EGYPT STATION
-
So, now that we've all had some time to process, what's everyone's favorite song? For a long time I leaned toward Dominoes, which I still love, but I'm increasingly enthralled with Confidante. It has one of those lovely, slightly mysterious, bittersweet melodies that Paul is such a genius at, and I'm fascinated by the lyrics.
It's looking back on a former relationship (and whether it's with a person or a guitar I don't think really matters) in a way that's different than most popular songs. Most songs are either "we've split up and now I hate you" (e.g. And Your Bird Can Sing) or "baby please come home" (e.g. My Brave Face, which has that exact line). But here he's looking back fondly and wistfully, yet not at all expressing regret that it's over. The sentiment seems to be, "It was great and I do miss it, but it was time to move on." This is lovely, emotionally subtle stuff that one doesn't often get in popular music. Oh, and I just totally love the guitars in the instrumental break -- genuine shivers-up-the-spine stuff.
Here's a thought: The narrators of Confidante and Do It Now could be the same person 30 years apart. Do It Now is about having the courage to leave what you have behind and go seek something new. Confidante is what that feels like decades later.
This is a really good album.
-
Erik in NJ wrote:
EDJ wrote:
Only 3 songs I want to come back to. Well below old McCARTNEY stuff. COME ON TO ME, FUH YOU & PEOPLE WANT PEACE. THAT'S IT.
Biggest disappointment ... PEOPLE WANT PEACE is at least one minute too short. LOVE the drum beat and chant PEOPLE WANT PEACE at the end yet it ends way to early . He could have kept that chant/drum beat going forever ...for me anyhow.
Love the positive reviews though. One thing I noticed LONG AGO. Paul's entire sound changed ( for the worst for me )after the passing of LINDA. The harmonies and production ( some critized him of )are less & different.
The middle-eight of People Want Peace is amazing and has Linda-like backing vocals. I miss that sound and so glad he incorporated it in this song. I love Wings...and I think if he were to return to that sound he's have more #1 albums!
BTW, where is everyone?? Nancy R, SusyLuvsPaul, etc........this place is brutal with the quiet.
I’m here twice a day. I just don’t like dissecting his albums/songs like some of you do. I just enjoy the entire album!
-
I see the colored vinyl LP of ES is now sold out! I was considering buying one. I wanted to buy the whole set of colored vinyl LP's but at $30 each I just haven't been able to click on that BUY button. I annoys me that the 8 LP set is not discounted at all and priced at $240. You would tend to think that MPL would cut us fans a bit of a break here. Some of the super deluxe sets are expensive but usually worth the money. I don't feel the same way with the colored vinyl. Thoughts?
-
Bruce M. wrote:
So, now that we've all had some time to process, what's everyone's favorite song? For a long time I leaned toward Dominoes, which I still love, but I'm increasingly enthralled with Confidante. It has one of those lovely, slightly mysterious, bittersweet melodies that Paul is such a genius at, and I'm fascinated by the lyrics.
It's looking back on a former relationship (and whether it's with a person or a guitar I don't think really matters) in a way that's different than most popular songs. Most songs are either "we've split up and now I hate you" (e.g. And Your Bird Can Sing) or "baby please come home" (e.g. My Brave Face, which has that exact line). But here he's looking back fondly and wistfully, yet not at all expressing regret that it's over. The sentiment seems to be, "It was great and I do miss it, but it was time to move on." This is lovely, emotionally subtle stuff that one doesn't often get in popular music. Oh, and I just totally love the guitars in the instrumental break -- genuine shivers-up-the-spine stuff.
Here's a thought: The narrators of Confidante and Do It Now could be the same person 30 years apart. Do It Now is about having the courage to leave what you have behind and go seek something new. Confidante is what that feels like decades later.
This is a really good album.
Great post Bruce. Many of Paul's good to great songs (and the Beatles in general) are simple yet subtle and deep at the same time. You got me thinking about Confidante. I have probably underestimated the lyrics for sure. Like you, I love the guitars.
