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Post by joeyself on Oct 12, 2010 22:09:32 GMT -5
ROCK `n' ROLL, Side 1 vs. WILD LIFE, Side 2
ROCK `n' ROLL, Side 1
1."Be-Bop-A-Lula" (Tex Davis, Gene Vincent) – 2:39
2."Stand by Me" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Ben E. King) – 3:26
3."Medley: Rip It Up/Ready Teddy" (Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell, John Marascalco) – 1:33
4."You Can't Catch Me" † (Chuck Berry) – 4:51
5."Ain't That a Shame" (Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew) – 2:38
6."Do You Wanna Dance?" (Bobby Freeman) – 3:15
7."Sweet Little Sixteen" † (Chuck Berry) – 3:01
WILD LIFE, Side 2
1."Some People Never Know" – 6:35
2."I Am Your Singer" – 2:15
3."Bip Bop Link" – 0:48
4."Tomorrow" – 3:28
5."Dear Friend" – 5:53
6."Mumbo Link" – 0:45
JcS
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Post by coachbk on Oct 12, 2010 22:40:13 GMT -5
I'll get the first vote in here. John does an adequate job with the covers, but doesn't quite hit the heights of his outstanding covers in the early Beatles era.
Side 2 is the better side of WILD LIFE (were it the other side of WL, I'd be voting for RnR). "Tomorrow" is the standout track. I like both "Some People Never Know" and "Dear Friend" quite a bit, but both are overly long. "I Am Your Singer" benefits from it's brevity. A nice little song that doesn't overstay its welcome. The links are a nice little touch to an LP short on songs.
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 12, 2010 22:55:56 GMT -5
This one's hard , will need some Aiola before I make a decision.
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Joseph McCabe
Very Clean
A rebel to his last breath ...
Posts: 912
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Post by Joseph McCabe on Oct 13, 2010 1:27:44 GMT -5
Two mediocre efforts. But - and what a but - Side 2 of Wild Life is so dreary. Play it - and the yawns nearly break your jaw. Some People Never Know - no, they don't Paul McCartney. And have you heard the lyrics to Dear Friend? Ugh.
Side 1 of Wild Life has two very very interesting Macca efforts: Mumbo and Bip Bop. I'll be interested in what's up against Side 1 of WL later on. For now, virtually anything would beat WL2. Even, if it was in the tourney, Life With The Lions (either side)!
So R and R side 1 from Dr O'Boogie gets my vote. Stand By Me is nice, and I like You Can't Catch Me.
I'll go and have a Guinness to celebrate an easy choice.
McCabe.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2010 1:38:46 GMT -5
ROCK `n' ROLL, Side 1
I don't rate Wild Life very highly...in fact...i don't rate it at all...
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 13, 2010 3:10:50 GMT -5
I'm also gonna go R'n'R S1 , I like the remastered version although You Can't Catch Me and Sweet Little Sixteen still have abit of mud on them.
Wild Life Side 2 is just incomplete, I can't vote for an album that took a week to make and quite frankly sounds it.
Now having my Aiola !!
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 13, 2010 6:05:14 GMT -5
My choice is interesting, because while I think the ROCK N ROLL side is more consistent, I love both Tomorrow and Dear Friend so much that I think they're more of an accomplishment than John just doing covers.
So I voted for WILD LIFE.
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Post by joeyself on Oct 13, 2010 9:42:09 GMT -5
Easy call for me; RnR is Lennon's most listenable solo effort--the one I'd put on when friends were over to shoot pool or hang out, and Side 1 is marred only by "Do You Wanna Dance." On the other hand, WL 2 is a drag; "Tomorrow" is OK, but when that's the best thing you can say about a side, then it's an indictment, not praise. McCartney is a craftsman, and this one showed no crafting. Yes, I know that was by design, and yes, I know that even when he does crafting, it doesn't always help (RRS is proof of that), but when he just "knocks something off," it is likely to need some more work.
JcS
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Post by mikev on Oct 13, 2010 10:28:55 GMT -5
Can't use my "point" system here, because Paul has two very very weak link tracks leaving 4 songs.
