Spotify's "This is: Paul McCartney" Channel

Yankeefan2 wrote:

Very cool that McCartney has a channel on "Spotify" and glad it only has small dose of Beatle songs. We could all pick our list as to what we would like on it (lol) but let's leave that for another day. I will leave you with a few comments from songs you mentioned. Nice to see song like "This Never Happened Before " from CHAOS included, wonderful song and definitely a "deep cut".  I love "Too Much Rain" and if McCartney had written this song as a Beatle it would have been a legendary song IMO.  Even though the collabaration with Michael Jackson was commercially successful (Say Say Say #1), I never liked any of their songs together. I don't know if better production could change my mind on "The Girl Is MIne".  I disagree with you about "Hope For The Future", the song and production of it did nothing for me.  I have to admit I was surprised that "My Brave Face" did not do better commercially. I thought it was catchy upbeat song and sounded very Beatlesque and loved it live.

Just a few more songs to mention and then I will end this post. I really liked "Magic" from DR, one of my favorites from that album. Pretty cool that is was about him meeting Linda. "The End Of The End" is great song, sad but also about celebrating your life.  Song was bit of a surprise due to most of MAF is upbeat and cheery -lol. One more disagreement with you, I never liked "Heart Of The Country". I found it very bland and kind of corny song especially in comparison to songs like "Dear Boy" and "Two Many People" for example. Finally, I am glad song from Fireman album EA was included (Sing The Changes). I really liked the song and it was good live but I would have enjoyed having  song like "Dance Til We're High" a little better. 

Thanks for creating this thread, enjoyed it.

As always, thanks for your imput Yankeefan.  Great to have someone who likes Paul's Post Beatles' Discography as much as I do.  Yes I am loving to have this Spotify channel as a go to while I am biking.  And yes, you are correct that there are also many other songs they could have added but at least I have a great channel that is almost all Post Beatles' Paul.  Couldn't agree with you more about a song like "Dance Till We're High" being on Spotify's Volume 2 (hopefully soon) of "This Is Paul McCartney".  You and I could easily give them a great list...how about "About You".

Music is so subjective so there is no surprise that I'll like certain songs that you don't care for and vice versa.  I like "Heart of the Country" because of the melody and it has that typical Paul bounce to it.  I agree that it's not a classic like Dear Boy or Too Many People but when I'm bike riding it sounds good.  I can't explain it but I like "Hope to the Future".  Because it is on the Spotify playlist, I've been hearing it on a consistent basis and it grew with me.  I like the lyrics a lot.  You and I would have never picked "The Girl is Mine" for a Paul McCartney channel but Spotify while concentrating on Solo Paul included most of his big hits.  They have Ebony and Ivory, Say Say Say etc.  Again, after hearing "The Girl is Mine" consistently I actually liked their singing together and the song's production.  Have to admit, their parts in the song that are cheesy but when you are on the bike, who's analyzing.  Jackson had so much talent not just as a dancer but as a singer in my opinion.

You are so right and that is what is missing on this site.  Not too many people/fans even talk about his Solo songs and career.  As you have said, even Paul seems to totally concentrate on his Beatle's career.  Finally, I couldn't agree with you more about the great songs you mention like Too Much Rain, This Never Happened Before, Magic, Sing the Changes, and My Brave Face.  Put almost all those songs on a Beatle album, and they would be considered classics and universally known.  Those Beatle albums especially from Rubber Soul to Let It Be got so much radio airplay (almost all the individual tracks) that everyone knew them.  Unfortunately, this was not the case on any of the Solo Beatle songs and albums.  .

Thanks again for responding. 

B J Conlee wrote:

I just wanted to add one more "Hidden Gem' to my previous list of great Paul McCartney Deep cuts on Spotify's "This is: Paul McCartney" Channel.    I just forgot to include it and it was one of the first songs I heard when I did my bike ride this morning.   One reason it is relatively unknown to Beatle fans as well as Paul McCartney fans is because it was on Paul's 1st Wings' album (Wildlife) and only his 3rd album after the breakup of the Beatles.  At the time of its release (1971) it was considered a bust and many  critics trashed the album.

Now like 50 years later, I appreciate "Dear Friend" far more.  Maybe part of the reason is the fact that I'm hearing all the songs on this Spotify Channel using my IPhone earphones while riding my bike.  The track is the studio verson of  the 2017 Wildlife Remastered/Archive Cd so the "sound quality" on Spotify compared to hearing Dear Friend fom a New York City FM radio station back in 1971 or 1972 is like day and night in comparison.  Here is what I like about "Dear Friend" today:

Dear Friend - While I'm a big Paul McCartney fan, I was never a fan of his album Wildlife.  I always considered "Wildlife" to be easily in the bottom third of his Post Beatles' albums and quite possibly his worst.  The only Wildlife song I liked around the time of its release was "Tomorrow" It had that McCartney bounce I always liked and I loved his vocal.  The other song I liked was "Some People Never Know" but I thought it ran way too long (6:35).  In truth, I never liked the rest of the songs.  Again, this was strictly hearing many Wildlife tracks on FM Radio as I had never bought the album.

