McCartney 3?
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Nancy R wrote:
Kestrel wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
I'm kind of curious of how others feel about "Pretty Boys".
I also like Paul's mix of guitars on the song.
I'm not over keen on it to be honest and its probably my least favourite track on the album. But given how strong the album is, 'Pretty Boys' is still a pretty good track. Its good enough not to skip anyway. It actually reminds me in parts of another of Paul's songs but I haven't worked out yet what song it is. I think its one of those off 'Flaming Pie', perhaps 'The Song We Were Singing ' or maybe 'The World Tonight'. When I get time I'll check them out as I haven't listened to that album for years.
O...M...G...you haven't listened to Flaming Pie in years?! I am gobsmacked as you would say!
It is my favorite album of his in the past 25 years! I always take it with me on long road trips, along with the Beatles entire catalog.
Nancy, I love Flaming Pie.
A great album.
And it got me inside Abbey Road studios.
Very fond memories of that album.
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B J Conlee wrote:
I'm kind of curious of how others feel about "Pretty Boys". I remember around December 18th when I first was able to hear "official" McCartney 3 Youtube videos. Pretty Boys was one of the first songs I heard and I liked it right off the bat. I remember hearing it 2-3 times on that first day. Then surprisingly when I got up the following morning I was hearing "Pretty Boys"very clearly in my head. Initially, I thought it might be one of those Paul songs that I liked at first but would grow tired of it with repeated listens. Happily, my likeness for the track has not diminished.
First of all, I love the clever and smart lyrics. It has great little phrases and I haven't grown tired of them. I also like Paul's mix of guitars on the song. And more than anything I like the overall production on "Pretty Boys". When he hits the solo part in the middle, I like the "humming" parts blending with the guitars. Finally I like the ending of the song where Paul uses his back-up vocals perfectly in my opinion. It's a typical great 3 minute Paul song to my ears.
I know it is a fairly simple song melodically without changes/bridges which Paul often has, but sometimes simplicity can really work too which is probably why I like the song so much I probably like "Find My Way" and "Seize the Day" a little more but "Pretty Boys"it is pretty darn good song in my estimation..
I said when I first heard "Pretty Boys", I liked it lyically better than musically and my opinion is still the same. It is good song but down the line in my favorites of this album.
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TommyC909 wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Browny wrote:
Love the new lp , his best since Chaos . Wish he would work with Nigel again
Welcome, see you are new member. I loved CHAOS and thought Nigel was fantastic producer who was not afraid to tell McCartney something was not good. This led to a fantastic album with no clunkers. I am also enjoying "McCartney III".
Chaos is Paul's masterpiece. Released 15 years ago and I listen to it all the time. My #1 McCartney album. McCartney III is #19.
To each their own about musical taste but music critics and 99% of McCartney fans would not ranked "McCartney III" as one of his worst albums ever. I do agree with you in regards to CHAOS.
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Kestrel wrote:
McCartney III certainly seems to be dividing fans. Either you really like it or you really don't like it. I'm definitely in the former camp and consider M3 the best album Paul has made in many a year. I love the edgy sound and organic performances. It really sounds like an album rather than a collection of disperate songs thrown together.
I believe it's a strong album....one that neither detracts from nor adds to Paul's resume. Other than that, it's not one I would listen to all that much. I just don't have strong feelings about it one way or the other. I hoped I would really love it and want to play it constantly, but that just didn't happen.
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Nancy R wrote:
O...M...G...you haven't listened to Flaming Pie in years?! I am gobsmacked as you would say!
It is my favorite album of his in the past 25 years! I always take it with me on long road trips, along with the Beatles entire catalog.
As you know, I've currently reading (again) Mark Lewisohn's 'Tune In' book, hwich made me decide to play the Beatles Anthology Vol 1 album again this afternoon as many of the recordings described in the book are on that album. And that got me thinking,when was the last time I played the album? And giving it some thought, I don't think I'd played it in over 20 years !! When I buy an album, if I like it , I'll play regularly, but only for a short period of time and then I'll move on to another album. (If I don'yt like an album,I'll move on very swiftly. Volunteering in a charity shop means I'm contantly buying new cds, constantly listening, constantly moving on to something new. Paul has been involved with so many albums over the last (almost) sixty years, I don't keep listening to them when there are so many other artists albums waiting to be discovered. As always, (the lack of) time is the driving factor. I have literally hundreds of albums (probably over a thousand) on vinyl and cd, the vast majority of which I'll never play again. I'm just the same with my dvd/blu ray collections, literally hundreds of titles, most of whcih I won't watch again becasue of lack of time and that I'm always watching something new. Some albums (or films) are special though, I really love them and I'll always make time to return to them on a fairly regular basis but they are in the small minority.
