McCartney 3?
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Hey Anthony...
Forgot to mention how much I still love your video of "Put It There" (For others, it is on the bottom of your previous post).
Can't wait till you guys tackle some of the new McCartney 3 tunes.
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I loving McCartney 3. The only song I haven't grown to like yet is Deep Deep Feeling. Lavatory Lil and Deep Down I think are good, and all the other songs are great, especially The Kiss of Venus and When Winter Comes.
M3 feels like a smaller, more personal album compared with Egypt Station and Paul's other recent albums, which I guess makes sense considering how it was made. I still like Egypt Station better, but I love M3 too. I think we should all be grateful that Paul is still making albums of this quality.
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I am not enjoying this album as much as others.
I like it. I love that he got another Number One! That means so much. I'm so proud of him for that.
Because I love Paul.
But it's not anywhere near his best. I'm loving still listening to it. Songs growing on me. But nowhere near the summit. No matter how many more times I listen to it.
I do unfairly make all comparisons to the Beatles and then Wings... But that's the way it is.
Probably two to three songs on the album worthy of being put in that comparative. In the lower echelon.
Which isn't enough.
But... I love Paul.
I will continue to listen. But it's currently on the lower scale of his output (which is magnificent)
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I got a nice surprise yesteray...a physical copy of the McCartney 3 CD from Prime. My wife had gotten me a surpise gift for Christmas of a DVD/CD player. She liked the idea that I had the CD for this player. It is in the shape of a Laptop that I can play when I'm the passenger during our car trips up North.
As usual, I was impressed with the packaging for the CD. Love the booklet that accompanies the CD. Love that it includes all the lyrics as well as great pictures of Paul in his studio. All in all, I had a great Christmas.
I noticed that on the very back of the booklet it said that this album was dedicated to Eddie Klein who died in 2020. I've seen his name on many of Paul's previious CD's. Can someone tell me how Eddie was related to Linda. Thanks
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B J Conlee wrote:
I got a nice surprise yesteray...a physical copy of the McCartney 3 CD from Prime. My wife had gotten me a surpise gift for Christmas of a DVD/CD player. She liked the idea that I had the CD for this player. It is in the shape of a Laptop that I can play when I'm the passenger during our car trips up North.
As usual, I was impressed with the packaging for the CD. Love the booklet that accompanies the CD. Love that it includes all the lyrics as well as great pictures of Paul in his studio. All in all, I had a great Christmas.
I noticed that on the very back of the booklet it said that this album was dedicated to Eddie Klein who died in 2020. I've seen his name on many of Paul's previious CD's. Can someone tell me how Eddie was related to Linda. Thanks
Google search:
https://beatlesmagazineuk.com/paul-mccartney-on-eddie-klein/
https://www.the-paulmccartney-project.com/artist/eddie-klein/
He is not related to Linda.
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toris wrote:
I am not enjoying this album as much as others.
I like it. I love that he got another Number One! That means so much. I'm so proud of him for that.
Because I love Paul.
But it's not anywhere near his best. I'm loving still listening to it. Songs growing on me. But nowhere near the summit. No matter how many more times I listen to it.
I do unfairly make all comparisons to the Beatles and then Wings... But that's the way it is.
Probably two to three songs on the album worthy of being put in that comparative. In the lower echelon.
Which isn't enough.
But... I love Paul.
I will continue to listen. But it's currently on the lower scale of his output (which is magnificent)
Welcome back toris! I think I have to agree with you about this album. (and I love Paul too!)
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Hi BJ,
Good to hear from you! I completely agree on "Women and Wives" and "Lavatory Lil" - both fantastic tracks! "Women and Wives" has such a great lyric - Paul is clearly drawing from his personal experience, imparting important lessons he's learned throughout his life's journey. "Lavatory Lil" is very Beatley in it's sentiment and sound, and I was hooked on it right away (really great guitar playing on this track as well, that Tele sounds awesome!)
The more and more I listen to "Deep Deep Feeling", the more it completely mesmerizes me. It's the way the track is constantly evolving, introducing new elements, sounds and melodic motifs that keep it interesting and make your ears perk up. It's just so well constructed, and I think it really nails what it's trying to achieve. All of these different, shifting components, from the off-kilter drum groove, to the echoey electric guitars, to the motifs that the piano and acoustic guitars play at different points throughout the song, to the tremolo synth strings, to the vocal counterpoint that happens at 5:40, to the polyrhythm that occurs when the shaker is introduced at 5:54, to the backwards background vocals at 6:20 - I find it all totally hypnotizing.