Hearing it now with great sound quality, I find "Dear Friend" to be a pretty awesome song although it is a tad too long (5:53).  Hearing it on Spotify's channel, I find Paul's vocals to be pretty amazing and one of his best vocals period.  In retrospect, this was during his "Ram" era so I shouldn't be too surprised since he was singing at a very hight level at that time.  The other thing I like on "Dear Friend" is  his piano playing.  Again, one of his best "piano playing" songs in my opinion.  Finally, I love it when the orchestra comes into the song over the last 2 minutes.  Because of these reasons, I find the 5 plus minutes very tolerable.   At this point, I can see why some critics called "Dear Friend" the best song on Wildlife and now I agree.

Like some other people, I think the only good songs on "Wild Life" were "Tomorrow" and "Dear Friend".  I think "Dear Friend" is the better of these two songs even with some flaws. Like you, I think the song is too long and in addition I wish he had expanded on the lyrics of a song that was intended to be very moving.  This is an excellent piano song and agree the orchestra at the end is wonderful. This was a good period for McCartney vocally and this song is just another example. On a personal note, this is not the type of song I want to hear while exercising. I rather listen to it sitting on my lounge chair and drinking some wine -lol.

Yankeefan2 wrote:

B J Conlee wrote:

I just wanted to add one more "Hidden Gem' to my previous list of great Paul McCartney Deep cuts on Spotify's "This is: Paul McCartney" Channel.    I just forgot to include it and it was one of the first songs I heard when I did my bike ride this morning.   One reason it is relatively unknown to Beatle fans as well as Paul McCartney fans is because it was on Paul's 1st Wings' album (Wildlife) and only his 3rd album after the breakup of the Beatles.  At the time of its release (1971) it was considered a bust and many  critics trashed the album.

Now like 50 years later, I appreciate "Dear Friend" far more.  Maybe part of the reason is the fact that I'm hearing all the songs on this Spotify Channel using my IPhone earphones while riding my bike.  The track is the studio verson of  the 2017 Wildlife Remastered/Archive Cd so the "sound quality" on Spotify compared to hearing Dear Friend fom a New York City FM radio station back in 1971 or 1972 is like day and night in comparison.  Here is what I like about "Dear Friend" today:

Dear Friend - While I'm a big Paul McCartney fan, I was never a fan of his album Wildlife.  I always considered "Wildlife" to be easily in the bottom third of his Post Beatles' albums and quite possibly his worst.  The only Wildlife song I liked around the time of its release was "Tomorrow" It had that McCartney bounce I always liked and I loved his vocal.  The other song I liked was "Some People Never Know" but I thought it ran way too long (6:35).  In truth, I never liked the rest of the songs.  Again, this was strictly hearing many Wildlife tracks on FM Radio as I had never bought the album.

Hearing it now with great sound quality, I find "Dear Friend" to be a pretty awesome song although it is a tad too long (5:53).  Hearing it on Spotify's channel, I find Paul's vocals to be pretty amazing and one of his best vocals period.  In retrospect, this was during his "Ram" era so I shouldn't be too surprised since he was singing at a very hight level at that time.  The other thing I like on "Dear Friend" is  his piano playing.  Again, one of his best "piano playing" songs in my opinion.  Finally, I love it when the orchestra comes into the song over the last 2 minutes.  Because of these reasons, I find the 5 plus minutes very tolerable.   At this point, I can see why some critics called "Dear Friend" the best song on Wildlife and now I agree.

Like some other people, I think the only good songs on "Wild Life" were "Tomorrow" and "Dear Friend".  I think "Dear Friend" is the better of these two songs even with some flaws. Like you, I think the song is too long and in addition I wish he had expanded on the lyrics of a song that was intended to be very moving.  This is an excellent piano song and agree the orchestra at the end is wonderful. This was a good period for McCartney vocally and this song is just another example. On a personal note, this is not the type of song I want to hear while exercising. I rather listen to it sitting on my lounge chair and drinking some wine -lol.

Yankeefan...Thanks as usual.  I notice that only you and Susy seem interested in talking about Paul's hidden Solo gems. 

