It’s amazing how people can never be happy for other people anymore.

good for you guys for getting this, you guys work hard to bring us Beatle news

The problem with this is that people who review change their opinions so they can keep in the freebie club. And you have too in the past.

Like you say, there are a variety of different reasons, but the core of it is, people can't seem to be happy for other people's good fortune. I don't get it, but there are a lot of miserable individuals in this world... I'm excited for when your majestic uber cube comes in the mail! I hear it has many wonderful goodies including a large Nutopian flag! That is so cool. I can't wait to see your unboxing video for it! :D

Good for Sean that he’s smart enough to know there are highly credible KZfaq vinyl enthusiasts who share their knowledge and content with people like me. I’m grateful to be able to follow people like you who keep me updated on new records. In this case, I preordered the super deluxe and look forward to receiving it. Thanks for what you do.

I’m jealous!!!! Hahaha. But I’m very happy for you. 😊 You - and all the others - deserve these freebies. You worked hard on your channel for years and you provide quality content. Enjoy the freebies. You’ve earned them. Keep up the great work. Cheers.

Well said Joe. It's ridiculous, music mags and music papers review albums every month, they get sent everything they review from the record labels for free. This is how media promotion works. You tube is no different it's just a different medium. It's a two way process, they send you the box for free, and you give the box free promotion on your channel. Seems fair enough to me. As you know this was the first time I ever got sent anything from the estate (having bought everything out of my own pocket for the last 48 years) and I was so chuffed to be included in this elite crowd, but I still had idiots on my channel who left a shitty comment and actually unsubscribed because they didnt think I should get one when they had to buy their own ! unsubbed ffs !!!

Joe you deserve things like this because you put the work in and people like the Lennon estate realize this and appreciate your unbiased opinions.

Well said, Joe! (Don't let those that are possibly envious, get to you...they're not worth it!!)

Well said, Joe. And to all the envious people out there, nothing's stopping you from setting up your own Beatles-releated channel, posting content multiple times a week, building a community of fans, hosting livestreams, etc. Too much work? Them's the breaks. Also, I prefer the version of Steel and Glass without the horns, although I do get that John himself wanted them on there. John also wanted his voice buried low in the mix, so it's safe to say that his opinions about how these songs should be presented wasn't always right. Sean's doing a great job with these, IMO.

I think that your kind of criticism is certainly appreciated by Sean & Co

I am glad to see many people getting items from these estates. It show us that they do care about what we as collectors think. I also noticed that it isn't just the channels with high numbers. So I hope this practice continues, and we will get a few review before the actual product comes out, otherwise it could be too late if we wait till day of release.

Feel Honored Joe, You are a trusted source of information thats why You receive these box sets. Keep up the Great and Honest Work. You earned it and deserve it My Brother!!!!!!!!!!!

to be honest Joe, you dont have to make this video, and shouldnt have to explain yourself to anyone...i dont see the item you or other You Tubers receive as "freebies", i see them, no different as items that get sent to "reviewers" by marketing people...and you guys are the outlet and the experts to give your pluses and negatives on this product...and because you have a vested interest in the item, you also get to keep it as thank you for the time and effort youve put into it to review it....

I can only assume people are jealous of people receiving a thank you from me Lennon estate for the hardwork you put into your honest opinion review.

Well said Joe. I've been very conscious of the fact that my preference is usually to make positive videos about things I like, and I know if I'm not careful that could lead me to being a bit TOO positive. So I'm always more likely to make sure i include some things I'm not too happy with in situations like this in order to be fair, so with the Mind Games box I've been critical of the Bring On The Lucie remix that I think loses a lot of energy previously in the song, and I remember with the Plastic Ono Band box (another gift) being critical of the confusing track list layout on the back of the box and of distortion on the vinyl set they sent me. I could be positive all day long about the box set but you have to equally question the things that don't feel right. Ultimately though, there is a heck of a lot of things about this box set worthy of praise, theyre generally doing these in a way that perhaps other Beatles (and The Beatles) should take note of...

