Yoko Ono’s 14th album, Warzone, will be released October 19th. Until then, the New York-based artist is unveiling its songs one-at-a-time with lyric videos featuring her singular dot drawings. KUTX is proud to host the world premiere for her new recording of “It’s Gonna Rain” (which was written in 1973 and first released on 1986’s Starpeace).
Warzone is a unique album for Ono. Although songs from her catalog have been revisited and remixed by countless alternative artists for #1 dance singles, as well as the Yes, I’m A Witch volumes, this is the first time Ono herself has re-recorded songs from her 1973-2009 releases. These new versions are sparse and put the focus on her songwriting and unique vocalizations. For this new take on “It’s Gonna Rain” – originally produced by Bill Laswell – Yoko has done away with the electronic production of the recording from three decades ago and replaced it with a gentle string quartet, electric guitar from Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello) and subtle instrumental layering by the co-producer of Warzone, Thomas Bartlett.
Along with the rejiggered versions of her songs that have topped the dance charts numerous times, and the remix/reinterpretations of her songs done by artists including Cat Power, Portugal. The Man, Sparks, tUnE-yArDs, Moby and others, Ono’s works have also been brought to a new generation of listeners via the ongoing reissue series of her albums by Secretly Canadian/Chimera Music, not to mention the prominent sample of her 1971 track “Mindtrain” by Death Cab For Cutie on their new single “Gold Rush.” At the age of 85, the world has almost caught up with Yoko Ono.
