Artist/bassist Klaus Voormann recalls playing in the Plastic Ono Band with John and Ringo

John Lennon from the Plastic Ono Band session, by Klaus Voormann

Variety has a new interview with Klaus Voormann about his work on John Lennon and Yoko Ono's respective Plastic Ono Band albums, which are celebrated in a new box set with lots of extras out today.

What can you say about the dynamic between you and Ringo in the studio for “John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band”? Other than how John’s voice is boosted in the mix, the one thing that comes through loud and clear on “The Ultimate Collection” is the intricacies of the rhythm section. You really feel it on this remaster. Was that an easy camaraderie?

Playing with Ringo, what he can play, it was heavenly. Fantastic. Us playing together was never a problem. He knew I was playing the right thing. I knew he was playing the right thing. That just glued itself together naturally, like one thing. Don’t forget John’s rhythm guitar in there. I feel as if his rhythm guitar playing has long been underestimated. It’s amazing. I don’t know another who is that good. That was, for me, the best part of the Beatles – John’s rhythm guitar and Ringo’s drumming.