McCartney 3?
-
Just been checking the latest UK & US Album charts and in the UK McCartney III has dropped out of the top 100 and in the US its still (just) hanging in there at #90.
-
Maybe because of the sheer size of his back catalogue, it's unfair to have expected too much from McCartney 3. Its chart performance is predictable - there's always big anticipation because of who he is, but facts have to be faced. His voice is a shadow of what it was, he's really hammered it over six decades, which is bound to take a toll. For me, the last three albums have been very ordinary, which actually doesn't matter because of the great amount of fantastic music that went before. It's great that he obviously still loves making music, but nothing on the last three albums in my opinion even approaches his best. His reputation will remain secure even if he never makes another great record - he doesn't have to prove anything.
-
Kestrel wrote:
Just been checking the latest UK & US Album charts and in the UK McCartney III has dropped out of the top 100 and in the US its still (just) hanging in there at #90.
We had hoped for it too hang in there longer but I don't think anybody is that surprised. I am glad that for the most part it has received critical acclaim and it is an album that I like a bunch.
-
dirkmcquickly wrote:
Maybe because of the sheer size of his back catalogue, it's unfair to have expected too much from McCartney 3. Its chart performance is predictable - there's always big anticipation because of who he is, but facts have to be faced. His voice is a shadow of what it was, he's really hammered it over six decades, which is bound to take a toll. For me, the last three albums have been very ordinary, which actually doesn't matter because of the great amount of fantastic music that went before. It's great that he obviously still loves making music, but nothing on the last three albums in my opinion even approaches his best. His reputation will remain secure even if he never makes another great record - he doesn't have to prove anything.
Just a differing opinion Dirk. I think his last 3 albums have contained great music. I loved Egypt Station and New and McCartney 3 is terrific too. Yes his voice isnt't what it once was. but he has learned to use his older voice to maximum results for the most part. And just think of some of the albums that preceded the "New"album... Electric Arguments, Memory Almost Ful and Chaos were great albums in my opinion. I agree with many McCartney fans that believe Paul has had an exceptional renaissance of "late era" since Flaming Pie. Just my opinion.
I think the reason for McCartney 3's quick chart exit after its initial release date has very little to do with the quality of the music. Other similar big name and aging artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen have similar results. Their "true" fanbase will buy their new albums upon release date but they can't attract the new younger demographic to maintain "best seller" typr sales. The big difference between Paul, Dylan and Bruce compared to many other artists from the 60's and 70's is that those 3 in particular continue to write great new music at an amazing rate. Paul is right there with Bob and Bruce in my opinion.
-
^ I wonder if Bob & Bruce's early original fans continue to buy their new albums. Most people at Paul's concerts barely know his solo work. All they know is his Beatles work. That's what they come for. That's why he is so stuck in the past in his concert choices.
-
dirkmcquickly wrote:
Maybe because of the sheer size of his back catalogue, it's unfair to have expected too much from McCartney 3. Its chart performance is predictable - there's always big anticipation because of who he is, but facts have to be faced. His voice is a shadow of what it was, he's really hammered it over six decades, which is bound to take a toll. For me, the last three albums have been very ordinary, which actually doesn't matter because of the great amount of fantastic music that went before. It's great that he obviously still loves making music, but nothing on the last three albums in my opinion even approaches his best. His reputation will remain secure even if he never makes another great record - he doesn't have to prove anything.
Like I keep saying, geezer artists just don't have long chart runs. If the publicity is decent, their fans turn out the first couple weeks an album is out, and that's it. The weakness of his voice has little to do with it because most people haven't heard the new album.
I'm gobsmacked that anyone thinks Egypt Station was "ordinary." I absolutely think it's his best post-Beatles album.
-
oobu24 wrote:
^ I wonder if Bob & Bruce's early original fans continue to buy their new albums. Most people at Paul's concerts barely know his solo work. All they know is his Beatles work. That's what they come for. That's why he is so stuck in the past in his concert choices.
In answer to your question, I would say yes because I have been a Springsteen fan since the beginning and I have most of his albums which include fairly recent ones like "High Hopes" and "Western Stars". The difference I think is Dylan and Springsteen have been solo acts since the beginning while McCartney was part of the most famous group in the world and then became solo artist. I have beaten McCartney setlist subject to death for many years so will not elaborate on that too much again. That being said, I stated often that McCartney could easily satisfy "Beatle Paul" fans with two hours of the hits and the remaining 30-45 minutes could have been his solo work through the years and not just his most current album.
-
B J Conlee wrote:
dirkmcquickly wrote:
Maybe because of the sheer size of his back catalogue, it's unfair to have expected too much from McCartney 3. Its chart performance is predictable - there's always big anticipation because of who he is, but facts have to be faced. His voice is a shadow of what it was, he's really hammered it over six decades, which is bound to take a toll. For me, the last three albums have been very ordinary, which actually doesn't matter because of the great amount of fantastic music that went before. It's great that he obviously still loves making music, but nothing on the last three albums in my opinion even approaches his best. His reputation will remain secure even if he never makes another great record - he doesn't have to prove anything.
