EGYPT STATION
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SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
I especially fancy his piano-based songs...one of my favorite styles of his...like "I Don't Know," "Your Loving Flame," "The Long and Winding Road," "Let It Be," some on "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard," The "hidden" song on "New," etc. They really get to me. Drives me a bit mad wondering what he's saying, singing about in "I Don't Know..." wondering what the lyrics mean--'cause "I don't know" LOL what they mean. I've imagined some kind of wild scenarios which I doubt are true, such as ...well, I guess I'd better not say !
The song lyrics mean that (believe it or not) Paul is human like the rest of us.
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Just wanted to say that I LOVE “Come On To Me”!! Catchy, sexy, fun vibe and great vocals...
I also love the concept album-like theme of Egypt Station, and of course as a lifelong Egyptology buff I was thrilled that he made the bold creative choice to go with this... very exotic and vaguely mystical theme. Can’t wait how the album shapes up to be and how it holds up to its title!!
I’m also thrilled that Paul finally decided to use his own art as the cover for the album. He’s remarkably talented and criminally underrated as a visual artist and this puts his skills right on display for the world to see while jazzing it up with some postcard collage imagery
Lastly, I’m so pleased that his Carpool Karaoke segment is doing so well online!! Altogether I think it’s been seen somewhere around 100 million times when you add up YouTube and Facebook, which is certainly not bad at all. I’ve actually gone into cafes and heard multiple people buzzing about it (“...did you see the McCartney segment??”), which is always great to see. I also love that he achieved all this on his own merits, not just by piggy-backing off of young stars to reach the youth. It shows that he really is still very deeply loved by millions the world over...
So it’s a very strong start for the album promo season, and I can’t wait to see what comes next!!
(That having been said, I was underwhelmed with “I Don’t Know” and the new tour name LOL)
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Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Steve wrote:
Damn good bits of info on “EGYPT STATION” from Kurstin.....
Kirstin made it almost sound as if Paul produced the album and he was there primarily to make suggestions here and there and be in awe! Kidding. I am intrigued by him saying that there are 20+ songs from the sessions. The album will contain 16. I wish he had been asked how they narrowed them down....which ones to leave off the album. Quite often over the years, songs left off various Paul albums were, to me, better than some that made the cut. He recorded this album when on breaks from touring. I wish he had just done less touring and given his voice some rest....for longer periods and more often....and maybe he wouldn't sound so hoarse. "I Don't Know" is a beautiful song...strong melody. Paul's vocal is just....not quite there. Maybe if he had started off the song with vocal harmonies that emerge later in the song, instead of just his voice, it would have made a big difference....to me. The two pianos intro is spectacular...but then the vocal starts off very shaky.
Paul is 76 and has been belting rock 'n' roll for about 60 years. His voice is aging. This has been going on for some time, and it's entirely natural. While he has better and worse days, I think by and large this is just the way his voice is now. I can't help but be a little saddened by it, given the glorious set of pipes he once had, but aging is definitively better than the alternative. I wish John had lived long enough to sound old.
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Bruce M. wrote:
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Steve wrote:
Damn good bits of info on “EGYPT STATION” from Kurstin.....
Kirstin made it almost sound as if Paul produced the album and he was there primarily to make suggestions here and there and be in awe! Kidding. I am intrigued by him saying that there are 20+ songs from the sessions. The album will contain 16. I wish he had been asked how they narrowed them down....which ones to leave off the album. Quite often over the years, songs left off various Paul albums were, to me, better than some that made the cut. He recorded this album when on breaks from touring. I wish he had just done less touring and given his voice some rest....for longer periods and more often....and maybe he wouldn't sound so hoarse. "I Don't Know" is a beautiful song...strong melody. Paul's vocal is just....not quite there. Maybe if he had started off the song with vocal harmonies that emerge later in the song, instead of just his voice, it would have made a big difference....to me. The two pianos intro is spectacular...but then the vocal starts off very shaky.
Paul is 76 and has been belting rock 'n' roll for about 60 years. His voice is aging. This has been going on for some time, and it's entirely natural. While he has better and worse days, I think by and large this is just the way his voice is now. I can't help but be a little saddened by it, given the glorious set of pipes he once had, but aging is definitively better than the alternative. I wish John had lived long enough to sound old.
