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Post by Steve Marinucci on Apr 23, 2016 22:47:36 GMT -5
Never really cared much for DR. Most of the songs are forgettable, IMO. Plus it has "Freedom." I remember Steve that you were a lone, dissenting voice on DR and you stated so on your pre-Examiner Abbeyrd Beatles site. If memory serves right, you compared it unfavorably to Flaming Pie, Paul's last studio album of all original material before DR. LOL, I remember being bummed because I desperately wanted DR to be universally loved and be that Billboard No. 1 album for Paul. But yeah, it had Freedom. You remember better than I do.
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Post by coachbk on Apr 25, 2016 21:19:16 GMT -5
I have been on vacation and away from a computer for over a week so I am behind. I listened to DRIVING RAIN today for the first time in many years. I'm putting out my opinion without reading any of the comments so as not to be influenced by what others have written. I have considered DRIVING RAIN to be one of Paul's weakest albums. Many of these songs upon hearing them again I had no recollection of ever hearing. I think the album suffered because it was nowhere near as good as the great FLAMING PIE (I know RUN DEVIL RUN was in between, but that was more of a special release). If it had followed something like PRESS TO PLAY perhaps it would have gotten a more favorable reputation. In any case, here's my rundown of the songs: 1. Lonely Road-a good opener. Pretty catchy. One of my favorites on this album. The most likely to be a hit. 2. From A Love To A Friend-I like this one too. Nice ballad. 3. She's Given Up Talking-This wasn't as bad as I remembered, but that doesn't mean it is good. One basic idea that just goes on and on and on. No need for this to be 4:57 in length. 4. Driving Rain-unlike others I don't dislike the "1,2,3,4,5/let's go for a drive". It is catchy enough. An OK song. 5. I Do-this is where the album starts to drag. A bunch of inconsequential songs in this part of the album. At least this one is fairly short. 6. Tiny Bubbles-boring and forgettable. 7. Magic-the only part of this song I like is the ending. 8. Your Way-a good song amidst the fluff. Nice acoustic sound. 9. Spinning On An Axis-the very definition of filler. 10. About You-see #9 above 11. Heather-a great long instrumental introduction. Seems sincere. 12. Back In The Sunshine Again-nothing special here. 13. Your Loving Flame-a decent ballad, but a bit bland. 14. Riding Into Jaipur-this is a great song that I don't think I ever really bothered to listen to. Love the Indian feel. The vocals/lyrics aren't much though. 15. Rinse The Raindrops-and I thought She's Given Up Talking went on too long? This is just awful. !0 minutes for this? No thanks! 16. Freedom-again I don't mind this song. An OK slogan song for a good cause.
I think my main criticism of this album is there are just too many unmemorable songs. Also it is weak lyrically. There just aren't the songs that stand out like those on FLAMING PIE and CHAOS AND CREATION.
I'm glad I took the time to listen to it again!
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Post by coachbk on Apr 25, 2016 21:37:40 GMT -5
[quote author=" John S. Damm" source="/post/79305/thread" timestamp="1461006805" My thoughts in a nutshell: 1."Lonely Road": great opener with a solo bass riff! Paul is James Dean cool here, a hurt rebel with a cause. We agree here! 2."From a Lover to a Friend:" Beautiful, exquisite. Never should have been a single but it is a killer deep track more agreement! 3."She's Given Up Talking:" A weaker song; I never much cared for this one but we all sing-along to the, "not a dickey bird!" Still agreement 4."Driving Rain:" I don't understand the hatred, this is a great road song and this has a happy ending. The count-ins invite us along for the ride to escape the sadness. Still agreeing! 5."I Do:" A forgotten McCartney gem. In another time this may have been a hit single! Forgotten is the only part of this I agree with. Neither a gem and I couldn't ever see this as a hit. 6."Tiny Bubble:" Sounds like Hari's "Piggies" but I really enjoyed this one Saturday, I felt like I was floating. I didn't enjoy this. 7."Magic:" Had to play this twice, majestic and poignant. Pure McCartney. I only found the ending magical! 8."Your Way:" Postulate Era shit, man! Great tune, better than "Bip Bop!" LOL I thought of Bip Bop when I heard this. I remember thinking this is like a good version of that horrible song. Paul sings it well, there is a little more variety, no stupid lyrics, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. 9."Spinning on an Axis:" Another lesser song, the lyrics aren't great but it sounded pretty good to me Saturday, maybe has improved with age. a lesser song for sure. 10."About You:" Another Postulate sounding rocker. Great job, Paul! didn't rock me much. 11."Heather:" Another two-play song! The best song ever written about new love! I can't get quite as ecstatic as you, but I like it. 12."Back in the Sunshine Again:" Better than I remember, my third least favorite but in the car and in the sun it sounded good Saturday! I had no memory of this to begin with. Mediocre. 13."Your Loving Flame:" Another repeat song, it sounded so good I had to hear it again. I teared-up on this thinking how things went so terribly wrong for Paul and Heather. Classic McCartney, it deserves recued from the scrap-heap imposed on it by Paul himself! I don't like this as much as you do, but I don't hate it. 14."Riding into Jaipur:" Very, very mellow, takes us to India! I could see, smell, hear and feel that continent! I might even like this more than you! 15."Rinse the Raindrops:" Kick-ass rocker with poetic lyrics! Paul rarely gets as good as this! could not disagree more. BORING fake rock. 16."Freedom:" It was good to hear this. One just reads about ISIS's goals and one knows Paul was right here. I will fight for my right to live in Freedom! I concur! Driving Rain, give it a spin today! I did!!! [/quote]
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Post by debjorgo on Apr 25, 2016 22:16:03 GMT -5
Next time try only listening to the songs you like.
