EGYPT STATION
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Bruce M. wrote:
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
wingsoverkc wrote:
I always thought Grease was a better album than Graceland. IMO Graceland was one of the most over rated albums of ALL TIME.
Paul Simon was a Grammy darling for decades. If he did something it must be good and be recognized, or so seemed the reasoning by the Academy. So it got nominated. He and Garfunkel won many awards for just that same reasoning....as did Stevie Wonder: for being who they were. IMO
That's unfair, I think. Stevie's mid-'70s albums that racked up all those Grammys were brilliant. But the Grammys have often been just clueless. For example, album of the year for 1968 was Glen Campbell's "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." I am not making this up. https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/11th-annual-grammy-awards
I know you’re not! I was watching that night as an incredulous 13-year-old!
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SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
Frank: "I think Egypt Station stands a good chance" of being Grammy-nominated for Album of the Year. Hay, from your fingertips to God's or Goddess's ears...I read in USA Today paper while ago the Grammy noms will be announced Dec. 7, this coming Friday, and that the four major categories each have eight slots this year. Up from four or five. More artists will have a chance. They mentioned the ubiquitous Taylor Swift for "Reputation," Beyonce and Jayzee, Cardi B I think, the ubiquitous Drake, Kacey Mulgraves as possibilities. Nothing set in stone yet.
Thanks Susy. I was just about to ask the nomination dates and your post came on. If USA Today is correct and the # of nominations have increased for each of the big awards, I think that really increases ES chances of getting nominated. One would think that someone of Paul's stature and having a #1 album (if only for 1 week) at the age of 76 will reallly help him. Hopefully getting a nominatlion will also move Capitol to have a follow-up single. I'm still hoping for "Who Cares" as the A side because I think it is the most commercial. It has great "rock" hooks and the lyrics are very good and poignant. Fingers crossed that Paul gets a few nominations this Friday.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
FWIW, I think Confidante -- People Want Peace -- Hand in Hand -- Dominoes is probably the best 4-song run on any post-Beatle Macca album.
Bruce...you defiintely hit one of my favorite sections of ES. Funny thing is that my new wife is what I would consider a typical McCartney "casual" fan. She, of course, knew many of Paul's songs (she's 63) but it was mainly Beatles and the 70's big Wings' hits. But until she met me (she know's my music obsession with all things Paul) she had never kept up with Macca's solo career from the 80's on. She got me into Spotify and I got her into the Paul McCartney Spotify channel. She immmediately liked some of his music she wasn't familiar with (e.g. the best songs on Flaming Pie). Her comment was that she didn't realize that he was still writing and singing really good songs from his later career. I must add that her taste in music is quite broad and for me personally it has been terrific because she is getting "me" into some great music that I had overlooked. Definitely not top 40 type stuff however. I'm now getting into more artists and styles from various genres and eras.
Getting back to your point, I have been playing ES while taking her to work and it is the precise section of ES that she loves the most. She says that she can't get those 4 songs (along with Happy With You and Who Cares) out of her head. I would also be hard pressed to name 4 songs in a row from other Paul Solo Albums better. Off the top of my head, I would throw out...English Tea, Too Much Rain, A Certain Softness and Riding to Vanity Fair. That's not too bad either in my opinion.
As far as the 4 ES songs in general, I loved Confidante, Hand in Hand and Dominoes right from the start but "People Want Peace" has really grown with me. I love the bridge especially and the overall arrangement. I would be thrilled if Paul played any one of them on his tour. I know...Dream on!
Don't even get me started on Paul's failure to play the new songs on the tour. Grrr...
But I think "People Want Peace" is the underappreciated mini-masterpiece of the album. On one level it's about world peace, but then the bridge adds a whole other layer of meaning. The single violin that leads into the first chorus is a gorgeous touch. And the closing rhythm track/singalong that gently but unmistakably echoes "Give Peace a Chance" is shivers-up-the-spine stuff. It's not hard to picture John up in heaven quietly smiling.
And I also think "People Want Peace" would be great live. Sigh...
