Review - London Town
ora...@hem.passagen.se
certain albums and songs I will not touch upon in my reviews.
1) Live material - I don't listen to it anymore. Not interested in having a
lot of people screaming their way into my enjoyment of a song. Is there
anyone who'd like to remove the screaming from Soily, so I can hear this
excellent song without the audience? :) 2) The Fireman material - I haven't
bought it and never will. I'll do quite a lot to listen to Paul's music, but
not this much. 3) The covers - Snova v SSSR will not be commented on, neither
the single B-sides that appeared around that time and were recorded during
the sessions. 4) The re-done material - no comments on the Beatle stuff and
re-recordings on Give My Regards to Broad Street. The original is what
goes...
London Town
One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a folk
feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations are
quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
Excellent: Deliver your children - probably written mostly by Denny, this is
an excellent song that shows that Paul and Denny's unison singing was just
great. Don't let it bring you down - another McCartney/Laine collaboration.
Paul turns in a very nice vocal, which shows his range. The flutes are
beautiful.
Very good: London town - the title song is a nice cut. The mood of the lyrics
fit the music well. Backwards traveller - the only problem that I have with
this is that it's so short. Otherwise, it would have fit in above under the
heading "Excellent". Children children - another Denny song with an acoustic
folky feel to it. A fairy tale story, to which Denny's voice seems well
suited. Famous groupies - quite a silly song, which still has interesting
vocals and music.
Okay: Cafe on the left bank - interesting lyrics, but the music isn't all
that great. I'm carrying - another Paul ballad. Nothing special about it.
Cuff link - a fun little instrumental. I've had enough - a relatively
ordinary rocker. With a little luck - again the hit is far from the best
thing on the album, but there is some interesting music hidden here. What I
like best about this song is the group vocals during the chorus. Morse moose
and the Grey Goose - very experimental song this. (My guess is that Denny
wrote the Grey Goose verses, while Paul had the Morse Moose bit.)
Uninteresting:
Girlfriend - excellent guitar solo, but Paul's falsetto singing isn't that
interesting. It almost seems that it was written for Michael Jackson.
Boring:
Name and address - this song, written for Elvis, is just plain dull. There's
nothing redeeming about it.
Christian Henriksson
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
RonCT
ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message <700c11$e3t$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>London Town
>
>One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a folk
>feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations are
>quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
Wow, just goes to show what someone hears might not be the same as someone
else. This rates in the bottom 5 of Paul's solo efforts IMO. The entire
album mostly sounds like outtakes and demos and I found the folky Denny
stuff very boring. I don't think he's that talented and it clearly shows on
his efforts to the album. But, as usual Paul manages to included a gem and
maybe 2 to justify giving this album a listen every 5 yrs or so.
>
>Excellent: Deliver your children - probably written mostly by Denny, this
is
>an excellent song that shows that Paul and Denny's unison singing was just
>great. Don't let it bring you down - another McCartney/Laine collaboration.
>Paul turns in a very nice vocal, which shows his range. The flutes are
>beautiful.
"Deliver the Children" is hoky folk garbage to my ears I didn't like it the
minute I first heard it. It just lies there, never gets off the ground or
goes anywhere and sounds really mundane and trite. I'd rate it boring.
I like the haunting sound of "Don't Let It Brig You Down" but I guess my
ears are different because I hear Paul reaching for those notes with much
difficulty. I cringe everytime I hear it. Over-all the song has some
redeeming qualities and therefore I'd place this in the ok category. I do
agree with you that the flutes are nice.
>
>Very good: London town - the title song is a nice cut. The mood of the
lyrics
>fit the music well.
I'd also rate this the same as you. It could have been excellent but the
lyrics are weak. It had the potential to be on the scale of "Tug Of War" or
"Pipes Of Peace" but fell short. Maybe Paul was just winding up and didn't
master this style till a few years later.
Backwards traveller - the only problem that I have with
>this is that it's so short. Otherwise, it would have fit in above under the
>heading "Excellent".
I tend to agree with you in all aspects of your review. It sounds like a
demo or outtake its so short.
Children children - another Denny song with an acoustic
>folky feel to it. A fairy tale story, to which Denny's voice seems well
>suited.
This one was even (if possible) more boring than "Deliver the Children". I
just never really understood why Paul allowed this stuff on an album with
his name associated with it.
Famous groupies - quite a silly song, which still has interesting
>vocals and music.
This has to be in the top ten all time worst McCartney songs. What was he
thinking and why include this on a release? I was just plain embarrassed
for him. This was miles beneath what he is capable of doing.
>
>Okay: Cafe on the left bank - interesting lyrics, but the music isn't all
>that great.
I like this song and would rate it very good. It certainly isn't any great
masterpiece over-all but compared to much of the other materail on the
album..it is pretty dam good.
I'm carrying - another Paul ballad. Nothing special about it.
This to me was the hidden gem on this entire album. It is pure McCartney!
