This Is The Thread Where We Praise And Canonize Paul McCartney's "Ram"

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

I've never heard the thing, but I really need to hear some effusive praise for Ram so that I can hear it, get really pissed off about how much it sucks and then buy Kill Your Idols and feel that somebody understands.

Bring on the Ram love.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:11 (9 years ago) Permalink

it's really really bad.

― stockholm cindy (Jody Beth Rosen), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:24 (9 years ago) Permalink

I loved Ram. When I was 14.

― Jazzbo (jmcgaw), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:26 (9 years ago) Permalink

you people should start a Ram hate thread. This is the Ram love thread.

HERE WE GO!

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:30 (9 years ago) Permalink

way before i clicked
i knew this was anthony.
i bet we all did.

― Begs2Differ (Begs2Differ), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:39 (9 years ago) Permalink

The goodness of McCartney's solo work is directly proportional to how much pot he was smoking at the time he put the record together. Ergo, the two that he did by himself at his house ("McCartney" and "McCartney II") and the two that he did when he wasn't concerned with a band identity ("Ram" and "Red Rose Speedway") are the best. The next candidate would be "Wildlife", wherein he was only marginally concerned with being in a band.

Go ahead and buy "Ram". It can't be that expensive, and you'll probably like it. It has the most extensive Beach Boys homage of his solo work, and some good examples of that sort of linear song structure at which he excels (where it's just a progression of bits rather than verse-chorus-verse). Yes, there's some goofy and even embarassing bits on it, but anyone buying a Macca record knows to expect that. It's a totally unpretentious and, at times, charming album.

Nice haiku, Begs2Differ!

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:41 (9 years ago) Permalink

Hmm. The Amg review doesn't exactly back up the five star rating does it?

― de, Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:42 (9 years ago) Permalink

That review is actually in the AMG book I have, but I KNOW the album didn't get a five-star rating then. At best it was four, and I wanna say three. They've changed star ratings a lot (Weezer's first two albums were just four stars in the book, now they get fives!)

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:44 (9 years ago) Permalink

A numerical star rating from a website that employs a hundred or so reviewers can't mean that much as barometer of quality. My five-star rankings wouldn't be expected to correspond to those of a reviewer that had very diiferent tastes yet worked for the same entity (and vice versa).

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:47 (9 years ago) Permalink

ok actually it looks like it original had a three star review by William Ruhlmann and that Mr. Erlewine replaced it with his five star "rave."

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:49 (9 years ago) Permalink

i like any beatles solo stuff where they just say fuckit i'm rich on drugs/drunk i'm making this album in my bathroom and i don't care how it sounds. Ram has moments like that.

― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:51 (9 years ago) Permalink

More critical love for Ram:

"Fluff, sure, but darn catchy fluff!" - Roger Catlin, Musichound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, 1996.

"Brimming with melodies and intriguing ideas!" - William Ruhlmann, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

"Most of the songs are so lightweight they float away even as Paulie layers them down with caprices!" - Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide, 1981.

"There are some nice moments...It's like watching someone juggle five guitars!" - Playboy, 9-71.

"wailing sentimentality!" - Billboard, 1971.

"I don't see how someone can play it and take in all that stuff and say 'I don't like it!" - Paul McCartney

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:53 (9 years ago) Permalink

it's really really bad.

Jody say it ain't so! It's a decent record. I don't LOVE it or anything, but it's ok. I got a vinyl copy for free. "Too Many People" is a great song.

― Broheems (diamond), Saturday, 10 April 2004 20:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

if not the worst album i've ever owned, certainly the most ANNOYING album i've ever owned. if i recall, what bugged me most was mccartney's inability to keep from doing that annoying needless backup scatting - "do do do do do do do do!" etc - in every single fucking song!

― J.D. (Justyn Dillingham), Saturday, 10 April 2004 21:03 (9 years ago) Permalink

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 10 April 2004 21:04 (9 years ago) Permalink

It is the sound of someone who simply doesn't care what others will think of his corniness and mediocrity. Strange production and song twists, a bit like Sly Stone in that way--just not nearly as good. But for its weirdness quite enjoyable to me, only heard it recently, probably doesn't wear too well.

― no opinion, Saturday, 10 April 2004 21:29 (9 years ago) Permalink

'Eat at Home' is almost cool but it's a minute too long.