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Doesn't "People Want Peace" feature a gorgeous cello interlude, as well? I always seem to hear that. (I love the cello). Unless it's a violin in lower register instead of the cello... Funny how time usually flies by, but it's seemed to take forever for Friday to get here this week. That's also the day the Oscar nominations for 2019 will be announced, along with the Grammy noms, unless I'm mistaken. In separate announcements, of course. I'm eager to find out if Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga snag noms for "A Star Is Born." And if Rami Malek does for playing Freddie of "Queen." I loved Rami playing an Egyptian statue come to life in the "Night at the Museum" movies, which I love. Getting back to "Egypt Station," the thought of it gaining special recognition as a Grammy Album of the Year nominee makes me hyperventilate, although not all that enamoured of the Grammys. Especially the thought of ES winning
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"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
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SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
So disappointed too Susy. To think that ES had so many great reviews from such a wide mix of music critics, I just wonder how it happened. How many of the nominated artists are as talented "musically" as Paul. Just look at all the instruments that Paul played on ES on top of "actually" writing the songs by himself (except for one that was cowritten.
Well, I haven't watched the Grammy's for years (since Paul was last nominated) and I will continue to be a non-watcher.
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B J Conlee wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
So disappointed too Susy. To think that ES had so many great reviews from such a wide mix of music critics, I just wonder how it happened. How many of the nominated artists are as talented "musically" as Paul. Just look at all the instruments that Paul played on ES on top of "actually" writing the songs by himself (except for one that was cowritten.
Well, I haven't watched the Grammy's for years (since Paul was last nominated) and I will continue to be a non-watcher.
Sooo disappointed three. Probably was the last chance to honor Paul with an album of the year Grammy. Not that ES is not worthy ....but they do it with other artists all the time : Steely Dan‘s „Two against nature“ or Best Pop Album for Joni Mitchell’s Turbulent Indigo. Neither album was as good as their earlier work . I honestly think there is a bias against Paul as far as the Grammies are concerned.
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Disappointed but not at all surprised. Folks may recall that I did in fact predict this. Alas, to the music industry McCartney is to the music business as Abe Lincoln is to U.S. presidents -- a glorious piece of history to be dusted off and praised now and then, but not a part of the current scent. I'm not saying I approve -- of course I don't -- but that's how it is.
I did think there was an off chance he might be nominated in one of the secondary categories, but no luck. If they'd pushed "Who Cares" -- say, gotten the video out and released it as a single in October -- it might have had a shot at Best Rock Vocal Performance. Oh well. I'll just put on the album again, have a sip of bourbon and say, "Fuh the Grammys."
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SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
It's interesting that Lady Gaga seemingly had to go through the "weird" days of wearing meat dresses and being quite outrageous in manner and speech before she got the attention she needed to be taken seriously and to make it "as herself." She has a beautiful voice. And Bradley Cooper! What's to say!!? Not only is he one of the most handsome men on the face of the earth (I'm a guy, but I know, we all do, when a guy is very good looking), but he can sing too!!!!? How fair is that!??? ha-ha As for Paul, the industry has moved on. I never expected him to be nominated for anything. It's just how it is. I was looking at the nominees, and I know one or two people. That's it. Clearly I have not kept pace with what's happening. But since I don't consider rap to be music, there's little chance of me catching up. My tastes are in the past!!
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B J Conlee wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
So disappointed too Susy. To think that ES had so many great reviews from such a wide mix of music critics, I just wonder how it happened. How many of the nominated artists are as talented "musically" as Paul. Just look at all the instruments that Paul played on ES on top of "actually" writing the songs by himself (except for one that was cowritten.
Well, I haven't watched the Grammy's for years (since Paul was last nominated) and I will continue to be a non-watcher.
I am actually stunned that "Egypt Station" got shut out. Great reviews and entered the charts at #1. In addition, they selected more albums to choose from in the "Album Of The Year" category. I disagree about the age thing, have you seen a list of winners in the not so distant past.