At this point, I have digested Egypt Station pretty much. It usually takes me about 2-3 weeks on a new Paul album as I grow into them in small chunks at a time.
What I'm finding fascinating about ES, is that my "favorites" keep changing. For me, that tells me (and I totally agree with you) that it's a "really good album". Definitely a top tier Macca Solo album and I love the fact that he has done it at such a late stage of his career. As you said in a previous post...Now Paul, play the damn #1 album on your tour and not just 3 songs. Ironically, 2 of the 3 songs he's now doing, are not the best songs on the album by a long shot in my opinion. I love the fact that Macca is doing "Who Cares" but where are the others?
-
Every week I check the rateyourmusic site to see how Egypt Station is progressing. Currently with 606 votes (and 27 reviews) , ES still only has a rating of 3.05 (out of 5.00), and is one of Paul's least popular post-Beatles albums,with or without Wings. As with last week, only Press to Play (2.76), Kisses on the Bottom (2.78) and Pipes of Peace (2.96) have less votes. As a comparison, Paul's most popular albums are Ram (3.94), Band on the Run (3.89) and Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (3.72). Its very early days though and Egypt Station may be a slow burner which will gain popularity over the coming months and years.
-
B J Conlee wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
So, now that we've all had some time to process, what's everyone's favorite song? For a long time I leaned toward Dominoes, which I still love, but I'm increasingly enthralled with Confidante. It has one of those lovely, slightly mysterious, bittersweet melodies that Paul is such a genius at, and I'm fascinated by the lyrics.
It's looking back on a former relationship (and whether it's with a person or a guitar I don't think really matters) in a way that's different than most popular songs. Most songs are either "we've split up and now I hate you" (e.g. And Your Bird Can Sing) or "baby please come home" (e.g. My Brave Face, which has that exact line). But here he's looking back fondly and wistfully, yet not at all expressing regret that it's over. The sentiment seems to be, "It was great and I do miss it, but it was time to move on." This is lovely, emotionally subtle stuff that one doesn't often get in popular music. Oh, and I just totally love the guitars in the instrumental break -- genuine shivers-up-the-spine stuff.
Here's a thought: The narrators of Confidante and Do It Now could be the same person 30 years apart. Do It Now is about having the courage to leave what you have behind and go seek something new. Confidante is what that feels like decades later.
This is a really good album.
Great post Bruce. Many of Paul's good to great songs (and the Beatles in general) are simple yet subtle and deep at the same time. You got me thinking about Confidante. I have probably underestimated the lyrics for sure. Like you, I love the guitars.
At this point, I have digested Egypt Station pretty much. It usually takes me about 2-3 weeks on a new Paul album as I grow into them in small chunks at a time.
What I'm finding fascinating about ES, is that my "favorites" keep changing. For me, that tells me (and I totally agree with you) that it's a "really good album". Definitely a top tier Macca Solo album and I love the fact that he has done it at such a late stage of his career. As you said in a previous post...Now Paul, play the damn #1 album on your tour and not just 3 songs. Ironically, 2 of the 3 songs he's now doing, are not the best songs on the album by a long shot in my opinion. I love the fact that Macca is doing "Who Cares" but where are the others?
Paul said in a recent interview that he and the band have only had time to learn 3 of the songs but that they're rehearsing others. Seems pretty odd, but I hope they get a couple more into the show ASAP.
-
And how can it be that I Don't Know is not on the set list? Best song on the album. Whole thing about still learning the new songs sounds like couple years ago when he said they were "working on" getting some tunes from Flowers onto the set list.
-
Great to see 'Confidante' getting some love.
The line 'Unlike my other so-called friends, you stood beside me as I fought' is probably one of my favourites on this album.
From the first time I listened to it, it left me thinking about how Paul's music was (and is) always there with me as a companion, unlike others so-called friends.
-
FC15 wrote:
Great to see 'Confidante' getting some love.