I hear you if that was not sent to you you would buy one anyway you have a very cool Beatle channel and show other cool things keep going

Anyone who really studies your videos will see that your reviews are honest, regardless of the fact that you are given one or another product for review purposes. Your work is valued by us and the artists. I am happy for you.

Thanks Joe. I'm glad you got the freebie. You did us a service reviewing the box set. Mind Games is not my favorite John album. I pre-order it from Amazo n,and glad to found out all what is inclued in the box set.

May the freebies continue to arrive at your door Mr. Mayo. It is beyond my thinking how others are bothered by anyone receiving promo records or anything at no cost. Anytime someone mentions that they are selling records/flipping, feel that they have to state they are not making any money because of all the nonsense people say. Why do we feel we owe anyone an explanation. You or anyone else owes no one an explanation but I understand why you did.

Ignore the trolls. Keep up the good work.

I was in two minds about buying the 6 CD set as I'm not a great fan of the album. After seeing the unboxings and reviews of the freebie recipients I've decided I don't want it. So if the inference is that the Lennon estate is keeping reviewers sweet with the pre-release copies in order to get positive reviews and boost sales it failed in my case and cost them a sale. 😀😄🤣

Joe, what you’ve spent on Beatles merchandise over the years could support a small town or local village. You’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars so to hell with people that criticise. I’m glad that the estate recognise you and give you freebies. You and other you tubers deserve them. One thing that puzzles me is how you rank this at number 4 in John’s albums. Double Fantasy surely is at number 3. Just for Watching The Wheels alone. One of his finest ever songs. Wow if Nobody Told Me and Walking on Thin Ice we’re on the album and lose Beautiful Boys it would be number 2.

YES WELL SAID MR MAYO I APPRECIATE YOUR TRUEFULL COMMENTS. !!

Joe is my #1 go to guy that I trust like a brother.

HI JOE GREAT VIDEO. 😊

Great Job Joe, you are promoting the John Lennon Box Set Mind Games. Mind Games was my first John Lennon Album I bought when I was 14 years old! I ordered my copy of the Box set from Beatlefest! Keep up the good work Joe!

Have these critics never heard of promo copies before?

You tell 'em Joe! I think it's great. The only time I take issue is when it's not revealed the item was received as a promo. I just like that information to be transparent.

I don't think it's so much about not liking John's music but Sean's remaster putting his particular spin to it. And the price he's charging. John would probably be rolling in his grave. Glad Imagine weren't on it😅

Would the estate still send you freebies if you said the album sucks? We will never know because no one getting free stuff would have the courage to say it.

I am VERY happy you've gotten this. But some reviewers (3 that I've seen) have been given the Super Deluxe $1350 box.

Problem is - for every reviewer doing an honest review of a freebie, there will be those who say it's good to get folk to buy the product in question through the sponsored link, to get more free product, or to get keep on good terms with the estate. Subconsciously you are more inclined to say something is good when you got it for free and didn't spend your hard-earned cash on it.

I haven’t heard one single “bought” review on KZfaq. Not one. Every review has been honest. And I’ve seen em all. Thanks Joe.

Hi. Have you found out how to open the videos on the Blu Ray. If you have can you tell me how to open those Easter eggs. I found all the music.

Every review from every publication from Rolling Stone to NME to Billboard dating back to the 60s were written up from albums that were supplied free of charge to reviewers. Thats how media works. Reviewers don't buy the albums they review. They never have. To criticise someone who gets a "freebie" to review is ridiculous. Any by the way, it's not a "freebie". You give the Lennon estate value in just talking about it. The reverse is they used you for free coverage. There is nothing wrong with that at all. In the words of John Lennon "I'll scratch your back and you scratch mine"

Good luck to you Joe, just ignore the haters! I can’t afford to buy it however I’m happy for others who get it paying for it or not. Best wishes

From one Govt Mule to another, they are just a Jealous Guy. 😮

I read one of those posts on Facebook. I made a comment saying that someone that I watch on KZfaq (I didn't give a name) always gives their honest opinion good or bad. I know that I can always get an honest review when I watch one of your videos. You are my go to for that.

