I’m Carrying from London Town
Dear Boy from Ram
Momma Miss America from McCartney
Arrow Through Me from Back To The Egg
Dear Friend from Wild Life
Little Lamb Dragonfly from Red Rose Speedway
Love in Song from Venus And Mars
Such an odd little song (b-side to “Ebony and Ivory”) but the one that sparked everything, as far as I am concerned, after my mum said it sounded a bit like The Beatles. I was around six, then.
Some of it was taped on Dec 9 1980, with The Chieftains’ Paddy Moloney who had turned up to “Tug of War” sessions at AIR London as arranged to dub a pipe solo in the middle – a jaunty little piece which is a bit similar to the effect created by the harpsichord in the middle of “For No One”. George Martin and P McC were going through the motions, for want of anything else to do.
But despite the fact its a bit plodding, it’s still magical to me, with country, psychedelia, raga and classic Macca head-shop lyrics into the mix, making it all rather wonderful.
Taken from McCartney II, his extraordinary bolt-hole album. I love the whole album. Nothing on it is predictable in terms of where the public perception of his music was at the time. Given that I was far more interested in post-punk when this came out I think it’s testament to his ability to still be inventive and left-field that I quite happily stuck this on the cassette player alongside albums by Squeeze, The Police, Gang of Four etc. without blinking too hard at the apparent incongruity. For all his wealth, fame and legendary status McCartney has always sounded his most comfortable and his most genius-like when he’s simply being a musician following his muse. He’s never been able to talk a good game or been able to carry off an aura of mystery when he’s front and centre in the public eye. And yet when he does disappear into himself, as he manages to do on most of his albums, he creates some truly wondrous melodies and occasionally some profound lyrics that superficially masquerade as simplistic words and phrases. He can produce music as timeless and magical as this by just hanging around a make-shift studio in the wilds of Scotland.
Another wee gem from the McCartney II era is Secret Friend (B Side of Temporary Secretary 12″ if I remember right, but now available on the two CD reissue).
Maybe someone more technically savvy than me could post a link at some point?
I’ve always loved ‘Little Woman Love’ the b-side of ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ – someone told me there were various members of The Meters playing on it – don’t know if it’s true, but it does swing
If some kind AWer can work out how to post it, it would be grand – iPad is not playing ball today & don’t want to risk chucking it across a room – ( it’s been that kind of day!).
Take it Away, as I and others have highlighted before, is by no means obscure but by the same token not one that would automatically spring to mind if forced at gunpoint to name Macca’s greatest.
There really are far too many to mention. Given that, I thought I’d pick this one because it seems a little out of character for him. How often has Macca done macho? From 2013’s NEW
plasticpaddy says
Too Much Rain fromChaos and Creation In The Backyard
Uncle Wheaty says
A nice tune, agreed.
Rigid Digit says
His last album (2013s New) is choc full of choons!
Rigid Digit says
and another:
Early Days
Uncle Wheaty says
That was excellent.
For some reason of reminded me of this. Another excellent tune about looking back:
todayoutof10 says
I love this.
Tiggerlion says
Electric Arguments is his finest album in my view. I love all of it.
duco01 says
Ooh yes, I really like “Sing the Changes”. He did it live, the one time I’ve seen the Great Man in concert.
Gatz says
This is lovely a You Tell Me from Memory Almost Full
ganglesprocket says
No More Lonely Nights is a stoater. From the otherwise rubbish Give My Regards To Broad Street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxYpsB_jdH8
DrJ says
And never performed live, which seems like a huge pity. A Macca setlist with no Beatles could be amazing.
carabara says
I’m Carrying from London Town
Dear Boy from Ram
Momma Miss America from McCartney
Arrow Through Me from Back To The Egg
Dear Friend from Wild Life
Little Lamb Dragonfly from Red Rose Speedway
Love in Song from Venus And Mars
Tiggerlion says
Love In Song is magnificent but is there a song more Beatle-y than Call Me Back Again off the same album?
DrJ says
You Gave Me The Answer could be swapped with Honey Pie, and no one would be any the wiser…
timtunes says
Sorry just noticed the mention of Arrow Through Me, which I posted below – good choice!