I love the simple arrangement, the melody is beautifully haunting, the
lyrics are nice and the vocals fit it perfectly. This is what Paul is
capable of doing. I'm usually a sucker for most of his acoustic stuff.
>Cuff link - a fun little instrumental.
Another waste of space and time on the album.
I've had enough - a relatively
>ordinary rocker.
This is a real let down...it starts out great and like many McCartney rock
fillers it peters out and becomes mundane. This is another song that I feel
Paul never really finished and just released it anyways. Pauls vocals are
the only reason I don't skip over it while playing the album.
With a little luck - again the hit is far from the best
>thing on the album, but there is some interesting music hidden here. What I
>like best about this song is the group vocals during the chorus.
Like all of Pauls top 40 hits this song has been over played through the
years. But I'd still rate this as excellent. I may be tired of hearing it
but it is classic. As you noted the changes in the music and Paul does one
hell of a vocal performance. He starts out in his usual "Pretty" famous
McCartney voice and ends up with some gut wrenching vocals in the chorus.
The musical breaks are another awsome example of fine arrangement.
Morse moose
>and the Grey Goose - very experimental song this. (My guess is that Denny
>wrote the Grey Goose verses, while Paul had the Morse Moose bit.)
This is the second of the gems I though was hidden on the album. While not
as good as "I'm Carrying" there is something that catches your attention.
Paul is not a "heavy" in musical terms and I don't understand why he
sometimes has to prove he can do it. He basically gets the style but its
not him and that part shows through the song. It sounds like a kid wanting
to be like the big boys. Maybe its just that I don't believe Paul when he
tries this stuff. It doesn't come across to me as honest. I like the song
and would like to hear it done by some alternative group. Paul is just too
musical to have an edge.
>
>Uninteresting:
>Girlfriend - excellent guitar solo, but Paul's falsetto singing isn't that
>interesting. It almost seems that it was written for Michael Jackson.
I'd rate this as good. I agree the falsetto gets on my nerves some but I
like the easy laidback flow to it. Nothing special and it doesn't really
offend.
>
>Boring:
>Name and address - this song, written for Elvis, is just plain dull.
There's
>nothing redeeming about it.
Finally we totally agree on a song from this album!!! Well, I don't know if
it was written for Elvis or just Paul doing his Elvis impersonation.
Whatever, its another embarrassing moment for Paul.
Paul's last release was a let down and this album sunk even further!
Honestly, your the first person I ever heard praise this album. I'm sure
there are others but it is strange to hear of someone placing this at the
top of McCartney's solo catalog. I'm not knocking you ..I just found it
odd. Of all the Wings albums IMO this is the worst. Even the album Wild
Life flows better. It was well known that it was quickly recorded in just 2
weeks. This was suppose to be a polished studio release done over a much
longer period of time and the final result was an over-all disaster! I
haven't even gone to CD on this one.
ronct
RonCT
Brian Fried wrote in message <700vl7$kr1
>"Famous Groupies" is not a silly song. I rank this one in excellent
>because it's so different from the other songs of the period. I think it
>also has to do with the fan culture which still surrounded him and his
>friends, as well as the recognition of fan culture -- probably seen in
>film footage of the tour the year previously. It also presents a type of
>surrealist imagery akin to "Penny Lane".
How could you even refer to this song having any of the qualities of Penny
Lane? They don't even belong in the same breath. I respect your opinion
but I never hear people humming this tune. IMO this is what gives the
critics fuel to call Paul's music lame.
Brian Fried
> With this post I will make Brian Fried disappointed, I think. There are
> certain albums and songs I will not touch upon in my reviews.
> 1) Live material - I don't listen to it anymore. Not interested in having a
> lot of people screaming their way into my enjoyment of a song. Is there
> anyone who'd like to remove the screaming from Soily, so I can hear this
> excellent song without the audience? :) 2) The Fireman material - I haven't
> bought it and never will. I'll do quite a lot to listen to Paul's music, but
> not this much. 3) The covers - Snova v SSSR will not be commented on, neither
> the single B-sides that appeared around that time and were recorded during
> the sessions. 4) The re-done material - no comments on the Beatle stuff and
> re-recordings on Give My Regards to Broad Street. The original is what
> goes...
And here I think you make a dreadful mistake. WINGS OVER AMERICA is not
just about the screaming behind the song. Instead, it's about who Wings
were and their ability to perform live. More importantly, to dismiss it
is to dismiss Paul's desire to rework songs for the stage, the only time
he has done it really.
Similarly, GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADSTREET *must* be reviewed. Maybe not on
a song-by-song basis as you're doing it, but one of the advantages to this
album is it is not re-recordings --- it is reworkings and rediscovering.
He is, by 1984, a far more accomplished musician and he had been
disregarding this material for a reason. His return to it required
something to give it merit.
STRAWBERRIES OCEANS SHIPS FOREST may not be your taste. Neither, I suggest
then, his classical works either. Both represent a side of Paul that does
not fit snuggly into the "pop master" image.
