Take It Away: The Complete Paul McCartney Archive Podcast
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wingsoverkc wrote:
At the 1993 shows, especially at Arrowhead Stadium on Memorial Day, Biker received a great, loud response, as did C'mon People. Still recall the visual for Biker; a huge stain-glassed window with a traditional black leather jacket 'biker' girl posing.
Great memory Wingsoverkc. I was at the 1993 Philadelphia outdoor show and I too remember the visual for Biker. From my memory at that show, all the OTG songs got a good reception.
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As some of you know from reading my replies, I'm really pushing this "Lost and Forgotten" themed Anthology/Compilation BY DECADE. I have already submitted a 70's and 80's 2 disc tracklisting and if I don't say myself, I think they were pretty good for Fans that want for convenience these kinds of lost, rare, unreleased etc. type of songs in one package. Many of these songs are very hard to find. Paul's team with access to his vaults could really have a good to great compilation with some of the best alternative versions plus all the unreleased never available.
Since Chris and Ryan's podcasts have just reached the 90's, I was concerned that this decade wouldn't be nearly as good material as the 70's and 80's. After just the first Podcast (Off the Ground) and from my own memory of Paul's material in the 90's, boy was I wrong. There is plenty of good "Lost and Forgotten" material.
For starters, here as just a few examples of great 90's material:
The Off the Ground Sessions - For starters you have the "lost" 2nd disc. This disc has 8 or 9 songs (not on the original Off the Ground CD) that could be incorporated within the 90's package. Many of these songs are as good or better than the Off the Ground original CD.
The Off the Ground original album - I have found on You Tube, several "live" versions that in my opinion are clearly different, alternative versions but in some cases better. Often Paul's live versions are better because Paul and Band are more loose generated by the excitement of the live audience. Here are a couple examples:
*I Owe It All to You (live, rare) I found this on You Tube. It might have been the Ed Sullivan Theater TV promotional concert for the OTG album. I think Paul's vocal is better than the studio version plus you get more pronounced background vocals by Hamish who Chris and Ryan often mention has such a great voice. You also get an great performance by Robbie on his slide guitar.
*Peace in the Neighborhood - I found like 3 live versions on YouTube but one in particular had Paul in very fine voice (as good as the album's and with better ad libs). Also it is a little shorter than the album version and it showcases Robbie's fantastic lead guitar for the last minute of the song. Again more pronounced vocals from Hamish. All in all, not only a different version but in my opinion, it is better.
Very good B-sides from the 90's versions - not only the b sides from Off the Ground sessions, but others from Flaming Pie like:
Love Come Tumbling Down (love it!)
Same Love - another good ballad with Nicky Hopkins playing piano
I Love This House - features David Gilmour on guitar
Looking For You
Broomstick
Paul also has some excellent covers he did during the 90's. A few never made it on 90's albums (e.g. Run Devil Run or Unplugged). Some would be great for the "lost and forgotten" Compilation like:
Maybe Baby - a faster version of Buddy Holly's original with Paul working with Jeff Lynne
It's Now or Never - nice version of Elvis Presley's original
That's All Right Mama - version of Paul doing this famous Elvis song in Sun Studios (I believe) with original Elvis players
Fabulous - another great cover done by Paul and his band during the Run devil Run sessions but not on the album plus he has multiple live versions of many songs from Run Devil Run (remember the live Liverpool DVD performance of many of the Run Devil Run songs).
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Even before I hear the rest of the 90's Podcasts from Ryan and Chris, I can see that Paul can easily have 2 terrific discs for this type of "lost and forgotten"compilation.
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“That's All Right Mama - version of Paul doing this famous Elvis song in Sun Studios (I believe) with original Elvis players”
Bill Black (upright bass that Paul now owns) died in 1965, but Scotty Moore (guitar) lived until 2016, so he could have been involved.
Yep, just Googled it. Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana were involved.
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Nancy R wrote:
“That's All Right Mama - version of Paul doing this famous Elvis song in Sun Studios (I believe) with original Elvis players”
Bill Black (upright bass that Paul now owns) died in 1965, but Scotty Moore (guitar) lived until 2016, so he could have been involved.
Yep, just Googled it. Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana were involved.
Thanks so much Nancy. The video was fantastic. Paul can really sing rockabilly can't he. And this was at the time when his voice was still top notch.
