Memory Almost Full has aged very well
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I just heard Memory Almost Full yesterday. I say keep "Nod Your Head" where it is. Maybe Paul knows what he's doing.
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Just a brief addition and question to my last Post regarding MAF and Chaos. It is easy to be critical of David Kahne who, as we know, was Paul's Producer for MAF. I certainly piled on myself. I think most agree that the overall sound of MAF was inferior (and certain tracks in my opinion were terrible). I do believe that Mr. Kahne did do some good things (he also produced Driving Rain) and apparently has a good effect on Paul in some ways. On both MAF and Driving Rain, Paul got quite adventurous on many tracks. The result can sometimes be very good. I look at a track like Mr. Bellamy which is very quirky but still in my opinion one of Paul's very best Solo songs. For whatever reason, Paul seems to be very comfortable with Kahne behind the glass. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not totally negative concerning David Kahne. One thing I don't understand however is some of the terrible sounds on MAF which comes under Kahne's responsibility. Maybe someone can help me here because I'm an absolute neophyte when it comes to recording production and instruments. My biggest problem with the sound on MAF from my ears is mainly the horns on certain tracks. The most glaring tracks to me are "You Tell Me", "Mama Only Knows" and "Nod Your Head" (although there may be others). My main questions are: * Why do those horns sound so awful? I realize that these are not "live players". Is it because they just decided to use "cheap synthesizers" that to my ears are harsh and sound almost out of tune. Just listen to the end of "You Tell Me". Even at the height of 80's production and use of synthesizers, the horns on Press to Play (as one example) sound much fuller than the horns on MAF. The horns on Stranglehold (the opening track of Press to Play and one of my favorite tracks on Press) sound so much better. If someone can give a simple answer to the above questions, it would be much appreciated. If there is ever an album that needs remastering, it is MAF. Not sure however that even the best remastering treatment can change the bad sound. Hopefully it can be significantly improved. On top of an improved overall sound, there are quite a few songs from around the MAF period, that would make a very good 2nd disc. The 3 bonus songs on the subsequent reissue alone were terrific. Thanks
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2 more thoughts: To me, Chaos and MAF represent opposite sides of McCartney: Chaos is Serious Paul, the Paul of Blackbird and For No One. MAF is Wacky Macca, the Paul of Why Don't We Do It in the Road and Jet. That's an oversimplification, of course, as MAF certainly has serious moments, but the overall spirit of it is Paul cutting loose -- but with a bit more discipline and focus than he's sometimes shown. As for BJ's comments on Kahne's production, I'd add one more complaint: The strings on The End of the End. I'd always thought they were synthesized, but read somewhere they were real. In any case, they feel fake and the arrangement is generic. The song just cries out for a George Martin string arrangement.
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B J Conlee:
Just a brief addition and question to my last Post regarding MAF and Chaos. It is easy to be critical of David Kahne who, as we know, was Paul's Producer for MAF. I certainly piled on myself. I think most agree that the overall sound of MAF was inferior (and certain tracks in my opinion were terrible). I do believe that Mr. Kahne did do some good things (he also produced Driving Rain) and apparently has a good effect on Paul in some ways. On both MAF and Driving Rain, Paul got quite adventurous on many tracks. The result can sometimes be very good. I look at a track like Mr. Bellamy which is very quirky but still in my opinion one of Paul's very best Solo songs. For whatever reason, Paul seems to be very comfortable with Kahne behind the glass. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not totally negative concerning David Kahne. One thing I don't understand however is some of the terrible sounds on MAF which comes under Kahne's responsibility. Maybe someone can help me here because I'm an absolute neophyte when it comes to recording production and instruments. My biggest problem with the sound on MAF from my ears is mainly the horns on certain tracks. The most glaring tracks to me are "You Tell Me", "Mama Only Knows" and "Nod Your Head" (although there may be others). My main questions are: * Why do those horns sound so awful? I realize that these are not "live players". Is it because they just decided to use "cheap synthesizers" that to my ears are harsh and sound almost out of tune. Just listen to the end of "You Tell Me". Even at the height of 80's production and use of synthesizers, the horns on Press to Play (as one example) sound much fuller than the horns on MAF. The horns on Stranglehold (the opening track of Press to Play and one of my favorite tracks on Press) sound so much better. If someone can give a simple answer to the above questions, it would be much appreciated. If there is ever an album that needs remastering, it is MAF. Not sure however that even the best remastering treatment can change the bad sound. Hopefully it can be significantly improved. On top of an improved overall sound, there are quite a few songs from around the MAF period, that would make a very good 2nd disc. The 3 bonus songs on the subsequent reissue alone were terrific. Thanks
I wish I could give you technical answer about the horns but it would be nice if there was a real horn section playing on the record. It is not like Mr. McCartney can't afford a few session players - lol.