Yeah, I really don't disagree. It being the case that the voice is going, however, I just thought it might have been a good idea on his part to ease up on the constant touring and concentrate on resting the voice and making the best possible album he could. Touring then recording...back and forth...worked when he was Beatle Paul, not now. Get the voice in the best possible shape before recording. The album will be around forever. The tour dates will long be forgotten in years to come. Make the best possible album you can....and then resume touring or just give it all a rest and concentrate on updating the sound of your and the Beatles catalgos. That would be a full time job. (When first listening to "I Don't Know," I winced when his voice came in...... That's my problem, I guess. But......)
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Ok have to jump in here... it’s always back to the voice, the voice, the voice....
I just went back to listen to the first two songs after purposely not listening for a few days....
These are the best songs I have heard since Chaos... and New and MAF were really good albums.
Yes, his voice has aged, and guess what, we all have too and we all will. Yet, I find these songs and his vocal effort to be very good. The music holds up. The production is fantastic and the ability to move me is still there.
As I said before, we are literally blessed with new Paul music. There is not going to be an endless stream of this going forward. I’m enjoying it for what it is and not for what it isn’t.
I’m thrilled that I’m still being thrilled.
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Bruce M. wrote:
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Steve wrote:
Damn good bits of info on “EGYPT STATION” from Kurstin.....
Kirstin made it almost sound as if Paul produced the album and he was there primarily to make suggestions here and there and be in awe! Kidding. I am intrigued by him saying that there are 20+ songs from the sessions. The album will contain 16. I wish he had been asked how they narrowed them down....which ones to leave off the album. Quite often over the years, songs left off various Paul albums were, to me, better than some that made the cut. He recorded this album when on breaks from touring. I wish he had just done less touring and given his voice some rest....for longer periods and more often....and maybe he wouldn't sound so hoarse. "I Don't Know" is a beautiful song...strong melody. Paul's vocal is just....not quite there. Maybe if he had started off the song with vocal harmonies that emerge later in the song, instead of just his voice, it would have made a big difference....to me. The two pianos intro is spectacular...but then the vocal starts off very shaky.
Paul is 76 and has been belting rock 'n' roll for about 60 years. His voice is aging. This has been going on for some time, and it's entirely natural. While he has better and worse days, I think by and large this is just the way his voice is now. I can't help but be a little saddened by it, given the glorious set of pipes he once had, but aging is definitively better than the alternative. I wish John had lived long enough to sound old.
Ditto Bruce!
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Steve wrote:
Ok have to jump in here... it’s always back to the voice, the voice, the voice....
I just went back to listen to the first two songs after purposely not listening for a few days....
These are the best songs I have heard since Chaos... and New and MAF were really good albums.
Yes, his voice has aged, and guess what, we all have too and we all will. Yet, I find these songs and his vocal effort to be very good. The music holds up. The production is fantastic and the ability to move me is still there.
As I said before, we are literally blessed with new Paul music. There is not going to be an endless stream of this going forward. I’m enjoying it for what it is and not for what it isn’t.
I’m thrilled that I’m still being thrilled.
I agree 200% with your post, I’m over the moon that Paul has yet, another album, and I’m thrilled to bits!!!
HUZZAH !!! ️
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Steve wrote:
Ok have to jump in here... it’s always back to the voice, the voice, the voice....
I just went back to listen to the first two songs after purposely not listening for a few days....
These are the best songs I have heard since Chaos... and New and MAF were really good albums.
Yes, his voice has aged, and guess what, we all have too and we all will. Yet, I find these songs and his vocal effort to be very good. The music holds up. The production is fantastic and the ability to move me is still there.
As I said before, we are literally blessed with new Paul music. There is not going to be an endless stream of this going forward. I’m enjoying it for what it is and not for what it isn’t.
I’m thrilled that I’m still being thrilled.
Voice aside, I think a number of songs on MAF and New are better than these 2 new ones. They're not bad, but I don't consider either to be top-tier Paul. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
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Bruce M. wrote:
Voice aside, I think a number of songs on MAF and New are better than these 2 new ones. They're not bad, but I don't consider either to be top-tier Paul. Just my opinion.