The line 'Unlike my other so-called friends, you stood beside me as I fought' is probably one of my favourites on this album.
From the first time I listened to it, it left me thinking about how Paul's music was (and is) always there with me as a companion, unlike others so-called friends.
If only I could get past his vocal....yeah, sorry to bring that up.... I just can't listen to him struggle to pronounce words as if his tongue is tied up. I love the instrumentation on the song. It would be my favorite with a better vocal. I can't believe he would release a song sounding like that. He has some great vocals on the album, so he could have done it with a rested voice. There was no cutoff date to finish the album, so.....but that's my problem.
-
Kestrel wrote:
Every week I check the rateyourmusic site to see how Egypt Station is progressing. Currently with 606 votes (and 27 reviews) , ES still only has a rating of 3.05 (out of 5.00), and is one of Paul's least popular post-Beatles albums,with or without Wings. As with last week, only Press to Play (2.76), Kisses on the Bottom (2.78) and Pipes of Peace (2.96) have less votes. As a comparison, Paul's most popular albums are Ram (3.94), Band on the Run (3.89) and Chaos and Creation in the Backyard (3.72). Its very early days though and Egypt Station may be a slow burner which will gain popularity over the coming months and years.
Rateyourmusic site is only one music site among so many, though. And Egypt Station is presently Number One ! So many different opinions of ES abound and many of those are likely to change from less positive to more positive with repeated listenings, if they give the album a chance. If it grows on them and sinks in. I loved some on ES immediately, which is rather rare with any artist. I've come to love others after not noticing them much at first, such as Hand in Hand and Confidante. I haven't heard the songs all that much as yet. "Dominoes" has fallen just a bit from favor presently, but that's liable to change. "Despite Repeated Warnings" has become more poignant and pithy and touching with each hearing. "Back in Brazil" sparkles and delights; "Fuh You" now strikes me as insanely catchy ! A real treat. "Naked" lyrics are mystifying, appealingly enigmatic, and it's grown more fetching, its sound, intriguing. I love the heavenly chorus sounds which bookend the album. The album boasts an effortless quality, a graceful fluidity showing Paul's songwriting prowess, his musical mastery after decades of experience built on his original talents.
-
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
FC15 wrote:
Great to see 'Confidante' getting some love.
The line 'Unlike my other so-called friends, you stood beside me as I fought' is probably one of my favourites on this album.
From the first time I listened to it, it left me thinking about how Paul's music was (and is) always there with me as a companion, unlike others so-called friends.
If only I could get past his vocal....yeah, sorry to bring that up.... I just can't listen to him struggle to pronounce words as if his tongue is tied up. I love the instrumentation on the song. It would be my favorite with a better vocal. I can't believe he would release a song sounding like that. He has some great vocals on the album, so he could have done it with a rested voice. There was no cutoff date to finish the album, so.....but that's my problem.
Beatles4Ever, his "Confidante" vocal strikes me as similar to that of "Early Days" which to me sounds rich, warm and comforting, lived in. It's not exactly the voice of his earlier youth, when he sounded utterly divine, true. Perhaps he's smoked too many ciggies and drank too much or something over the years, and does so now sometimes, not taken good enough care of his vocal instrument... but part of it stems from his many years he's spent on earth, his long experience and so much singing, too much without resting his voice during some periods. Partly it can't be helped, but we can appreciate his voice now. Just as we don't want to hear only his Beatles classics. And long for new and different original songs.
-
Back in Brazil
When I read the lyrics I'm convinced these are actually about Paul and Linda. Read them. Thoughts?
-
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
FC15 wrote:
Great to see 'Confidante' getting some love.
The line 'Unlike my other so-called friends, you stood beside me as I fought' is probably one of my favourites on this album.
From the first time I listened to it, it left me thinking about how Paul's music was (and is) always there with me as a companion, unlike others so-called friends.