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Now that we seem to be "winding down" the MAF discussion, let me just add one recommendation. For people who have lost (or worn out) their MAF CD, I would strongly suggest you get the Deluxe CD. The Deluxe Set I'm referring to has the 3 Bonus tracks...all good including the wonderful "Why So Blue". I got it at a used CD store but I notice that Amazon sells it also. The price is not bad (like $15.) considering the value....like 16 tracks including the Bonus songs.
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"Memory Almost Full" sounds/seems much more like a lighthearted bouncy "fun" pop album, pop music album than "Chaos and Creation." The latter is "serious singer-songwriter" featuring more slow introspective ballads. The contrast is interesting and effective. Although IMO it might have been even more interesting and eclectic to mix up the two and have some songs from each on both albums. (Or maybe not.) Sorry, I know what I'm trying to say, brain feels a bit like sludge this a.m.
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B J Conlee:
My biggest problem with the sound on MAF from my ears is mainly the horns on certain tracks. The most glaring tracks to me are "You Tell Me", "Mama Only Knows" and "Nod Your Head" (although there may be others). My main questions are: * Why do those horns sound so awful?
I don't remember any horns at all on those songs.
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HaileyMcComet:
B J Conlee:
My biggest problem with the sound on MAF from my ears is mainly the horns on certain tracks. The most glaring tracks to me are "You Tell Me", "Mama Only Knows" and "Nod Your Head" (although there may be others). My main questions are: * Why do those horns sound so awful?
I don't remember any horns at all on those songs.
_____________________________________________________ I mentioned that I'm a neophyte when it comes to music instruments so I was asking the question. What I describe as "horns" is most glaring to my ears on "You Tell Me". If you still have your CD, listen to "You Tell Me" especially at the very end. It sounds like a very cheap Synthesizer trying to imitate horns or another type instrument. Maybe it's a synthesizer trying to imitate a Hammond Organ. I'm not sure what it is, but to my ears, it is a horrible sound. I ear the same sound on certain parts of the other songs I mentioned but it is not as glaring. Whatever it is, it hurts the song in my opinion. I really like "You Tell Me" as a song but I cringe with the sound. Maybe someone who know a lot more can tell me where David Kahne went wrong. Maybe "Live players" would have made a significant difference.
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B J Conlee:
HaileyMcComet:
B J Conlee:
My biggest problem with the sound on MAF from my ears is mainly the horns on certain tracks. The most glaring tracks to me are "You Tell Me", "Mama Only Knows" and "Nod Your Head" (although there may be others). My main questions are: * Why do those horns sound so awful?
I don't remember any horns at all on those songs.
_____________________________________________________ I mentioned that I'm a neophyte when it comes to music instruments so I was asking the question. What I describe as "horns" is most glaring to my ears on "You Tell Me". If you still have your CD, listen to "You Tell Me" especially at the very end. It sounds like a very cheap Synthesizer trying to imitate horns or another type instrument. Maybe it's a synthesizer trying to imitate a Hammond Organ. I'm not sure what it is, but to my ears, it is a horrible sound. I ear the same sound on certain parts of the other songs I mentioned but it is not as glaring. Whatever it is, it hurts the song in my opinion. I really like "You Tell Me" as a song but I cringe with the sound. Maybe someone who know a lot more can tell me where David Kahne went wrong. Maybe "Live players" would have made a significant difference.
