As we await the new album, here’s an article which has been getting a lot of posting with approval on Twitter and Facebook. I think it overclaims here and there, but it’s still a very good and entertaining championing of Macca’s brilliance. His argument about how the narrative of John as the edgy genius and Paul as the safe middle of the road entertainer was established is persuasive. It’s interesting though how things have changed. Increasingly it seems to me that Paul’s reputation has risen (fairly in my view) and John’s (unfairly) has fallen. Fact is, the miracle and uniqueness of the Beatles is that it had not one but two pop geniuses in the one band.
https://ianleslie.substack.com/p/64-reasons-to-celebrate-paul-mccartney
I haven’t listened to Egypt Station much since it came out but I still enjoy New a lot, including this track
One of his very best recent songs.
I Can Bet is a stormer. He hasn’t done a less-than-excellent studio album since Off the Ground.
When I saw the number `64` I thought it was a reference to the number of various editions of `Macca III`
Up
His post Beatles body of work is staggering. Without apology I guide all once more to this thread (and the Spotify playlists contained within):
And great playlists they are as well. Ian Leslie includes a link in his piece to a playlist he has put together of McCartney deep cuts.
Ta
Pail McCartney? Is that what he will be known as when he kicks the bucket?
He was one of the mop tops.
It is @Junior-Wells signature style to misspell his thread headings.
Well, yes, 100%.
Could never quite understand the John-cool-genius / Paul-not cool-just Paul angle, and a mere touching of the surface of swinging London showed Paul to be far more in the middle of it than just about anyone else, and especially Lennon.
Never had a hang up about him splitting up The Beatles either, if that’s what he did.
I can’t think of anything worse than a recording from 1974 or 1980 or 1988, and I don’t draw the line at The Beatles. The split was the greatest thing that could have happened, they existed (like Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison) solely in the Golden Age .
Being loyal to his wife (see Johnson, born 1964 don’t laugh), sending his kids to normal schools (not Eton), getting them to make their own stuff, encouraging them to be artistic, going vegetarian etc … all of that what good wasn’t it? Got slagged off for it as well, especially in the dire 1980s, remember Terry Wogan’s disgraceful interview with Linda about vegetarianism?
People always talk about role-models, can’t think of anyone in this appalling country who is a better one. He ain’t got much to beat.
The funky side of Macca, compiled a few years back by Bill Brewster. Quite a rich seam.
I’ve said this on here before but worth pointing out again. I’m just too young to remember much of the Beatles other than the breakup – but for a while in the early seventies Wings were to an early-teen me and my mates, the coolest band on the planet.
Nice article that.
The “64” part is a bit contrived though
Yeah, I can live with that!
Fans might want to know that Macca is the guest on the most recent Adam Buxton podcast. I haven’t heard it yet, but I’m hoping the longer format gives room for McCartney to move beyond the usual anecdotes.
Oooh interesting! QUite a coup for Buckles. Must catch up on that.
Always wanted to know what John thought of the line – “the movement you need is on your shoulder”.
If that was in the podcast I’m sure I would Buckles’ scoop would be headline news already.
Two words: scrambled eggs.
I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that McCartney said to Lennon that it was just a filler line that needed improving but that Lennon loved it and insisted he keep it in.
You have read that in every interview McCartney has ever given (just about)
Ah, you’re right – I missed the irony! As you were…
If I had a chance to ask Macca a question there’s one in particular I would ask. Warning: this is a question even @fentonsteve might find dull, and eyes usually glaze over whenever I ask it. But here goes.
Have a look at this youtube video. This is Macca singing yesterday, solo, live on TV, in 1965. He did this a couple of times, on the Royal Variety or show or whatever. You’ll notice that a string quartet comes in after the first verse, just like on the record. Mark Lewisohn, the authority on these things, notes in his Sessions book that this was a specially prepared backing track that was played along behind him. Ok, so far so good.
My question is: how did he sync himself to this backing track? Or more precisely, how did the backing track sync to him? These days it would be dead easy – a click track through an earpiece that he played along to. But there weren’t such things in them days.
Even starting the strings at just the right point would be impossible, and would require impeccable timing. Would it really have been a backstage techie hitting play at just the right moment? Unlikely. And even if they managed to pull this off, it would be near impossible for Macca to keep right on beat without any audible beat to synchronise to. He would drift in and out of time, or be a couple of beats out.
I’m sorry, I told you it was a dull question. But it just annoys me. Maybe “annoys” is the wrong word. Irks me.
The most convincing explanation I’ve found is that it was actually all mimed. But that would involve calling Mark Lewisohn a liar and I’m not quite ready for that.
If the backing track included the acoustic guitar, wouldn’t that make it easier for Paul to keep to time with his vocal?
So he’s miming the acoustic guitar but maybe singing live? That would work. But Lewisohn says it was a “pre-taped track of three violins” and doesn’t elaborate further. (As does any other reference I’ve found, which probably all just follow Lewisohn).
Just to clarify my fuzzy description, he seems to have done it twice – Blackpool Big Night Out 1 August 1965 and Ed Sullivan Show 14 August 1965.
I agree with Tiggs.
I can’t see a microphone pointing at the guitar’s sound hole, so that’s out, and only the shadow of a pickup lead (have a look at the floor to the right of his feet from about 28 to 35 seconds in). That lead, of course, might not be plugged in.
I’m telling Lewisohn on you two.
I think the acoustic guitar is pre-recorded as well. Watch as he walks to the front of the stage. The guitar starts straight away and seems to fade in (albeit quickly). It almost looks as though he’s not completely ready, and then he leans into the mic and says “thank you, George.”
If the guitar was pre-recorded, there would have been no syncing necessary, and it would solve your 55 year old mystery.
Loads of good tunes by McCartney that aren’t that well known. Frozen Jap is a brilliant instrumental. Dodgy title, though.
Perhaps it’s a reference to a certain person who had recently landed him in nick.
One wonders what Yoko made of it.
I did the scripts for a 1999 one-off return of The Tube, recorded, obv, at Tyne Tees studios. Prince was on, And I think Travis appeared, too.
I was in the make-up room with one of the presenters, going through their links, when in walks headliner Paul McCartney (he was doing his back to roots rock n roll stuff). And I burst into tears. The James Corden carpool karaoke show with McCartney had a similar impact on all involved, from Corden to the crowds in Liverpool. It’s Paul McCartney.
Later that night, in the Egypt Cottage pub next door, the then Sunderland AFC manager Peter Reid strolls in and starts singing ‘We all I’ve in a yellow submarine’. And McCartney joined in like the trouper he is. Magnificent.
Great story
Ah so good. I’m not sure I’d have been much different to be fair.
Good story! I’m sure I would just have gibbered and possibly fainted if I ever met him. I came over all emotional when I visited the Abbey Road zebra crossing for the first time.
I know 2 people who have met him, here’s one of them (from 33:45)