For a tech challenge old guy like me. can you also bring up Paul's version of "Maybe Baby" with Jeff Lynne. This faster version with Paul came from a movie with the British actor...Hugh Laurie I believe. Fantastic version.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
“That's All Right Mama - version of Paul doing this famous Elvis song in Sun Studios (I believe) with original Elvis players”
Bill Black (upright bass that Paul now owns) died in 1965, but Scotty Moore (guitar) lived until 2016, so he could have been involved.
Yep, just Googled it. Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana were involved.
Thanks so much Nancy. The video was fantastic. Paul can really sing rockabilly can't he. And this was at the time when his voice was still top notch.
For a tech challenge old guy like me. can you also bring up Paul's version of "Maybe Baby" with Jeff Lynne. This faster version with Paul came from a movie with the British actor...Hugh Laurie I believe. Fantastic version.
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Nancy R wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
“That's All Right Mama - version of Paul doing this famous Elvis song in Sun Studios (I believe) with original Elvis players”
Bill Black (upright bass that Paul now owns) died in 1965, but Scotty Moore (guitar) lived until 2016, so he could have been involved.
Yep, just Googled it. Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana were involved.
Thanks so much Nancy. The video was fantastic. Paul can really sing rockabilly can't he. And this was at the time when his voice was still top notch.
For a tech challenge old guy like me. can you also bring up Paul's version of "Maybe Baby" with Jeff Lynne. This faster version with Paul came from a movie with the British actor...Hugh Laurie I believe. Fantastic version.
Thanks Nancy. Another fantastic cover of a great Buddy Holly song done by Paul with Jeff Lynne as the producer. It does have ELO written all over it and Paul does a great vocal.
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More possibilities for really good 90's 2 CD set for a"Lost and Forgotten" Anthology/Compilation type Package By Decade that doesn't duplicate past Compilations like Pure McCartney, All the Best and Wingspan. Talk about rare songs never put on a McCartney album...you can find some demo's of these songs on YouTube going back as far as the early and mid 70's. In some cases, however Paul later reworked on them in the studio and officially put them out as B-sides in the late 80's or 90's as they became referred in the Industry as CD Singles. They were basically mini CD's with the single (from its respective album/CD) followed by a few addlitional songs.
For example, when Paul released "Put It There" as a CD Single from Flowers in the Dirt on 2/5/90 he added "Mama's Little Girl" And "Same Time Next Year" as B-sides. Both songs are very good in my opinion and could be put on the 90's part of this "Lost and Forgotten" Compilation Package. I say that because even though they were originally written much earlier, they werre officially released in February 1990. The official releases tend to be more complete and finished versions compared to the demo's floating around on the black market so if I had my choice I would prefer in most cases Paul and his team use the official B-sides if they ever did a Compilation package filled with rare songs. For that reason, I would put on my 90's list:
Mama's Little Girl
Same Time Next Year
I also continue to find great "live" versions on YouTube of songs from both Off The Ground and Run Devil Run songs. In many cases, they are better than the official studio albums. Here would be additional choices for a 90's compilation set:
Run Devil Run songs - Not sure what specific live show this was in the late 90's (it definitely wasn't the Cavern Show) but Paul had his Run Devil Run Band. The main thing I noticed was that his voice on this performance was fantastic and significantly better than the Cavern Show in Liverpool. The songs I really liked were:
No Other Baby (Paul had his Paul/Elvis Costello demo voice that we heard in the newly reissued Flowers in the Dirt CD)
Lonesome Town - best live version I have heard from Paul of the great Ricky Nelson track where Paul makes it his own
Run Devil Run - the title track on the album of the same name sounded great live
Try Not To Cry - like this live version better than the album
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Off the Ground Live songs - Besides the Paul is Live Compilation CD that includes 5 OTG tracks (Looking For Changes, Peace in the Neighbourhood, Hope of Deliverance, Biker Like a Icon, and C'Mon People) there are more live versions of these songs and additional OTG tracks floating on the internet. Some of these sound terrific like:
Hope of Deliverance - there are a bunch from various shows and even as late as 2011, but the ones I like the best is where Paul is playing with his Robbie and Hamish band. I like some of the solo guitar touches that Paul adds in the live 1993 shows and are actually better versions than what's on the album.
C'Mon People - not one of my favorites on the studio album but I find the live versions are significantly better.
Get Out of My Way - while I really like the studio version, I have found some of the live versions to be even better.
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As an avid Paul fan, I would love to have some of these live versions in a convenient package along with the unreleased songs, b-sides etc. For big time fans who already own CD's like Run Devil Run and Off the Ground, you would not be getting the same exact CD studio versions but in many cases even better versions.