Joe, you shouldn’t have to defend yourself. The reason why I - and many others for that matter - view your channel is because of your honesty and integrity. Keep up the great content.

Joe, I think it is so nice that the John Lennon estate recognizes you and your channel as a member of the Plastic Ono Band. I just love music. And as I have said before in the past I appreciate your channel very much. God bless you and all you love.

You are honest Joe I ordered the two CD set. ❤

I'm curious to know if you like any of Sean's music, such as with G.O.A.S.T.T.?

Joe There will always be people who are jealous. Forget them. Take care.

Joe,You deserve it.If you were "waiting for a free gift",you wouldn't have immediately pre-ordered the deluxe version! You would have held back to see if you got the freebie.Some people are just jealous.🍏👍

What about all the working who can't buy this stuff why can't they help and the poor people to get things free. It's all a money game.

I wonder if the moaning camp would complain if they got free tickets to see Paul McCartney. I like your honest view on releases and you guys deserve freebies as you promote, discuss and inform fans what is out there. Keep being your honest self Jo of Mayo 😊

Someone pointed out (think it was Larry Graves) that sending out review copies is nothing new in the music business. In the old days, they would send a copy to local music magazines. Now it's 2024 and I watch your channel to hear about new Beatles related releases.

I am happy for you all. Ignore those that aren't.

Should Make things cleaner and not take away

I heard Andrew Dixon's Mind Games Review on his Lennon Estate Box Set and he says it "Honest" like you, Joe. He likes it better, like you said, and most of us agree it's position of Lennon great albums. I think there is envy or jealousy not getting. People like you, the girl, Jackie got a box set. She is an amazing collector and goes through her collection "honesty" like you, like Andrew, and others. I am glad they improve the album for certain, because Mind Games was the album I played the most in the 1970's as equal with All Things Must Pass, and Band On the Run. Those three were played a lot. Now we have a better sound. I don't like the price with gimmick lighting. But that's me. But, I am glad great You Tubers like Jackie, Joe, Andrew Dixon and others got a nice package from the Lennon Estate. That's a wonderful gift and these people have used the gift in good ways, which is beautiful. Take care.

I would love to get freebies. Those criticisms are just from jealous folks

Appreciate you Joe✊🏻…I watched your review and the Gimme Some Truth also…again appreciate you

Hi Joe Long before you got free stuff John was your favorite Beatle. You also liked and defended Yoko going way back during your early years on KZfaq when a lot of people did not. You are a genuine fan of John AND Yoko and I think Sean really appreciates that. 😊

I have no problem with you receiving the freebies, it's actually promotion for the Lennon estate. But Mind Games is not a very good album. They should do an experiment, make a box set of the first three John and Yoko albums, "Two Virgins" "Unfinished Music 2" and "The Weeding Album", then send it out as a freebie. Then let's see the reaction.

I watch a lot of movie and toy reviewers too and they all seem to get them same vitriol. For my part, I figure you guys have to work hard to get to the point where you get noticed for freebies. And I certainly never felt like you were softballing it.

Well said - as a new channel I appreciate the work it takes to make these videos and build up a channel - so any freebies are reflected in the work put in over many years - and in terms of Mind Games this reissue campaign has been a great bit of work to elevate a mid tier album to something worth of more discussion ❤

Music journalists routinely get sent review copies of records/CDs. Along with adverts, that's how record labels promote their releases. So why shouldn't you, Andrew Dixon etc get sent a copy of 'Mind Games'. It helps build up the anticipation for the release. You should feel very proud that Sean Lennon reached out to you in 2020.

There is a lot of inevitable jealousy and resentment out there. It comes with life's territory, unfortunately. HOWEVER, I don't like the idea of an instrument being taken out of the new mix. Instead, a decent, flat transfer of the originally improved mix should have been made available ALONG with the new mix, so the listener has a choice of some kind. This has been done successfully with all the Jethro Tull box set re- releases.

I ain’t gald you guys got it you deserve it for all the great videos and time you put into them

Just ignore these envious losers.

