I’ve spent a large part of my life feeling a bit stupid, on the outside of everything looking in, never in the centre of anything. Unless on a football pitch where I come alive and have most of the answers. It’s the one place I don’t feel I have to apologise for being or feel guilty about. I can hold my own with almost anyone. As long as I have a football.
Confidence is something I naturally lack. At school I hid behind my ability at football. As a young man I drank my inhibitions away not always to great effect. (Really Dave? You surprise me). Now I usually compensate by owning my faults. Accepting where I am lacking and often joking about it. Getting my punches in early, on myself, it hurts still but is less painful. I think it’s called being self effacing. I guess like us all I’m on the spectrum somewhere but now is not the time for that conversation. So why this introspection this time? Again….
Let me try and explain. When social media first attracted me I hid my inhibitions behind a troll like persona. That was bad enough but once I’d steamed in I usually ended up backing away while apologising for my temerity and looking like an arse. My second post on the old Word Blog sometime in 2008 was a direct poke at all The Beatles fuss over some box set or other which I wittily entitled “Sir Paul McCartney: What Is My Problem?” I’m going pink now just writing the title. It was awful. Why wouldn’t it be? I knew nothing about him really I just waded in full of assumption. I especially denigrated The Frog Chorus and was given a well deserved, sound kicking. I did double down at first but soon realised I was out of my depth. What was I thinking? I wanted to fit in. Stupid. On the outside. It was only the good nature of many that I was able to wind my neck in and continue contributing which 14 years on has lead me back here. Back to Paul McCartney.
I began to think about him over his 80th birthday weekend. Reading Moose’s F*** A Pig It’s Paul!!! post. Reading Pete Paphides eulogising over him on Twitter. The whole world seemingly feeling so much love for him that that post from 14 years ago began eating away at me again. Perhaps I need some sort of exorcism. So I searched for McCartney quotes from some of my favourite artists. Without really trying too hard I found these.
“I grew up listening to The Beatles so Paul McCartney was a subconscious influence but it is impossible to play like Paul McCartney, he is just so musical.” Justin Currie
“I wanted to do something for Paul’s 70th, the man’s been, and still is, an immense and enduring inspiration for me. It was him and his three friends that made me want to pick up a guitar in the first place,” Weller said. “I saw him play live recently and he inspired me just as much as ever, he was brilliant. I just hope he likes our little version, a token of my and the band’s love for him and his music. Rock on Macca.” Paul Weller
“I remember him saying to me ‘Hey Nick, will you come and write some poetry with me?’ I was so flabbergasted I didn’t take him up on it because I wasn’t confident enough to say ‘Yes’. I just stood and [thought] ‘Did he just say that?’ I didn’t turn him down, I was kind of stuck in a star for months thinking I haven’t got the confidence to take him up on that. I kept saying to myself he was just being polite. I know it will happen – one day! Before I die he will pop on stage.” Nick Heyward
I could go on. It appears almost anyone that might have made music or written words that I’ve enjoyed love Paul McCartney and his music. Me? I’ve only ever listened to Rubber Soul all the way through. Jason Carty, one half of The Nothing Is Real Podcast, ex word blogger and lovely chap pointed out that there’s only one year since 1962 that McCartney hasn’t released new music. So where to start? With help from Moose and Dai and leaving The Beatles and the last 40 years of his career for another day I’m going to give his first 12 solo / Wings albums a go. And The Afterword sighs a collective sigh… Sorry.
I really enjoyed the Bowie thing. I learned so much but suspect there was some eye rolling by the end. I would love to write some thoughts down about my McCartney experience. What will I hear and learn from a man who inspired so many of my musical idols? But that voice in my head is saying. “Don’t do it Dave. You’ve exhausted all your good will.” So while not seeking approval, nor fishing for an ego rub I am sort of apologising in advance to those uninterested in my bland offerings. I could do it on my own WordPress blog like Niall does but it’s all part of the process I enjoy to share it here. It’s become my literary football pitch. Somewhere I feel comfortable and can take risks. Tigger in goal, Dai and Fentonsteve at the back. Moose up front banging them in. Lodey, Rigid supporting from the flanks and many others doing the leg work while I fanny around in the midfield spraying verbal passes. (Shut up now Dave).
At least I suppose it’s fairly easy to ignore if it’s not for you. Anyway I will shut up now. Leave you my preferred list of albums and maybe we’ll all be amazed at what I find starting in July.
McCartney
Ram
Wildlife
Red Rose Speedway
Band On The Run
Venus and Mars
Wings At The Speed of Sound
London Town
Back To The Egg
McCartney II
Tug Of War
Pipes Of Peace
Hey Dave, go for it!
I enjoyed your Bowie reviews and I look forward to reading what you have to say about McCartney/Wings.
…with which sentiment I would like to associate (!) myself…
It can only be a good thing.