I can understand why 'Flaming Pie' is a favourite album of yours. Its very melodic and has some really good songs on there ('Sometimes', 'Souvenir' and 'Heaven On A Sunday' I remember as being particular favourites of mine) but its not an album that compels me to want to listen to it again.
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Beatles4Ever wrote:
Kestrel wrote:
McCartney III certainly seems to be dividing fans. Either you really like it or you really don't like it. I'm definitely in the former camp and consider M3 the best album Paul has made in many a year. I love the edgy sound and organic performances. It really sounds like an album rather than a collection of disperate songs thrown together.
I believe it's a strong album....one that neither detracts from nor adds to Paul's resume. Other than that, it's not one I would listen to all that much. I just don't have strong feelings about it one way or the other. I hoped I would really love it and want to play it constantly, but that just didn't happen.
Your last sentance basically sums up my feeling to albums like 'Egypt Station' and 'Memory Almost Full' to name but two. Unless a fan is so obsessed with Paul that they're going to love everything he does no matter what, for everyone else there will always be albums that sometimes appeal and sometimes don't. As no two albums ever sound the same in Paul's catalogue, that's bound to happen.
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toris wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
Kestrel wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
I'm kind of curious of how others feel about "Pretty Boys".
I also like Paul's mix of guitars on the song.
I'm not over keen on it to be honest and its probably my least favourite track on the album. But given how strong the album is, 'Pretty Boys' is still a pretty good track. Its good enough not to skip anyway. It actually reminds me in parts of another of Paul's songs but I haven't worked out yet what song it is. I think its one of those off 'Flaming Pie', perhaps 'The Song We Were Singing ' or maybe 'The World Tonight'. When I get time I'll check them out as I haven't listened to that album for years.
O...M...G...you haven't listened to Flaming Pie in years?! I am gobsmacked as you would say!
It is my favorite album of his in the past 25 years! I always take it with me on long road trips, along with the Beatles entire catalog.
Nancy, I love Flaming Pie.
A great album.
And it got me inside Abbey Road studios.
Very fond memories of that album.
I think you guys might have given me the best theory/answer as to why you don't like McCartney 3. I couldn't understand before because I like the songs and album so much.
I think the main reason just may be that you are having a tough time with Paul's vocals on McCartney 3. Your love of Flaming Pie (with the exception of 2-3 tracks, I loved most of FP too) is when Paul still had his great voice. The singing on songs like Calico Skies, Little Willow, Beautiful Night etc. are phenominal and light years away from his current voice. If you're initially listening to McCartney 3 expecting to hear another Flaming Pie you will surely be disappinted. McCartney 3 is another one of Paul's Do-It-Yourself projects where Paul isn't using any studio magic tricks to disguise his vocals. Everything is right out front with this recording. This is Paul's real voice in 2020. I don't think you dislike McCartney 3 for the music per say. And you need some repeated listens to love the music part. This makes a whole more sense to me now. Even I had to hear a few of the songs several times to like his vocals on "The Kiss of Venus" and "Women and Wives".
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^ It's not because of his voice. The songs for the most part just don't do much for me.
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B J Conlee wrote:
McCartney 3 is another one of Paul's Do-It-Yourself projects where Paul isn't using any studio magic tricks to disguise his vocals. Everything is right out front with this recording. This is Paul's real voice in 2020.
Personally I don't hear that much difference in Paul's vocal style now to that he used back in (for example) 1969 & 1970, on tracks like 'I've Got A Feeling', 'Oo You' & 'That Would Be Something'.The only real difference is then he chose to use that deeper vocal style and now he has no choice. I really like his singing on McCartney III but more than that,its his playing that is so enjoyable. His howling guitar work on 'Deep Deep Feeling' for example is the highlight of the album for me.
I do hope we can more DIY projects in the future from Paul. It's certainly cheaper for him to make these albums.