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Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
It's interesting that Lady Gaga seemingly had to go through the "weird" days of wearing meat dresses and being quite outrageous in manner and speech before she got the attention she needed to be taken seriously and to make it "as herself." She has a beautiful voice. And Bradley Cooper! What's to say!!? Not only is he one of the most handsome men on the face of the earth (I'm a guy, but I know, we all do, when a guy is very good looking), but he can sing too!!!!? How fair is that!??? ha-ha As for Paul, the industry has moved on. I never expected him to be nominated for anything. It's just how it is. I was looking at the nominees, and I know one or two people. That's it. Clearly I have not kept pace with what's happening. But since I don't consider rap to be music, there's little chance of me catching up. My tastes are in the past!!
I hear you and agree!!
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Bruce M. wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
FWIW, I think Confidante -- People Want Peace -- Hand in Hand -- Dominoes is probably the best 4-song run on any post-Beatle Macca album.
Bruce...you defiintely hit one of my favorite sections of ES. Funny thing is that my new wife is what I would consider a typical McCartney "casual" fan. She, of course, knew many of Paul's songs (she's 63) but it was mainly Beatles and the 70's big Wings' hits. But until she met me (she know's my music obsession with all things Paul) she had never kept up with Macca's solo career from the 80's on. She got me into Spotify and I got her into the Paul McCartney Spotify channel. She immmediately liked some of his music she wasn't familiar with (e.g. the best songs on Flaming Pie). Her comment was that she didn't realize that he was still writing and singing really good songs from his later career. I must add that her taste in music is quite broad and for me personally it has been terrific because she is getting "me" into some great music that I had overlooked. Definitely not top 40 type stuff however. I'm now getting into more artists and styles from various genres and eras.
Getting back to your point, I have been playing ES while taking her to work and it is the precise section of ES that she loves the most. She says that she can't get those 4 songs (along with Happy With You and Who Cares) out of her head. I would also be hard pressed to name 4 songs in a row from other Paul Solo Albums better. Off the top of my head, I would throw out...English Tea, Too Much Rain, A Certain Softness and Riding to Vanity Fair. That's not too bad either in my opinion.
As far as the 4 ES songs in general, I loved Confidante, Hand in Hand and Dominoes right from the start but "People Want Peace" has really grown with me. I love the bridge especially and the overall arrangement. I would be thrilled if Paul played any one of them on his tour. I know...Dream on!
Don't even get me started on Paul's failure to play the new songs on the tour. Grrr...
But I think "People Want Peace" is the underappreciated mini-masterpiece of the album. On one level it's about world peace, but then the bridge adds a whole other layer of meaning. The single violin that leads into the first chorus is a gorgeous touch. And the closing rhythm track/singalong that gently but unmistakably echoes "Give Peace a Chance" is shivers-up-the-spine stuff. It's not hard to picture John up in heaven quietly smiling.
And I also think "People Want Peace" would be great live. Sigh...
Great analysis of "People Want Peace". I feel the same way but coudn't express it as well as you. I hear Paul/Band doing the song and getting the audience participation similar as you say to "Give Peace a Chance". And the John referrence I think is so true. I also think John would love it.
Sounds to me that Paul still has too much of a fear of the audience being too quiet on his non-rocking "new" songs. Just wish Paul was the "daring" Paul like he was on his 1976 tour. I personally think the crowd would love "People Want Peace" and it would be easy for the crowd to get into it. I've always thought Paul should have a musical director for his tour to make each tour more creative rather than leaving it all to him. Paul has so many songs to make his setlists so much more creative but he just resorts back to his "safe" Beatle songs that he knows by heart and most people will instantly cheer. For example, I love the acoustic sectlion of the show but why not add a song like Confidante or Hand in Hand in he mix. And why not Happy with You as a new replacement for Nancy and My valentine. Unfortuanately I would go on and on.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
FWIW, I think Confidante -- People Want Peace -- Hand in Hand -- Dominoes is probably the best 4-song run on any post-Beatle Macca album.