Excellent (then do Ms Bush next year)!
Moose must be slipping…
See below.
I had decided that *that* joke was a bit tasteless. Then, as usual, changed my mind.
My inner policeman is so useless he could be in the Met
In an uncertain world it’s good to know there are some things you can rely on.
As for tasteless, I suppose that once you’d gone in with the Ryan Adams comment you might as well !
Oh I’d forgotten that. Blimey, I think I might be immune to my own awfulness. Another few hours and Jerry Sadowitz is going to be muttering about me going too far.
Moosey
Is this your bid to be the new ethics adviser to johnson?
I’ve already resigned from that without even being appointed, in order to save time. And the bus fare.
Good to see you taking this on, Dave. Incidentally, Bob Mortimer’s very funny autobiography tells of an almost identical experience; crippling shyness and being a decent footballer.
As for Macca – he’s a genius and I like him a lot. However, committing to an entire album has been rare, so I will read your pieces with interest.
I look forward to this. Whilst I have heard most (if not all) of these albums, its been many years and its also nice to have a fresh perspective on them. It’ll be great to revisit them all in line with your listening.
Excellent post, in every respect.
Looking forward to your reviews.
You have not exhausted any good will pal. I would be very happy for you to carry on doing stuff like this every month for ever, I’ll certainly read it.
Not more often than that though – don’t take the piss 😉
Look forward to reading it Dave. Ram is a treat.
No eye-rolling from me, buddy. The Bowie “season” was wonderful, it gave me a nice excuse to re-listen to the records and I’m sure nearly everyone learned something new about those LP’s. Thumbs aloft!
You can never have too much content.
Write away!
….and smile away 😊
Well, where is it? McCartney the album released 17 April 1970 … drums fingers.
Get a move on Dave , we’re waiting.
This is a group of friends who have mostly never met. I hope we all accept one another’s enthusiasms even if we don’t share them, in that this is what it’s all about. I value the views on here more than I value official music journalism, and write what you like. I’ll read it if I fancy it, I’ll be glad it’s here if I don’t.
What he said.
Go for it buddy! Your contributions are part of the wellspring of brilliance that makes this place roll on beautifully, year by year.
It’s a “thumbs aloft” from me!
Great post Dave.
Loved the Bowie reviews & I think I would enjoy this project as well.
Really looking forward to it.
PS. – I think your comment that we are friends that haven’t met is so true, that is exactly what I think.
More power to you Dave. Your Bowie posts were wonderful and I am thoroughly looking forward to your take on these McCartney rekids
Never managed to get through an entire McCartney record – some absolutely brilliant songs but an awful lot of bland.
But, hey, really looking forward to reading your posts and finding out, once again, I was Wrong.
The new Ryan Adams, by the way, is a belter!
Much like the man himself.
….what?
Harsh (but possibly true)
Yeah, agreed, for a musical genius his quality control could be a lot better, as this rather wonderful review I stumbled upon describes: https://brutallyhonestrockalbumreviews.wordpress.com/2020/11/13/album-review-paul-mccartney-tug-of-war/
But that’s kind of the point of these “discovering an artist” threads, innit?
What an absolutely tremendous review!!
It’s a load of bollocks. McCartney ‘lightweight’? Roger Waters ‘good lyrics’? This guy’s a tit.
I directed everyone to Marcello Carlin on the other thread, who writes a very balanced review of Tug. It’s almost as if no-one takes any notice of me etc…
Why is a review a load of bollocks simply because you don’t agree with it? It’s funny, well-researched, controversial and written from a well of musical knowledge. I suppose I’m biased in that there are at least three McCartney criticisms I 100% agree with. I also agree with Moose that the Carlin article is “very well-balanced”. It’s also immensely boring….
Well, Marcello hasn’t larded his piece with the same tiresome cliches about Macca’s “naffness” that were trotted out by every rock journalist in the world between 1970 and about 2000. Perhaps that’s where he goes wrong – we all like a bit of nostalgia.
So “every” rock journalist was Wrong for thirty years? Only a slightly deaf fan (or Dai 😉) could pretend that in amongst all the great tunes there are not some truly naff moments.
It’s an interesting piece but…. “The otherwise unfailingly lightweight Paul McCartney” – “unfailingly”? Really? Be gone with your straw men.
Listen to what the…er…men said. I think it will be most entertaining. Just so long as you get it right.
I’m in. I had a bit of a listen yesterday in honour of him being even older than me, and what struck me was how I seemed to know every word and note of what I was listening to, even though I’ve never knowingly listened to a Macca album all the way through.
Great post, and I’m looking forward to the series! I LOVE the idea of pushing yourself into previously ignored listening areas, especially mainstream ones where you really feel as if you should know this stuff already. (By “you” I mean “one”, not you personally!). I’ve been going through a similar thing by grooming myself (uurgh) to give Genesis and King Crimson a serious go, as I’ve been reporting on the monthly Blogger Takeover posts, and so far it has paid huge dividends to my sense of musical satisfaction.