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Waiting for Ryan and Chris's next Podcast. The last one was "Off the Ground" whiich was really good so I can't wait for the next one. This is Season 3 and they are in the 90's at this point.
In the meantime, I was on YouTube this morning just going through some rare videos and songs from Paul and his various bands (Post Wings). One video I just heard is the old Sam Cooke song...Bring It On Home To Me. It was from the early 90's with Paul's Off the Ground Band including Linda, Wix, Robbie, Hamish and Blair.
As I have mentioned previously, I love it when Paul does one of his R&B vocals and his "Bring It On Home to Me" cover here was as usual very good. This was a reheasal song in Japan just before one of his Japanese shows in 1991 I believe. I always thought that Hamish Stuart harmonies with Paul were great and Robbie is just a flat out great lead guitarist. He is very versatile. Since this was done in the 90's, it would be yet another great rare track for a "Lost and Forgotten" compilation down the road. This song was never on a Paul Album. The audio quality judging by the video was fantastic.
Another video I saw today was "Midnight Special" another great cover. I had seen this previously. It was done for the Unplugged show and subsequent album/CD. For some reason, it was a leftover and never made it on the CD but I think it is quite good. More of a folk type version and I particularly love Robbie's madolin. As I said, Robbie is very versatile. Another nice rare "Lost and Forgotten" choice.
Maybe Paul or one of his people will see all my posts on this concept and we will get the long awaited Anthology for the "real fans".
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Back home in Florida after a 2 week trip to New Jersey (my original home).
Maybe someone can answer a question for me and also pull up the YouTube 6 song Live "Run Devil Run" Concert in 1999.
I found it by going into YouTube from the Paul McCartney Website. I then went to the Album section and pulled up the Run Devil Run Album that began with the 1st song..Blue Jean Bop. Going to the far right section on the page, they have more videos you can, of course, see. One of the first videos you can access just says....Paul McCartney "In Concert" Live 1999. It is 6 songs from the Run Devil Run album starting with Honey Husy. It doesn't tell you the specific site of this concert or show but it is the Run Devil Run Band (David Gilmour, Mick Green etc) and Paul does reference during the 2nd song (the false start to Brown Eyed Handsome Man) that the guys came all the way from England for this mini show. I think it was the Peta Show in Los Angeles where they also honored Linda. The 6 song mini concert was:
Honey Hush
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
No Other Baby
Try Not to Cry
Lonesome Town
Run Devil Run (the song)
Can someone transfer this YouTube Video here. It is Paul vocally absolutely at his very best and maybe as good as his Ram early 70's vocals. Here are some of my highlights;
No Other Baby - Paul's vocals midway into the song are just outstanding along with David Gilmour's blistering guitar solo's.
Lonesome Town - Has to be my favorite Paul live vocal to this great ballad. Paul makes this Ricky Nelson song his own
Try Not to Cry - I always thought this song (one of 3 Paul original songs on the album) was a quasi lower point to the overall album but their live version here was sensatlion. Again, David Gilmour's solo was just great
Run Devil Run - Paul's live vocal was just as good as the studio version
If Nancy or someone else can pull it up, it would be much appreciated. I would like for others to see this performance and how good Paul was still singing in 1999.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Back home in Florida after a 2 week trip to New Jersey (my original home).
Maybe someone can answer a question for me and also pull up the YouTube 6 song Live "Run Devil Run" Concert in 1999.
I found it by going into YouTube from the Paul McCartney Website. I then went to the Album section and pulled up the Run Devil Run Album that began with the 1st song..Blue Jean Bop. Going to the far right section on the page, they have more videos you can, of course, see. One of the first videos you can access just says....Paul McCartney "In Concert" Live 1999. It is 6 songs from the Run Devil Run album starting with Honey Husy. It doesn't tell you the specific site of this concert or show but it is the Run Devil Run Band (David Gilmour, Mick Green etc) and Paul does reference during the 2nd song (the false start to Brown Eyed Handsome Man) that the guys came all the way from England for this mini show. I think it was the Peta Show in Los Angeles where they also honored Linda. The 6 song mini concert was:
Honey Hush
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
No Other Baby
Try Not to Cry
Lonesome Town
Run Devil Run (the song)
Can someone transfer this YouTube Video here. It is Paul vocally absolutely at his very best and maybe as good as his Ram early 70's vocals. Here are some of my highlights;
No Other Baby - Paul's vocals midway into the song are just outstanding along with David Gilmour's blistering guitar solo's.