Bruce...you defiintely hit one of my favorite sections of ES. Funny thing is that my new wife is what I would consider a typical McCartney "casual" fan. She, of course, knew many of Paul's songs (she's 63) but it was mainly Beatles and the 70's big Wings' hits. But until she met me (she know's my music obsession with all things Paul) she had never kept up with Macca's solo career from the 80's on. She got me into Spotify and I got her into the Paul McCartney Spotify channel. She immmediately liked some of his music she wasn't familiar with (e.g. the best songs on Flaming Pie). Her comment was that she didn't realize that he was still writing and singing really good songs from his later career. I must add that her taste in music is quite broad and for me personally it has been terrific because she is getting "me" into some great music that I had overlooked. Definitely not top 40 type stuff however. I'm now getting into more artists and styles from various genres and eras.
Getting back to your point, I have been playing ES while taking her to work and it is the precise section of ES that she loves the most. She says that she can't get those 4 songs (along with Happy With You and Who Cares) out of her head. I would also be hard pressed to name 4 songs in a row from other Paul Solo Albums better. Off the top of my head, I would throw out...English Tea, Too Much Rain, A Certain Softness and Riding to Vanity Fair. That's not too bad either in my opinion.
As far as the 4 ES songs in general, I loved Confidante, Hand in Hand and Dominoes right from the start but "People Want Peace" has really grown with me. I love the bridge especially and the overall arrangement. I would be thrilled if Paul played any one of them on his tour. I know...Dream on!
Don't even get me started on Paul's failure to play the new songs on the tour. Grrr...
But I think "People Want Peace" is the underappreciated mini-masterpiece of the album. On one level it's about world peace, but then the bridge adds a whole other layer of meaning. The single violin that leads into the first chorus is a gorgeous touch. And the closing rhythm track/singalong that gently but unmistakably echoes "Give Peace a Chance" is shivers-up-the-spine stuff. It's not hard to picture John up in heaven quietly smiling.
And I also think "People Want Peace" would be great live. Sigh...
Great analysis of "People Want Peace". I feel the same way but coudn't express it as well as you. I hear Paul/Band doing the song and getting the audience participation similar as you say to "Give Peace a Chance". And the John referrence I think is so true. I also think John would love it.
Sounds to me that Paul still has too much of a fear of the audience being too quiet on his non-rocking "new" songs. Just wish Paul was the "daring" Paul like he was on his 1976 tour. I personally think the crowd would love "People Want Peace" and it would be easy for the crowd to get into it. I've always thought Paul should have a musical director for his tour to make each tour more creative rather than leaving it all to him. Paul has so many songs to make his setlists so much more creative but he just resorts back to his "safe" Beatle songs that he knows by heart and most people will instantly cheer. For example, I love the acoustic sectlion of the show but why not add a song like Confidante or Hand in Hand in he mix. And why not Happy with You as a new replacement for Nancy and My valentine. Unfortuanately I would go on and on.
BJ, he was the daring Paul in 1989 for example. I believe 6 songs were played off FITD and he opened with new song from FITD (Figure Of Eight). Imagine him opening with "Who Cares" , I know in my dreams - lol
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Frank wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
So disappointed too Susy. To think that ES had so many great reviews from such a wide mix of music critics, I just wonder how it happened. How many of the nominated artists are as talented "musically" as Paul. Just look at all the instruments that Paul played on ES on top of "actually" writing the songs by himself (except for one that was cowritten.
Well, I haven't watched the Grammy's for years (since Paul was last nominated) and I will continue to be a non-watcher.
Sooo disappointed three. Probably was the last chance to honor Paul with an album of the year Grammy. Not that ES is not worthy ....but they do it with other artists all the time : Steely Dan‘s „Two against nature“ or Best Pop Album for Joni Mitchell’s Turbulent Indigo. Neither album was as good as their earlier work . I honestly think there is a bias against Paul as far as the Grammies are concerned.