The classic songwriting on Rock-n-Roll can have some consideration, and Paul's only officially released rock cover (not counting Denny's Go Now live) prior to the release of the Russian album was "Love is Strange" on the other side of the LP.
Some People is drawn out a bit, Singer is a marshmallowy take off on Fool on the Hill, Tomorrow is a strong non-single cut and Dear Friend is a very good but a little too long ballad.
Originality goes to Paul, entertainment value goes to John. Just based on pure volume of good material, Rock and Roll gets the edge.
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Post by joeyself on Oct 13, 2010 11:32:34 GMT -5
Can't use my "point" system here, because Paul has two very very weak link tracks leaving 4 songs. The classic songwriting on Rock-n-Roll can have some consideration, and Paul's only officially released rock cover (not counting Denny's Go Now live) prior to the release of the Russian album was "Love is Strange" on the other side of the LP. Technically, I guess this is correct, since "Lucille" on THE CONCERT FOR THE PEOPLE OF KAMPUCHEA was credited to the Rockesta. But it's close! ;D JcS |
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Post by mikev on Oct 13, 2010 11:35:45 GMT -5
Can't use my "point" system here, because Paul has two very very weak link tracks leaving 4 songs. The classic songwriting on Rock-n-Roll can have some consideration, and Paul's only officially released rock cover (not counting Denny's Go Now live) prior to the release of the Russian album was "Love is Strange" on the other side of the LP. Technically, I guess this is correct, since "Lucille" on THE CONCERT FOR THE PEOPLE OF KAMPUCHEA was credited to the Rockesta. But it's close! ;D JcS Missed that one. |
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JCV
Very Clean
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Post by JCV on Oct 13, 2010 12:05:57 GMT -5
ROCK `n' ROLL, Side 1Sorry, JSD...  JCV
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Post by acebackwords on Oct 13, 2010 16:27:08 GMT -5
Two mediocrities. But I gotta go with "Rocknroll" because I've always been fascinated with Lennon's Lost Weekend period. Plus, some props to Phil Spector. Anybody nuts to work with that guy will at least have a couple interesting stories to tell from the experience.
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Post by vectisfabber on Oct 13, 2010 19:05:15 GMT -5
Tricky. A side of rock'n' roll stuff by one of the great rock'n'rollers who has temporarily completely forgotten the point of rock'n'roll, and a side of tat plus one deep, deep piece.
RnR.
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 13, 2010 19:55:17 GMT -5
I like a lot of John's solo albums, but the second side of the Rock 'n' Roll album is not among his strongest. I don't like the muddy production of that album and the arrangements are anything but rock and roll like. He couldn't get that nameless, faceless group of musicians to rock and roll if their life depended on it. It might have been better to pair John's album with Paul's Unplugged on which they both perform Be Bop a Lula, but that's another story.
The second side of Wild Life is stronger than the first side. People complain that there are only four songs. But they aren't just two minute throwaways. They have substantial structure and all of them work musically and as statements.
Some People Never Know needs an edit to drop off two minutes, but beyond that what we have is an interesting and tuneful track that has a hypnotic, rhythmic ending.
I Am Your Singer is a charming song that has nothing to do with Fool on the Hill except they both use a flute or recorder. Linda's harmonies are quite good and the tune is memorable. Listen to the beauty of the tune as it is reprised in the recorder solo.
The same can be said for Tomorrow with I think is a forgotten classic. If Paul would have slowed it down a bit and made it a ballad, it would be among his best loved songs.
Bip Bop Link is a well played guitar piece that holds your interest at least for that short period.
Dear Friend is the masterpiece of the album being a truly heart felt plea to his former partner to stand back and think about what is happening to two old friends. It is well sung, the piano is dramatic and unique and it is well constructed though slightly long. Elton John, who attended the Wings debut party, said he was influenced by the piano work on Dear Friend (see Ticking as an example)--the fills and dramatic stops and starts.
Mumbo Link is a pre-cursor to Big Barn Bed.
For originality and entertainment value, I give it to Wild Life side 2 hands down.
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Post by joeyself on Oct 13, 2010 21:39:34 GMT -5
I like a lot of John's solo albums, but the second side of the Rock 'n' Roll album is not among his strongest. This is Side One in the fray this time. JcS |
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 13, 2010 23:23:51 GMT -5
ROCK `n' ROLL, Side 1
1."Be-Bop-A-Lula": Great start; this is real rock and roll.