And lastly, CHOBA B CCCP (Back in the USSR) is an original studio album.
You may not like the material, but it belongs in the catalogue. It's also
very important to approach the album with the knowledge that "I'm Gonna Be
A Wheel Someday" and "Ain't That A Shame" were *not* available in the UK
or the US at the time of the "My Brave Face" single, and this raises some
issues about the album that, quite frankly, you'd be wrong to dismiss.
> London Town
> One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a folk
> feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations are
> quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
First, that folk idea may come from the islands he was visiting. Keep in
mind that LONDON TOWN was recorded in international waters to avoid the
taxman. Also note that this is the same era as "Mull of Kintyre" and "Sea
Side Woman"'s return, which plays a part as well.
Personally, I find the album has become dated. I don't consider it in his
top five because there is no overall energy to the album.
> Excellent: Deliver your children - probably written mostly by Denny, this is
> an excellent song that shows that Paul and Denny's unison singing was just
> great. Don't let it bring you down - another McCartney/Laine collaboration.
> Paul turns in a very nice vocal, which shows his range. The flutes are
> beautiful.
If you include "Deliver Your Children" then you omit "Children Children."
Personally, while the former has better harmonies, the latter is more
interesting lyrically and seems to work better as a song. That said, both
have Denny at his top form for all of his days in Wings.
"Don't Let It Bring You Down" is etherial, one of the only times Paul
attempts this and really, it's the only time he succeeds.
> Very good: London town - the title song is a nice cut. The mood of the lyrics
> fit the music well. Backwards traveller - the only problem that I have with
> this is that it's so short. Otherwise, it would have fit in above under the
> heading "Excellent". Children children - another Denny song with an acoustic
> folky feel to it. A fairy tale story, to which Denny's voice seems well
> suited. Famous groupies - quite a silly song, which still has interesting
> vocals and music.
"London Town" I put more on the excellent side. This opens Paul's days of
catching the everyman, something he would repeat three years later with
"Average Person." It also reveals a sentimentality for London that's cute.
"Backwards Traveller" and "Cuff Link" should really be considered as one
unit. I agree completely it could be longer, but it is perfect as it is.
"Famous Groupies" is not a silly song. I rank this one in excellent
because it's so different from the other songs of the period. I think it
also has to do with the fan culture which still surrounded him and his
friends, as well as the recognition of fan culture -- probably seen in
film footage of the tour the year previously. It also presents a type of
surrealist imagery akin to "Penny Lane".
> Okay: Cafe on the left bank - interesting lyrics, but the music isn't all
> that great. I'm carrying - another Paul ballad. Nothing special about it.
> Cuff link - a fun little instrumental. I've had enough - a relatively
> ordinary rocker. With a little luck - again the hit is far from the best
> thing on the album, but there is some interesting music hidden here. What I
> like best about this song is the group vocals during the chorus. Morse moose
> and the Grey Goose - very experimental song this. (My guess is that Denny
> wrote the Grey Goose verses, while Paul had the Morse Moose bit.)
"Cafe on the Left Bank" is OK, and I think the references are lost in time.
"I'm Carrying" is a beautiful song. It belongs in the excellent category
and does not deserve to be hidden away. If a Wings acoustic collection was
made, this song would be right up there. I think too many people dismiss
it lyrically for being too sweet, but I think there's a tremendous
sentimentality about it that typifies Paul's writing. Why does he need to
carry the packages to her door? What is he carrying? This seems on the one
hand a present, on the other hand the coming of an apology. He words it in
the every man.
"I've Had Enough" is OK, and you have to wonder why Paul released it as
the A-side of a single.
"Morse Moose and the Grey Goose" is not that great. In fact, I put it at
sub-par, an experiment gone awry. It tries too hard to capture the sea
chanty to me, but the previous cut has the etherial sea feeling down better.
"With a Little Luck" is OK. It loses by the passing of time, sounding too
70s, too watery. It's imagery doesn't match today. It succeeds by its fade.
> Uninteresting:
> Girlfriend - excellent guitar solo, but Paul's falsetto singing isn't that
> interesting. It almost seems that it was written for Michael Jackson.
Um.... it was. Michael didn't record it, so Paul did. Actually, it's a
decent song and should rank above this to OK. Not one of Paul's best, but
then it has a charm which I find much of the album doesn't seem to match.
An earlier Paul would sound much better (65?), posessing that cheekyness
and hidden nastiness which the song presents.
> Boring:
> Name and address - this song, written for Elvis, is just plain dull. There's
> nothing redeeming about it.
It wasn't written for Elvis, but more of an homage -- at least so I've
read. If you don't like Presley, you probably won't like this song. I find
it uninteresting, but a decent listen.
Kailin2
Could you give me a list of suggested McCartney albums?
Thanks.
k2
RonCT
I thought were Paul's 10 best releases I'd list them in this order.