When he didn't win for Chaos but lost instead to Kelly Clarkson, the writing was on the proverbial wall. His time had come and gone. I never thought ES had the slightest chance of being nominated for anything. It's just "not what's happening." There has always been a bias where Paul....and the Beatles were concerned. They were just too big and popular. The Beatles didn't win when they clearly should have....quite often not even nominated. There's no way in hades that "Hey Jude" by every measure possible wasn't Record of the Year for 1968. It didn't win. Of all the fantastic singles the Beatles released....20 of them No. 1 on the charts...not a single one was Record of The Year! How can that be? How come only one album of the year? Back then the Academy was still busy honoring long time artists...the Grammy's were relatively new...but still! Five of their albums are in the top 12 albums of all time...including four in the top ten and 3 in the top five. If Simon and Garfunkel or Stevie Wonder were on the ballot, the Beatles were not going to win. That's just the reality of it.
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Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Frank wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
So disappointed too Susy. To think that ES had so many great reviews from such a wide mix of music critics, I just wonder how it happened. How many of the nominated artists are as talented "musically" as Paul. Just look at all the instruments that Paul played on ES on top of "actually" writing the songs by himself (except for one that was cowritten.
Well, I haven't watched the Grammy's for years (since Paul was last nominated) and I will continue to be a non-watcher.
Sooo disappointed three. Probably was the last chance to honor Paul with an album of the year Grammy. Not that ES is not worthy ....but they do it with other artists all the time : Steely Dan‘s „Two against nature“ or Best Pop Album for Joni Mitchell’s Turbulent Indigo. Neither album was as good as their earlier work . I honestly think there is a bias against Paul as far as the Grammies are concerned.
When he didn't win for Chaos but lost instead to Kelly Clarkson, the writing was on the proverbial wall. His time had come and gone. I never thought ES had the slightest chance of being nominated for anything. It's just "not what's happening." There has always been a bias where Paul....and the Beatles were concerned. They were just too big and popular. The Beatles didn't win when they clearly should have....quite often not even nominated. There's no way in hades that "Hey Jude" by every measure possible wasn't Record of the Year for 1968. It didn't win. Of all the fantastic singles the Beatles released....20 of them No. 1 on the charts...not a single one was Record of The Year! How can that be? How come only one album of the year? Back then the Academy was still busy honoring long time artists...the Grammy's were relatively new...but still! Five of their albums are in the top 12 albums of all time...including four in the top ten and 3 in the top five. If Simon and Garfunkel or Stevie Wonder were on the ballot, the Beatles were not going to win. That's just the reality of it.
Good point about CHAOS, I really thought that had a shot. I think that was the year he performed and did "Fine Line" and a killer "Helter Skelter". See below and this just proves your point about album just not happening sadly.
"ClassicRockHistory wrote in their review of the album, "This is great songwriting; it’s pop perfection. If we were living in the era in which radio used to play music other than hip hop and rap, these new Paul McCartney songs would become staples of pop culture like so many of the Beatles classics did. However, times have changed and so sadly these great records can get lost"
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Bruce M. wrote:
Disappointed but not at all surprised. Folks may recall that I did in fact predict this. Alas, to the music industry McCartney is to the music business as Abe Lincoln is to U.S. presidents -- a glorious piece of history to be dusted off and praised now and then, but not a part of the current scent. I'm not saying I approve -- of course I don't -- but that's how it is.
I did think there was an off chance he might be nominated in one of the secondary categories, but no luck. If they'd pushed "Who Cares" -- say, gotten the video out and released it as a single in October -- it might have had a shot at Best Rock Vocal Performance. Oh well. I'll just put on the album again, have a sip of bourbon and say, "Fuh the Grammys."
Bruce,
Amid my extreme disappointment and shock that ES and Paul didn't even get nominated, your last sentence had me laughing. Like Paul said in his last line of his great Chaos song...Too Much Rain. "you gotta learn to laugh.
I also agree with your last comment about "Who Cares". I felt the same way that Capitol made a big mistake not releasing the "Who Cares" Emma Stone video as well as putting it out in October as a single.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Frank wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
"Egypt Station" snubbed for Grammys Album of the Year, but then, so were Taylor Swift and Beyonce. I was disappointed about ES not making it when it deserves to so very much. I guess I want "Shallow" from the A Star is Born remake to win for Record of the Year, it's been an earworm on and off ever since I saw that flick twice in a row.