He's singing about some heavy, nearly indescribable stuff here in the reference to the "deep, deep pain of feeling", which could be interpreted an infinite amount of ways. Musically, the half-step motion of the introductory verses is very unsettling, so it's a really nice release when the B-section is introduced ("Sometimes I wish it would stay, sometimes I wish it would go away"). The subject matter of the lyric really fits the spacious vibe of the track, in my opinion. It carries an emotional punch and depth (no pun intended) that's reminiscent of some of the darker material he's put out since "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". I also hear that vibe a bit on the track "Women and Wives" as well. I know some people have an issue with the length and the use of repetition in the melody, but I find that because the track is constantly changing underneath, the 8+ minutes length is warranted.
On the flip side, like I posted before, I find "Deep Down" interesting and fun on a musical level, but it doesn't warrant it's length of over 6 minutes, as it never really evolves into anything different. As a personal preference, I wish he had manipulated the sound of his voice on this track, as it's not his best vocal performance and it's very out front and exposed. There's also not much going on here lyrically (as far as depth of meaning is concerned), and the juxtaposition of the youthful energy and sentiment ("throw a party every night") is kind of jarring for me when it's being sung by a clearly elderly voice. Effects or doubling his vocals could have helped mask this - a good recent example of fantastic use of effects and doubling was on "Frank Sinatra's Party", where it works really well. This is really the only track on the album where the voice is an issue to me - even "The Kiss Of Venus", where his voice is even more exposed in the arrangement as it's only accompanied by an acoustic guitar, it works because he's using a softer part of his voice, and the lyrics are fantastic. Also, that melody is just exquisite - what a song! At any rate, I'm glad that you and others are enjoying "Deep Down", my brother actually really likes this one as well.
Thank you for the kind words regarding our cover of "Put It There", really appreciate that! We actually did a short cover of "Slidin'" as part of the "12 Days of Paul" campaign, which was really fun to do. We hadn't heard the song yet at that point, and basing it off the snippet of sheet music that was posted by MPL, this is how we interpreted it:
Hope you have a happy and healthy new year!
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toris wrote:
I am not enjoying this album as much as others.
I like it. I love that he got another Number One! That means so much. I'm so proud of him for that.
Because I love Paul.
But it's not anywhere near his best. I'm loving still listening to it. Songs growing on me. But nowhere near the summit. No matter how many more times I listen to it.
I do unfairly make all comparisons to the Beatles and then Wings... But that's the way it is.
Probably two to three songs on the album worthy of being put in that comparative. In the lower echelon.
Which isn't enough.
But... I love Paul.
I will continue to listen. But it's currently on the lower scale of his output (which is magnificent)
Hey Toris,
Welcome back!
Just curious and I'm assuming that you're listening to the new album (McCartney 3) in good quality sound...either from the actual CD or a good service like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon music etc.
What specifically don't you like..Paul's vocals, the production etc. Personally, I'm loving McCartney 3. Now I'm not saying that some of new tracks aren't as good as the best songs on Egypt Station, New, Flaming Pie, Tug of War etc. but I Iove some of these new songs like:
Find My Way
Pretty Boys
The Kiss of Venus
Seize the Day
Winter Bird/When Winter Comes (the closing track)
I love all the above tracks and they all have sounds from Wings and/or Beatles to my ears. I also like the variety on the album like Slidin (good heavy metal like sound) the craziness of Lavatory Lil and the soulfulness of Deep Down or Deep Deep Feeling. I just find it to be a very creative album and I like most of the songs. Hopefully the album will grow on yuu.
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Anthony B. wrote:
Hi BJ,
Good to hear from you! I completely agree on "Women and Wives" and "Lavatory Lil" - both fantastic tracks! "Women and Wives" has such a great lyric - Paul is clearly drawing from his personal experience, imparting important lessons he's learned throughout his life's journey. "Lavatory Lil" is very Beatley in it's sentiment and sound, and I was hooked on it right away (really great guitar playing on this track as well, that Tele sounds awesome!)