I would agree with you there. I listened to I Don't Know several times when it first became available but I haven't bothered since, and already I've forgotten how it goes which is never a good sign. I think it may work better as an album track.
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Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Steve wrote:
Damn good bits of info on “EGYPT STATION” from Kurstin.....
Kirstin made it almost sound as if Paul produced the album and he was there primarily to make suggestions here and there and be in awe! Kidding. I am intrigued by him saying that there are 20+ songs from the sessions. The album will contain 16. I wish he had been asked how they narrowed them down....which ones to leave off the album. Quite often over the years, songs left off various Paul albums were, to me, better than some that made the cut. He recorded this album when on breaks from touring. I wish he had just done less touring and given his voice some rest....for longer periods and more often....and maybe he wouldn't sound so hoarse. "I Don't Know" is a beautiful song...strong melody. Paul's vocal is just....not quite there. Maybe if he had started off the song with vocal harmonies that emerge later in the song, instead of just his voice, it would have made a big difference....to me. The two pianos intro is spectacular...but then the vocal starts off very shaky.
Loved the article but I would like to make a couple of points. First, notice the initial rtnreaction McCartney had to Kurstin's suggestions. He seems to dismiss them and makes you wonder why he even bothers having a producer. Like you, I worry about his song selection because we both know he has left some real good songs off albums. I have said this many times before this is why I thought Nigel Godrich was so good, he basically was not afraid/in awe of McCartney and the results show in CHAOS. I like that this album is going to be very diverse in sound, I hope it is strong lyrically also which can be a problem sometimes. I totally agree with you, wish he would stop all the touring and saved his voice for his new album. It would be such a shame to ruin good songs with subpar vocals.
Yes, it did seem Paul, just to be contrary...or out of resentment..., seemed to dismiss Kurstin's suggestions out of hand before finally acknowledging them. Kursitn seemed okay with it because Paul is, after all,.......a Beatle! Finishing it all at Abbey Road only made him seem even more intimidated by Paul. What bothers me about Paul's approach....time wise....is that the vocals will not be up to par because he hasn't given sufficient time for his voice to recover from all the touring. He could do that in his Beatle days, not now. It has been 5 years since his last studio release, so, in all likelihood...and to be realistic...., this will proabably be his final studio release. I would have imagined that he would have given the allbum his highest priority...in every way; to really make a great one. It will be around forever. The tour stops here and there while he was recording it will be long forgotten. I hope I'm wrong, but the first two songs don't make me very optimistic that, vocal-wise, it will be an album we treasure.
Good point, this really is probably his last album unless he throws the songs he did not use this time from the sessions into another album some day. I understand he is older but like you said why not give your voice a break and not tour and record a new album at the same time.
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Bruce M. wrote:
Steve wrote:
Ok have to jump in here... it’s always back to the voice, the voice, the voice....
I just went back to listen to the first two songs after purposely not listening for a few days....
These are the best songs I have heard since Chaos... and New and MAF were really good albums.
Yes, his voice has aged, and guess what, we all have too and we all will. Yet, I find these songs and his vocal effort to be very good. The music holds up. The production is fantastic and the ability to move me is still there.
As I said before, we are literally blessed with new Paul music. There is not going to be an endless stream of this going forward. I’m enjoying it for what it is and not for what it isn’t.
I’m thrilled that I’m still being thrilled.
Voice aside, I think a number of songs on MAF and New are better than these 2 new ones. They're not bad, but I don't consider either to be top-tier Paul. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
Yes, the voice. While we all know it has aged, including Paul, the point was that maybe he rest it before recording an album. Get it in the best shape possible. Don't schedule bits of time here and there when on break from touring...your voice will not be ready. You have to know that. Stop touring....rest your voice.....then record your album. It's going to be around forever. Make it as good...and sound as good... as you possibly can. When his voice comes in on "I Don't Know" I wince. That's my problem, I guess. But it tells me Paul didn't have himself ready for the studio. That's on him.
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Nancy R wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
I especially fancy his piano-based songs...one of my favorite styles of his...like "I Don't Know," "Your Loving Flame," "The Long and Winding Road," "Let It Be," some on "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard," The "hidden" song on "New," etc. They really get to me. Drives me a bit mad wondering what he's saying, singing about in "I Don't Know..." wondering what the lyrics mean--'cause "I don't know" LOL what they mean. I've imagined some kind of wild scenarios which I doubt are true, such as ...well, I guess I'd better not say !