Lonesome Town - Has to be my favorite Paul live vocal to this great ballad. Paul makes this Ricky Nelson song his own
Try Not to Cry - I always thought this song (one of 3 Paul original songs on the album) was a quasi lower point to the overall album but their live version here was sensatlion. Again, David Gilmour's solo was just great
Run Devil Run - Paul's live vocal was just as good as the studio version
If Nancy or someone else can pull it up, it would be much appreciated. I would like for others to see this performance and how good Paul was still singing in 1999.
See link below, think this is the one you wanted. I have stated on this board quite often I thought this album was one of his best vocal performances ever !! Like I have said many times, nobody does 50's rock better than McCartney.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Maybe someone can answer a question for me and also pull up the YouTube 6 song Live "Run Devil Run" Concert in 1999.
I think it was the Peta Show in Los Angeles where they also honored Linda.
Yes, you are right. It was the Peta 'Party of the Century' show, filmed at Paramount's Hollywood studios on 18th September 1999 and broadcast on VH-1 on 16th October 1999.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Back home in Florida after a 2 week trip to New Jersey (my original home).
Maybe someone can answer a question for me and also pull up the YouTube 6 song Live "Run Devil Run" Concert in 1999.
I found it by going into YouTube from the Paul McCartney Website. I then went to the Album section and pulled up the Run Devil Run Album that began with the 1st song..Blue Jean Bop. Going to the far right section on the page, they have more videos you can, of course, see. One of the first videos you can access just says....Paul McCartney "In Concert" Live 1999. It is 6 songs from the Run Devil Run album starting with Honey Husy. It doesn't tell you the specific site of this concert or show but it is the Run Devil Run Band (David Gilmour, Mick Green etc) and Paul does reference during the 2nd song (the false start to Brown Eyed Handsome Man) that the guys came all the way from England for this mini show. I think it was the Peta Show in Los Angeles where they also honored Linda. The 6 song mini concert was:
Honey Hush
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
No Other Baby
Try Not to Cry
Lonesome Town
Run Devil Run (the song)
Can someone transfer this YouTube Video here. It is Paul vocally absolutely at his very best and maybe as good as his Ram early 70's vocals. Here are some of my highlights;
No Other Baby - Paul's vocals midway into the song are just outstanding along with David Gilmour's blistering guitar solo's.
Lonesome Town - Has to be my favorite Paul live vocal to this great ballad. Paul makes this Ricky Nelson song his own
Try Not to Cry - I always thought this song (one of 3 Paul original songs on the album) was a quasi lower point to the overall album but their live version here was sensatlion. Again, David Gilmour's solo was just great
Run Devil Run - Paul's live vocal was just as good as the studio version
If Nancy or someone else can pull it up, it would be much appreciated. I would like for others to see this performance and how good Paul was still singing in 1999.
See link below, think this is the one you wanted. I have stated on this board quite often I thought this album was one of his best vocal performances ever !! Like I have said many times, nobody does 50's rock better than McCartney.
Thanks Yankeefan. That is the one. I loved Paul's vocals on the album but this live performance was just sensational. He nails every song (despite the false start on Brown Eyed Handsome Man) and in a few cases, the "live"performance just enhances his vocals.
How about Paul's vocals mid way through "No Other Baby". I think it is actually better than the studio version although that one is hard to top. His vocals were still real good during the 2002 tour which I saw in Philadelphia but this 1999 vocal at the Peta show was through the roof. And how about David Gilmour's solo guitar work! As I said, I also think his Lonesome Town performance here is slightly better than the studio CD.
I loved his vocals in all the songs in this "Peta" mini set including the 2 McCartney originals. These are the type of performances/tracks that I would love to have in a "by the decade" Lost and Forgotten Compilation. Even if you own the Run Devil Run original CD (which I do) I would love to have some of these "live" versions also. Perfect for a "lost and Forgotten Package I've been speaking about.
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Kestrel wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Maybe someone can answer a question for me and also pull up the YouTube 6 song Live "Run Devil Run" Concert in 1999.
I think it was the Peta Show in Los Angeles where they also honored Linda.
Yes, you are right. It was the Peta 'Party of the Century' show, filmed at Paramount's Hollywood studios on 18th September 1999 and broadcast on VH-1 on 16th October 1999.
Thanks for the confirmation Kestrel. I thought it was the Peta Show in Los Angeles since it was the same 6 song set. How about that Band and Paul's vocals. I had heard that Mick Green sadly passed in 2010. He was also a great guitarist. I guess that the Cavern Show was the longest this band ever played for one show.