The more and more I listen to "Deep Deep Feeling", the more it completely mesmerizes me. It's the way the track is constantly evolving, introducing new elements, sounds and melodic motifs that keep it interesting and make your ears perk up. It's just so well constructed, and I think it really nails what it's trying to achieve. All of these different, shifting components, from the off-kilter drum groove, to the echoey electric guitars, to the motifs that the piano and acoustic guitars play at different points throughout the song, to the tremolo synth strings, to the vocal counterpoint that happens at 5:40, to the polyrhythm that occurs when the shaker is introduced at 5:54, to the backwards background vocals at 6:20 - I find it all totally hypnotizing.
He's singing about some heavy, nearly indescribable stuff here in the reference to the "deep, deep pain of feeling", which could be interpreted an infinite amount of ways. Musically, the half-step motion of the introductory verses is very unsettling, so it's a really nice release when the B-section is introduced ("Sometimes I wish it would stay, sometimes I wish it would go away"). The subject matter of the lyric really fits the spacious vibe of the track, in my opinion. It carries an emotional punch and depth (no pun intended) that's reminiscent of some of the darker material he's put out since "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard". I also hear that vibe a bit on the track "Women and Wives" as well. I know some people have an issue with the length and the use of repetition in the melody, but I find that because the track is constantly changing underneath, the 8+ minutes length is warranted.
On the flip side, like I posted before, I find "Deep Down" interesting and fun on a musical level, but it doesn't warrant it's length of over 6 minutes, as it never really evolves into anything different. As a personal preference, I wish he had manipulated the sound of his voice on this track, as it's not his best vocal performance and it's very out front and exposed. There's also not much going on here lyrically (as far as depth of meaning is concerned), and the juxtaposition of the youthful energy and sentiment ("throw a party every night") is kind of jarring for me when it's being sung by a clearly elderly voice. Effects or doubling his vocals could have helped mask this - a good recent example of fantastic use of effects and doubling was on "Frank Sinatra's Party", where it works really well. This is really the only track on the album where the voice is an issue to me - even "The Kiss Of Venus", where his voice is even more exposed in the arrangement as it's only accompanied by an acoustic guitar, it works because he's using a softer part of his voice, and the lyrics are fantastic. Also, that melody is just exquisite - what a song! At any rate, I'm glad that you and others are enjoying "Deep Down", my brother actually really likes this one as well.
Thank you for the kind words regarding our cover of "Put It There", really appreciate that! We actually did a short cover of "Slidin'" as part of the "12 Days of Paul" campaign, which was really fun to do. We hadn't heard the song yet at that point, and basing it off the snippet of sheet music that was posted by MPL, this is how we interpreted it:
Hope you have a happy and healthy new year!
Hey Anthony,
Love your (and you brother's) acoustical version of "Slidin". Your combined vocals are fantastic. Also thanks for you detailed comments on Deep Deep Feeling and Deep Down. Love to hear more of your covers from McCartney 3 like Find My Way, Pretty Boys, The Kiss of Venus, Seize the Day and When Winter Comes. Your harmonies on these songs would be great in my opinion and I think the fans on Paul's Website would love to hear them.
Thanks again.
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My blurb on my initial very favorable reaction to "Women and Wives," "Deep Deep Feeling," and "Pretty Boys" vanished, and I think I know why--I mentioned a surprising visual in the animated cartoon (for lack of a better word) on the "Lavratory Lil" music video, but I'm not the one who drew that there. Still, I probably shouldnt have pointed it out. I haven't listened to the album enough yet for it to jell and Form a really definite impression yet. Oh yeah I really loved "Kiss of Venus" too, on first listening, too. That about the golden planets and other parts are so poetic. "When Winter
Comes" is really lovely as well. "Slidin'" and "On My Way" and "Deep Feeling" havent really moved me much yet, but I suspect those are "growers" and I'll be cra zy over them, given more intense prolonged ear time.I saw a youtube vid of Macca on Jimmy Fallen, and Fallen is really digging McCartney 3. Jimmy F. mentioned he comes in here and delves through Paul's website, he gave it a shout out ! That was cool. He's a real music lover.Oops, the title to this thread was supposed to be "My Personal Macca 3." I dont know why but it insisted I create a new thread instead of adding to the McCartney 3 thread, but I guess a Mod will rectify that.
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What was it you saw in the Lavatory Lil video? PM me if you don't want to answer here.
In order for the title of this thread to be changed, you will have to PM Calico to fix it.
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Nancy R wrote:
toris wrote:
I am not enjoying this album as much as others.
