Nice summary. I think Paul was just clearing the decks of songs and reacting 'to the now' of his situation. He probably didn't think too deeply about it as he was a whirlwind of creative power and ideas, so he created and just moved on in my opinion. I know we're all probably biased who watch this channel (although I try to stay subjective and certainly don't just like something because he's made it, far from it) but I don't think there's anyone who has created so many songs in so many styles at such a high quality for so long. The guy is an untouchable legend.
Loved the video, Andrew, thanks. You should have shown the original picture of the bowl that is in the book of the Archive edition of the album. I think it would be probably very interesting for the people who have never seen it. As for the album, it's funny because "Maybe I'm Amazed" always leaves me cold when I listen to it on this album. I've always preferred the live version on Wings Over America. "Every Night" has always been my favorite track.
This was and still to this day my favorite McCartney album. So homegrown and down to earth with a lot of love. Every time the piano came in on Sing Along Junk, it still makes me emotional.
I have my original apple pressing and then bought it on cd when it first came out . I didn’t buy the archive edition .. I missed the boat ! Now it’s very expensive if you can find it. Always a favorite and during this world pandemic and chaos , I have rediscovered my vinyl. Along with your clips Andrew, my old vinyl brings great peace and joy in a very dark time
Wonderful review! I still have my original LP bought the day it was released. Paul's always been my favorite and for so many years he got such a bad rap blaming him for the Beatles break-uo. He was just getting his feet wet with this album. Bigger and better things were on the way! Cheers.
Hi Andrew. Still one of my 5 favourite Paul albums. 50 years old today. Just watched the new video for Maybe I'm Amazed. April, 17 in 1998 Linda died. So this a day with mixed feelings. The release of that video I take it as a memory to Linda. You did a fine job in reconstructing the making of McCartney.
Great video Andrew. Well researched and presented. I always thought Man We Was Lonely would fit nicely onto the Ram album. There's an HD premiere of Maybe I'm Amazed at 3pm today . Enjoy listening to the album. Cheers again...
Cheers Eddie! I just watched Maybe I'm Amazed video, I immediately recognised the section on the ferry with Heather, that's the ferry from Ardrossan to Arran which I was on about 4 years ago and took almost the same photo looking over the bay. From there paul must have got the Lochranza to Mull ferry, which sets off about 100 yards from the hotel I stayed on in Arran that year! Sorry that may been really uninteresting!! 😆
Great video..as I get older and really appreciate this album..I realize how dark it is..I know Paul was having a tough time to say the least..but I like the fact he kind of reinvented himself..such a masterpiece..
I love this album! This is one of my favorite McCartney albums and I appreciate that he just wanted to keep it moving and record everything himself. I think it has so much charm because of it's low-key nature. I happen to really like "Man We Was Lonely" on this album but it's ok if you don't love it. Cheers Andrew and stay safe!
Cheers Kevin! I like the song, it just feels like something that at other points in his career he would have perhaps given to someone else to record. 🙂👍
Fabulous video Andrew, really enjoyable. I loved your musical interludes. Thanks for all the great research here, top marks! Btw, I've always thought 'Man We Was Lonely' had particular relevance to the situation that Paul and Linda were in at the time of the album.
Cheers James! I;ve no doubt you;re right about the relevance of the song. Just seems like it would have suited someone like Mary Hopkin perfectly. I wonder if she ever covered it? *Googles it quickly* - No doesn't look like she ever did!
As always, a superb critique Andrew. I think it’s a fantastic album and worth getting for the two versions of ‘Junk’ alone! Interesting how, after being probably the most prolific writer in The Beatles since ‘66 onwards, it was the other three who slightly overshadowed him around this time. Maybe there was an element of uncertainty on his part as to where his musical future was going. Certainly George had his backlog of songs he wanted to record for years, which turned into All things must pass. John also transformed from Rock Star to Artist with Plastic Ono and evening Ringo was ready to try his hand. After being the powerhouse behind The Beatles since ‘67, Paul either wanted to make a low key album or was too emotionally exhausted to produce another all guns blazing masterpiece. Of course that did happen with Band on the run and as you said, Ram had the classic big McCartney numbers like Admiral Halsey and Back Seat. Thanks again Andrew!😁👏👏👍🏻
A very nicely pitched review of an important (and great!) record. Thanks Andrew! BTW - I'm old enough to remember the documentary that inspired the song title: "Kreen Akrore - The Tribe That Hides From Man" and I'm pretty sure that it is pronounced Kree-En Akroree ;-).
@@AndrewDixonMusic I hadn't jumped on the archive bandwagon with that one, so I grabbed it! It's replacing the original '70s album I've had that belonged to my dad (well, not replacing it, but giving it rest).
Even though I've heard all of this information before, it was nice to hear this story told this way. Very well done! Looking forward to checking out all of your videos! McCartney is one of my favorite albums. I wish he would do McCartney III in his living room the same way. Cheers!