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Kestrel wrote:
Beatles4Ever wrote:
Kestrel wrote:
McCartney III certainly seems to be dividing fans. Either you really like it or you really don't like it. I'm definitely in the former camp and consider M3 the best album Paul has made in many a year. I love the edgy sound and organic performances. It really sounds like an album rather than a collection of disperate songs thrown together.
I believe it's a strong album....one that neither detracts from nor adds to Paul's resume. Other than that, it's not one I would listen to all that much. I just don't have strong feelings about it one way or the other. I hoped I would really love it and want to play it constantly, but that just didn't happen.
Your last sentance basically sums up my feeling to albums like 'Egypt Station' and 'Memory Almost Full' to name but two. Unless a fan is so obsessed with Paul that they're going to love everything he does no matter what, for everyone else there will always be albums that sometimes appeal and sometimes don't. As no two albums ever sound the same in Paul's catalogue, that's bound to happen.
I am probably in the minority but I felt this way about "New", it collects dust in CD holder. The only two songs from it I put on my McCartney playlist on my IPOD were "I Can Bet" and "Early Days". I can't tell you how much I dislike songs like "Hosanna" and "Queeenie Eye". Differences make the world go around -lol.
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Just wanted to focus on "The Kiss of Venus" for a second. On the first couple of listens, I was a little disappointed because I had read so many posiitves in the early reviews.
I think it was mainly Paul's high register voice I had to get used to. But after a few listens, the song has really grown with me and now it is one of my favorites on McCartney 3. I started "appreciating" the song a lot more when I realized it had much more to it musically. I love the bridge in the middle...the "reflected mountains in the lake, is this too much to take, asleep or wide awake" part. At first I kind of thought they were just "throw away lyrics" in the song but it has really grown with me. I love the solo harpsichord part and the chorus too. The song has a lot in another 3 minute Paul gem. In the end, Paul's high register voice works just fine to me.
What do others think?
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B J Conlee wrote:
Just wanted to focus on "The Kiss of Venus" for a second. On the first couple of listens, I was a little disappointed because I had read so many posiitves in the early reviews.
I think it was mainly Paul's high register voice I had to get used to. But after a few listens, the song has really grown with me and now it is one of my favorites on McCartney 3. I started "appreciating" the song a lot more when I realized it had much more to it musically. I love the bridge in the middle...the "reflected mountains in the lake, is this too much to take, asleep or wide awake" part. At first I kind of thought they were just "throw away lyrics" in the song but it has really grown with me. I love the solo harpsichord part and the chorus too. The song has a lot in another 3 minute Paul gem. In the end, Paul's high register voice works just fine to me.
What do others think?
He sang "Hand in Hand" the same way on "Egypt Station, so another high register vocal didn't come as a surprise. I was relieved there was no "Confidante" strained vocal song on the album. I can only listen to the live version of that "Egypt Station"song, which has backup vocals to make Paul's straining voice less noticeable. "The Kiss of Venus" is melodic, has nice lyrics....and the beautiful harpsicord, which sells the song very nicely. It probably comes in third for me on the album....after"Find My Way"and "Seize The Day." I do like "Lavatory Lil" too. The British pronunciation of lavatory makes it....better. One hardly notices the word being used. Maybe Lavatory Lil is related to Polythene Pam!!!
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Beatles4Ever wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Just wanted to focus on "The Kiss of Venus" for a second. On the first couple of listens, I was a little disappointed because I had read so many posiitves in the early reviews.
I think it was mainly Paul's high register voice I had to get used to. But after a few listens, the song has really grown with me and now it is one of my favorites on McCartney 3. I started "appreciating" the song a lot more when I realized it had much more to it musically. I love the bridge in the middle...the "reflected mountains in the lake, is this too much to take, asleep or wide awake" part. At first I kind of thought they were just "throw away lyrics" in the song but it has really grown with me. I love the solo harpsichord part and the chorus too. The song has a lot in another 3 minute Paul gem. In the end, Paul's high register voice works just fine to me.
What do others think?
He sang "Hand in Hand" the same way on "Egypt Station, so another high register vocal didn't come as a surprise. I was relieved there was no "Confidante" strained vocal song on the album. I can only listen to the live version of that "Egypt Station"song, which has backup vocals to make Paul's straining voice less noticeable. "The Kiss of Venus" is melodic, has nice lyrics....and the beautiful harpsicord, which sells the song very nicely. It probably comes in third for me on the album....after"Find My Way"and "Seize The Day." I do like "Lavatory Lil" too. The British pronunciation of lavatory makes it....better. One hardly notices the word being used.