Well, obviously I realize Paul is "human," I never once thought he's a robot, I just meant I'm very curious wondering what the specific issue is that he was singing about in "I Don't Know." I think this song is quite catchy and found myself humming it to myself and hearing it in my mind's ear, so there's much more to it musically, I think, than a few have said here.
The song lyrics mean that (believe it or not) Paul is human like the rest of us.
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Nancy R wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
I especially fancy his piano-based songs...one of my favorite styles of his...like "I Don't Know," "Your Loving Flame," "The Long and Winding Road," "Let It Be," some on "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard," The "hidden" song on "New," etc. They really get to me. Drives me a bit mad wondering what he's saying, singing about in "I Don't Know..." wondering what the lyrics mean--'cause "I don't know" LOL what they mean. I've imagined some kind of wild scenarios which I doubt are true, such as ...well, I guess I'd better not say !
Well, obviously I realize Paul is "human," I never once thought he's a robot, I just meant I'm very curious wondering what the specific issue is that he was singing about in "I Don't Know." Wondering what the lyrics mean. I think this song is quite catchy and found myself humming it to myself and hearing it in my mind's ear, so there's much more to it musically, I think, than a few have said here.
Another of his piano ballads I consider underrated is the one he wrote for the Robert de Niro movie soundtrack--elegantly simple and direct, sung with such feeling and sincerity, with several poetic images in the lyrics (metaphors or similies).
The song lyrics mean that (believe it or not) Paul is human like the rest of us.
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SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
I especially fancy his piano-based songs...one of my favorite styles of his...like "I Don't Know," "Your Loving Flame," "The Long and Winding Road," "Let It Be," some on "Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard," The "hidden" song on "New," etc. They really get to me. Drives me a bit mad wondering what he's saying, singing about in "I Don't Know..." wondering what the lyrics mean--'cause "I don't know" LOL what they mean. I've imagined some kind of wild scenarios which I doubt are true, such as ...well, I guess I'd better not say !
Well, obviously I realize Paul is "human," I never once thought he's a robot, I just meant I'm very curious wondering what the specific issue is that he was singing about in "I Don't Know." I think this song is quite catchy and found myself humming it to myself and hearing it in my mind's ear, so there's much more to it musically, I think, than a few have said here.
The song lyrics mean that (believe it or not) Paul is human like the rest of us.
I was being half facetious and half serious. (Hence the wink emoji) I hardly thought that you thought he was a robot!
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Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
Steve wrote:
Ok have to jump in here... it’s always back to the voice, the voice, the voice....
I just went back to listen to the first two songs after purposely not listening for a few days....
These are the best songs I have heard since Chaos... and New and MAF were really good albums.
Yes, his voice has aged, and guess what, we all have too and we all will. Yet, I find these songs and his vocal effort to be very good. The music holds up. The production is fantastic and the ability to move me is still there.
As I said before, we are literally blessed with new Paul music. There is not going to be an endless stream of this going forward. I’m enjoying it for what it is and not for what it isn’t.
I’m thrilled that I’m still being thrilled.
Voice aside, I think a number of songs on MAF and New are better than these 2 new ones. They're not bad, but I don't consider either to be top-tier Paul. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
Yes, the voice. While we all know it has aged, including Paul, the point was that maybe he rest it before recording an album. Get it in the best shape possible. Don't schedule bits of time here and there when on break from touring...your voice will not be ready. You have to know that. Stop touring....rest your voice.....then record your album. It's going to be around forever. Make it as good...and sound as good... as you possibly can. When his voice comes in on "I Don't Know" I wince. That's my problem, I guess. But it tells me Paul didn't have himself ready for the studio. That's on him.
Beatles4Ever,
You may be right. Maybe the end result vocally might have been significantly better with more rest and not in between his incessant touring. I don't have a problem with his vocals on "Come On To Me" but I have to admit (as a big time Solo Paul fan) that I wished his vocal on "I Don't Know" was better. I say that with a full understanding of his current "older" voice. I will reserve full judgement until I have the album but at this point his vocals on the song doesn't, in my opinion, enhance what I think is a very good song. That might be unfortunate since I really love this number especially the production. For a ballad, I particularly love the drumming and the middle 8. Regardless, it should be a good album track but certainly not a "classic" and that may be largely because of the vocal.