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I just listened to the latest episode of the podcast. Episode 22, Songs that Paul Gave Away. I enjoyed this episode and as usual with the series, I learned new things. If I had to rank my favorite songs that Paul gave away, I would say that they are in no particular order:
1-"Goodbye": Paul's demo is great, he sings it so well. I like Mary Hopkins' version as well.
2-"If I Take You Home Tonight": Somehow, I did not know about this great song until this episode. Diana Krall is great with it and there is a live version with an orchestra which is just great. I wonder why Paul did not record this for Kisses on the Bottom? It is a really good song, has classic written all over it. Is there a Paul demo somewhere? I have been playing Diana Krall's version the last two days over and over.
3-"On Wings of a Nightengale": I have known about this song since the Everly Brothers released it in the 1984. Another Paul classic. Paul's demo is wonderful. Just a beautfully crafted song.
4-"Come and Get It": Again, I have known this song for years even before it was on the Beatles Anthology. I knew about Badfinger as a kid but I don't remember when I first knew it was a Paul song. As the episode said, it would have been a classic Beatles song.
5-"Step Inside Love": Loved the bit on the Beatles Anthology (paired with "Los Paranoias"). Really like the song, though it is very much of its time. Cilia Black does good work on it.
I need to spend more time with the episode, particularly Paul's songs from 1963 and 1964 and some other songs like "Mine to Me" that he gave to Rod Stewart and the song "Penina" which caught my attention and I had never heard.
I also cannot wait for the Flaming Pie episode. I rank Pie in my top 5 Paul albums. I think that I collected all of the singles and b-sides (I always liked "Broomstick" for some reason) from that album but as always there is likely to be surprises and I will learn new material. I wonder who the surprise guests will be?
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B J Conlee wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Back home in Florida after a 2 week trip to New Jersey (my original home).
Maybe someone can answer a question for me and also pull up the YouTube 6 song Live "Run Devil Run" Concert in 1999.
I found it by going into YouTube from the Paul McCartney Website. I then went to the Album section and pulled up the Run Devil Run Album that began with the 1st song..Blue Jean Bop. Going to the far right section on the page, they have more videos you can, of course, see. One of the first videos you can access just says....Paul McCartney "In Concert" Live 1999. It is 6 songs from the Run Devil Run album starting with Honey Husy. It doesn't tell you the specific site of this concert or show but it is the Run Devil Run Band (David Gilmour, Mick Green etc) and Paul does reference during the 2nd song (the false start to Brown Eyed Handsome Man) that the guys came all the way from England for this mini show. I think it was the Peta Show in Los Angeles where they also honored Linda. The 6 song mini concert was:
Honey Hush
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
No Other Baby
Try Not to Cry
Lonesome Town
Run Devil Run (the song)
Can someone transfer this YouTube Video here. It is Paul vocally absolutely at his very best and maybe as good as his Ram early 70's vocals. Here are some of my highlights;
No Other Baby - Paul's vocals midway into the song are just outstanding along with David Gilmour's blistering guitar solo's.
Lonesome Town - Has to be my favorite Paul live vocal to this great ballad. Paul makes this Ricky Nelson song his own
Try Not to Cry - I always thought this song (one of 3 Paul original songs on the album) was a quasi lower point to the overall album but their live version here was sensatlion. Again, David Gilmour's solo was just great
Run Devil Run - Paul's live vocal was just as good as the studio version
If Nancy or someone else can pull it up, it would be much appreciated. I would like for others to see this performance and how good Paul was still singing in 1999.
See link below, think this is the one you wanted. I have stated on this board quite often I thought this album was one of his best vocal performances ever !! Like I have said many times, nobody does 50's rock better than McCartney.
Thanks Yankeefan. That is the one. I loved Paul's vocals on the album but this live performance was just sensational. He nails every song (despite the false start on Brown Eyed Handsome Man) and in a few cases, the "live"performance just enhances his vocals.
How about Paul's vocals mid way through "No Other Baby". I think it is actually better than the studio version although that one is hard to top. His vocals were still real good during the 2002 tour which I saw in Philadelphia but this 1999 vocal at the Peta show was through the roof. And how about David Gilmour's solo guitar work! As I said, I also think his Lonesome Town performance here is slightly better than the studio CD.
I loved his vocals in all the songs in this "Peta" mini set including the 2 McCartney originals. These are the type of performances/tracks that I would love to have in a "by the decade" Lost and Forgotten Compilation. Even if you own the Run Devil Run original CD (which I do) I would love to have some of these "live" versions also. Perfect for a "lost and Forgotten Package I've been speaking about.
