others echo his earlier albums, but the overall effect is depressing. I wish I could send him a hug, but I don't listen to this album like I have earlier ones. I will look forward to the next one.

If you like sad songs or are a real fan, give this one a try.

Back at last!.......2002-08-27

I actually have the UK import, but I have the bonus tracks on singles. I don't wanna let you down, but "Don't Let Me Down" here is an original and NOT a cover of his dad's (he did that once or twice already, give him a break!). "I Need You" is the America hit, and not the one of the other late ex-Beatle George Harrison (from Help!).

He DEFINATELY got his father's talent!.......2000-07-06

John Charles Julian Lennon's first album in years is definately worth the wait. He has every type of song you could hope for on an album: catchy tunes, sad tunes, happy tunes, romantic tunes, etc. This album is a must-have for any music enthusiast, no matter what your taste is. It is one of the best albums of all time.