2."Stand by Me": Still going strong. I liked this better in 1975/76 than I do now.
3."Medley: Rip It Up/Ready Teddy": John's rocking hard; how can anyone bitch so far?
4."You Can't Catch Me": This is great IMO, shows "Come Together" borrows a line or two but is its own song; this ain't rocket science, people! John sings with gusto and I actually like Spector's big rock and roll production here.
5."Ain't That a Shame": more A1 rock and roll from Lennon: so where's the beef with this album?!
6."Do You Wanna Dance?": Okay, Houston we're starting to have a problem. I just don't like this song no matter who does it.
7."Sweet Little Sixteen": OMG, Lennon butchers Berry; Say it ain't so John!! Man, this slowed down, sick production blows! This is where the album deservedly catches hell. Horrible. Listen to John's beautiful rock and roll vocal of this on The Beatles At The B.B.C. as that is how this song should be sung. Chuck Berry should have kicked John's ass for this cover in 1975.
WILD LIFE, Side 2
1."Some People Never Know": Heartfelt, touching, insightful, very moving. Great start for Side 2. One can get lazily lost in this song and savor such wanderings.
2."I Am Your Singer:" Okay, defines this new duo of Paul and Linda. Perfect harmony.
3."Bip Bop Link:" Nice bridge to amazing things to come.
4."Tomorrow:" Classic, there is nothing wrong with Paul's vocal; so he is passionate: sue him. More honest, less twee than "Good Day Sunshine."
5."Dear Friend:" This is Paul's "God"/"Mother" to John. We are at the borderline, dear friend. What are you going to do? What's your next move? If you leave this train and exit into the fog then I just got say goodbye, goodbye, John don't go, John come home. I'd love to see Paul do this song live backed by his band and a real symphony orchestra not just Wix on his fakey synth.
6."Mumbo Link": Rocks hard, short and sweet. I only have time to get half-naked to this when doing the Mumbo Stomp 'cause it suddenly ends. Time to flip back to Side 1.
I vote WILD LIFE, Side 2. Wings Wild Life is the anchor to The JSD Postulate. I must vote for it. John's Rock-N-Roll-1 is "ass shake-worthy" except the last two songs.
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 14, 2010 0:10:59 GMT -5
I like a lot of John's solo albums, but the second side of the Rock 'n' Roll album is not among his strongest. This is Side One in the fray this time. JcS My mistake. I meant the first side. |
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 14, 2010 5:24:58 GMT -5
7."Sweet Little Sixteen": OMG, Lennon butchers Berry; Say it ain't so John!! Man, this slowed down, sick production blows! This is where the album deservedly catches hell. Horrible. Listen to John's beautiful rock and roll vocal of this on The Beatles At The B.B.C. as that is how this song should be sung. Chuck Berry should have kicked John's ass for this cover in 1975. Blah, blah, blah... there's room for different interpretations. I happen to like this version, and the passion with which John sings it. |
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 14, 2010 5:32:37 GMT -5
For originality and entertainment value, I give it to Wild Life side 2 hands down. RTP - do us a favor and alert us when the day comes that you ever choose John over Paul for anything, okay? |
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 14, 2010 11:00:14 GMT -5
7."Sweet Little Sixteen": OMG, Lennon butchers Berry; Say it ain't so John!! Man, this slowed down, sick production blows! This is where the album deservedly catches hell. Horrible. Listen to John's beautiful rock and roll vocal of this on The Beatles At The B.B.C. as that is how this song should be sung. Chuck Berry should have kicked John's ass for this cover in 1975. Blah, blah, blah... there's room for different interpretations. I happen to like this version, and the passion with which John sings it. Well yada, yada, yada to you too. There is room for interpretation but I think John's interpretation sucks on SLS!  |
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Post by joeyself on Oct 14, 2010 11:17:58 GMT -5
For originality and entertainment value, I give it to Wild Life side 2 hands down. RTP - do us a favor and alert us when the day comes that you ever choose John over Paul for anything, okay? I had a similar thought last night; John and Paul will be matched up 6 times in this first round. I looked at them, and predict RTP will go with 5-1 or 6-0 in favor of Paul. But to be fair, I'm going to go 4-2 in those matches for Paul when it is all said and done. JcS |