How cool would it have been if McCartney did a short tour in US with the RDR ban in small venue?
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thrillington wrote:
I just listened to the latest episode of the podcast. Episode 22, Songs that Paul Gave Away. I enjoyed this episode and as usual with the series, I learned new things. If I had to rank my favorite songs that Paul gave away, I would say that they are in no particular order:
1-"Goodbye": Paul's demo is great, he sings it so well. I like Mary Hopkins' version as well.
2-"If I Take You Home Tonight": Somehow, I did not know about this great song until this episode. Diana Krall is great with it and there is a live version with an orchestra which is just great. I wonder why Paul did not record this for Kisses on the Bottom? It is a really good song, has classic written all over it. Is there a Paul demo somewhere? I have been playing Diana Krall's version the last two days over and over.
3-"On Wings of a Nightengale": I have known about this song since the Everly Brothers released it in the 1984. Another Paul classic. Paul's demo is wonderful. Just a beautfully crafted song.
4-"Come and Get It": Again, I have known this song for years even before it was on the Beatles Anthology. I knew about Badfinger as a kid but I don't remember when I first knew it was a Paul song. As the episode said, it would have been a classic Beatles song.
5-"Step Inside Love": Loved the bit on the Beatles Anthology (paired with "Los Paranoias"). Really like the song, though it is very much of its time. Cilia Black does good work on it.
I need to spend more time with the episode, particularly Paul's songs from 1963 and 1964 and some other songs like "Mine to Me" that he gave to Rod Stewart and the song "Penina" which caught my attention and I had never heard.
I also cannot wait for the Flaming Pie episode. I rank Pie in my top 5 Paul albums. I think that I collected all of the singles and b-sides (I always liked "Broomstick" for some reason) from that album but as always there is likely to be surprises and I will learn new material. I wonder who the surprise guests will be?
Thrillington,
Great post. I am now listening to this new podcast for the 2nd time. Another great "Songs that Paul gave away"podcast from Chris and Ryan. There were some really funny things here and as you said, there were a few songs (for a Macca nut like me) I either only vaguely remember or they were totall new to me.
I will send my comments about the various songs that "Paul gave away to other artists" shortly.
PS I also can't wait for the Flaming Pie (the next one) Podcast too. As far as who will be the special guests, the 2 that jump out at me are Jeff Lynne and/or Steve Miller. I doubt it because they are such big names and they are probably so busy. Another guest that I would love to hear is Paul's son, James, since he played on the album. Would that be great!
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Just listened to the latest Podcast from Chris and Ryan...Songs Paul Gave Away. I was somewhat surprised that after starting the Series with the beginning of Paul's Solo career...1970 with the Album McCartney... and being currently up to the 90's with the Off the Ground Podcast, that they would go back to the early 60's with the beginning of the Beatles' career. Upon further thought however it does make sense that before the next 90's Paul album of original material (Flaming Pie) the Beatles (minus John of course) did have a mini reunion of sorts with the Beatles' Anthology Project. In the 1st Anthology Package they did include a few of the Paul and John songs that were given to other artists. Paul was a big part of that phase (the writing aspect) so I do get Chris and Ryan's thought process here.
As with other Podcasts here, the "Songs Paul Gave Away" was fascinating especially considering how young Paul was. While as a huge Paul fan, I was very familiar with some of the songs on the list, there were some where I was only vaguely familiar and still others that were brand new to me.
After listening to this Podcast twice, here are some of my favorites that Paul gave away to others:
*I'll Be on My Way - I have always loved this Paul song and the guys did too. Conversely however, I don't like the Billy J. Kramer version that was the hit in England especially compared to Paul's own version on the Live At the BBC album. Billy J. Kramer's version to me is way too soft where Paul really emphasizes his hooks and the great bridge. I know that some Beatle fans don't like some of the lyrics but I found Chris and Ryan's discussion fascinating about the origin of the whole moon/spoon/croon rhyme that Paul uses. Paul basically took them from several songs from his Father's era (e.g. Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra's Mooonlight Serenade and other songs). It does make sense and the lyrics don't bother me because of the great upbeat Macca melody and bridge.
*I'll Keep You Satisfied - I was less familiar with this one and I loved it (So do the guys). It was again given to Billy J. Kramer another Brian Epstein protege (but not a songwriter). Kramer's version here is much better to my ears. I loved the story when one of the guys mentioned that in the book (Many Years From Now), Paul mentions that he still hums this one sometimes when he is in his garden. How awesome is that!