Just a differing opinion Dirk. I think his last 3 albums have contained great music. I loved Egypt Station and New and McCartney 3 is terrific too. Yes his voice isnt't what it once was. but he has learned to use his older voice to maximum results for the most part. And just think of some of the albums that preceded the "New"album... Electric Arguments, Memory Almost Ful and Chaos were great albums in my opinion. I agree with many McCartney fans that believe Paul has had an exceptional renaissance of "late era" since Flaming Pie. Just my opinion.
I think the reason for McCartney 3's quick chart exit after its initial release date has very little to do with the quality of the music. Other similar big name and aging artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen have similar results. Their "true" fanbase will buy their new albums upon release date but they can't attract the new younger demographic to maintain "best seller" typr sales. The big difference between Paul, Dylan and Bruce compared to many other artists from the 60's and 70's is that those 3 in particular continue to write great new music at an amazing rate. Paul is right there with Bob and Bruce in my opinion.
McCartney has been fantastic the last twenty five years and the critics all agree. The only album that was not a "rave" was "Driving Rain" and even those reviews were decent for the most part. I was actually pleasantly surprised how good McCartney sounded on "McCartney III", I was fearing a lot worse. I agree with you about his older voice and it actually fits pretty well on songs like "Early Days" for example.
We all knew that it was pretty unlikely that "McCartney III" would stay in the charts long but we were just hoping maybe with the critical success, publicity from cover picture/article in Rolling Stone and appearance on "Tonight Show" it may have more "legs" than his other recent albums. Sadly, that is not true but like you I don't think it is due to the quality of the album.
-
Well, today I played the video of "When Winter Comes" again for my 4 month old granddaughter. She loves it! Then I played "Find My Way." She seemed equally mesmerized. The McCartney Legacy in my family may continue to the 22nd Century!
-
Nancy R wrote:
Well, today I played the video of "When Winter Comes" again for my 4 month old granddaughter. She loves it! Then I played "Find My Way." She seemed equally mesmerized. The McCartney Legacy in my family may continue to the 22nd Century!
Way to go Nancy, not only raising your children to appreciate great music but now another generation -lol !!!
-
Bruce M. wrote:
dirkmcquickly wrote:
Maybe because of the sheer size of his back catalogue, it's unfair to have expected too much from McCartney 3. Its chart performance is predictable - there's always big anticipation because of who he is, but facts have to be faced. His voice is a shadow of what it was, he's really hammered it over six decades, which is bound to take a toll. For me, the last three albums have been very ordinary, which actually doesn't matter because of the great amount of fantastic music that went before. It's great that he obviously still loves making music, but nothing on the last three albums in my opinion even approaches his best. His reputation will remain secure even if he never makes another great record - he doesn't have to prove anything.
Like I keep saying, geezer artists just don't have long chart runs. If the publicity is decent, their fans turn out the first couple weeks an album is out, and that's it. The weakness of his voice has little to do with it because most people haven't heard the new album.
I'm gobsmacked that anyone thinks Egypt Station was "ordinary." I absolutely think it's his best post-Beatles album.
While I disagree with you that "Egypt Station" was his best post-Beatles album ( I think it is CHAOS), it is definitely not ordinary IMO and I enjoy it quite a bit.
-
Yankeefan2 wrote:
oobu24 wrote:
^ I wonder if Bob & Bruce's early original fans continue to buy their new albums. Most people at Paul's concerts barely know his solo work. All they know is his Beatles work. That's what they come for. That's why he is so stuck in the past in his concert choices.
In answer to your question, I would say yes because I have been a Springsteen fan since the beginning and I have most of his albums which include fairly recent ones like "High Hopes" and "Western Stars". The difference I think is Dylan and Springsteen have been solo acts since the beginning while McCartney was part of the most famous group in the world and then became solo artist. I have beaten McCartney setlist subject to death for many years so will not elaborate on that too much again. That being said, I stated often that McCartney could easily satisfy "Beatle Paul" fans with two hours of the hits and the remaining 30-45 minutes could have been his solo work through the years and not just his most current album.
I totally agree with you.
-
Speaking of Paul's voice, one of my favorite "under the radar" tracks on McCartney 3 is "Deep Down", next to the last track on the album. I normally don't like "jam" type songs but I liked this one from the beginning and it has continued to grow with me. I like Paul's vocals here and the vocal gets even better in the last 2 minutes of the song. Vocally, he really lets it rip at the end without it feeling like he is straining. I like the parts where he just sings "Wanna get deep down" where he sounds like a really good soul singer. I also like the parts toward the end where he sings "I need to talk to you, I wanna talk to you, Come let me be with you tonight". The last part of the song he sounds like he's just making up lyrics on the spot but he does it so naturally. To me, "Deep Down" has a great R&B soul groove.