1. Band On The Run
2. Flaming Pie
3. Tug Of War
4. Flowers In The Dirt
5. Venus & Mars
6. Red Rose Speedway
7. Ram
8. McCartney
9. Wild Life
10. Back To The Egg
Kailin2 wrote in message <19981014063221...@ng32.aol.com>...
ora...@hem.passagen.se
bfr...@chat.carleton.ca (Brian Fried) wrote:
> ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote:
<snipped me saying that I don't review certain albums and songs>
> And here I think you make a dreadful mistake. WINGS OVER AMERICA is not
> just about the screaming behind the song. Instead, it's about who Wings
> were and their ability to perform live. More importantly, to dismiss it
> is to dismiss Paul's desire to rework songs for the stage, the only time
> he has done it really.
Not a mistake, I think. Since I would rate it lower than low, and most people
like it, why would I want to take all the flak I would get when doing a
negative review? :)
But seriously, I agree that it's one of the best live albums ever (at least,
one of the best I've heard). I just don't listen to live stuff anymore. Not
interested, and a review from a not-interested reviewer, well, it's not
interesting, is it?
> Similarly, GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADSTREET *must* be reviewed. Maybe not on
> a song-by-song basis as you're doing it, but one of the advantages to this
> album is it is not re-recordings --- it is reworkings and rediscovering.
> He is, by 1984, a far more accomplished musician and he had been
> disregarding this material for a reason. His return to it required
> something to give it merit.
I'm glad you like it. I know lots of people do. I don't. Be happy I don't
review it. :)
> STRAWBERRIES OCEANS SHIPS FOREST may not be your taste. Neither, I suggest
> then, his classical works either. Both represent a side of Paul that does
> not fit snuggly into the "pop master" image.
Quite correct. My mother, OTOH, likes the classical stuff. I've not really
taken the time to listen to it, nor to the techno stuff, because I think
there is so much other stuff (from other artists) that is much more
worthwhile.
> And lastly, CHOBA B CCCP (Back in the USSR) is an original studio album.
> You may not like the material, but it belongs in the catalogue. It's also
> very important to approach the album with the knowledge that "I'm Gonna Be
> A Wheel Someday" and "Ain't That A Shame" were *not* available in the UK
> or the US at the time of the "My Brave Face" single, and this raises some
> issues about the album that, quite frankly, you'd be wrong to dismiss.
I review original McCartney music. To review a cover, one really has to be
familiar with the original. Of course, some I do know, but overall, I think my
reviews would be bogged down by my unfamiliarity with the originals.
> > London Town
>
> > One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a folk
> > feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations are
> > quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
>
> First, that folk idea may come from the islands he was visiting. Keep in
> mind that LONDON TOWN was recorded in international waters to avoid the
> taxman. Also note that this is the same era as "Mull of Kintyre" and "Sea
> Side Woman"'s return, which plays a part as well.
I think you have a point here. (Although, wasn't Seaside Woman recorded quite
a lot of years before this?) But since so many of Denny's songs around this
album are folky, I just think that he might have been the main influence.
> > Excellent: Deliver your children - probably written mostly by Denny, this is
> > an excellent song that shows that Paul and Denny's unison singing was just
> > great. Don't let it bring you down - another McCartney/Laine collaboration.
> > Paul turns in a very nice vocal, which shows his range. The flutes are
> > beautiful.
>
> If you include "Deliver Your Children" then you omit "Children Children."
> Personally, while the former has better harmonies, the latter is more
> interesting lyrically and seems to work better as a song. That said, both
> have Denny at his top form for all of his days in Wings.
I don't quite get what you mean here. I put Children Children in the "Very
Good" category. See?
>
> > Very good: London town - the title song is a nice cut. The mood of the
lyrics
> > fit the music well. Backwards traveller - the only problem that I have with
> > this is that it's so short. Otherwise, it would have fit in above under the
> > heading "Excellent". Children children - another Denny song with an acoustic
> > folky feel to it. A fairy tale story, to which Denny's voice seems well
> > suited.
> "Famous Groupies" is not a silly song. I rank this one in excellent
> because it's so different from the other songs of the period. I think it
> also has to do with the fan culture which still surrounded him and his
> friends, as well as the recognition of fan culture -- probably seen in
> film footage of the tour the year previously. It also presents a type of
> surrealist imagery akin to "Penny Lane".
Again, Famous Groupies certainly is a silly song. The lyrics are not to be
taken seriously. (Maybe to some small extent, but not really.)
> > Uninteresting:
> > Girlfriend - excellent guitar solo, but Paul's falsetto singing isn't that
> > interesting. It almost seems that it was written for Michael Jackson.
>
> Um.... it was. Michael didn't record it, so Paul did. Actually, it's a
> decent song and should rank above this to OK. Not one of Paul's best, but
> then it has a charm which I find much of the album doesn't seem to match.
> An earlier Paul would sound much better (65?), posessing that cheekyness
> and hidden nastiness which the song presents.