*World Without Love - Peter and Gordon. Very familiar with this one as one of Paul's big early hits he gave to Peter Asher while Paul lived with Peter's family (Paul's first real girlfriend Jane Asher). I've heard Peter tell the story that they were so lucky that John Lennon didn't particularly like Paul's song and that is the main reason that they were able to secure it. As luck turns out, World Without Love became a massive hit (#1 everywhere including the USA) and started Peter and Gordon's career. This was also early in the Beatles' career and it makes me think how John must have liked the song a whole lot better once he started cashing the royalty checks (I'm assuming as a Lennon-McCartney song he would get half the royalties). The other fascinating part of this song is that (as Peter tells it) Paul didn't have the bridge done until the day of the recording session and he quickly finished it. This is another example as why Paul is a Pop Music and Melodic genius.
* From a Window - Another great Paul song where I was only vaguely familiar. Again given to Billy J. Kramer. You have to wonder why the Beatles' didn't keep this one for themselves. This one has been in my head over the last couple of days. The guys loved it too and particularly the bridge in the song.
* I Don't Want to See You Again (Peter and Gordon) I wasn't familiar with this one and again I like it too. Peter Asher was really raiding Paul's castoffs. Every artist should have this man's castoffs!
* It's For You (Cilla Black) Another Brian Epstein artist and I really like this Paul song and Cilla's voice. Sort of in a Burt Bacharach style and not surprising that Bacharach melodically was influencing Paul.
This is getting long so I will continue with my next post. It just shows how amazingly prolific Paul was even when they were trying to start their own (the Beatles) career.
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Still can't believe how many songs Paul was writing in the 63-65 era for other artists. Just to continue with some of my favorites from Chris and Ryan's latest Podcast:
*Like Dreamers do (Applejacks) - On top of Paul writing British Invasion stuff, his Father's era songs and Bacharach style melodies, he had the Latin influences from the earliest days. This one is definitely a Latin inspired one.
*Nobody I know (Peter and Gordon) - the guys were pointing out that this song was the followup to World Without Love for Peter and Gordon. They mentioned that the sales were somewhat disappointing. I keep thinking that it ended up #10 in England and #12 in the US. That would be a career song for many artists. I like the song quite a bit.
*Love in the Open Air (The Family Way soundtrack song) Another beautiful melody! I was so funny to hear the story of George Martin bugging Paul to complete the song and even coming over to Paul's house.
*Catcall - I had never heard this one. An instumental in the vein of the Ventures (a 60's group). Not sure what I think about this one but definiely different. Again, shows Paul's amazing diversity.
*Step Inside Love - My favorite Cilla Black Paul song. Just love Cilla's voice. It has a Bacharach/Bossa Nova style to it.
* Goodbye (Mary Hopkin) - Besides being a hit (US and England) for Mary Hopkin, I think that Paul's demo is actually better. The guys mention Paul's voice on this one being so beautiful as well as his guitar playing. I often wonder why Paul didn't put "Goodbye" on his first solo album McCartney. It would have been perfect for it in my opinion. Maybe there were contractual problems to include it.
*Penina - Another Paul song I had never heard until this podcast. Done by a Spanish artist, Carlos Mendez and it definitely has that Latin love song flavor. Love the melody! If Paul would have done more with the lyrics it could have been a classic in my opinion.
* Come and Get It (Badfinger) - All of us know this one and what a song
* 4th of July (John Christy) - I had first heard this one on the Venus And Mars Remaster (2nd disc). I like this guy's version and voice.
*Let's Love (Peggy Lee) - I love Peggy Lee's version here and and certainly sounds like Paul wrote "Let's Love" with Peggy Lee's voice and jazzy style in mind. What a great song.
*Mine for Me (Rod Stewart) - Rod did this Paul song very much to suit his own vocal style. Pretty nice song.
*Yvonne - (10CC) This was written during the Press to Play era and one of my favorite Paul demo's. As the guys said, Paul's demo is much better than the released 10CC one.
* If I Take You Home Tonight (Diana Kroll) - this one is as late as the Kisses on the Bottom sessions but not included on the album. Diana Kroll asked Paul if she could record it. The song is on Diana's latest album and as Thrillington said, it is beautiful. Perfect song for Diana's jazzy voice. I had never heard it until now.
*On the Wings of a Nightingale (Everly Brothers). Given to one of Paul's idols in 1984 for their comeback album, it became a country hit. Paul's demo is great!!
