McGear - album from Paul's brother (with Paul's help)
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Just had a question about this album (that I currently do not have and have never heard)...It's pretty common knowledge that Paul (and Wings) played a big role in the making of this album. From a completist's perspective, that would make this album a necessity. However, just listening to it, can you distinctly hear Paul (both physically and in terms of style)? Are there any moments of Paul singing on his own or is it all background vocals?
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Paul co wrote every song on the album except for the Brian Ferry song "Sea Breezes" and two of the songs are solely by Macca alone. You can hear the classic Wings backing vocals throughout the album and Paul can be heard every now and then singing a line by himself but Mike is mainly to the fore. It's a great "Wings" album with Denny Seiwell drumming on one track (Leave It) and Gerry Conway on the rest. In fact, Paul asked Gerry to join Wings after completing McGear but was turned down. There are some great songs on this album and you can hear the McCartney sound throughout. It seems when Paul hides behind another name (Fireman, Thrillington, etc...) he seems to push the musical envelope and explore new areas. Highlights for me are "What Do We Really Know?", "Have You Got Problems?", "Rainbow Lady", "Simply Love You", "Givin' Grease A Ride" and the phenomenal "The Man Who Found God On The Moon". The Tug of War b-side "I'll Give You A Ring" was also recorded during the early '74 sessions for the album.
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I havnt played it for ages,
The man who found God on the moon Holly days is another essential buy.
will rectify that. without listening it is worth getting as a completest and mainly because it is a good lp. Leave it -
Thanks a lot for the insights - I'll definitely make an effort to find this over the weekend:-)
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Two tracks off Holly days
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cb70:
Paul co wrote every song on the album except for the Brian Ferry song "Sea Breezes" and two of the songs are solely by Macca alone. You can hear the classic Wings backing vocals throughout the album and Paul can be heard every now and then singing a line by himself but Mike is mainly to the fore. It's a great "Wings" album with Denny Seiwell drumming on one track (Leave It) and Gerry Conway on the rest. In fact, Paul asked Gerry to join Wings after completing McGear but was turned down. There are some great songs on this album and you can hear the McCartney sound throughout. It seems when Paul hides behind another name (Fireman, Thrillington, etc...) he seems to push the musical envelope and explore new areas. Highlights for me are "What Do We Really Know?", "Have You Got Problems?", "Rainbow Lady", "Simply Love You", "Givin' Grease A Ride" and the phenomenal "The Man Who Found God On The Moon". The Tug of War b-side "I'll Give You A Ring" was also recorded during the early '74 sessions for the album.
It really is a great album. To me it sounds more like the style he was playing during the Red Rose Speedway period rather than a post Band on the Run album. All the tracks you mention are real standouts. I love "Leave It" too. I forgot that it was Gerry Conway on that album... I was thinking it was Davy Lutton.
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mercyjames:
To me it sounds more like the style he was playing during the Red Rose Speedway period rather than a post Band on the Run album.
I hear your point. It does sound like a continuation of RRS that would eventually evolve into the V&M/SOS sound.
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moggy:
Two tracks off Holly days
Love Holly Days, got that one on vinyl and it just sounds amazing! Paul does all the tracks, all instruments and they just blow me away. he gets the grooves going in those songs, the Heartbeat you posted being a perfect example
still have not found the right deal on the McGear LP, but definitely love what I've heard so far. the songwriting sounds cool! was the McGear album originally released in the US as well as UK? -
I love McGear and for all the fans of Paul and wings this is a (must have) album great melodies and ideas, Mike has a moderate voice but the songs are good Paul is clearly there harmonies and backing vocals and I am sure on guitar and Bass also, his voice with his usual screaming is clear in the end of "What Do We Really Know?" and he is there shouting in the backing of "Have you got problems" Linda and Denny joins in " Simply Love you" a quite melodic simple love song. Paul and Linda are there singing and ohhhing on the melodic wings song "Rainbow Lady" "Norton" is good rocking funny song with a charming guitar lick and Paul is there I guess playing guitar, there is a funny conversation in the background (Denny and Paul) the first track "Sea breezes" is good also (written by Brian Ferry) at least you will enjoy 7 songs of this album
ah...don't miss John Lennon on the cover. -
kapoo:
was the McGear album originally released in the US as well as UK?
Yes it was. On the promo tour Mike even met up again with John Lennon. I think its a great album, my fave tracks being The Man Who Found God On The Moon, The Casket and Norton.
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Well thanks to this post i have dicovered a McCartney gem!!!!!! As other people have commented its wings with a different vocalist. And my fav song" man who found god on the moon" pure McCartney great!!!!!
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I love McGear. Highly recommended stuff. Truly the great "lost" Wings record.
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I think The Man Who Found God On The Moon is gorgeous, absolutely beautiful. Funny too. It would be interesting if someone could isolate Paul's vocal, boost it and stick the arrangement back on. I'm not so keen on the rest of the album, though I love Leave It.
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It's good. I wonder how cool Givin' Grease A Ride would sound with Paul on the lead vocal. It really rocks. Not sure if it's my perception only, but the guitar licks and arrangements remind me of Helen Wheels.
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My favorite song off McGear, great jam. How did it not get released as a single? Have You Got Problems?
Great melody, great tempo switch up, great rocker. Paul should break it out in his live shows. its a badass jam! through any crisis I will be your power! -
McGear is an Excellent album! I wish that Mike had done more after it. Podgie (it truely is a forgotten Wings album) Monkey
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Thanks for bringing this topic back up to the front Kapoo. I haven't listened to this one in ages. Listening to Giving Grease a ride right now. Reminds me of a few 70s groups.
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It is part of the remasters plan that has been out there. The file I saved a long time ago has it as #19 in a 4 CD set that includes McGear / Holly Days / Whippets / Country Hams and Surprises. At this rate, it will be released in 2028.
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Iowa Hawkeye Beatlefan:
It is part of the remasters plan that has been out there. The file I saved a long time ago has it as #19 in a 4 CD set that includes McGear / Holly Days / Whippets / Country Hams and Surprises. At this rate, it will be released in 2028.
2028...omg
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oobu24:
Thanks for bringing this topic back up to the front Kapoo. I haven't listened to this one in ages. Listening to Giving Grease a ride right now. Reminds me of a few 70s groups.
another very cool track off that album
for sure. I'm surprised Paul didn't promote it more to help his brother get some REAL sales off the album. I bet Mike asked him not to. Wanting to do it on his own etc. McGear is a cool album.