Eh... Jackson did record it. On "Off The Wall", I think. However, I don't
think it was written for Jackson. I may be wrong on this, though.
> > Boring:
> > Name and address - this song, written for Elvis, is just plain dull. There's
> > nothing redeeming about it.
>
> It wasn't written for Elvis, but more of an homage -- at least so I've
> read.
That was what I meant, that it was an homage. Sorry I wasn't clearer.
ora...@hem.passagen.se
kai...@aol.com (Kailin2) wrote:
> I liked your posting on London Town.
>
> Could you give me a list of suggested McCartney albums?
>
> Thanks.
>
Certainly. I noticed that Ron already has given you his top 10. Just to show
you that we Macca fans are different, here's mine:
1. Ram
2. Venus and Mars
3. Flaming Pie
4. London Town
5. Tug of War
6. Band on the Run
7. McCartney
8. Flowers in the Dirt
9. Back to the Egg
10. Wings at the Speed of Sound
Avoid at all costs:
Wild Life
Off the Ground
ora...@hem.passagen.se
"RonCT" <ro...@99main.com> wrote:
>
> ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message <700c11$e3t$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>
> >London Town
> >
> >One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a folk
> >feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations are
> >quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
>
> Wow, just goes to show what someone hears might not be the same as someone
> else. This rates in the bottom 5 of Paul's solo efforts IMO. The entire
> album mostly sounds like outtakes and demos and I found the folky Denny
> stuff very boring. I don't think he's that talented and it clearly shows on
> his efforts to the album. But, as usual Paul manages to included a gem and
> maybe 2 to justify giving this album a listen every 5 yrs or so.
Hm, I really received a lot of negative replies to this review, didn't I?
Well, someone has to like this album, and I do. And I'm proud of it!
> Paul's last release was a let down and this album sunk even further!
> Honestly, your the first person I ever heard praise this album. I'm sure
> there are others but it is strange to hear of someone placing this at the
> top of McCartney's solo catalog. I'm not knocking you ..I just found it
> odd. Of all the Wings albums IMO this is the worst. Even the album Wild
> Life flows better. It was well known that it was quickly recorded in just 2
> weeks. This was suppose to be a polished studio release done over a much
> longer period of time and the final result was an over-all disaster! I
> haven't even gone to CD on this one.
>
Really? I'm the first? Oh, come on, I've seen other people here that like
this album. (People, join me in defense of this excellent album! Am I really
alone on this?)
Are you sure about the 2 week recording? I thought the sessions for this album
were the longest ever (almost). Some songs feature Jimmy McCullough and Joe
English, others were recorded after they left, etc.
I think the sessions yielded a lot of strong songs (also some unreleased
ones), and I generally think this was one of Paul's greatest musical periods.
henry charles anton myers
material from this period, my favorite being "Waterspout". I wish he
would have released it has double album like planned. He should make a
double album, I can't believe he hasn't, besides the live albums and the
Liverpool Oratorio.
henry charles anton myers
1. Flowers In The Dirt
2. Flaming Pie
3. Band On The Run
4. Off The Ground
5. Venus and Mars
6. Tug Of War
7. Pipes of Peace
8. Ram
9. McCartney
10.London Town
Has you can see I like his 80's and 90's stuff a little bit better than
the Wings material.
On Wed, 14 Oct 1998, RonCT wrote:
> Thats tuff because everyone's taste is different. But if you asked me what
> I thought were Paul's 10 best releases I'd list them in this order.
>
> 1. Band On The Run
> 2. Flaming Pie
> 3. Tug Of War
> 4. Flowers In The Dirt
> 5. Venus & Mars
> 6. Red Rose Speedway
> 7. Ram
> 8. McCartney
> 9. Wild Life
> 10. Back To The Egg
>
>
> Kailin2 wrote in message <19981014063221...@ng32.aol.com>...
> >I liked your posting on London Town.
> >
> >Could you give me a list of suggested McCartney albums?
> >
> >Thanks.
> >
> >k2
>
>
>
>
RonCT
d. wrote in message ...
. It's pure comedy, from the
>lyrics all the way up. Of course, if people don't get the joke, then
>perhaps it should be considered a failure!
>
Its obvious thats its suppose to be a comedy but it doesn't mean that it
worked. "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and "Rocky Racoon" are well written songs
with humor. "Famous Groupies" was nothing in that league and in MO just
plain emarrassing for Paul to release.
RonCT
ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message <702vr6
>Not a mistake, I think. Since I would rate it lower than low, and most
people
>like it, why would I want to take all the flak I would get when doing a
>negative review? :)
>
>But seriously, I agree that it's one of the best live albums ever (at
least,
>one of the best I've heard). I just don't listen to live stuff anymore. Not
>interested, and a review from a not-interested reviewer, well, it's not
>interesting, is it?
Just for the record: "Wings Over America" is great but not a "real" true
live album since Paul did quite a bit of studio over dubbing before
releasing it. He of course took some flak back in 1977 from the music world
for doing it.