I like it. I love that he got another Number One! That means so much. I'm so proud of him for that.
Because I love Paul.
But it's not anywhere near his best. I'm loving still listening to it. Songs growing on me. But nowhere near the summit. No matter how many more times I listen to it.
I do unfairly make all comparisons to the Beatles and then Wings... But that's the way it is.
Probably two to three songs on the album worthy of being put in that comparative. In the lower echelon.
Which isn't enough.
But... I love Paul.
I will continue to listen. But it's currently on the lower scale of his output (which is magnificent)
Welcome back toris! I think I have to agree with you about this album. (and I love Paul too!)
I'm still around, Nancy! Just not responding as much..... but always checking up... Great to see you are still keeping things real!! You are the true Beatles gal!!! ....
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B J Conlee wrote:
toris wrote:
I am not enjoying this album as much as others.
I like it. I love that he got another Number One! That means so much. I'm so proud of him for that.
Because I love Paul.
But it's not anywhere near his best. I'm loving still listening to it. Songs growing on me. But nowhere near the summit. No matter how many more times I listen to it.
I do unfairly make all comparisons to the Beatles and then Wings... But that's the way it is.
Probably two to three songs on the album worthy of being put in that comparative. In the lower echelon.
Which isn't enough.
But... I love Paul.
I will continue to listen. But it's currently on the lower scale of his output (which is magnificent)
Hey Toris,
Welcome back!
Just curious and I'm assuming that you're listening to the new album (McCartney 3) in good quality sound...either from the actual CD or a good service like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon music etc.
What specifically don't you like..Paul's vocals, the production etc. Personally, I'm loving McCartney 3. Now I'm not saying that some of new tracks aren't as good as the best songs on Egypt Station, New, Flaming Pie, Tug of War etc. but I Iove some of these new songs like:
Find My Way
Pretty Boys
The Kiss of Venus
Seize the Day
Winter Bird/When Winter Comes (the closing track)
I love all the above tracks and they all have sounds from Wings and/or Beatles to my ears. I also like the variety on the album like Slidin (good heavy metal like sound) the craziness of Lavatory Lil and the soulfulness of Deep Down or Deep Deep Feeling. I just find it to be a very creative album and I like most of the songs. Hopefully the album will grow on yuu.
G'day BJ!!!..... maybe I sounded a little underwhelming in my appreciation of the new album.... I am enjoying it.... but I'm not seeing myself giving it more than 7 out of 10... right now it is at 6.....When Winter Comes is the best song on the album.... but really such a song should be the eighth best song on an album. That's the White Album song. A long way back from the others on that brilliant Beatles album........ I like Seize the Day... a good album track, but on McCartney 3, it is one of the best songs. On a proper McCartney album it is number 7. The Kiss of Venus is nice, even if I struggle with the voice. A beautiful song, nevertheless... Great song... I quite like Find My Way.... Pretty Boys is ordinary... Deep Deep Feeling is ordinary, could've been good if cut down to four minutes... the opening track is three minutes too long... Deep Down is ordinary... I like Lavatory Lil... Sliding OK.... I am still enjoying the listen.... but this isn't the Paul I love listening to.... too many ordinary tracks.... BUT.... I love Paul... it is what it is...
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toris wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
toris wrote:
I am not enjoying this album as much as others.
I like it. I love that he got another Number One! That means so much. I'm so proud of him for that.
Because I love Paul.
But it's not anywhere near his best. I'm loving still listening to it. Songs growing on me. But nowhere near the summit. No matter how many more times I listen to it.
I do unfairly make all comparisons to the Beatles and then Wings... But that's the way it is.
Probably two to three songs on the album worthy of being put in that comparative. In the lower echelon.
Which isn't enough.
But... I love Paul.
I will continue to listen. But it's currently on the lower scale of his output (which is magnificent)
Hey Toris,
Welcome back!
Just curious and I'm assuming that you're listening to the new album (McCartney 3) in good quality sound...either from the actual CD or a good service like Spotify, Pandora, Amazon music etc.