If I could offer a word of caution though… I don’t think there’s such a thing as a McCartney solo album that isn’t patchy. I would have a really hard time choosing a favourite album as there honestly isn’t really even one I could listen to all the way through. When he is at his best he is untouchable, but he sorely missed the natural selectivity and pruning that was a necessary part of being in the Beatles (as they all did). Compared to Bowie in his prime, his quality control was lacking – in fact one reason for Bowie’s success is that every project was a real collaboration, and he didn’t do much on his own.
So your experiment will be interesting to say the least! And I agree with those voting that you should do Kate Bush next.
…and then review her albums.
……what??
If you took a stranger into our pub one of the first things you would say, apart from “Whatever you do, don’t order the ham and egg pie” is “Before you say anything, check you are not in any way using words in any way that might possibly be seen as even mildly suggestive. See that bloke in the corner? Yes, I know he’s drunk but his mind is as filthy as a fisherman’s underpants after twelve weeks at sea and no toilet paper”.
Ugh.
Well, quite.
I think many albums used to be patchy. It’s like they thought OK we’ve nailed a few good ‘uns now we can fool around a bit. It’s like The Beatles being influenced by The Goons influencing everybody else into being a bit silly and playful. The modern album became something more consistently adequate. A sameness that doesn’t surprise or startle. Patchy was good!
I’ll be on the sidelines with the oranges and the magic sponge.
Not the first time I’ve been called a flanker.
Eagerly awaiting the Davenalysis.
I own more Wings than McCartney solo, so will be intrigued by the top and tail of this, particularly Ram and McCartney Ii which I don’t own and don’t belive I’ve heard all the way through
Go ahead, I’m always entertained by these type of projects, and your Bowie series was great.
Having said that, I tend to agree with the former Dave, apart from his views on The Frog Chorus, which is the only McCartney I own, proudly! I mean, sure, he’s a musical genius etc, I just don’t enjoy his style that much. And before I stop digging this massive hole, let me just say that I’m not a big fan of solo Lennon either… 😀
This run will be nothing close to the consistency of the Bowie albums, maybe only 2 of these albums are completely satisfying, there is also plenty of half assed stuff, occasional vocals from other members of the band and nuggets of gold on every album.
If I could make a suggestion @Dave-Amitri , please also find the concurrent singles/B sides that weren’t on albums and listen to them at same time. There are plenty:
Another Day/Oh Woman Oh Why 1970
Give Ireland back to the Irish 1972
Mary Had a Little Lamb/Little Woman Love 1972
Hi Hi Hi/C Moon 1972
Live and Let Die/I Lie Around 1973
Helen Wheels/Country Dreamer (A side on US Band on the run) 1974
Junior’s Farm/Sally G 1975
Seaside Woman (Suzy and the Red Stripes=Linda) 1977
Mull of Kintyre/Girls School 1977
Goodnight Tonight/Daytime Nighttime Suffering 1979
Wonderful Christmastime/Rudolf the Red Nosed Reggae 1979
Check My Machine (1980, B side)
Secret Friend (1980,B side)
I’ll Give you a Ring (1982, B side)
Probably most of these are on Spotify in extended versions of albums (not the 77 stuff though)
The 1990ish CDs did a pretty good (basic) job of adding on the contemporary bits and bobs.
Yes, not sure those versions are on streaming services, but there have been more recent box set reissues (and 2CD versions)
And when, may I ask, will you be doing Andrew W.K?
More power to your arm, Dave. Mcartney isn’t my thing by any stretch, but I reckon you’ll get a great response and have some fun along the way.
Plus, I doubt you could exhaust your goodwill on here even if you tried 🙌
Oh I don’t know, another post about moon landings and he’ll be pretty close to it… 🙂
You wouldn’t let it lie..
You had to mention it!
I look forward to reading and enjoying. Will also save me the bother of ever having to listen. A valuable service!
Had a busy day today. Work and trying to get to The Oval to watch Surrey v Somerset with my lads on train strike day. Anyway, home now. I woke up in a cold sweat this morning thinking “why did you post that?”. Thanks for all the responses. Really lovely 🙏
I listened to McCartney a couple of times in the car. *Checks Dave’s cliche bingo card. Ticks “highs and lows….
Wait until you get to his seminal sophomore effort…
Hurr.
Excellent, will look forward to this. You will all probably know I am a huge Beatles fan, but I had only bought the ‘big’ Macca releases until fairly recently, but I decided to fill in lots of the gaps while the CDs are available (and cheap!). I will withold my opinions on individual albums until they get reviewed..!
‘You will all probably know I am a huge Beatles fan’ = Afterword t-shirt.