I know what you mean about the apparently synth horns on You Tell Me, but they don't bother me in that song, which has a slightly surreal and eerie quality all through. It's all a matter of taste, of course, but I'm much more bothered by the thin and fake-sounding strings on The End of the End.
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This interesting discussion has led me to checking out the album credits and its only now that I realize that there are no string or brass players on the album at all. The only musicians involved on the album are Paul (who plays alone on Dance Tonight, Ever Present Past, See Your Sunshine, Mr Bellamy, Gratitude & The End of the End ) and Brian, Rusty, Abe & Wix ( who play with Paul on Mama Only Knows, You Tell Me, Vintage Clothes, That Was Me, Feet In The Clothes & House of Wax).
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Bruce M.:
B J Conlee:
HaileyMcComet:
B J Conlee:
My biggest problem with the sound on MAF from my ears is mainly the horns on certain tracks. The most glaring tracks to me are "You Tell Me", "Mama Only Knows" and "Nod Your Head" (although there may be others). My main questions are: * Why do those horns sound so awful?
I don't remember any horns at all on those songs.
_____________________________________________________ I mentioned that I'm a neophyte when it comes to music instruments so I was asking the question. What I describe as "horns" is most glaring to my ears on "You Tell Me". If you still have your CD, listen to "You Tell Me" especially at the very end. It sounds like a very cheap Synthesizer trying to imitate horns or another type instrument. Maybe it's a synthesizer trying to imitate a Hammond Organ. I'm not sure what it is, but to my ears, it is a horrible sound. I ear the same sound on certain parts of the other songs I mentioned but it is not as glaring. Whatever it is, it hurts the song in my opinion. I really like "You Tell Me" as a song but I cringe with the sound. Maybe someone who know a lot more can tell me where David Kahne went wrong. Maybe "Live players" would have made a significant difference.
I know what you mean about the apparently synth horns on You Tell Me, but they don't bother me in that song, which has a slightly surreal and eerie quality all through. It's all a matter of taste, of course, but I'm much more bothered by the thin and fake-sounding strings on The End of the End.
______________________________________________________ Bruce, I hear what you are saying about "The End of the End". I still like "You Tell Me"...another one that I wished Paul would have done live. I have to say that after finding my MAF in a storage closet and revisiting the CD after like 8 or 9 years, I really love the whole album. And I have the 3 Bonus tracks to boot. Do you like "Why So Blue"? What a great album and as you say...the let loose and wacky Paul. I even like Gratitude now but I would never play it to a non McCartney fan to try to convince them of Macca's enormous talent. I would play them most of the other songs however because it has such a variety of music and Paul's vocals for the most part are spot on. There are so many highlights but I really love the Vintage Clothes/That Was Me Segment.
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Are you guys still talking about this album? Even though I have the regular and the deluxe version, I think I've only listened to each once or maybe twice. Not in my top ten, sorry.
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Nancy R:
Not in my top ten, sorry.
Nor mine to be honest. I occasionally listen to my 'Daily Mail' free copy in the car but rarely play the deluxe copy at home. Its not that its a bad album particularly,its just that its not very good either.
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It's been almost ten years since Memory Almost Full; in that period of time we've had one studio album, New, and Electric Arguments which, despite some good tracks, was a load of rubbish under a different name. The past decade has been the most moribund and underwhelming of Paul's career, a real nadir. In fact, I'd go so far as to say he has become maginalised in a way we never thought possible. And it's all self-inflicted. Pity - it could have been very different.
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Nancy R:
Are you guys still talking about this album? Even though I have the regular and the deluxe version, I think I've only listened to each once or maybe twice. Not in my top ten, sorry.