Well said, Joe. Some folks are totally clueless about the job of the artists and their record labels; to literally sell and promote each release. Promo copies have been a thing for over 60 years, and every reviewer you read historically receives almost all of those records for free. Haters gonna hate!

Hi Joe. I'm surprised you didn't receive the big box set yet. I know someone like Andrew Dixon, who has a great channel by the way, has received it:) Anyway, take care and keep the great stuff coming!

Haters be hatin’ - I always enjoy your patented take on all things Fab related. I’m very much looking forward to buying this set when it becomes available, Joe ❤️

Keep up the great work, Joe. I appreciate your videos.

I agree nothing from the original master tapes should be removed because John Lennon intended it to be this way. That being said I’m okay with improving on the original master tapes by trying to make the sound as good as possible. I’m also okay with adding stuff not audible on the original song , but was on the original master tapes.

I appreciate your honesty about receiving the gift. I have seen some great reviews about it. It seems like a great album. I am very tempted to buy it. I only wish it was also available as a single disc. Not into the out-takes.

You deserve it cuz you're a true beatles fan and lennon fan. Plus you put tons of content about the beatles that are very informative and honest whether good or bad. So I think you should keep giving us the reviews and tell us what's good and not so good on the new mixes

Hey Joe, Well Said!!! I have been watching all the videos that I have been able to and As you said it comes down to jealousy. I do not have the money to even buy the 2 cd sets BUT I do enjoy watching all the videos of ppl reacting and reviewing the sets and I get excited for everyone that posts videos. I remember when Sean first contacted you and I’m So Happy he still sends you items and contacts you by sending you the music of His Dad John!!! Keep up the Amazing work Take Care Joe!!!!

Gimme a break I could care less. You guys earned it.👍🎸

AAbsolutely fantastic have a wonderful day also last night was Canada day ❤😊 where I live in

Hi Joe! It's great that you get lots of free stuff from the Lennon/Beatles heirs. You make great videos and share your own opinions in them. It's also great for the artists that it's "free" advertising for the new products in this day and age. So many people should be upset about what you do and what you get. Keep doing your thing as before. It's fun for us viewers

Enjoy buddy..

With an additional month of waiting time, I’ll admit I was extremely envious of all those freebie Mind Games boxes out there but make no mistake, I appreciate your honest reviews, opinions and even the occasional rant whenever they totally get it wrong. Good on ya cobber 👍

When massive Beatles fans with channels review a new album release they are more likely to have a more possessive opinion. That's because they are already probably love the album long before KZfaq existed the negative comments are genuinely vastly in the minority for what I can see. Just keep being honest with your reviews and carry on regardless.

I'm happy the fans are getting them. Good for you and the others who got them. Some people just like to crybaby.

Sounds like the little green eyed monster for a lot of people. This is done purely for promotional purposes, just as the record label send out copies to journalists at Music mags and newspapers, as they always have. If you don't like the review vid, don't watch them.

Well said Joe.

They are not "freebies" - someone paid for it. Hint: it wasn't the Lennon estate. Giving away the still available $150 box to promote it is one thing, but the estate has now also started to give away the sold out $1300 box which I think is absurd. What's the purpose? I don't want to feel like I'm paying for the Lennon's generosity. I've cancelled my order for it.

So basically you shouldn't except anything for free. Their mentality is if I can't have a free one you can't either. You work hard on your channel & Keep reviewing those freebies. LOL.

Well said and with class. To all of the jealous people, start your own KZfaq channel and build a following of 15,000 subscribers like Mr. Mayo did.

Sending out promo (short for promotional) copies of new releases is a common practice to boost press and reviews. It's been done roughly forever. If it bothers you, consider yourself lucky that you have enough free time to complain about something so inconsequential. Life is good.