What specifically don't you like..Paul's vocals, the production etc. Personally, I'm loving McCartney 3. Now I'm not saying that some of new tracks aren't as good as the best songs on Egypt Station, New, Flaming Pie, Tug of War etc. but I Iove some of these new songs like:
Find My Way
Pretty Boys
The Kiss of Venus
Seize the Day
Winter Bird/When Winter Comes (the closing track)
I love all the above tracks and they all have sounds from Wings and/or Beatles to my ears. I also like the variety on the album like Slidin (good heavy metal like sound) the craziness of Lavatory Lil and the soulfulness of Deep Down or Deep Deep Feeling. I just find it to be a very creative album and I like most of the songs. Hopefully the album will grow on yuu.
G'day BJ!!!..... maybe I sounded a little underwhelming in my appreciation of the new album.... I am enjoying it.... but I'm not seeing myself giving it more than 7 out of 10... right now it is at 6.....When Winter Comes is the best song on the album.... but really such a song should be the eighth best song on an album. That's the White Album song. A long way back from the others on that brilliant Beatles album........ I like Seize the Day... a good album track, but on McCartney 3, it is one of the best songs. On a proper McCartney album it is number 7. The Kiss of Venus is nice, even if I struggle with the voice. A beautiful song, nevertheless... Great song... I quite like Find My Way.... Pretty Boys is ordinary... Deep Deep Feeling is ordinary, could've been good if cut down to four minutes... the opening track is three minutes too long... Deep Down is ordinary... I like Lavatory Lil... Sliding OK.... I am still enjoying the listen.... but this isn't the Paul I love listening to.... too many ordinary tracks.... BUT.... I love Paul... it is what it is...
Thanks for your imput Toris.
I feel a little differently than you but music is very subjective so I appreciate your opinions.
I don't find the best songs on McCartney 3 to be just "ordinary". I like the "homemade" feel of McCartney 3, his guitar and drum work and I like the lyrics on many songs. Just me, but I think Find My Way, Pretty Boys, Sliding and Seize the Day to be the best songs on McCartney 3 and I think these songs are very good to great. It's hard for me to compare these songs to great classics on previous albums like Flaming Pie, Band on the Run, Chaos and Creation, Venus and Mars, Tug of War etc, But I do think the best songs on McCartney 3 hold their own and will be future classics. In reviewing the lyrics in general, I do think the lyrics on Pretty Boys to be very clever and I like the positive messages on songs like Find My Way, Women and Wives and Seize the Day to be very "timely" especially with this 2020 Pandemic. Like you, I had to get used to Paul's high register voice on The Kiss of Venus but it definitely has grown with me. Like with many of Paul's songs I like the melodic changes on Kiss of Venus. In particular, I like the bridge on the song and the use of the Harpsichord. At first I thought Kiss of Venus was pretty ordinary but with repeated listens, it got much better to my ears.
In general, I give most of McCartney 3 high marks except for the 2 over-long "jam" tracks...Deep Deep Feeling and Deep Down. Both are way too long in my opinion but at the same time I don't think they are terrible and stone cold clunkers. I would probably have liked McCartney 3 better if he had included just one of these "jam" tracks and replace the other with another Beatlesque or Wings like track. And I think the first track (the opener) could have been shorter as well. On the plus side I love the variety on McCartney 3. For example, I love the heavy metal feel of "Slidin" and Paul's guitar work on the crazy track Lavatory Lil.
All in all, I hope McCartney grows on you like it has on me.
Talk later.
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BJ - A couple of things I would like to mention to you. On the Q&A on this site, McCartney said "Deep Deep Feeling" was his favorite song from "McCartney III". Check out the "Sticking Out From My Back Pocket" songs for December, I think you will love most of the selections. ("Kiss Of Venus", "Seize The Day", Dominoes", "Calico Skies", "Find My Way", "Great Day" etc). Happy New Year !!
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Yankeefan...Thanks and Happy New Year to you and your family. Let's hope that 2021 is better than 2020.
I'll have to look at the Q&A Section on this Site and hear what Paul specifically says. I have to say that I like "Deep Deep Feeling" a lot better than the first couple of listens. Like you, I still think it is too long. It should have been stopped for sure at the 7 minute mark when Paul inexplicitly decided to just start it all over again. I do like most of the music on the song including the jazzy piano parts and the electric and bass guitar parts. I also like Paul's high register vocal parts where to me he sound a little like Earth Wind and Fire. However you slice it, it is still too long in my opinioin. Deep Down has a similar problem.