I agree with you about Dear Friend.  As I said, it does run a little long and I also wish Paul had added some more lyrics.  But as you said and I agree totally, Dear Friend has great piano playing from Paul  and I love Paul's vocals.  Glad you brought up the orchestra part of the song which is so nice.  Maybe I'm so enamored with the better sound I'm hearing from the earphones but I don't mind when one of his "hidden gem" ballads comes on while doing my bike riding.  And of course I never mind when Spotify breaks in with an uptemp song like Band on the Run or Jet.  As we were saying, Spotify needs a volume 2 of their "This is: Paul McCartney" channel.  They need to add  songs like 1985, Getting Closer, Only Mama Knows and That Was Me to their Paul McCartney songs to this channel.

The only thing I would add to the Wildlife album in general is that I also did like "Some People Never Know".  Liked Paul and Linda's harmonizing and the melody.  Just needed to be cut down in length.  These are among many Solo songs that I wished Paul would have added to his various Setlists in 2002, 2005 or 2011 when he could still sing at a high level.  He did add 1985 and Only Mama Knows thank God but never any of  the others.  We could go on and on about that subject.  

I read that much later on, "Oh Woman Oh Why" and "Little Woman Love" and one more were added to the Wings Wild Life album. Those are good songs. Apparently he wrote those around that time so I think he should have added them then, to flesh out or round out the album, make it a lot better. As BJ and others have indicated before, he's got some real good ones he left off other albums and it makes one wonder why.  Then sometimes he'll put a couple clunkers or just fillers in, instead. I've always pondered that, wondered why-- It isn't just Paul  as he had excellent producers and sound people on his team who also could have noticed it.  Were they smoking too much wacky weed, LOL or partying, drinking too much during some sessions-- being high on pot  though does make music sound much better, even better, as I recall and you hear things in it, notice things you wouldn't otherwise...yet professional musicians of a high quality ought to be able to parse it without certain drugs, you'd think.  Being kind of drunk on alcohol could have made them screw up... And Paul's been called an "obvious keenie" when it comes to perfectionism in music as during that glorious run late Beatles period when he was steamrolling over the other Fabs, came out  with his many classic huge hits, LOL. Oh don't mind me, I'm just rambling I suppose...I don't have t.v. (laughs)...

He wasn't stone cold sober when he made "Ram," for example.  Can you imagine being sober as a judge and singing "Monkberry Moon Delight"

I like reading about Paul's solo songs. There are many treasures there. There are difterent opinions of course, but I still have a gut reaction of What?! You don't like that! (* somewhat kidding).

I do like Heart Of The Country.  I used to pretty much like everything he did, even if he mumbled or grumbled. I not only like the solo, but there are many times the deeper cut is better in my opinion than the single or heavy radio played song. As a side note I liked an early version of Dear Friend that is Paul and piano. On Wildlife- I like Dear Friend a lot. He really had his voice sounding great back then. I play accoustic guitar and like doing songs like Some People Never Know, Bip-Bop, Love Is Strange, Dear Friend, etc... I would have jumped up and down inside of course had Paul done a few solol songs and rotated his list - but I was glad for anything that he wanted to do. I used to buy the 45's because at that time they were not on albums and the B- sides were always a surprise. I will add to this at another time- Another Day ... I really like that one ... 

The_Fool wrote:

I like reading about Paul's solo songs. There are many treasures there. There are difterent opinions of course, but I still have a gut reaction of What?! You don't like that! (* somewhat kidding).

I do like Heart Of The Country.  I used to pretty much like everything he did, even if he mumbled or grumbled. I not only like the solo, but there are many times the deeper cut is better in my opinion than the single or heavy radio played song. As a side note I liked an early version of Dear Friend that is Paul and piano. On Wildlife- I like Dear Friend a lot. He really had his voice sounding great back then. I play accoustic guitar and like doing songs like Some People Never Know, Bip-Bop, Love Is Strange, Dear Friend, etc... I would have jumped up and down inside of course had Paul done a few solol songs and rotated his list - but I was glad for anything that he wanted to do. I used to buy the 45's because at that time they were not on albums and the B- sides were always a surprise. I will add to this at another time- Another Day ... I really like that one ... 

Thanks for your imput "Fool".  I really liked what you said.  Music is subjective so there are some songs on Paul's albums I haven't liked but in general I like the bulk of his discography.  Like you, I tend to like a lot of the "deeper cut" type songs than the "single" or heavy radio song that the Company is trying to promote.  Egypt Station is a good example...I love Confidante, Hand in Hand, People Want Peace, Dominoes, Do It Now etc. far better than a song like Fuh You that the company tries to ram down our throats.  And I was disappointed when Paul just played Fuh You, Come On to Me and Who Cares on his tour.  But like you, if I was in attendance, I wouldn't care what he played.  Love talking about Paul's Solo stuff so thanks for your imput.  