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Post by stavros on Oct 14, 2010 14:14:18 GMT -5
For me Rock 'n Roll edges it. A Far happier, if somewhat sanitised sounding album from John. "You Can't catch Me" betrays it's influence on "Come Together" and is a fine track and "Stand By Me" is the best of any cuts from either album side. "Wild Life" has 2 decent if hardly inspiring pieces in "Tomorrow" and "Dear Friend" but sounds so flat and lifeless. Rock n Roll wins simply because "Stand By Me" is the only song worthy of consideration for a Solo Beatles top 100 songs. Even then I'm not sure it would make it  |
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 14, 2010 15:04:16 GMT -5
RTP - do us a favor and alert us when the day comes that you ever choose John over Paul for anything, okay? I had a similar thought last night; John and Paul will be matched up 6 times in this first round. I looked at them, and predict RTP will go with 5-1 or 6-0 in favor of Paul. But to be fair, I'm going to go 4-2 in those matches for Paul when it is all said and done. JcS I think he will go 6-0 even if you have one of the first two Fireman albums or the McCartney Interview up against John.  |
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Post by joeyself on Oct 14, 2010 16:47:09 GMT -5
I had a similar thought last night; John and Paul will be matched up 6 times in this first round. I looked at them, and predict RTP will go with 5-1 or 6-0 in favor of Paul. But to be fair, I'm going to go 4-2 in those matches for Paul when it is all said and done. JcS I think he will go 6-0 even if you have one of the first two Fireman albums or the McCartney Interview up against John. Depends on how much he likes MC2, I guess... JcS |
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Post by anyoneanyhow on Oct 15, 2010 19:37:30 GMT -5
I went with R&R in a pretty close matchup. R&R just SOUNDS better, y'know? Wild Life 2 has some good songs (and some genuine low grade filler) but the performance is nasty, all nervous and out of tune. You can consider the amatuerishness charming, and it is, but it also makes for fewer listens.
Having said that, JSD is correct, John did a lousy job with Berry on this album. But a very listenable side all in all.
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 16, 2010 0:11:46 GMT -5
RTP - do us a favor and alert us when the day comes that you ever choose John over Paul for anything, okay? I had a similar thought last night; John and Paul will be matched up 6 times in this first round. I looked at them, and predict RTP will go with 5-1 or 6-0 in favor of Paul. But to be fair, I'm going to go 4-2 in those matches for Paul when it is all said and done. JcS I'm sure there will be some I will give to John. I enjoy a large part of his catalog. I own all his albums--even the boxed-set and repackaged ones. |
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 16, 2010 0:13:06 GMT -5
I had a similar thought last night; John and Paul will be matched up 6 times in this first round. I looked at them, and predict RTP will go with 5-1 or 6-0 in favor of Paul. But to be fair, I'm going to go 4-2 in those matches for Paul when it is all said and done. JcS I think he will go 6-0 even if you have one of the first two Fireman albums or the McCartney Interview up against John. I can say I really dislike the first two Fireman albums. |
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 16, 2010 0:15:26 GMT -5
I think he will go 6-0 even if you have one of the first two Fireman albums or the McCartney Interview up against John. Depends on how much he likes MC2, I guess... JcS I think McCartney II is one of Paul's weaker albums though I like Summer's Day song and Coming Up (Live at Glasgow) the latter fitting better on Back to the Egg. |
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Post by ReturnToPepperland on Oct 16, 2010 0:16:44 GMT -5
I went with R&R in a pretty close matchup. R&R just SOUNDS better, y'know? Wild Life 2 has some good songs (and some genuine low grade filler) but the performance is nasty, all nervous and out of tune. You can consider the amatuerishness charming, and it is, but it also makes for fewer listens. Having said that, JSD is correct, John did a lousy job with Berry on this album. But a very listenable side all in all. OK so the guitar is a bit out of tune on Some People Never Know. It never took away from my enjoyment of the song. |
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