FYI, Rinse the Raindrops was originally over 30 minutes long. The final version is an edit. I want the long version.
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Post by John S. Damm on Apr 26, 2016 8:47:28 GMT -5
I enjoyed your response CoachBK even where we disagreed. I truly think if we all gave this album a fresh listen there might be some pleasant surprises.
Most here will not be as enthusiastic as I have been on the album and I get that. Who knows why an album can thrill one person and repulse another? But I have trouble seeing how a listener can objectively say the whole album is horrible, every single track. Yet some do and I accept that they are being sincere.
I have re-discovered DR and I feel fine!
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Post by coachbk on Apr 26, 2016 10:53:22 GMT -5
I enjoyed your response CoachBK even where we disagreed. I truly think if we all gave this album a fresh listen there might be some pleasant surprises. Most here will not be as enthusiastic as I have been on the album and I get that. Who knows why an album can thrill one person and repulse another? But I have trouble seeing how a listener can objectively say the whole album is horrible, every single track. Yet some do and I accept that they are being sincere. I have re-discovered DR and I feel fine! Agreed. Discovering Your Way and Riding Into Jaipur (two songs I completely forgot about or missed years ago) are good songs was worth it for me. And it was good to again listen to some I liked already (Lonely Road, From A Lover To A Friend, Heather) And I'm willing to try again with those that didn't move me this time!
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Post by sallyg on Apr 26, 2016 20:44:36 GMT -5
1.Lonely Road- love the bass into 2.From A Lover to A Friend- good song 3.She’s Giving Up Talking- Love the melody and feel of the song. 4.Driving Rain-like the energy of the song. 5.I Do-great love song. This could have fit on Back to the Egg 6.Tiny Bubble- Although I like the optimism of the song, it’s my least favorite on the album. 7.Magic-Cool ending to the song 8.Your Way-Love the melody, it has a country feel. 9.Spinning on an Axis-great little rocker, like the intro to this song 10.About You-Another great rocker. 11.Heather-love the melody to this song. Good love song. Was intrigued by the word runcible. It is a nonsense word with no meaning which poet Edward Lear invented. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runcible) 12.Back in the Sunshine Again-continues the theme of being pulled out of darkness into light 13.Your Loving Flame-beautiful love song. The lyrics “I could spend eternity inside your loving flame” also can have spiritual overtones. 14.Riding into Jaipur-My favorite song from the album. Beautiful and soothing 15.Rinse the Raindrops-love this rocker 16.Freedom-like this tune. Like the lyrics.
When this album was first released, I didn't care for some of the songs. Years later I have come to appreciate some of the songs even more. Loved listening to this album again.
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Post by John S. Damm on Apr 26, 2016 23:09:12 GMT -5
Awesome, SallyG likes DR even more than I do based on her song by song commentary!
Great observations, Sally! I hope reviews like yours start Driving Rain-mania!
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Post by coachbk on Apr 27, 2016 19:43:58 GMT -5
Awesome, SallyG likes DR even more than I do based on her song by song commentary! That was my first thought too. My 2nd thought was did RTP come back with a new name-LOL
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Post by debjorgo on Apr 27, 2016 20:22:21 GMT -5
Awesome, SallyG likes DR even more than I do based on her song by song commentary! That was my first thought too. My 2nd thought was did RTP come back with a new name-LOL RTP really didn't use such a demeaning word as good when describing a Paul song, now did he?
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Post by debjorgo on Apr 27, 2016 20:32:23 GMT -5
I've been humming, whistling, singing Your Way all day.
I've been trying to remember what I Do sounds like and I think "Oh, I got it. "I Do think your fine, I Do think your swell, I can spend the day, Your Way."" Then I think "No, that's Your Way."
That got the earworm started.
I guess I will have to listen to the album again.
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Post by sallyg on Apr 27, 2016 20:33:02 GMT -5
Be assured everyone that I am not Paul. LOL While there are some decent songs on DR, i still consider it one of his weakest albums.
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Post by John S. Damm on Apr 28, 2016 12:27:59 GMT -5
Be assured everyone that I am not Paul. LOL While there are some decent songs on DR, i still consider it one of his weakest albums. Wow, based on your glowing review of DR, I wonder how you describe what you feel are strong Paul Albums!
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Post by debjorgo on Jan 27, 2018 9:01:21 GMT -5
From A Lover to A Friend was played on the PA at Kroger last night. Kroger is the local area super market, for those who don't know. I assume they have music provided by a muzak service. There's no one in the back spinning tunes.
While it was fun to hear the deep cut in that setting, it still seemed a little awkward in spots. The "la, la, la", part in particular. I'm looking around to see if anyone was noticing the song. They didn't seem to be.
Paul gets pretty good play at Kroger. This was the first time I've heard this one.
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Post by John S. Damm on Jan 27, 2018 13:31:18 GMT -5
Wow, that is an obscure one to hear in a Kroger's!
I would have begun crying and blamed it to bewildered shoppers as the onions in my cart!
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