If only I could get past his vocal....yeah, sorry to bring that up.... I just can't listen to him struggle to pronounce words as if his tongue is tied up. I love the instrumentation on the song. It would be my favorite with a better vocal. I can't believe he would release a song sounding like that. He has some great vocals on the album, so he could have done it with a rested voice. There was no cutoff date to finish the album, so.....but that's my problem.
It's funny. Both here and on the Steve Hoffman board I've had little tolerance for the "Paul's voice is just fine" cheerleaders. Of course it's not fine, it's deteriorated considerably, and Confidante is probably the tune on ES where that's most apparent. And yet, for me at least, somehow it works. It's the song of an older person reflecting on things that are long past, and I actually don't think it would work with Paul's sweet 1970-era voice. In my fantasy world, he'd sing this with his voice from roughly the Flaming Pie era, but barring invention of time travel, I suppose that's not an option.
-
Bruce M. wrote:
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
FC15 wrote:
Great to see 'Confidante' getting some love.
The line 'Unlike my other so-called friends, you stood beside me as I fought' is probably one of my favourites on this album.
From the first time I listened to it, it left me thinking about how Paul's music was (and is) always there with me as a companion, unlike others so-called friends.
If only I could get past his vocal....yeah, sorry to bring that up.... I just can't listen to him struggle to pronounce words as if his tongue is tied up. I love the instrumentation on the song. It would be my favorite with a better vocal. I can't believe he would release a song sounding like that. He has some great vocals on the album, so he could have done it with a rested voice. There was no cutoff date to finish the album, so.....but that's my problem.
It's funny. Both here and on the Steve Hoffman board I've had little tolerance for the "Paul's voice is just fine" cheerleaders. Of course it's not fine, it's deteriorated considerably, and Confidante is probably the tune on ES where that's most apparent. And yet, for me at least, somehow it works. It's the song of an older person reflecting on things that are long past, and I actually don't think it would work with Paul's sweet 1970-era voice. In my fantasy world, he'd sing this with his voice from roughly the Flaming Pie era, but barring invention of time travel, I suppose that's not an option.
Yes I agree his voice has really gone downhill and lets face it he has never really taken care of it. He never really hydrates while performing and every vocal coach in the world will tell you that is not good. He has smoked for many years and his constant touring has not helped his voice. The man basically sings for almost 3 hrs without a break which is great for the audience but does not help his voice. I wish he did sound better but I am more into the quality of his songwriting and he still is a wonderful musician.
-
No 1 for a 2nd week ?! Fantastic
Thinking about this great achievment it would be great to come on here and not have Pauls 76 year old voice being dissected.
In response to an earlier poster, for me it is "just fine " actually. My 10 year old son feels exactly the same . he often remarks how great a singer Paul is - now . He doesn't feel the need to make constant comparrisons to his earlier career vocals.
It's easy to be an expert about vocal health , but no one on here actually knows what Paul does to care for his voice, except for maybe not drinking enough water !
Yeah he smoked- show me a rock star that didn't ....
He also had to suffer around 7 years of singing without monitors , and half that time was in front of an audience which George Martin described as the same as a jet airliner taking off.
My band didn't have monitors for years, and I could barely speak the next morning.
Then take into account that hes been a proper working - live performing musician for the best part of 60 years. He's not like many of his conteporaries who dip their toe into the odd live appearance in between semi retirement stints.
On that basis i think he should be cut some slack on how he looks after himself!
I can honestly say hand on heart I love how his voice sounds both live and on the new album . To me , it does sound "just fine". I know he's not 25 and pampered, and I'm fine with that.
If the way Paul sounds now , is actually ruining some peoples experience of listening to his album (which is beyond me personally) then theres an easy solution ...
I looked at The Billboard chart today and felt the world was imediatley a better place. Truly inspiring.
I'm so grateful that upwords of 150 000 people don't seem to have a problem with Pauls voice.
-
Been listening to Egypt Station tracks on Youtube and I have totally fallen in love with this exceptional album.