So disappointed too Susy. To think that ES had so many great reviews from such a wide mix of music critics, I just wonder how it happened. How many of the nominated artists are as talented "musically" as Paul. Just look at all the instruments that Paul played on ES on top of "actually" writing the songs by himself (except for one that was cowritten.
Well, I haven't watched the Grammy's for years (since Paul was last nominated) and I will continue to be a non-watcher.
Sooo disappointed three. Probably was the last chance to honor Paul with an album of the year Grammy. Not that ES is not worthy ....but they do it with other artists all the time : Steely Dan‘s „Two against nature“ or Best Pop Album for Joni Mitchell’s Turbulent Indigo. Neither album was as good as their earlier work . I honestly think there is a bias against Paul as far as the Grammies are concerned.
When he didn't win for Chaos but lost instead to Kelly Clarkson, the writing was on the proverbial wall. His time had come and gone. I never thought ES had the slightest chance of being nominated for anything. It's just "not what's happening." There has always been a bias where Paul....and the Beatles were concerned. They were just too big and popular. The Beatles didn't win when they clearly should have....quite often not even nominated. There's no way in hades that "Hey Jude" by every measure possible wasn't Record of the Year for 1968. It didn't win. Of all the fantastic singles the Beatles released....20 of them No. 1 on the charts...not a single one was Record of The Year! How can that be? How come only one album of the year? Back then the Academy was still busy honoring long time artists...the Grammy's were relatively new...but still! Five of their albums are in the top 12 albums of all time...including four in the top ten and 3 in the top five. If Simon and Garfunkel or Stevie Wonder were on the ballot, the Beatles were not going to win. That's just the reality of it.
Good point about CHAOS, I really thought that had a shot. I think that was the year he performed and did "Fine Line" and a killer "Helter Skelter". See below and this just proves your point about album just not happening sadly.
"ClassicRockHistory wrote in their review of the album, "This is great songwriting; it’s pop perfection. If we were living in the era in which radio used to play music other than hip hop and rap, these new Paul McCartney songs would become staples of pop culture like so many of the Beatles classics did. However, times have changed and so sadly these great records can get lost"
Excellent points from all of you on the above post as well as Bruce on his prievious one. We can backtrack and pick out marketing mistakes that Capitol and Paul might have made after ES made it to #1 on the charts (in the 1st/2nd week that the album came out), but maybe nothing would have mattered. Paul wasn't going to get a nomination regardless. In Grammy voters mind, he is just too passe.
Ironically, as I'm here at my local Panera Bread, "Dominoes" is playing on their playlist. Not sure which music source they are using but I would call it Adult Contemporary (not heavy Rock oriented for sure). Relative to the fact of getting a Grammy Nomination within the bigger categories, I do appreciate and acknowledge that there are an enormous amount new albums put out each year. I'm sure it's hard to keep up with all the new music even if your are a voter. This is where I think Capitol and Paul might have made glaring mistakes. You must have to pick out the best songs from any new album in the first place. In ES's case, I never thought that Capitol highlighted the best songs to fully represent the overall quality of their album. The main singles they put out were...Come On To Me, I Don't Know and Fuh You. It also seemed to be Capitol's main print thrust when highlighting ES. IN my opinion, the problem with these songs compared to other better songs on ES were:
Come On To Me - while this song did do its job and was more geared to today's younger audience (reached #6 on the Adult Contemporary Chart) the song was too "repetitive" to make much of a dent of getting wide airplay. I live in Central Florida and I'm in convenience stores all the time playing their playlists of popular songs. Personally, I didn't hear "Come On To Me" one time. Let's face it, it's a fairly good album cut but I would guess that Capitol was disappointed themselves relative to launching the album.
I Don't Know (coupled with Come On To Me as a double A Side) in my opinion, this is a "good" Paul song and better than its counterpart, but not the kind of song that's going to produce a hit. Its a good Paul piano ballad, but not the right choice to be part of the first single out of the gate. Generally you need up-tempo types of songs.