'Heart of the Country' is a nice jazzy thing that if it had been on the White Album and had some input from the other beatles would have been 10x better.

Paul's 'wigging out' moments like around 3'20 of 'Too Many People' are fucking deadly.

― de, Saturday, 10 April 2004 21:41 (9 years ago) Permalink

I like the self-titled debut better. The underdeveloped nature of Macca's songs on that suits the snappy disposability and homemade charm he's trying to evoke more effectively.

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Saturday, 10 April 2004 22:14 (9 years ago) Permalink

Agreed. To use the dreaded dreaded word, it sounds more authentic.
The lo-fi, even rootsy feel is much sweeter. The overproduced glampop/rock on Ram mostly sucks. Sorry Anthony.

― de, Saturday, 10 April 2004 22:24 (9 years ago) Permalink

I've never heard this album because I figure that if I ever found myself in the situation of wanting to hear a McCartney solo album then it's time to end my life immediately

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Saturday, 10 April 2004 22:31 (9 years ago) Permalink

"Agreed. To use the dreaded dreaded word, it sounds more authentic."

Haha. Yuppers.

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Saturday, 10 April 2004 22:34 (9 years ago) Permalink

well, there's a higher percentage of listenable songs on this one than on any single one of the later unending nightmares. I like 'too many people'.

I think I said this on another thread once, but I can only listen to Paul in moderation. I like many of his songs on the White Album, but if you listen to them all in a row, you'd be dead by Blackbird > Rocky Racoon.

― (Jon L), Saturday, 10 April 2004 23:10 (9 years ago) Permalink

Fuck all that, Ram is his best solo record.
Every song has at least one instance of beauty, either in the production or in the melody. He sounds like songs were just pouring out of him and he just casts them in all directions. Its loose and without any seeming agenda - no comeback, no back-to-my-roots, no attempt to sound like - or not sound like - the Beatles. Plus it has the best ever use of a ukelele in Rock on "Ram On". Plus the Beta Band ripped it off mecilessly on the 3 EPs. Plus the current cd version has "Another Day" as an extra track. Plus the artwork has that photo of one Beatle fucking another Beatle. Arf arf arf.

― David Nolan (David N.), Saturday, 10 April 2004 23:40 (9 years ago) Permalink

"Too Many People" isn't so bad. This was actually one of the first albums I ever bought. I don't think it's too bad, but I wouldn't say it's abominable. "Ram On" isn't so bad either come to think of it. (I have to read posts to jog my memory. I haven't heard this for a long time, and am not about to buy a CD reissue.)

― Rockist Scientist (rockistscientist), Saturday, 10 April 2004 23:42 (9 years ago) Permalink

I used to love "Hands across the water," or whatever it's called, when I was a kid. I think I'm over it.

― Rockist Scientist (rockistscientist), Saturday, 10 April 2004 23:44 (9 years ago) Permalink

"Back Seat of My Car" is...something.

― Ian Grey (Ian_G), Sunday, 11 April 2004 01:48 (9 years ago) Permalink

I think this album is literally a masterpiece.

― Tim Ellison, Sunday, 11 April 2004 01:52 (9 years ago) Permalink

Meaning it's horrible?

― Rockist Scientist (rockistscientist), Sunday, 11 April 2004 01:52 (9 years ago) Permalink

No. Anyone read Barry Miles' Many Years from Now McCartney bio? I think that book can turn the head of anyone who thinks McCartney is corny or a moron or whatever. There's an interesting new book called The Unknown McCartney or something that looks pretty interesting also. I think Ram is one of his best albums.

― Tim Ellison, Sunday, 11 April 2004 01:55 (9 years ago) Permalink

I'm one of the hardcore Beatles fans around here, but solo McCartney is pretty dismal, in my opinion.

― Rockist Scientist (rockistscientist), Sunday, 11 April 2004 01:57 (9 years ago) Permalink

Have you read that book, though??

― Tim Ellison, Sunday, 11 April 2004 01:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

No. I don't think I'm interested enough.

― Rockist Scientist (rockistscientist), Sunday, 11 April 2004 02:14 (9 years ago) Permalink

Great songs on Ram:

Too Many People
3 Legs
Ram On
Dear Boy
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
Smile Away
Heart of the Country
Monkberry Moon Delight
Eat at Home
Long Haired Lady
Ram On (Reprise)
The Back Seat of My Car

― Tim Ellison, Sunday, 11 April 2004 02:20 (9 years ago) Permalink

"Plus the Beta Band ripped it off mecilessly on the 3 EPs."