KDH says
This is from the “Kisses On The Bottom” album, mainly covers of old standards, but he wrote this one himself…
My Valentine
Seamus says
Country Dreamer. B side of Helen Wheels:
slotbadger says
“Rainclouds”.
Such an odd little song (b-side to “Ebony and Ivory”) but the one that sparked everything, as far as I am concerned, after my mum said it sounded a bit like The Beatles. I was around six, then.
Some of it was taped on Dec 9 1980, with The Chieftains’ Paddy Moloney who had turned up to “Tug of War” sessions at AIR London as arranged to dub a pipe solo in the middle – a jaunty little piece which is a bit similar to the effect created by the harpsichord in the middle of “For No One”. George Martin and P McC were going through the motions, for want of anything else to do.
But despite the fact its a bit plodding, it’s still magical to me, with country, psychedelia, raga and classic Macca head-shop lyrics into the mix, making it all rather wonderful.
DrJ says
Did someone say McCartney?
Here’s Darkroom from McCartney II. Recorded in 1979, released in 1980 and sounding like something off Beck’s Midnite Vultures.
Someone else can post “Tomorrow”. There’s a massive tune.
Ahh_Bisto says
Summer Day Song
Taken from McCartney II, his extraordinary bolt-hole album. I love the whole album. Nothing on it is predictable in terms of where the public perception of his music was at the time. Given that I was far more interested in post-punk when this came out I think it’s testament to his ability to still be inventive and left-field that I quite happily stuck this on the cassette player alongside albums by Squeeze, The Police, Gang of Four etc. without blinking too hard at the apparent incongruity. For all his wealth, fame and legendary status McCartney has always sounded his most comfortable and his most genius-like when he’s simply being a musician following his muse. He’s never been able to talk a good game or been able to carry off an aura of mystery when he’s front and centre in the public eye. And yet when he does disappear into himself, as he manages to do on most of his albums, he creates some truly wondrous melodies and occasionally some profound lyrics that superficially masquerade as simplistic words and phrases. He can produce music as timeless and magical as this by just hanging around a make-shift studio in the wilds of Scotland.
carabara says
Another wee gem from the McCartney II era is Secret Friend (B Side of Temporary Secretary 12″ if I remember right, but now available on the two CD reissue).
Maybe someone more technically savvy than me could post a link at some point?
Tiggerlion says
carabara says
Thanks : )
Carl says
I’m going to select one that is almost universally reviled – from Band On The Run I give you Picasso’s Last Words (Drink To Me).
I love all the changes in mood. I may well be alone in liking this. I don’t know anyone else who likes it. Give it another go?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD_8QkvnDLA&list=RDYD_8QkvnDLA#t=22
timtunes says
For me, liked this slight tune from the moment I heard it
OK the horns aren’t the best – but until then nice Macca white soul
eddie g says
I’ve always rather liked this… from his best ‘solo’ album I reckon.
ivylander says
Also from ‘Ram’ – I love all the layers of this, the way melody lines are echoed and wind around each other…
Dogbyte says
Calico Skies from the Flaming Pie album, simple but lovely.
Wayfarer says
Every Night
Though this, for me, is the definitive version:
Wayfarer says
This one never fails to make me feel good.
Junglejim says
I’ve always loved ‘Little Woman Love’ the b-side of ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ – someone told me there were various members of The Meters playing on it – don’t know if it’s true, but it does swing
If some kind AWer can work out how to post it, it would be grand – iPad is not playing ball today & don’t want to risk chucking it across a room – ( it’s been that kind of day!).
Dogbyte says
Here you go:
Junglejim says
You are extremely kind DB.
Where else on the net does this kind of niceness happen, eh?
Moose the Mooche says
https://vimeo.com/68000487
Splendid.
DougieJ says
Great thread.
Take it Away, as I and others have highlighted before, is by no means obscure but by the same token not one that would automatically spring to mind if forced at gunpoint to name Macca’s greatest.
Whatever – I absolutely love it.
eastcoast says
There really are far too many to mention. Given that, I thought I’d pick this one because it seems a little out of character for him. How often has Macca done macho? From 2013’s NEW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoAGy4K7620
Now back to your regularly-scheduled program, also from NEW: Mr. Upbeat!
Love’em both. And they’d both be great live. If only.