Also speaking of Radio airplay, I would like to see one of Paul's engineers' or sound experts "edit" the song down to 3 or 3 and a half minutes while keeping the best parts especially the ending. This way "Deep Down" might have the right length for FM radio. A song like "Deep Down" could be targeted to stations that primarily play R&B, Soul and Hip Hop. Maybe Paul or Capitol Records could get some radio airplay with some creativity. I don't think stations today in general will play a Paul McCartney song that is 6 minutes.
-
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
Well, today I played the video of "When Winter Comes" again for my 4 month old granddaughter. She loves it! Then I played "Find My Way." She seemed equally mesmerized. The McCartney Legacy in my family may continue to the 22nd Century!
Way to go Nancy, not only raising your children to appreciate great music but now another generation -lol !!!
Thanks! My son was scheduled to go with me to see The Return, a Georgia Beatles tribute band, in 2020, but it got postponed to June 5th. Now it says TBA!
-
B J Conlee wrote:
Speaking of Paul's voice, one of my favorite "under the radar" tracks on McCartney 3 is "Deep Down", next to the last track on the album. I normally don't like "jam" type songs but I liked this one from the beginning and it has continued to grow with me. I like Paul's vocals here and the vocal gets even better in the last 2 minutes of the song. Vocally, he really lets it rip at the end without it feeling like he is straining. I like the parts where he just sings "Wanna get deep down" where he sounds like a really good soul singer. I also like the parts toward the end where he sings "I need to talk to you, I wanna talk to you, Come let me be with you tonight". The last part of the song he sounds like he's just making up lyrics on the spot but he does it so naturally. To me, "Deep Down" has a great R&B soul groove.
Also speaking of Radio airplay, I would like to see one of Paul's engineers' or sound experts "edit" the song down to 3 or 3 and a half minutes while keeping the best parts especially the ending. This way "Deep Down" might have the right length for FM radio. A song like "Deep Down" could be targeted to stations that primarily play R&B, Soul and Hip Hop. Maybe Paul or Capitol Records could get some radio airplay with some creativity. I don't think stations today in general will play a Paul McCartney song that is 6 minutes.
I can't imagine McCartney's team spending the time or the money cutting down "Deep Down" for possible radio play. Even if they did, I hardly think the audience of those stations would care one bit about a Paul McCartney song. If a radio friendly song like "Find My Way" can't make a good showing in the charts or playlist of some radio stations then all hope is lost IMO. When all is said and done, I am glad about the very positive reviews of the album and hopefully it will be rewarded with a Grammy nominaton or two next year.
-
Nancy R wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
Well, today I played the video of "When Winter Comes" again for my 4 month old granddaughter. She loves it! Then I played "Find My Way." She seemed equally mesmerized. The McCartney Legacy in my family may continue to the 22nd Century!
Way to go Nancy, not only raising your children to appreciate great music but now another generation -lol !!!
Thanks! My son was scheduled to go with me to see The Return, a Georgia Beatles tribute band, in 2020, but it got postponed to June 5th. Now it says TBA!
With the vaccines being distributed (not fast enough), I think their is light at the end of the tunnnel and we will see live performances again before the end of 2021. It is easy enough for a band to social distance, just a matter of how to arrange seating .
-
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Kestrel wrote:
Just been checking the latest UK & US Album charts and in the UK McCartney III has dropped out of the top 100 and in the US its still (just) hanging in there at #90.
We had hoped for it too hang in there longer but I don't think anybody is that surprised. I am glad that for the most part it has received critical acclaim and it is an album that I like a bunch.
Its going to be interesting to see in six months time what theglobal sales are for McCartney III . Unfortunately I fear that they're going to be the worst in Paul's solo career, but like you, I'm glad its received the well deserved critical praise. I certainly prefer Paul to continue releasing top notch albums that sell poorly than a rubbish album that sells a lot.
-
Thought I would tell everyone that last weekend my oldest daughter asked me if she could copy the "McCartney III" cd and I said sure and asked her why since she never wanted one before of any other solo album. She said there is some music she thinks she could use for a modern dance for her HS age kids at the dance studio she works at. I asked what music and she said the real long song -lol. She knows how to cut music and said she was looking for using 3-4 minutes. I never would have thought of that song for dance but since modern dance is very interpetive I guess she thinks she can make it work. I will note for modern dances most of the music she uses is instrumental. One final note to give us all some hope for the future. She has a class of children from ages 8-10 and the song she is thinking of using for them (recital dance) this year is instrumental version of "Here Comes The Sun". She played it for them in class and asked if anybody knew the song. While they did not know the name, she said the majority knew it was a Beatle song. My daughter said it made her day - lol. BTW - My daughter is 32.
-
^ There's hope for future generations!
-
Just saw a video today from a friend whose entire family are hard core Paul fans! They were all out in front of the Paul photos during the time before the release, when the songs were posted on a wall. It was so cute to watch because they were holding up the grand baby near a photo of Paul and asking him questions about songs and they were also singing bits of different songs. A new little Paul fan getting trained by his whole family, on what the “best” music is... so very sweet to see. ️