________________________________________________________ Nancy, When Paul comes out with a new album/CD, it is "impossible" for me to just listen to it once or twice. Because I'm such a huge fan of his music from 1964, I "digest" his material. I will listen to any new Macca CD in my car for generally at least a week or two. Sometimes songs that I don't care for initially (on the first or second listen) will eventually become my favorites after repeated listens over a couple of weeks. Several of the tracks on MAF were like that with me. In fact, I didn't care for the album after the 1st couple of plays but it continued to grow and grow with me to the point it has become at least in the Top 8 for me. Conversely, an album like Pipes of Peace went down hill for me with repeated plays. I especially didn't care for the 2nd half songs with continued plays. I guess my only point is that maybe you didn't give MAF enough of a chance. I think songs like Ever Present Past, Only Mama Knows, You Tell Me, Mr. Bellamy, Vintage Clothes, That Was Me, House of Wax and The End of the End are some of his best Solo tracks. If some of those songs were on a Beatles album, they would be considered classics now. But Paul's Post Beatles Songs for the most part never got enough exposure like the Beatle songs. This would be true for all the individual Beatles.
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Sometimes I think I don't like "House of Wax." With more ear time on that, I might. I would often skip it ops: Had got mixed up and thought "Chaos and Creation" came out AFTER "Memory Almost Full"--is that wrong? Paul put out that ballet classical album and the "Kisses on the Bottom" album within this past ten years, you neglected to mention those. I agree it would have been fantastic if he'd released a lot more albums than these, this past decade. He chose to concentrate more on touring, it seems.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Sometimes I think I don't like "House of Wax." With more ear time on that, I might. I would often skip it ops: Had got mixed up and thought "Chaos and Creation" came out AFTER "Memory Almost Full"--is that wrong? Paul put out that ballet classical album and the "Kisses on the Bottom" album within this past ten years, you neglected to mention those. I agree it would have been fantastic if he'd released a lot more albums than these, this past decade. He chose to concentrate more on touring, it seems.
________________________________________ Actually MAF was released after Chaos. Paul had written some of the MAF songs before Chaos. but put the MAF project on hold to complete the Chaos album and work with Nigel Goodrich. He then put out MAF a couple of years after Chaos. I personally didn't write the post on Paul's lack of material after MAF (now almost 10 years). I think your reasoning for why Paul's output over the last Decade has been relatively weak (for Paul) is reasonable. Paul has been on a "non-stop" touring schedule during the last decade. He is definitely due for a new album and I for one hope that he does little touring in 2017. Let's hope for 2 new albums before 2020.
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SusyLuvsPaul:
Sometimes I think I don't like "House of Wax." With more ear time on that, I might. I would often skip it ops: Had got mixed up and thought "Chaos and Creation" came out AFTER "Memory Almost Full"--is that wrong? Paul put out that ballet classical album and the "Kisses on the Bottom" album within this past ten years, you neglected to mention those. I agree it would have been fantastic if he'd released a lot more albums than these, this past decade. He chose to concentrate more on touring, it seems.
Oh yeah. And Kisses on the Bottom. He must have had Barry Manilow quaking in his boots.
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B J Conlee:
Nancy R:
Are you guys still talking about this album? Even though I have the regular and the deluxe version, I think I've only listened to each once or maybe twice. Not in my top ten, sorry.
________________________________________________________ Nancy, When Paul comes out with a new album/CD, it is "impossible" for me to just listen to it once or twice. Because I'm such a huge fan of his music from 1964, I "digest" his material. I will listen to any new Macca CD in my car for generally at least a week or two. Sometimes songs that I don't care for initially (on the first or second listen) will eventually become my favorites after repeated listens over a couple of weeks. Several of the tracks on MAF were like that with me. In fact, I didn't care for the album after the 1st couple of plays but it continued to grow and grow with me to the point it has become at least in the Top 8 for me. Conversely, an album like Pipes of Peace went down hill for me with repeated plays. I especially didn't care for the 2nd half songs with continued plays. I guess my only point is that maybe you didn't give MAF enough of a chance. I think songs like Ever Present Past, Only Mama Knows, You Tell Me, Mr. Bellamy, Vintage Clothes, That Was Me, House of Wax and The End of the End are some of his best Solo tracks. If some of those songs were on a Beatles album, they would be considered classics now. But Paul's Post Beatles Songs for the most part never got enough exposure like the Beatle songs. This would be true for all the individual Beatles.
I will give it another listen, just for you.
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Nancy R:
Are you guys still talking about this album? Even though I have the regular and the deluxe version, I think I've only listened to each once or maybe twice. Not in my top ten, sorry.
It's in my top five.