I really liked Anthony B.'s summary of McCartney 3 on one of the last pages of this McCartney 3 thread. He goes through many of the songs on McCartney 3. I think you know Anthony. He's the musician from New York who sometimes plays with his brother and Father. They did a great cover of "Put It There" that is on the bottom of some of his posts. He liked "Deep Deep Feeling " a lot and gave good reasons. He also liked it better than "Deep Down". I'm still on the fence about Deep Down vs. Deep Deep Feeling. They are both good album tracks on McCartney 3 but I personally don't think either one of them are the best songs on McCartney 3. Like you said and I agree, Paul sometimes needs a strong voice (Nigel Godrich or George Martin) to tell him when something is not the best idea.
Please look at Anthony's last post here. He and his Brother do a great cover of "Slidin". It's more of a acoustic version and it is short but I like it alot. Those guys have great harmonies.
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toris wrote:
I'm still around, Nancy! Just not responding as much..... but always checking up... Great to see you are still keeping things real!! You are the true Beatles gal!!! ....
Thanks toris!
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Just some random thoughts...
For those who haven't seen it, there's a new " Youtube"Panel discussion with 4 or 5 critics discussing the McCartney 3 Album that's I think was pretty good. It was called "Ring Out the Year". The panelists included Ken Womack, Kit O'Tooole, Joe Mayo, and Ken Michaels. They discussed how they felt once they heard McCartney 3 in good quality. In general, they all loved the album. As usual, there were some interesting debates about specific songs but they loved the album by and large.
I've heard and seen a few Paul fans (either here or on Amazon who were disappointed with McCartney 3. The basic comment was that the new album wasn't up to Paul's normal standards and the songs weren't as good as his classics from previousl albums like Band on the Run, Ram, Tug of War, Flaming Pie, Chaos and Creation and New. I, for one, have to disagree with that line of thinking for these reasons. I think the best songs on McCartney 3 "hold their own" against previousl great Paul classics like Little Willow, Beautiful Night, Wanderlust, Band on the Run etc. etc. First of all, I think it's hard to compare these older classics with these brand new songs but I still think they are very good ...songs like Find My Way, Pretty Boys, Slidin, Kiss of Venus, Seize the Day etc.. I think in time they will become future classics. One of the things you have to do as a listener is to give them a chance with at least several repeated listens. If you are going to be closed minded about new material, then you will never think they are as good.
Getting back to the panel on "Ring Out the Year" several mentioned that "Deep Deep Feeling" was the lightning rod track as to whether you "loved it or hated it". That was my feeling at first and I definitely didn't like it. I have to say (like others on the panel) that the track did grow on me. Upon repeated listens, I found things I did like... Paul's jazzy piano, Paul's high register background singing in later parts of the song etc.. I found this to be true with the other jam song on McCartney 3 "Deep Down". But I did agree with a couple on the panel that said that both songs were " too long and too repetitive" But my bottom line at the end of the day is that McCartney 3 is not a perfect album but I think it is still very good for the most part.
What does McCartney 3 do for Paul's legacy? That's a very good question. My quick answer is that i think it does a lot for his long range legacy. First of all, it completes the "trilogy" of his"do-it-yourself" type of albums and I think it is the "best" of all 3. On top of this and for anyone who was on the fence about Paul's overall "musical career"(Beatles, Wings and Solo) McCartney 3 in my opinion just "cements" just how good his Post Beatles' career has been. Yes, some could say that his Post Beatles' career was inconsistent at times but on the "whole" his body of work has been "Great".. I think most people now that we are into 2021 would agree with that statement.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Just some random thoughts...
For those who haven't seen it, there's a new " Youtube"Panel discussion with 4 or 5 critics discussing the McCartney 3 Album that's I think was pretty good. It was called "Ring Out the Year". The panelists included Ken Womack, Kit O'Tooole, Joe Mayo, and Ken Michaels. They discussed how they felt once they heard McCartney 3 in good quality. In general, they all loved the album. As usual, there were some interesting debates about specific songs but they loved the album by and large.
I've heard and seen a few Paul fans (either here or on Amazon who were disappointed with McCartney 3. The basic comment was that the new album wasn't up to Paul's normal standards and the songs weren't as good as his classics from previousl albums like Band on the Run, Ram, Tug of War, Flaming Pie, Chaos and Creation and New. I, for one, have to disagree with that line of thinking for these reasons. I think the best songs on McCartney 3 "hold their own" against previousl great Paul classics like Little Willow, Beautiful Night, Wanderlust, Band on the Run etc. etc. First of all, I think it's hard to compare these older classics with these brand new songs but I still think they are very good ...songs like Find My Way, Pretty Boys, Slidin, Kiss of Venus, Seize the Day etc.. I think in time they will become future classics. One of the things you have to do as a listener is to give them a chance with at least several repeated listens. If you are going to be closed minded about new material, then you will never think they are as good.