RonCT
ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message <7030dm$4un$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>> Life flows better. It was well known that it was quickly recorded in
just 2
>> weeks. This was suppose to be a polished studio release done over a much
>> longer period of time and the final result was an over-all disaster! I
>> haven't even gone to CD on this one.
>Really? I'm the first? Oh, come on, I've seen other people here that like
>this album. (People, join me in defense of this excellent album! Am I
really
>alone on this?)
>
>Are you sure about the 2 week recording? I thought the sessions for this
album
>were the longest ever (almost). Some songs feature Jimmy McCullough and Joe
>English, others were recorded after they left, etc.
Maybe I wasn't really clear above in my posting. I was referring to "Wild
Life" being recorded in about a 2 week span and the result was much better
music (IMO) than the much longer period of time spent on "London Town". I
hope that cleared it up! :-)
Eric Mays
first came out. Even though I was a McCartney fan, I mostly bought the
singles from his albums and later got the albums, but London Town was the
first album that I bought when it immediately came out. I really like
"Backwards Traveler/Cuff Link", "Cafe on the Left Bank", "I'm Carrying",
"Deliver your Children", "With a Little Luck", "Morse Moose and the Grey
Goose", and the title track.
Eric
p.s. I also like "Mull of Kintyre" and "Girls School" from around the same
period.
ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message <7030dm$4un$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>In article <70167b$j32$1...@supernews.com>,
> "RonCT" <ro...@99main.com> wrote:
>>
>> ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message
<700c11$e3t$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>>
>> >London Town
>> >
>> >One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a
folk
>> >feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations
are
>> >quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
>>
>> Wow, just goes to show what someone hears might not be the same as
someone
>> else. This rates in the bottom 5 of Paul's solo efforts IMO. The entire
>> album mostly sounds like outtakes and demos and I found the folky Denny
>> stuff very boring. I don't think he's that talented and it clearly shows
on
>> his efforts to the album. But, as usual Paul manages to included a gem
and
>> maybe 2 to justify giving this album a listen every 5 yrs or so.
>
>Hm, I really received a lot of negative replies to this review, didn't I?
>Well, someone has to like this album, and I do. And I'm proud of it!
>
>> Paul's last release was a let down and this album sunk even further!
>> Honestly, your the first person I ever heard praise this album. I'm sure
>> there are others but it is strange to hear of someone placing this at the
>> top of McCartney's solo catalog. I'm not knocking you ..I just found it
>> odd. Of all the Wings albums IMO this is the worst. Even the album
Wild
>> Life flows better. It was well known that it was quickly recorded in
just 2
>> weeks. This was suppose to be a polished studio release done over a much
>> longer period of time and the final result was an over-all disaster! I
>> haven't even gone to CD on this one.
>>
>
>Really? I'm the first? Oh, come on, I've seen other people here that like
>this album. (People, join me in defense of this excellent album! Am I
really
>alone on this?)
>
>Are you sure about the 2 week recording? I thought the sessions for this
album
>were the longest ever (almost). Some songs feature Jimmy McCullough and Joe
>English, others were recorded after they left, etc.
>
Pauldo
> London Town
>
> One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a
folk
> feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations are
> quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
I would put all songs in the excellent to fair category. Overall sound is
great, the 70's sound make it all the more worthwhile. doesn't follow any
trends, and its better than Rubber Soul (in my opinion)
tup...@seaside.net
henry charles anton myers <hmy...@students.uiuc.edu> wrote:
> I would rank them has followed:
> 1. Flowers In The Dirt
> 2. Flaming Pie
> 3. Band On The Run
> 4. Off The Ground
> 5. Venus and Mars
> 6. Tug Of War
> 7. Pipes of Peace
> 8. Ram
> 9. McCartney
> 10.London Town
>
> Has you can see I like his 80's and 90's stuff a little bit better than
> the Wings material.
>
1. Flowers in the Dirt
2. Ram
3. Tug of War
4. Flaming Pie
5. Venus and Mars
6. Band on the Run
8. McCartney
9. Pipes of Peace
10. London Town
11. Wildlife
l2. McCartney 2
13. Back to the Egg
14. Speed of Sound
15. Off the Ground
...have I missed any? Anyways, all this only goes to prove that there is such
variety here that everyones list will be different. AND, this list can change
without warning...
richf...@my-dejanews.com
lightweight album, even the songs that have some potential seem, like the
previous poster mentioned, unfinished and underdeveloped. The title track I
like a lot, it is kind of ambitious with several different sections and a
remarkable melody, but the lyrics are horrible! I can't think of a track I
REALLY dig from this album, which would be unique among Paul albums! Love
"Girls School" from right around this period and a bonus track on the cd.
In article <7030dm$4un$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>,
ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote:
> In article <70167b$j32$1...@supernews.com>,
> "RonCT" <ro...@99main.com> wrote:
> >
> > ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message <700c11$e3t$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
> >
> > >London Town
> > >
> > >One of Paul's best albums; definitely in the top 5. This record has a folk
> > >feel to it. (Maybe because of Denny? Most of his songs/collaborations are
> > >quite folky.) Some synthesizer experimentation too.