*SNICKER*

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Sunday, 11 April 2004 02:58 (9 years ago) Permalink

Smile Away: is a great tune. It's nice to hear Paul get excited.

― jim wentworth (wench), Sunday, 11 April 2004 03:21 (9 years ago) Permalink

ugh. (and props to Miccio)

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Sunday, 11 April 2004 04:26 (9 years ago) Permalink

It has to perform two miracles.

― Rockist Scientist (rockistscientist), Sunday, 11 April 2004 04:28 (9 years ago) Permalink

Its one of the few things I have on vinyl -- part of my parent's collection.

I tried listening once. It wasn't very good.

― David Allen (David Allen), Sunday, 11 April 2004 04:31 (9 years ago) Permalink

"Yellow Submarine" = Good
"Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey"=Bad?

Me no understand.

"Get Back" = Great
"Eat at Home" = Stinks?

Me no understand.

"Lady Madonna" = Classic
"Monkberry Moon Delight" = "The nadir in the decomposition of the sixties?"

Me no understand.

― Tim Ellison, Sunday, 11 April 2004 17:53 (9 years ago) Permalink

I think Ram is fucking classic and the only mccartney solo album I can listen to all the way through. there are moments of cheesiness, yes, but they're outnumbered by some excellent melodies and little bits of genius (I absolutely love the first 30 seconds of Uncle Albert, for instance). Back Seat of My Car, people! And Dear Boy is his best jabbing-at-Lennon song and sounds like it's straight off the White Album.

― anthony kyle monday (akmonday), Sunday, 11 April 2004 18:18 (9 years ago) Permalink

3 years pass...

Has 'Monkberry Moon Delight' ever been sampled in a hip-hop track? 'Cause it damn well should be.

― G00blar, Friday, 9 November 2007 23:54 (5 years ago) Permalink

this record is great, my favorite Macca solo work

― Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 9 November 2007 23:59 (5 years ago) Permalink

Absolutely.

― G00blar, Saturday, 10 November 2007 00:09 (5 years ago) Permalink

Surely a great album, although he has done several better ones after he broke up Wings again.

― Geir Hongro, Saturday, 10 November 2007 00:10 (5 years ago) Permalink

Lately I've been wanting to add Big Barn Bed (from Red Rose Speedway) to Ram...it's got the weird catchy pot-smoking Ram vibe so much. I wonder if it was recorded at the same time?

― dlp9001, Saturday, 10 November 2007 00:33 (5 years ago) Permalink

Ah, it was. I thought I remembered a snippet of it on Ram.

― dlp9001, Saturday, 10 November 2007 00:39 (5 years ago) Permalink

i really like "ram".

― the next grozart, Saturday, 10 November 2007 02:06 (5 years ago) Permalink

the album with the bonus song "oh woman oh why" is the one to get, simply cos that song's a really funky stones-y dirge.

― the next grozart, Saturday, 10 November 2007 02:12 (5 years ago) Permalink

2 years pass...

Perhaps some will find this interesting, perhaps not...

...but I'm rerecording "Ram" all by myself, track by track. Have a listen!

The Ram Project

― Davey D, Monday, 5 April 2010 18:53 (3 years ago) Permalink

Can't listen right now, but nice idea. I haven't ever heard Ram, i should probably track down the original before checking out your version anyway. Oh, and i've read that book, Tim, it's really good.

― Ismael Klata, Monday, 5 April 2010 20:16 (3 years ago) Permalink

Skipping 127 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Speed of Sound is sort of a perfect distillation of Wings but completely unremarkable for it.

― of family bonds and individual triumph. Narrated by Tim Allen, (zachlyon), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 00:36 (11 months ago) Permalink

I guess that's why it's their best seller.

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 00:38 (11 months ago) Permalink

I imagine they're eventually going to do 'em all, so the duds were going to have to trickle as well. The only Wings I've ever owned prior to this batch were vinyl copies of Band on the Run and Over America.

