kc
Beatle Freak
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Post by kc on Oct 26, 2008 4:47:22 GMT -5
Back in the early 1990s I used to think to myself that I hoped Paul McCartney would deliver just one more really good album. When Flaming Pie was released I was satisfied. I thought it was wonderful. He was 55 in 1997 and I figured that was probably just about all I should reasonably expect from him. Then in 1999 came Run Devil Run and I thought that was great as well. 2001s Driving Rain was OK. 2005 brought one of his best with Chaos and Creation and then 2007s Memory Almost Full pleased me also. His classical work over this period was of mixed worth IMO, but some of it was good and I think he has gotten better in this genre as he has gained experience with it. Now he is releasing Electric Arguments. I've heard the three tracks released onto the net and I think they are all pretty good. I've seen a short review of the whole album from NPR in the US and they say that it is a "corker."
The point I make is that this guy is seemingly going to keep on producing what I consider to be good material until the day he dies. Instead of one more great album I've already gotten at least 4, with perhaps more to come.
Have I been over generous in my assessment? How long can this guy keep it up?
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nine
Very Clean
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Post by nine on Oct 26, 2008 5:30:54 GMT -5
I was happy with Ever Present Past ... That Was Me... They were great. Nod Your Head... Mama Knows... Wings are back!!!!!
I dunno, so long as he doesn't start getting grumpy, like the sad one....
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 26, 2008 11:44:33 GMT -5
On Steve's old Board, there was a very contentious Thread started in perhaps 2002 asking whether Paul had one more good album left in him. It was based on the premise that Driving Rain sucked(which I strongly disagree with) and there were some vicious firefights there. The happy news in hindsight is that Paul McCartney created an absolute masterpiece with Chaos And Creation In The Backyard. Yes, it is a shame that Capitol Records really dropped the ball in the U.S. as to promoting it but that does not take away from the brilliant songs on that album. I agree that Paul has been on a creative roll since Flaming Pie. MAF turned out pretty good for an album shelved for Chaos. Maybe we should be grateful for the seemingly never-ending turmoil in Paul's life as it has inspired him to be more consistent in his music than at any other time in his solo career.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Oct 26, 2008 11:49:12 GMT -5
On Steve's old Board, there was a very contentious Thread started in perhaps 2002 asking whether Paul had one more good album left in him. It was based on the premise that Driving Rain sucked(which I strongly disagree with) and there were some vicious firefights there. The happy news in hindsight is that Paul McCartney created an absolute masterpiece with Chaos And Creation In The Backyard. Yes, it is a shame that Capitol Records really dropped the ball in the U.S. as to promoting it but that does not take away from the brilliant songs on that album. I agree that Paul has been on a creative roll since Flaming Pie. MAF turned out pretty good for an album shelved for Chaos. Maybe we should be grateful for the seemingly never-ending turmoil in Paul's life as it has inspired him to be more consistent in his music than at any other time in his solo career. Maybe I'm looking for something meatier from Paul musically, but it's my feeling the last couple of albums have been forgettable. MAF, as much as I love "Dance Tonight," doesn't have much else memorable. "Flaming Pie" and "Chaos" don't grace my player that often. I will say the concert tapes I've heard, Beatle songs aside, have been great --- why doesn't he put these out? -- but otherwise??
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nine
Very Clean
Posts: 840
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Post by nine on Oct 27, 2008 3:16:34 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to hearing a Macca anthology.
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Post by mikev on Oct 27, 2008 12:29:35 GMT -5
An Anthology is loooonnnggggg overdue.
I mix MAF and C & C on my iPod-works nice.
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JMG
Very Clean
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Post by JMG on Oct 27, 2008 16:27:19 GMT -5
I thought this tread was going to be about the Cubs?
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Post by winstonoboogie on Oct 27, 2008 20:17:44 GMT -5
I thought this tread was going to be about the Cubs? ;D
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 28, 2008 5:12:42 GMT -5
Personally, I was very surprised that both CHAOS AND CREATION and MEMORY ALMOST FULL were as good as they were. I'd say we're fortunate to have gotten exceptional albums like these from Paul at such a late time in his career. I'd also include FLAMING PIE in that mix.
But I have to be honest in my skepticism and say I really doubt we'll see anything else as good from Paul. I mainly form this opinion because his voice is shot.
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Post by johnpaulharstar on Oct 28, 2008 6:54:27 GMT -5
His voice has sounded fine to me every time I've heard him. I think he'll keep on going until he wants to stop.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2008 8:16:09 GMT -5
Pauls voice has deteriorated somewhat from his heyday....
It was most notable during the Mucca years...
I read he continually shouted himself hoarse,trying to persuade mucca to keep her grubby mitts out of the cash draw.......