> >
> > Wow, just goes to show what someone hears might not be the same as someone
> > else. This rates in the bottom 5 of Paul's solo efforts IMO. The entire
> > album mostly sounds like outtakes and demos and I found the folky Denny
> > stuff very boring. I don't think he's that talented and it clearly shows on
> > his efforts to the album. But, as usual Paul manages to included a gem and
> > maybe 2 to justify giving this album a listen every 5 yrs or so.
>
> Hm, I really received a lot of negative replies to this review, didn't I?
> Well, someone has to like this album, and I do. And I'm proud of it!
>
> > Paul's last release was a let down and this album sunk even further!
> > Honestly, your the first person I ever heard praise this album. I'm sure
> > there are others but it is strange to hear of someone placing this at the
> > top of McCartney's solo catalog. I'm not knocking you ..I just found it
> > odd. Of all the Wings albums IMO this is the worst. Even the album Wild
> > Life flows better. It was well known that it was quickly recorded in just 2
> > weeks. This was suppose to be a polished studio release done over a much
> > longer period of time and the final result was an over-all disaster! I
> > haven't even gone to CD on this one.
> >
>
> Really? I'm the first? Oh, come on, I've seen other people here that like
> this album. (People, join me in defense of this excellent album! Am I really
> alone on this?)
>
> Are you sure about the 2 week recording? I thought the sessions for this album
> were the longest ever (almost). Some songs feature Jimmy McCullough and Joe
> English, others were recorded after they left, etc.
>
> I think the sessions yielded a lot of strong songs (also some unreleased
> ones), and I generally think this was one of Paul's greatest musical periods.
>
> Christian Henriksson
>
Brian Fried
He has tried.
The first double studio album proposed was McCARTNEY II. It's believed
that Columbia refused the double LP format because they knew they'd have
to pay him a higher royalty on it, and they'd already paid quite a lot to
draw Wings/McCartney over -- only to have Wings, the 2nd best selling act
of the decade, to break up about a year later.
Then came WAR AND PEACE, which was again rejected and became TUG OF WAR
and PIPES OF PEACE.
Then came GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROADSTREET, which would have been a double
LP had Columbia wanted to release it in the identical format to the
cassette. Instead, they opted for an edited release on LP (no "So Bad" and
edited "Eleanor's Dream", playout version and "Wanderlust".)
Paul then jumped to EMI. In 1986 he releases PRESS TO PLAY, definitely a
single LP, since he didn't seem to care for it all that much soon after.
ALL THE BEST! was a double LP which ironically was longer than the CD.
FLOWERS IN THE DIRT may have been considered for a double LP, but (a) he
wanted to make the best album possible, with songs he thought he could
play best on stage, and (b) people at MPL and EMI probably felt they had
significant material for decent singles.
Brian Fried
I'm *not* stating that "Famous Groupies" is equal to "Penny Lane." Please
re-read the post again, carefully. What I am stating is that his lyrics
borrow the same sense of surrealism that "Penny Lane" used. There's a
sense of the non-sensical, the merging of not necessarily harmonious
ideas.
And while the song isn't supposed to be taken seriously, I don't think it
should be overlooked either. Paul's works are better understood when you
learn that the man has a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour that dates back
from the Beatles ("Tell Me What You See" precedes "I've Just Seen a Face",
etc.). I think it's interesting that this song both admires and pokes fun
at fan culture and groupies and comes right in between world tours.
SWever
> > Honestly, your the first person I ever heard praise this album. >>
Definitely a great, under-rated album IMO. There is not a bad song on it.
Although I skipped over Morse Moose a lot when I first got it, I now find it to
be a great little rocker.
JSeraf7064
>I'm *not* stating that "Famous Groupies" is equal to "Penny Lane." Please
re-read the post again, carefully. What I am stating is that his lyrics borrow
the same sense of surrealism that "Penny Lane" used. There's a sense of the
non-sensical, the merging of not necessarily harmonious ideas.
Will you give it up? You sound exactly like the moron Derek Larsson from RMB.
Your fucking brain is surreal.
-JS
Bob Ward
just beyond belief. No, I wouldn't place LT in the Top 5 of Paul's
solo work, but neither would I call this album a disaster. If I
remember correctly, it yielded a massively popular single which still
receives airplay today. Not to mention a top 40 hit in I've Had
Enough. And the album itself was Top five, if not number one on
Billboard's charts. Not bad when you consider Paul did very little to
promote this album: no tour, few interviews, just a handful of videos.