― heated debate over derpy hooves (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 00:38 (11 months ago) Permalink

Re: Wings Over America, I actually pulled that out about a week ago for Sunday afternoon background listening. It's...okayish but I think I might unload it soon - a 3XLP live album is a LOT of Wings in a row, and very few of the renditions are particularly interesting. They sound like the studio versions, played live with a little more audience-working by McCartney. They were a pretty decent sort of arena bar band, and it's probably fair to say that the Speed of Sound stuff sounds a little more rocking, but they can't really improve on the Band on the Run and Venus and Mars material, and the Beatles covers are all forgettable as hell. They do "Go Now" okay I guess, plus Denny Laine doing "Richard Cory" is, well, about what you'd expect, and "Soily" is cool enough, always liked that one.

Definitely not essential though.

I think I've hated on Speed of Sound on ILX before - - - I love the singles and a few other things (Warm and Beautiful, She's My Baby, Wino Junko!!!) but the overall sound feels mushy and muffled to me. (Well, "Beware My Love" ain't bad.) You long for a George Martin to step up the crispness of things. Maybe the remaster might actually make a difference for that one!

Also, uh, "Cook of the House," god bless 'er.

― Doctor Casino, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 01:43 (11 months ago) Permalink

I might change my grade if "Sally G" were part of the original track list.

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 01:44 (11 months ago) Permalink

<3 Sally G!

― Doctor Casino, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 01:45 (11 months ago) Permalink

A legit, comprehensive McCartney b-sides comp really would be great. I guess these remasters will basically end up putting those back on the radar. As a teenage McCartney fan in the mid-90s, I of course prized those extremely marked-up British imports that had the B-sides (and also the terrible cover art, with the original image shrunk down and stuck in a sea of white for no reason). Think I had a couple of 'em, definitely Flowers in the Dirt.

― Doctor Casino, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 01:48 (11 months ago) Permalink

I suppose we'll get "Girls School" soon enough.

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 01:54 (11 months ago) Permalink

Vocal arrangement on "Dear Boy" is so hot.

― timellison, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 05:48 (11 months ago) Permalink

speed of sound is pretty bad except for letting go. surprised they aren't doing london town before that (which is better...not great, just better). I would totally be one of three people to buy a back to the egg deluxe set.

― akm, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 13:57 (11 months ago) Permalink

"Letting Go" is on V&M, no?

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 13:58 (11 months ago) Permalink

Deluxe BTTE would be great - some awesome non-album singles, studio junk and b-sides at that point if I remember right. "Boil Crisis," "Robber's Ball" maybe?

― Doctor Casino, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 14:16 (11 months ago) Permalink

I would totally buy a BTTE box.

― Brony! Broni! Broné! (Phil D.), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 14:20 (11 months ago) Permalink

I would invest in a Back To The Egg boxset as well!

― The Jupiter 8 (Turrican), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 15:52 (11 months ago) Permalink

Rhapsody seemed to pull all of the McCartney/Wings albums as well...I did see them there at one point but wasn't in the mood to check it out at the time. Paul doesn't need my money anyway.

― musicfanatic, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 16:07 (11 months ago) Permalink

As I mentioned, the Venus and Mars remaster is already available as a download-only release (Wild Life too, from 2010), so I don't know if Speed of Sound or Wings Over America are getting deluxe treatments.

― timellison, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 16:09 (11 months ago) Permalink

mccartney pulled his music from streaming sites a few months ago.

― akm, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 16:51 (11 months ago) Permalink

Well, the new Ram is on Spotify now. Maybe they're trying it out. I don't know what was on there before - I don't remember anything in the time Spotify has been available in the U.S.

― timellison, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 16:57 (11 months ago) Permalink

Speed of Sound has the much-awaited debuts of Geoff English and Linda as singers.
― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 4 June 2012 23:53 (Yesterday) Permalink

Linda sang on a couple of tracks on Wild Life - quite nicely too.

― everything, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 17:02 (11 months ago) Permalink

And she sings on Ram. And, according to Paul in the accompanying book in the box set, she sang a high harmony on "Let It Be." (!!)

― Brony! Broni! Broné! (Phil D.), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 17:23 (11 months ago) Permalink

linda and paul harmonies are great, wonderful sharp/warm contrast, very bitter and lovely.

― of family bonds and individual triumph. Narrated by Tim Allen, (zachlyon), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 18:24 (11 months ago) Permalink

still no Macca here on Spotify in the UK.

― piscesx, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 19:04 (11 months ago) Permalink

I love her harmonies generally. But "Cook of the House" really is the equivalent of a greeting card not meant to be shared with neighbors.