Fuh You - launched as a internet single (maybe Bruce can explain Capitol's thought process on this) but it died on the charts. It didn't create any airplay from what I've heard in my very populated section of the country. Paul and Capitol was trying for the "cute" angle with the lyrics but it obviously wasn't the type of song from a veteran artist that caught the eyes of any of the Grammy voters. Lyrics were bad at best for an artist of Paul's stature.
Better choices:
Who Cares - has terrific rock hooks with very good and topical lyrics. Far better than Capitol's eventual choices in my opinion and who knows, might have attracted some of the Grammy voters. As I said, with so much new product on the market, you can't necessarily expect voters to go beyond the "highlighted" choices from the Record Company themselves.
Dominoes - another terrific ES track with terrific up-tempo hooks and good lyrics.
Despite Repeated Warnings - as a B-side to either one of the above. Not necessarily a commercial track, "Warnings" does offer topical social lyrics about the state of the world today. It's a smart "Story" song about how leaders who can sometimes be on the wrong track. Again, as a B-side, it might have attracted the interest of some Grammy voters. The song itself is great in my opinion as an album track.
Happy With You - another good B-side possibility in my opinion. Far more of a Paul McCartney style track that some Grammy voters are more used to.
Again, everyone here might be right. ES maybe wouldn't have been nominated anyway no matter what album highlights were selected. But I did think that the choioces that Capitol did make weren't close to being the best songs representing ES on the whole. I think Bruce (look at his last post) in the end has the right idea.
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First of all, my all time favorite 4 song streak is Letting Go, Band On The Run, Hi Hi Hi, and Soily, from WOA. Now my second favorite 4 song streak is now Come On To Me, Happy With You, Who Cares, and Fuh You.
Secondly, yes, I'm a little mystified by the exclusion of Egypt Station at the Grammy's; as I was similiarly mystified by the exclusion of New and Memory Almost Full (even though MAF did receive 3 nominations) for Grammy awards. Then again, Pink Floyd has one Grammy; Led Zeppelin has one Grammy; Rolling Stones have three (a Lifetime Award and two for Voodoo Lounge; none for Exile on Main Street, Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed, Some Girls, etc., etc.)
Soo, does it bother me about Egypt Station not getting a Grammy nomination? Not one bit. It is an exceptional rock and roll album that I cannot stop playing. As Bruce so eloquently said, "FUH the Grammy's!
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I'm going to partially disagree with BJ about the singles released from the album. Come On To Me did better in terms of radio airplay than any Paul single in at least 20 years, cracking the top 10 in 2 different formats -- AC and Triple A. It's catchy, relatively modern, and works pretty well on radio. What it doesn't do is represent the album well. Along with Fuh You, it's probably the shallowest tune on the album, with the least going on both musically and lyrically. I don't dislike it, but profound it ain't, and I think much of this album is genuinely profound.
I Don't Know is lovely, but it never struck me as single material. I'm not sure that they really marketed it to radio, but I'm not positive. They DID try to promote Ceasar Rock to Triple A radio and it flopped badly. I think they should have gone with Who Cares -- and gotten the damn video out there. That's the part that remains a mystery to me.
I claim no insight into the strategy behind Fuh You, except that it's the tune that sounds most like contemporary Top 40 material. Alas, there was never a chance of Top 40 radio playing Paul, and I think it put off some fans who just heard it once or twice.
We can only speculate about other tunes. I have no doubt that Dominoes or Hand in Hand, had they been released in 1974, would have easily been Top 10 and maybe #1. Would radio even have noticed them in 2018? No clue. But either would give a much more accurate taste of what the album is like than Come On To Me and Fuh You.
Bear in mind, too, that while radio still matters, it matters less to this generation than it does to geezers like most of us. Kids hear a lot of music by friends sharing on social media, and Paul's demographic just doesn't do that as much. Barring some unforeseeable stroke of lightning, I don't think there's a real chance of Paul having a huge hit single or album at this age -- one that stays in the top 10 for weeks. Pop music is a young person's game, and has been for three quarters of a century. From that perspective, Paul does okay, and probably about as well as you can expect.
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Looks like the video with Emma Stone is ready.