Getting back to the panel on "Ring Out the Year" several mentioned that "Deep Deep Feeling" was the lightning rod track as to whether you "loved it or hated it". That was my feeling at first and I definitely didn't like it. I have to say (like others on the panel) that the track did grow on me. Upon repeated listens, I found things I did like... Paul's jazzy piano, Paul's high register background singing in later parts of the song etc.. I found this to be true with the other jam song on McCartney 3 "Deep Down". But I did agree with a couple on the panel that said that both songs were " too long and too repetitive" But my bottom line at the end of the day is that McCartney 3 is not a perfect album but I think it is still very good for the most part.
What does McCartney 3 do for Paul's legacy? That's a very good question. My quick answer is that i think it does a lot for his long range legacy. First of all, it completes the "trilogy" of his"do-it-yourself" type of albums and I think it is the "best" of all 3. On top of this and for anyone who was on the fence about Paul's overall "musical career"(Beatles, Wings and Solo) McCartney 3 in my opinion just "cements" just how good his Post Beatles' career has been. Yes, some could say that his Post Beatles' career was inconsistent at times but on the "whole" his body of work has been "Great".. I think most people now that we are into 2021 would agree with that statement.
I have now listened to "McCartney III' six or seven times so my final opinion of it is pretty much the same as it was on the first listen. The beginning and end of the album are excellent, the ending is a bit stronger. I had concerns about his voice before hearing the album but it was just fine if you are used to his older voice. "Pretty Boys" had to grow on me a bit but it still is not in my top 5 songs from this album, you mentioned 4 of my top 5. The true test to me was listening to "Deep Deep Feeling" and "Deep Down" several times to see if it began to wear on me with the length. I found that the length did not bother me at all on "Deep Down" and while I agree "Deep Deep Feeling" could have been cut a couple of minutes, it is still one of my favorites.This is one instance where another voice might have advised him to cut the song a bit. I agree with you the best songs on this album can compare with the better songs on the albums you mentioned. Seriously, has there been any constant complaint by the critics about anything else but the length of a couple of songs?
Overall, I think this is the best of the "McCartney" albums even if it does not have a "signtature " song like "Maybe I'm Amazed" due to the quality of songs and no clunkers IMO. I thought about it fairly quickly and "McCartney III" is in my top 10 non-Beatle albums at #8. As for his legacy, it only helps his standing for his work after the Beatles. He has once again produced another good to very good album with pretty much universal acclaim. I think the music critics are now coming to the understanding that he has been more than "Beatle Paul" and has produced especially in the last 25 years some outstanding music.
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B J Conlee wrote:
What does McCartney 3 do for Paul's legacy? That's a very good question. My quick answer is that i think it does a lot for his long range legacy. First of all, it completes the "trilogy" of his"do-it-yourself" type of albums and I think it is the "best" of all 3. On top of this and for anyone who was on the fence about Paul's overall "musical career"(Beatles, Wings and Solo) McCartney 3 in my opinion just "cements" just how good his Post Beatles' career has been. Yes, some could say that his Post Beatles' career was inconsistent at times but on the "whole" his body of work has been "Great".. I think most people now that we are into 2021 would agree with that statement.
BJ,
Thanks for the heads up on the YouTube panel discussion, will definitely check that out! I thought the album was great the first time I heard it, but I'm loving it more with each and every listen. Great songs, playing, & production, and I think it's sequenced perfectly, as it has a great flow from beginning to end.
I've heard the"inconsistent" comments in reference to Paul's solo career many times, and it's usually, ironically from people who aren't well versed with his solo catalogue at all (beyond some hits). Art and music are a very subjective thing, so I respect everyone's opinion, but I do find it interesting that the word "inconsistent" is something that gets tossed around, because I really can't think of any artist, at any point who hit the mark every single time. Artists are human beings who make missteps, and I think there's a beauty in that. Also, who's to say what a misstep is? What impacts or emotionally speaks to one person may not speak to another on any level whatsoever. Anyway, just my two cents, haha.