I find it is helpful to remember the context in which an album
was originally recorded. In hindsight, we remember 1977 (the year LT
was recorded) as the birth of punk music. I was a teenager living in
suburbia, I had no idea about the coming musical changes. But I
vividly recall listening to The Village People, Donna Summer, the Bee
Gees, Rod Stewart ad nauseum on nearly every radio station. If it
wasn't disco music pounding its way into my head, then it was Kiss,
Black Sabbath, Reo Speedwagon, Styx, Yes, Bad Company, Foreigner,
..God the memories are just awful.
Obviously, there was worthwhile music being made at the time,
but good new releases seemed few and far between. This was the
plastic, artificial, corporate rock world into which Paul McCartney
gave us London Town. Sure, the lp is not perfect. Yes there are cringe
inducing moments. But LT has an undeniable charm. It is unlike
anything else released at that moment in time, and for that reason
this former teenager remembers LT as a breath of fresh air.
For me, I quite like Dont Let It Bring You Down, Name and
Address, I've Had Enough, and London Town. Four great songs on one
album. It was a lot more than others like Elton John were
offering fans at the time.
Could London Town have used a harder edge? My 90's
sensibilities say yes. Could the lyrics have been improved and
tightened? I suppose. But then London Town wouldn't be the album I've
enjoyed for 20 years now.
Finally, here's a point to how varied our tastes are. I think
Girlfriend is a sweet and memorable song. I've even slightly rewritten
the lyrics and I sing it to my two year old daughter at bed time every
night. She not only loves it, she's learning the song too. Another
McCartney fan is born!
BW
RonCT
like to say, that my remarks were focused more on what Paul is capable of
and not what other music was being created at the time. I'm sure we could
always find music to associate to some other music as being less worthy, but
if you compare it to other McCartney releases....it has some serious
problems.
Paul must have had the same sense of feeling about it and took reign again
on Wing's next release. Denny is a good back-up man and should never have
come up front IMO. I'm sure keeping harmony in the group had much to do
with Paul's decisions at the time but it wasn't what was best for Wings as a
whole. Denny almost had a shared billing with Paul on London Town and his
material was weak. IMO Denny isn't really that good. Look at what he's
done since being in Wings?? I've heard that he's had releases on this NG
but no where else. "Go Now" is the only song by him that I consider a
musical accomplihment.
Bob Ward wrote in message <3626e255...@news.ma.ultranet.com>...
tup...@seaside.net
Good thoughts! I agree that all of McCartney's cd's have a "certain charm"
and you can always find some gems on them. The main message here is that
Paul just records what and how he wants and doesn't really care about the
consequences. Ofcourse, he is one of the few that is in a position to do
this, but I think he always took very painful blows from his critics. He is
one of a kind and the true leader of melodic and tuneful music. I know that
whenever I am facing the struggles of life, I can always throw on a McCartney
cd and it will make me smile. Paul's music has always been there for me;
since I was 10yrs old.
RonCT
ora...@hem.passagen.se wrote in message
>In that case, it's much sadder than you think, since "Go Now" isn't Denny's
>song, it's a cover. I seem to remember that the writers were Banks/Bennett.
>
>Have you heard "Say You Don't Mind"?
I wasn't sure if Denny wrote "Go Now" but I remember when he was in the
early Moody Blues and he did sing the lead on it. I'd say that was around
1965-66. No I haven't heard "Say You Don't Mind". Is that a recent release
by him? Its cool if others like him I just never care for his weak vocals
or his writing capabilities.
ronct
Brian Fried
But you'd rather use the word "psychadelic"? Surrealism is a valid term
that has not been getting the attention it deserves. If we base it on the
Surrealist activities of the 1920s, the point of surrealism was the inter-
section of non-ordinarily crossing ideas. These are concrete ideas (such
"For a fish and finger pie/Lean well back") rather than just interesting
word plays (such as in Pink Floyd's "Astronomy Domine").
I'm not overusing it either. What I see as surrealist phrasing does *not*
occur regularly in McCartney's music. In fact, the lyrics tend to benign,
remaining in the material world. If we can classify "Famous Groupies" as
having some surrealist elements, its successor is "Talk More Talk"'s
opening spoken dialogue on 1986's PRESS TO PLAY. In the Beatle days, it's
limited to a very few pieces, including "Penny Lane."
Lennon's work could be classified as surrealist more often because of his
devotion to dreams and dream interpretation in his work. But even then
there's the danger of applying too much of one and not enough of another.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian Fried bfr...@chat.carleton.ca Carleton U., Ottawa, Canada
----------------------------------------------------------------------
"What do you say? Will the human race be run in a day?
Or will someone save this planet we're playing on?"
Paul McCartney, 'Pipes Of Peace', 1983
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ora...@hem.passagen.se
> by him? Its cool if others like him I just never care for his weak vocals
> or his writing capabilities.
No, it's not recent. It was released as a solo single in 1966 (I think), and
it's said to be his best song. It never became a hit for him, although Colin
Blunstone (the lead singer from the Zombies) had a hit with it. I've never
heard this original version, but the re-make on Denny's first album after
Wings is quite good.
And I'm glad you're okay with me liking Denny. :)
Christian Henriksson