Again, I can't believe the melodies coming out of one man's head. The sad thing is that so many people just don't know Paul's massive catalog. That is why he needs his own Anthology filled with many of these hidden gems.
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BJ Conlee
Thanks for this more extensive list and analysis.
I should have included "Love in the Open Air" in my list. I actually bought the soundtrack to the Family Way twenty years ago so I knew that song. Classic McCartney melody.
I agree so much that Paul needs an Anthology project. Along with it an interview with Paul on all the songs would be so helpful. He needs someone like Giles Martin to get all of his demos into proper shape for release. The best thing about the Take it Away podcasts are that they bring attention to the sheer magnitude of his great work (while not falsely praising false steps). I have been a Paul fan probably since I first learned the four Beatles names on the album Something New that belonged to my sister (I rememeber identifying them by name to my mother). That would had been the late 1960s when I was about 4-5. Then in my teens, I started to follow his every move and collect his music, read intereviews, etc. Before the podcast, I thought I knew everything that he had done. Who would have thought that 50 years later I would still be finding "new" McCartney music that I had never heard before (Penina, If I Take you Home Tonight.....).
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thrillington wrote:
BJ Conlee
Thanks for this more extensive list and analysis.
I should have included "Love in the Open Air" in my list. I actually bought the soundtrack to the Family Way twenty years ago so I knew that song. Classic McCartney melody.
I agree so much that Paul needs an Anthology project. Along with it an interview with Paul on all the songs would be so helpful. He needs someone like Giles Martin to get all of his demos into proper shape for release. The best thing about the Take it Away podcasts are that they bring attention to the sheer magnitude of his great work (while not falsely praising false steps). I have been a Paul fan probably since I first learned the four Beatles names on the album Something New that belonged to my sister (I rememeber identifying them by name to my mother). That would had been the late 1960s when I was about 4-5. Then in my teens, I started to follow his every move and collect his music, read intereviews, etc. Before the podcast, I thought I knew everything that he had done. Who would have thought that 50 years later I would still be finding "new" McCartney music that I had never heard before (Penina, If I Take you Home Tonight.....).
Thrillington,
Thanks for your imput. Yes, I have been pushing for a Paul Anthology/Deep Compilation By Decade Package (I call it "Lost and Forgotten" as a working title) but I strictly had Paul's Post Beatles' in mind (70's, 80's, 90's etc.). I say that because so much of Paul's Beatles' material is so well known but I never considered all these 60's songs that Paul gave away. Perhaps as part of a Paul Anthology project you would need a couple of more discs devoted to the 60's. You are so right that, we as big time Paul fans, are still finding new Paul songs 50 years later.
I also agree with you about this Podcast Series and the commentators. I said this early on about their objectivity. They are not fanboys and will give you their honest opinions good and bad. In my opinion, because Paul was/is so prolific, he will of course have clunkers here and there. Ringo has often been quoted saying how much of a workaholic Paul was. Paul was even more prolific than John and George especially with different genres.
As far as some of the clunkers in this specific podcast, the guys mentioned songs like Tip of My Tongue (especially their guest), One & One is Two, and Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance. I tend to agree on these 3 songs. They were definitely inferior compared to the rest of them. But this is where I will defend Paul. Look at all the "gems" in this group.
I got a kick out of the Podcast banter on the last song. I got a sense that Chris and Ryan really disagreed on Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance. I think it was Chris who really hated it while Ryan looked at it more openly of Paul merging distinct genres in one song. Sometimes Paul's strong interest in different genres really opened himself to severe criticism from the Rock critics of the day. Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance along with the Medley that finished Red Rose Speedway had the "rock critics" going nuts. That's when the "John was the genius" really came out. Since I am a little older than you (like 14 when the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan) I clearly remember the critics slamming Paul in the Wildlife / Red Roseway period. Paul specifically wrote Gotta Sing/Gotta Dance for the James McCartney TV show that came out in 1973. As the guys explained, it was basically a Variety type show that was popular with the older people at the time. They mentioned the Carpenters as a prime example where they would do a Variety show doing a few of their classic songs mixed in with various musical dance and comedy sketches. The problem for Paul was that his "real" fans were younger and far more into the Rock side. At least that was the case in his biggest market...America. The younger rock critics hated that Show and all of a sudden it was John who really had the talent within the Beatles. Paul was the middle of the road, adult contemporaty artist. That analysis as we know couldn't be further from the truth. Paul and John were equal in talent (but different) in my opinion. That's what made the Beatles greal along with George and Ringo.