The idea that this is a mediocre album has always been a myth. If the criticism was about Rock and Roll, I would tend to agree. But I can't stand these critics that put down this album without their being specific ... and they're never specific! Meat City is probably one of JL's most innovative solo songs, and You Are Here is one of his most beuatiful. Aisumasen is JL doing the slow rhythm and Blues, ala Ray Chrarles. One Day at a TIme and Intuition soulnd like JL trying to fill in the Paul role with the Beatles (of making "fruity" songs, as George would say), and they needed to grow on me ... and they did. Mind Games, of all the JL albums, benefits by repeated listens. Btw, this "free gift" notion is a logical fallacy. Once again, if they can't show anything specific, they got nothing. Rock on!

We can watch the unboxing videos and make up our own minds if it’s worth buying or not. If you get sent a review copy then I’m not going to cry about it. Keep up the good work. However I do wonder if any reviewer really slated a release whether they’d get sent anything again. It would be an interesting test. 👍

The saxophone solo that ends One Day at A Time now sounds unnecessary. Go figure.I,m glad it's gone.Also I never liked Yoko's screaming at the end of Sunday Bloody Sunday.I always enjoy your channel.Thank you Joe.

You work hard and diligently for the Beatles community and if you get some freebies as a result of that, then so what.

Well said, Joe. I have always enjoyed your reviews and have always thought you were giving honest opinions. That's one of the major reasons I follow you. Nothing's changed there either. Keep up the good work. 👍

Ignore the haters Joe.

I saw a review on FB trashing the remix and revisionism. They pointed out the things you pointed out with the reverb on Aisumasen being edited down and the sax missing from One Day At A Time and how it was "ruining Lennon's legacy" as they claimed Sean has assumed artistic control of an album Lennon produced and how if Lennon wanted those elements there in the mix it should have been kept. Also how these remixes bring up his voice when he originally wanted it buried in the mix or altered because Lennon disliked his singing voice and how it should be faithful to that regard. The reviewer was particularly chapped at the revisionism occurring with Yoko's large presence on the reissue when this was an album recorded in a time when Yoko and John were separated and how things in this boxset don't make sense like the cube being connected to an art piece Yoko did, how she appears on the labels via the UV illumination, etc. So that's an honest reviewer right there. I have no problem with people receiving sample copies, but what kinda puzzles is me are why are these review copies going out to KZfaqrs so far in advance? I would understand if they get these 1-2 weeks ahead of the release date, but a month ahead is way too advanced for me. Maybe other people feel that way and are nitpicking on that subtly while also going at the fact that this album isn't one of John's best and it's getting this huge treatment like it is. Don't get me wrong, I like the album and one of John's worser albums could easily be another artist's best, but John's solo output is so small that this album could easily be his 3rd or 4th worst at best not counting the experimental stuff from the 60's.

Just pure, unadulterated, childish envy, pay no mind Joe. At the same time i have yet to see a more/ slightly negative review of this set. On the other hand, its a beauty so it deserves a whole lotta plaudits

4:50 Good point that needs to be noted. People often project their own flaws onto others. 6:21 Another good point.

I always stick with the original mix from artists. Remixes are a bonus not a replacement.

Joe, I always trust your unbiased opinions on all your reviews. It is obvious you cannot be bought or sold. Great videos on your Mind Games reviews. This is the way promos are given to those on KZfaq, record stores and cd stores don’t have the influence.

“Jealous guy”

Its cool they are sending it to real fans. But its funny, the people they are sending it to were already going to buy it anyway, I wonder how much money they are losing by sending it to people who would have gladly paid full price for it. Do these videos really persuade people who were on the fence? I’m curious. Maybe it’s cheaper then traditional marketing.I like watching these unboxing videos, but I was already going to order it anyway no matter what any review says.

Would they moan if they received a free copy? Doubt it 😅

Joe you do a great job always honest with your reviews always look forward to your comments 👍

As a music fan like yourself, I appreciate the fact that the Lennon Estate rewards your loyalty for all the years of fandom. I don't think you owe anyone an explanation because we know where your heart is!

Joe, you're the last person that I would ever think is a shill.

Joe it's a shame people are so jealous of others good fortune. You put a lot of work into your videos and definitely deserve what is sent to you for a review. I know from past reviews you have given you will be honest on what you think of the product. So happy for you and your channel, don't let jealous people spoil your day. Take care.