Great point about "Hand In Hand"on Egypt Station. I love that song also. I also have gotten to like "Lavatory Lil" also. Love the electric guitar in the middle.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Just wanted to focus on "The Kiss of Venus" for a second. On the first couple of listens, I was a little disappointed because I had read so many posiitves in the early reviews.
I think it was mainly Paul's high register voice I had to get used to. But after a few listens, the song has really grown with me and now it is one of my favorites on McCartney 3. I started "appreciating" the song a lot more when I realized it had much more to it musically. I love the bridge in the middle...the "reflected mountains in the lake, is this too much to take, asleep or wide awake" part. At first I kind of thought they were just "throw away lyrics" in the song but it has really grown with me. I love the solo harpsichord part and the chorus too. The song has a lot in another 3 minute Paul gem. In the end, Paul's high register voice works just fine to me.
What do others think?
I love The Kiss of Venus, it's my favorite song on the album. And I agree that there is a lot more going on musically than it seems on first listen.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
I am probably in the minority but I felt this way about "New", it collects dust in CD holder. I can't tell you how much I dislike songs like "Hosanna" and "Queeenie Eye". Differences make the world go around -lol.
After Memory Almost Full, I found New to be a return to form for Paul....and yes, 'Hosanna' is my favourite track off the album.
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Thanks McCall. I agree it's one of the best songs on the album along with "Find My Way" and "Seize the Day".
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B J Conlee wrote:
Just wanted to focus on "The Kiss of Venus" for a second.
I think it was mainly Paul's high register voice I had to get used to. But after a few listens, the song has really grown with me and now it is one of my favorites on McCartney 3. I love the solo harpsichord part and the chorus too. In the end, Paul's high register voice works just fine to me.
What do others think?
I really liked it from the off, not ever having had a problem with Paul's 'falsetto'delivery. 'So Bad' & 'You Tell Me' are other examples which benefit from his higher registered vocal. Like you, I love the harpsichord solo too.
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Just saw another really positive review on McCartney 3 from "the Observer" that was published on 2/5/21. It was called "Legendary Beatle at his Purest Form" written by Shreyas Benerjee.
Unfortunately, all of these great reviews (Pre and Post Album Release Date on 12/18/2020) did not translate to any "buzz" after the album was widely available to the public after Christmas. The last I saw "Find My Way" the most commercial sounding track on McCartney 3 only made it to like #45 on the Top 40 Radio Charts.
If "Find My Way" couldn't break the charts (a great modern sounding track), Paul McCartney will never have a prolong "Best Seller" Album on the Charts. As Bruce has pointed out, he and other aging Rockers are only on the Charts in the first couple of weeks of Album Release Date and that is it. Such a shame that this great album disappeared so quickly. Living in Florida, I have listened to Top 40 and Rock FM Radio stations here in the Tampa and Orlando areas and I never heard any McCartney 3 tracks even one time.
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Just found more info on how "Find My Way" is doing on the Top 40 and/or Adult Alternative Charts. It looks like it peaked at #30 last week but presently is going in the wrong direction at #36. As I said, none of the songs on McCartney 3 are getting any "radio" play. Such a shame. The only thing Paul can do (if he and the Band get a chance) is do a few small scale shows or maybe, when they can, go on tour and play a bunch of McCartney 3 songs. That would hopefully give McCartney 3 a much needed "buzz" that he certainly isn't getting from mainstream radio.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Just found more info on how "Find My Way" is doing on the Top 40 and/or Adult Alternative Charts. It looks like it peaked at #30 last week but presently is going in the wrong direction at #36. As I said, none of the songs on McCartney 3 are getting any "radio" play. Such a shame. The only thing Paul can do (if he and the Band get a chance) is do a few small scale shows or maybe, when they can, go on tour and play a bunch of McCartney 3 songs. That would hopefully give McCartney 3 a much needed "buzz" that he certainly isn't getting from mainstream radio.
I just don't think all the buzz in the world will not get Paul a hit album (prolonged) or a hit single. It's just a reality. It's not that people don't like him, he's just not in the age group music buyers think about. He has tons of respect and is revered, and he's just going to have to be content with that...as are we.