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 19:44 (11 months ago) Permalink

you can say that about a ton of paul's solo stuff though

― of family bonds and individual triumph. Narrated by Tim Allen, (zachlyon), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 20:19 (11 months ago) Permalink

most of Paul's good solo work is akin to pot brownies he shares with neighbors.

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 20:20 (11 months ago) Permalink

ha perhaps

full disclosure linda mccartney is the reason i was vegetarian for the first 20 years of my life. 'cook of the house' has always felt very canonical to me. i think my mom has some of the lyrics stenciled in her kitchen somewhere.

― of family bonds and individual triumph. Narrated by Tim Allen, (zachlyon), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 20:22 (11 months ago) Permalink

George Harrison is why I'm suspicious of Krishna.

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, 5 June 2012 20:24 (11 months ago) Permalink

Listening to that Wingspan documentary - it's pretty good so far! Or at least by the standards of me being a huge Beatles nerd, where I'm just pleased to have new nuggets of information I've never heard.

― Doctor Casino, Tuesday, 5 June 2012 23:13 (11 months ago) Permalink

thanks for reminding me to check that out again! i watched the first two parts yesterday and had the same positive reaction.

― Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, 6 June 2012 00:05 (11 months ago) Permalink

It trails off badly, sad to say - - - gets really vague right around the time Wings actually becomes a band. Nice to get some loose impressions of that period, and some sense of how Linda felt about the whole thing, but of course as people were saying upthread, I'm just hungry to hear Paul talk about these songs, these albums, song by song.

― Doctor Casino, Wednesday, 6 June 2012 04:56 (11 months ago) Permalink

wow, i can't believe how down i was on this album in 2004 -- it seems like such a warm, likable album now. even the backing harmonies that used to drive me crazy seem endearingly batty -- like paul couldn't keep himself from indulging in every ridiculous thing he wanted to throw into every song.

― (The Other) J.D. (J.D.), Wednesday, 6 June 2012 19:18 (11 months ago) Permalink

Paul dislikes talking at length about Wings, doesn't he?

― go down on you in a thyatrr (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, 6 June 2012 21:10 (11 months ago) Permalink

Kinda seems like a huge pain in the arse that somehow made him a ton of money.

― Emperor Cos Dashit (Adam Bruneau), Wednesday, 6 June 2012 21:44 (11 months ago) Permalink

Wings would have been awesome if he would have just treated it as another one-off project, for an album or so

― Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Thursday, 7 June 2012 00:57 (11 months ago) Permalink

somewhere in the doc where he was explaining why Wings was such a creative band name I turned it off. :-/

I WANT TO LIKE WINGS. I WANT TO LIKE THIS STUFF

― Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Thursday, 7 June 2012 00:58 (11 months ago) Permalink

Wings would have been awesome if he would have just treated it as another one-off project, for an album or so

― Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Wednesday, June 6, 2012 8:57 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Agreed - or changed the name every time the lineup changed! That would have made for a really fun catalogue.

― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 7 June 2012 00:59 (11 months ago) Permalink

Wild Life - The Tallboys
Red Rose Speedway - The Rolling Bears
Band on the Run - Wings
Venus and Mars - Alt!
Speed of Sound - Blank White Paper
London Town - Your Friend Gigantus
Back to the Egg - Lando

― Mad God 40/40 (Z S), Thursday, 7 June 2012 01:03 (11 months ago) Permalink

Lol

― Julie Derpy (Phil D.), Thursday, 7 June 2012 01:39 (11 months ago) Permalink

Ah, I was thinking more:

Wild Life - Wings
Red Rose Speedway - McCartney and Wings
Band on the Run - Wings Over Easy
Venus and Mars - Wingz Energi
Speed of Sound - Athletico Wings 1980
London Town - Dr Wings the Night Nurse Tripper
Back to the Egg - Omlet

― Mark G, Thursday, 7 June 2012 05:48 (11 months ago) Permalink

lol Mark.

Did you see the time Spizz posted on ILM, btw?

― timellison, Thursday, 7 June 2012 05:49 (11 months ago) Permalink

Lol at both Wings renames post. Tim, where is Spizz post?

― I don't know what to read so I am reading it here (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 7 June 2012 05:52 (11 months ago) Permalink

No one answered his question, unfortunately.