PS I also like Another Day and I love the B-Sides too.

SusyLuvsPaul wrote:

"Mary Had a Little Lamb" was the third song later added to Wings Wild Life and was Paul's "screw you" to music critics for something they'd said, can't recall what it  was just now...

Luvs2Travel for one in her post here makes me want to hear it again. Oh goodie, I see BJ has just now written something else new on this thread 

 

Here's a rundown of the 4 added songs in 1993 on The Paul McCartney Remaster:

Give Ireland Back To The Irish, Mary Had A Little Lamb, Little Woman Love and Mama's Little Girl. Was that the disc you were referring to?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Life_(Wings_album)

Since headphones are mentioned...

Paul solo albums sound great with headphones * all types ear buds etc...*

I listened a lot through headphones in his early solo albums: McCartney, Ram, Wildlife, Red Rose Speedway and Venus And Mars... 

** I like the heavily promoted songs as a casual fan spends all their listening there ... I would listen to "Junk" The Backseat Of My Car. Monkberry Moon Delight (cool sounding on headphones)... No Words ...

I don't know why I didn't listen to as many albums after Speed Of Sound with headphones  ... either my headphones crudded out or I got better music equipment... 

To this day I still discover a bell or distant voice or added guitar that all of a sudden is more noticeable. 

Even when I know these deeper songs, i like hearing them out of the blue because they are not as expected. 

There are a lot of hidden gems - enough to keep it fresh if anybody so chooses.

love2travel wrote:

I very much agree about Paul's "Hidden Gems" and people who I've turned on to some of my favorite solo works are always pleasantly surprised.

Wild Life is one of my favorite albums. Just looking at the cover. The band out in nature, and the 4 white doves... symbolicly represent angel messengers of the Peace and Love from this band.

There is something that I love about each song in this album, from Bip Bop with little Mary and Heather dancing around outside, it has the pureness of children at it's heart, to Mumbo and Paul's early experimental foray into the equivalent of a modern art painting. 

My favorite hidden gem is Tommorrow...an beautifully upbeat and positive song of Hope and better days ahead.

Another hidden gem for me is  I Am Your Singer.  Paul & Linda singing a love song to each other, in beautiful harmonies.

Some People Never Know is another very pleasing love song between Paul & Linda, the melody and harmony very nicely balanced and blended and be sure to put your headphones on at the end to hear the drums go full circle stereo inside your head. Love it, wonder how they recorded that?  

In Wild Life we hear Pauls voice going rough and wild on a song whose lyrics are the subject that is most dear to the McCartney family, their deep love of animals and also the title song. 

Dear Friend rounds out the album, a deep and bittersweet song reaching out to John. A fork in the road of life, with both recently married to their life partners.  They are now taking different paths and the uncertainty of the future. Really enjoyed the moodiness of the cymbal work and the different instruments coming through on the organ. 

 

Thanks again for this great review.  I did buy the remastered "Wildlife" Collection Series back in 1993 with the 4 additional tracks.  I was buying all the Paul Solo Cd's (most wth extra tracks) I could find from a local record store that carried them back in the mid 90's.  I was listening to them in my car during those years since my car had a CD player.

Your "Wildlife" review is bringing back my many memories of those years.  I have no idea where my 1993 Wildlife  CD is as I moved into different houses several times and I bought new cars.

As I said, "Tommorrow" was always my favorite Wildlife track.  But I do remember really liking "Some People Never  Know".  Although it ran way too long, I do remember liking the drumming in the last minute or two of the song.  Denny Seiwell was an excellent drummer.  Denny Seiwell also did great work on the cover "Love Is Strange".  It was another song on Wildlife I liked almost like a "guilty pleasure" type song.  I remember the original but I liked the raggae flavor that Paul gave it and Mr. Seiwell's drumming was key.  I also liked Paul's singing on "Love Is Strange".

I have been on Paul's website for many years.  I remember that "Wildlife" almost had a "cult" like following similar to Ram but much smaller.  Like you, the Wildlife fans liked the relaxing, laid back feel of the album.   In my opinion, it can't be compared to albums like BOTR, V&M, Tug of War etc because at that point Paul was writing much more complex songs with meaningful lyrics.  It is an album on its own as far as I'm concern and like all of Paul's albums (even the lesser ones like Wildlife) there are some real "hidden gems" on it.  Dear Friend is a perfect example and you gave a great description of the song.

Thanks again.