I have ordered the LP but the wait is too long- October!
I've ordered the CD also now as it will be here tomorrow and I can listen at home and on my car journeys to my heart's content.
Egypt Station is outstanding and the album getting to number one really shows how relevant and 'fab' Paul always is.
I am so fond of Paul and his music that it is hard to express really. Just hoping that he adds an extra date to the London shows as I couldnt get tickets and my husband and children, 10 and 11 are also really keen to see him. Fingers crossed.
We only ever call him 'Our Paul' when referring to him in this house as we briefly met him once (all too brief) and so now conceitedly consider him our friend ha ha.
-
stuartshire wrote:
No 1 for a 2nd week ?! Fantastic
Thinking about this great achievment it would be great to come on here and not have Pauls 76 year old voice being dissected.
In response to an earlier poster, for me it is "just fine " actually. My 10 year old son feels exactly the same . he often remarks how great a singer Paul is - now . He doesn't feel the need to make constant comparrisons to his earlier career vocals.
It's easy to be an expert about vocal health , but no one on here actually knows what Paul does to care for his voice, except for maybe not drinking enough water !
Yeah he smoked- show me a rock star that didn't ....
He also had to suffer around 7 years of singing without monitors , and half that time was in front of an audience which George Martin described as the same as a jet airliner taking off.
My band didn't have monitors for years, and I could barely speak the next morning.
Then take into account that hes been a proper working - live performing musician for the best part of 60 years. He's not like many of his conteporaries who dip their toe into the odd live appearance in between semi retirement stints.
On that basis i think he should be cut some slack on how he looks after himself!
I can honestly say hand on heart I love how his voice sounds both live and on the new album . To me , it does sound "just fine". I know he's not 25 and pampered, and I'm fine with that.
If the way Paul sounds now , is actually ruining some peoples experience of listening to his album (which is beyond me personally) then theres an easy solution ...
I looked at The Billboard chart today and felt the world was imediatley a better place. Truly inspiring.
I'm so grateful that upwords of 150 000 people don't seem to have a problem with Pauls voice.
I hear you. And agree....mostly. The fly in the ointment, however, is that we're not being critical of his 76-year-old voice. We know it can't compare with the voice from decades ago, but that voice on the majority of the songs on ES sounds just fine. No complaints. No problems. It's the unrested voice of a man that age that we are upset about. We know that "Confidante" and "I Don't Know" could and would...and should...have sounded better...his voice not so very frail...had he recorded the vocals on a rested voice. That is somewhat true of "Hand In Hand" as well. I would be interested in finding out the dates vocals were laid down on those songs versus those on the other songs on the album. I would venture the guess that the dates for them were on days immediately after a heavy touring schedule with a very tired voice...versus most of the other vocals, which are fine. That's why I am upset with what he seems content with for those two...maybe three...songs. They are going to be around forever. I can't imagine how he could seemingly think those vocals were fine. George Harrison released "Dark Horse" with a hoarse voice. He had to get the album out for his tour. That was a mistake, but he had a deadline. Paul was not under that kind of deadline. I mean he was already going to be 5 years past his last album. Why not take the necesary time? I can't imagine how he could be happy with those songs sounding the way they do. His producer should have insisted he lay down decent vocals..or was he too in awe of Paul's resume to state his honest opinions? Has anyone ever asked Paul about the state/fragility of his voice? Surely he must know, or is he in complete denial? We can listen to Bob Dylan croak his way through songs, but he has never been a great singer, so one really doesn't expect much better from him. Paul? Different story. (And please stop singing "Maybe I'm Amazed" in concert, Paul. Maybe it's for Linda, but you just can't sing it anymore. Sorry, to come across so negative here. It just saddens me to feel this way.)
-
Paul sings "I Don't Know" wonderfully on "Egypt Station," and all the rest of them wonderfully, in my opinion. All the Debbie Downers in here endlessly lamenting his current vocals really bring me down at times. There's a world of recordings with his sublime earlier singing voice for your listening pleasure. Turn to those when desired, while also appreciating what we have of him now. That's the healthy, optimistic, sunny attitude.