;D ;D
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JMG
Very Clean
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Post by JMG on Oct 28, 2008 11:41:09 GMT -5
Pauls voice has deteriorated somewhat from his heyday.... It was most notable during the Mucca years... I read he continually shouted himself hoarse,trying to persuade mucca to keep her grubby mitts out of the cash draw....... ;D ;D ;D
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kc
Beatle Freak
Posts: 1,085
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Post by kc on Oct 28, 2008 23:33:51 GMT -5
;D me too ;D
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Post by revolver66 on Oct 29, 2008 0:24:23 GMT -5
As long as an artist is still breathing and feels the need to create there is always the possibility of Greatness. Paul still has the need and as many have stated his recent work is superior to much of what has gone before. Sure I would love to see a Full On Original Compostions Rock N Roll LP from Macca(Image 10 or more Tracks like Only Mama Knows) but Paul does what he wants. He is electic with his work and that is why it is often met with indifference from so many. Joe do we really need another Live Macca CD or DVD? I will say the Amoeba Vinyl EP was pure Excellence though!! Macca should sell Live CDs and Rare Tracks through his website for the Hardcore Fans as limited issues. That would be something. Last point. Dylans voice is pretty much shot(heck many felt it was shot when he started). That doesn't mean he won;t write and/or produce great quality Music. It is also amazing what some studio trickery can do with Vocals. Go Macca Go!!
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 29, 2008 3:54:01 GMT -5
Everyone wants Paul to do a pure rock album. I want Paul to do a massive production job to make the songs sound huge ala David Bowie Let's Dance era. Catchy, melodic with a big sound. But he seems content on doing acoustic songs and pastiches like English Tea and Mr Bellamy.
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Post by vectisfabber on Oct 29, 2008 4:14:44 GMT -5
Actually, I've never been that fond of McCartney's rock side (I recognise that I'm out of step with most people here). But I think rock songs help to maintain the eclecticism of his work.
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nine
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Post by nine on Oct 29, 2008 5:58:26 GMT -5
I'd like to see Paul do an album where he picks up the bits and pieces he gave away or forgot about... Goodbye, Robbers Ball.. ... ... ...
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nine
Very Clean
Posts: 840
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Post by nine on Oct 30, 2008 2:27:58 GMT -5
Actually, I've never been that fond of McCartney's rock side (I recognise that I'm out of step with most people here). But I think rock songs help to maintain the eclecticism of his work. I love the rock stuff. I also love the quirky, experimental side. That's probably why I get into Macca II. I'll Give You A Ring, Odd Sox, Rain Clouds, Ram, Pound Is Sinking ... etc ...
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 30, 2008 15:52:36 GMT -5
Agreed!
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Post by Sir Frankie Crisp on Nov 1, 2008 16:29:35 GMT -5
The point I make is that this guy is seemingly going to keep on producing what I consider to be good material until the day he dies. Instead of one more great album I've already gotten at least 4, with perhaps more to come. Have I been over generous in my assessment? How long can this guy keep it up? I would never count McCartney out. He’s one of a handful of artists that will continue to rise to the challenge and produce quality music until the day he dies. Whether anyone cares to take notice is another matter altogether. I mean, he’s still relatively young and in good physical shape so there’s no reason not to expect more great things from him. There aren’t many of his contemporaries that continue to produce such a broad range of material like he does. Look at the Stones for example; they haven’t released anything remotely interesting in several decades. Has anyone heard B.B. King’s new album “One Kind Favor”? I bought it the other day and I was absolutely floored. This guy is 82 years of age and his singing and playing is rock solid. I was a little worried because his last few albums have been a little too slick for my taste but "One Kind Favor" hits the right balance. If you like the blues in general or B.B. King in particular I’d highly recommend it. It just goes to show if you get the right material, the right musicians, a sympathetic producer and the planets align themselves just so, the potential for greatness is always there. It’s just a matter of creating the conditions that will recognize their potential (genius). If B.B King can do it so can McCartney. I thought Paul was on the right track when he hired Nigel Godrich to produce “Chaos” so I hope their paths cross again somewhere down the line. Another guy that I find remarkable is Tony Bennett. He still sounds fine to me and he’s in his 80’s. I saw him in concert when he was a young punk of 74 and it was one of the best shows I have ever seen. Johnny Cash is another great example. The man was literally dying but he had a few more things he had to get off his chest and he ended up producing some of the most vital and heart wrenching material that you’ll ever hear. I firmly believe that these guys are operating with a different owner’s manual from the rest of us and that’s why they stand alone. They are serious about their craft and no matter what it takes they'll lay it all on the line. Cripes, look at Bob Dylan - he has been counted out so many times I can’t keep track of all his comebacks and yet in my books he’s still the Heavyweight Champeen of the World. I marvel at these guys. They’re still out there doing it at an age when the rest of us would be quite happy with a pulse and the odd blast of flatulence.
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kc
Beatle Freak
Posts: 1,085
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Post by kc on Nov 1, 2008 19:06:55 GMT -5
Sir Frankie, now you've got me excited in anticipation for what Paul will deliver over the next few years. Maybe we really can expect another 10 or 15 years worth of work from him. I can't wait for the release of Electric Arguments. Then the new guitar concerto may not be too far away. After that, who knows?
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