It will be very interesting once the tour begins especially the 1st 3 or 4 dates. It's almost a certainly that "I Don't Know" will be on the setlist (probably during the 1st "Piano" portion) and we will see after having significant rest if his vocal on "I Don't Know" is substantially better. If his "live" performance delivers a noticeable improvement than your theory would be validated.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Beatles4Ever&Ever wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
Steve wrote:
Ok have to jump in here... it’s always back to the voice, the voice, the voice....
I just went back to listen to the first two songs after purposely not listening for a few days....
These are the best songs I have heard since Chaos... and New and MAF were really good albums.
Yes, his voice has aged, and guess what, we all have too and we all will. Yet, I find these songs and his vocal effort to be very good. The music holds up. The production is fantastic and the ability to move me is still there.
As I said before, we are literally blessed with new Paul music. There is not going to be an endless stream of this going forward. I’m enjoying it for what it is and not for what it isn’t.
I’m thrilled that I’m still being thrilled.
Voice aside, I think a number of songs on MAF and New are better than these 2 new ones. They're not bad, but I don't consider either to be top-tier Paul. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
Yes, the voice. While we all know it has aged, including Paul, the point was that maybe he rest it before recording an album. Get it in the best shape possible. Don't schedule bits of time here and there when on break from touring...your voice will not be ready. You have to know that. Stop touring....rest your voice.....then record your album. It's going to be around forever. Make it as good...and sound as good... as you possibly can. When his voice comes in on "I Don't Know" I wince. That's my problem, I guess. But it tells me Paul didn't have himself ready for the studio. That's on him.
Beatles4Ever,
You may be right. Maybe the end result vocally might have been significantly better with more rest and not in between his incessant touring. I don't have a problem with his vocals on "Come On To Me" but I have to admit (as a big time Solo Paul fan) that I wished his vocal on "I Don't Know" was better. I say that with a full understanding of his current "older" voice. I will reserve full judgement until I have the album but at this point his vocals on the song doesn't, in my opinion, enhance what I think is a very good song. That might be unfortunate since I really love this number especially the production. For a ballad, I particularly love the drumming and the middle 8. Regardless, it should be a good album track but certainly not a "classic" and that may be largely because of the vocal.
It will be very interesting once the tour begins especially the 1st 3 or 4 dates. It's almost a certainly that "I Don't Know" will be on the setlist (probably during the 1st "Piano" portion) and we will see after having significant rest if his vocal on "I Don't Know" is substantially better. If his "live" performance delivers a noticeable improvement than your theory would be validated.
Totally agree. The ballad, "I Don't Know" has great production, is well written and could have been memorable...were his vocal better. I hope the album, as a whole, sounds much better. If he has some well written songs....as Kurstin has said....it will have been worth the wait, I guess. While I don't dislike "Come On To Me," it is too repetitious for me. Makes it seem to last much longer than it should. Maybe it's just me, but it seems to lack a bridge or middle eight. He kind of just keeps repeating the same thing over and over. Love the horn section, but could have done without the false ending and then just more of the same.
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I really dig both new songs. "I Don't Know" is clearly the better of the two however I love the bouncy vibe of "Come On To Me" .
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I'm sure that many of you saw one of the latest "Billboard" stories about Paul on the Internet regarding sales of his new singles. Here it is as of 7/11/18:
Billboard's Hot Rock Songs Chart
#18 Let It Be (Based solely on the Carpool Karoake episode)
#24 Come On To Me
#39 I Don't Know
Adult Alternative Songs
#34 Come On To Me
Rock Digital Song Sales
#4 Come On To Me
#12 I Don't Know
I don't keep up with the "Sales record charts" these days and I generally find them confusing with all the various "lists"so maybe someone can explain further how Paul's new songs are doing.
Thanks
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Has anyone seen these teasers? Fkes?
People Want Peace
Despite Repeated Warnings
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Back In Brazil〜 EGYPT STATION
EGYPT STATION 〜Prologue〜