-
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
Paul sings "I Don't Know" wonderfully on "Egypt Station," and all the rest of them wonderfully, in my opinion. All the Debbie Downers in here endlessly lamenting his current vocals really bring me down at times. There's a world of recordings with his sublime earlier singing voice for your listening pleasure. Turn to those when desired, while also appreciating what we have of him now. That's the healthy, optimistic, sunny attitude.
Spot on Suzy !
-
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
stuartshire wrote:
No 1 for a 2nd week ?! Fantastic
Thinking about this great achievment it would be great to come on here and not have Pauls 76 year old voice being dissected.
In response to an earlier poster, for me it is "just fine " actually. My 10 year old son feels exactly the same . he often remarks how great a singer Paul is - now . He doesn't feel the need to make constant comparrisons to his earlier career vocals.
It's easy to be an expert about vocal health , but no one on here actually knows what Paul does to care for his voice, except for maybe not drinking enough water !
Yeah he smoked- show me a rock star that didn't ....
He also had to suffer around 7 years of singing without monitors , and half that time was in front of an audience which George Martin described as the same as a jet airliner taking off.
My band didn't have monitors for years, and I could barely speak the next morning.
Then take into account that hes been a proper working - live performing musician for the best part of 60 years. He's not like many of his conteporaries who dip their toe into the odd live appearance in between semi retirement stints.
On that basis i think he should be cut some slack on how he looks after himself!
I can honestly say hand on heart I love how his voice sounds both live and on the new album . To me , it does sound "just fine". I know he's not 25 and pampered, and I'm fine with that.
If the way Paul sounds now , is actually ruining some peoples experience of listening to his album (which is beyond me personally) then theres an easy solution ...
I looked at The Billboard chart today and felt the world was imediatley a better place. Truly inspiring.
I'm so grateful that upwords of 150 000 people don't seem to have a problem with Pauls voice.
I hear you. And agree....mostly. The fly in the ointment, however, is that we're not being critical of his 76-year-old voice. We know it can't compare with the voice from decades ago, but that voice on the majority of the songs on ES sounds just fine. No complaints. No problems. It's the unrested voice of a man that age that we are upset about. We know that "Confidante" and "I Don't Know" could and would...and should...have sounded better...his voice not so very frail...had he recorded the vocals on a rested voice. That is somewhat true of "Hand In Hand" as well. I would be interested in finding out the dates vocals were laid down on those songs versus those on the other songs on the album. I would venture the guess that the dates for them were on days immediately after a heavy touring schedule with a very tired voice...versus most of the other vocals, which are fine. That's why I am upset with what he seems content with for those two...maybe three...songs. They are going to be around forever. I can't imagine how he could seemingly think those vocals were fine. George Harrison released "Dark Horse" with a hoarse voice. He had to get the album out for his tour. That was a mistake, but he had a deadline. Paul was not under that kind of deadline. I mean he was already going to be 5 years past his last album. Why not take the necesary time? I can't imagine how he could be happy with those songs sounding the way they do. His producer should have insisted he lay down decent vocals..or was he too in awe of Paul's resume to state his honest opinions? Has anyone ever asked Paul about the state/fragility of his voice? Surely he must know, or is he in complete denial? We can listen to Bob Dylan croak his way through songs, but he has never been a great singer, so one really doesn't expect much better from him. Paul? Different story. (And please stop singing "Maybe I'm Amazed" in concert, Paul. Maybe it's for Linda, but you just can't sing it anymore. Sorry, to come across so negative here. It just saddens me to feel this way.)
Fair enough , I understand your point , but I’ve read many posts, and the ones that annoy me are the ones that are constantly bringing down Paul’s voice now full stop . Prople that “ find it hard to listen to his album “ .. that’s such a bizarre concept to me .