Lawrence Of Arabia 7" early version - Does anyone know more?

― timellison, Thursday, 7 June 2012 05:53 (11 months ago) Permalink

He shoulda stuck to DIY records out in the country.

― Emperor Cos Dashit (Adam Bruneau), Thursday, 7 June 2012 07:45 (11 months ago) Permalink

Thanks for the overview upthread, Turrican - I love this album but am unfamiliar with most of his others. I need to revisit McCartney for sure.

― Gavin, Leeds, Thursday, 7 June 2012 12:21 (11 months ago) Permalink

.. then to balance the mega-hype of Ram I decided to create an alter ego. We took personal ads in Private Eye and the Evening Standard saying, "Percy Thrillington seeks the love of his life." People eventually began to ask, "Who is this Percy Thrillington who keeps taking out small ads?" And then on holiday in Ireland with Linda we decided to find an actual Percy. We found a lad working in a farmer's field. We went up to him and asked, "Would you mind doing a photo shoot?" And so for a modelling fee we persuaded him to put on a dinner jacket and Linda took some pictures. And this Irish farmhand became Percy Thrillington.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/29/paul-mccartney-the-fireman-interview

anyone ever see these photos, press ads etc?

― piscesx, Thursday, 7 June 2012 22:58 (11 months ago) Permalink

McCartney in the early 70s seems like such a much more interesting guy - alternately down in the dumps on slacker benders, enjoying the relief of 4-track DIY recording, throwing together goofball inside-joke stunts. So much less of that unflagging public persona clarity and showmanship which defines him for basically the entire rest of his career. I sort of love that stuff too, but man, does this guy play it close to the vest.

― Doctor Casino, Friday, 8 June 2012 02:15 (11 months ago) Permalink

I don't really see a significant change post-'70s. People just got burnt out on McCartney interviews and the pop/rock albums were not always top-tier. Still, there have been three Fireman albums, Liverpool Sound Collage, four classical albums, etc.

― timellison, Friday, 8 June 2012 03:26 (11 months ago) Permalink

Pitchfork interview reveals Paul McCartney invented hipsters:

Pitchfork: When you went to the nearby town in Scotland, were people unfazed by the fact that Paul McCartney was in their grocery store?
PM: Yeah, a little bit. People get used to it when you live locally, because you go to into the pub with them, or you go to dinner with your local solicitor, or you hang with a couple of guys working on the farm. You gradually get to know other people, and they become very protective of you. The only people who would bother us would be the tourists, but it was never a real problem.
Also, you gotta remember, I had a big black beard, and not everyone recognized me as a Beatle. When we went to New York, I'd go to Harlem or wherever and I had this beard and an old thrift-shop jacket on, like a Vietnam vet-- I used to joke with people, like, "I look the guy who might mug you." People didn't want to look me in the eye. It was quite a good cover at the time.
One of things about beards is that, when men reach a certain age, they'd like to see if they can grow one. It's a phenomenon I understand very well. So I thought, "I'm gonna be in Scotland, there's nobody to see me if I fail." After you get over the itchy face, you go, "Oh, I don't have to shave, that's cool." And then you move into the philosophical thing-- people say, "Oh, you look weird, you have a beard." And you say, "No, actually, it's weird to shave." Having a beard is natural. When you think about it, shaving it off is quite weird. [laughs]

― Julie Derpy (Phil D.), Friday, 8 June 2012 12:30 (11 months ago) Permalink

That Pitchfork interview ain't bad - short, but they ask some reasonable questions and it gets Paul talking at least a little bit in specifics about what was going into the record, although it's not much you wouldn't have guessed. Cute stuff anyway. Here's hoping they can pin him down on Red Rose Speedway and London Town, about whose creation I know next to nothing.

― Doctor Casino, Sunday, 10 June 2012 14:37 (11 months ago) Permalink

8 months pass...

Listening to this today, always great for a rainy day. Occurs to me for the first time: how much might the vibe/approach of this been inspired by Nilsson? Granted their sensibilities were always pretty similar - pre-war pop, dooty-doot-doot-doo stuff, etc., but I feel the like "wacky stoned guy making an album by himself and not touring, string together medleys, follow your sense of humor" kind of approach is similar.

― Doctor Casino, Monday, 11 February 2013 14:48 (3 months ago) Permalink

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.