Great video as always Mate. In my opinion probably the least commercial first solo album by a Beatle, quite a shaky beginning. But probably his most introspective album. Try That Would Be Something in the key of A, as Macca plays it on the unplugged show, shows more bluesy in my opinion. Take care mate. Stay safe Ps. Have a listen to the Nick Lowe in a room video, it's great
Hey Andrew, nice review of McCartney's first solo album, which I've always enjoyed! I wish he had considered releasing "Oo You" as a single, which I've thought is a decent McCartney rocker. Years ago, I read where John was asked about his reaction to McCartney (the album) Maybe it was McCartney II, Paul's 1980 album. John made the caustic comment that he wasn't surprised by it, since he thought Paul always wanted to be a one man band. I've also read that when Paul quit the group in April, 1970, that John, George and Ringo briefly considered carrying on with the Beatles, by bringing in Klaus Voormann on bass, as Paul's replacement. They were also going to change the band name from the Beatles to the Ladders.
A very fine LP indeed. You've got to laugh though at John's apparent observation that Paul always wanted to be a 'one-man band', & at critics not liking unfinished songs as though the medley on AR didn't exist!
Do you know why The Pure Mccartney box doesnt include numbers from the Flowers in the dirt album, strange that numbers like the hit singels My brave face, This One is not included???
Supposedly it's because it was known that Flowers would be the next Archive Collection, and on a different label, so they were keeping them back for that. Odd decision that makes some sense but not much.
Interesting review , I too considered the contrast between the production on Abbey Road to this. Try as I might I cant warm to this album I much prefer Ram which as you say goes back to a Beatles style polished immaculate production . As to why he did a solo album at this time well what else was he gonna do? In the autumn of 69 he retreated to his farm and had a mini breakdown but after a couple of months he went back to the only thing he knows ... work . By this time he realised John was serious and George had had enough so he accepted the Beatles were over.
A great summary Andrew. I'm very familiar with the album but wasn't aware of the 4 phases. I love the production rawness of the earlier albums. What to me is 'overproduction' gradually diminished my interest in new releases after Back to the Egg - though with later exceptions such as McCartney II and Chaos & Creation. I don't know how many people are aware that Tim Rice wrote (very forgettable!) lyrics for Hot as Sun for an Elaine Page tv show/album at the beginning of the 80s. It's here: ruclips.net/video/rB10mnu4Fw4/видео.html It wouldn't be the same album without Man we was Lonely! A great singalong. I learned it from one of Ivor Sorefingers' McCartney lessons on RUclips. Oh, and for chord nerds I've got a transcription of Suicide on Ultimate Guitar (fab retro chord sequences and great use of the diminished scale).
Rolling Stone was gonna put out a favorable review, when Jann (a Lennon minion, to be nice, a real asshole to be frank) as editor put the breaks on it! All the other CLONES just fell in line! McCartney is a Classic album, every bit as charming as any of his previous work! I used to agree with you concerning Man We Was Lonely, but over the years, it’s grown on me! Now McCartney 3? Hang it up, Paul! That’s the best you could do when you finally had time to craft a wonderful home recorded album??? Then have OTHER artists try to prove your bad material is actually good? Not cool!!! What were you thinking? “I’ll make THE DEFINITIVE WORST POST BEATLE album anyone has EVER made!!!
Too much of anorak.although parlogram takes the biscuit.or the boy with 50 white albums in his collection.obsessive or wot.love the Beatles but not as much as some.
I had read that Paul had Maybe I'm Amazed waiting in the wings with the anticipation of a new Beatles album. I'm surprised he didn't release it as a single. It's such a great song. I guess people were confused about this album cause of all the great songs he had written previously.
I also think he was reluctant to release a single as he knew that would mean far more promotion, public appearances, Top Of The Pops etc and it doesn't feel like he was in a frame of mind at that time to want to do that.
Playlist of all my Paul McCartney RUclips videos ruclips.net/p/PLic9raX2cEEu_XX9HKwLYuuJZnmylMTuF
A fantastic lp from top to bottom. Never gets old. Simple, direct, punchy and minimal. A lovely masterpiece.
Agree with you about Kreen-Akrore. Also Paul has said that the McCartney album was made for left handed people so the cherries r the back cover.
Nice summary. I think Paul was just clearing the decks of songs and reacting 'to the now' of his situation. He probably didn't think too deeply about it as he was a whirlwind of creative power and ideas, so he created and just moved on in my opinion.
I know we're all probably biased who watch this channel (although I try to stay subjective and certainly don't just like something because he's made it, far from it) but I don't think there's anyone who has created so many songs in so many styles at such a high quality for so long. The guy is an untouchable legend.
I love this album so much it’s so wholesome and the songs are so pure and really show Paul’s raw talent ! Thank you for the video Andrew 👍
Loved the video, Andrew, thanks. You should have shown the original picture of the bowl that is in the book of the Archive edition of the album. I think it would be probably very interesting for the people who have never seen it. As for the album, it's funny because "Maybe I'm Amazed" always leaves me cold when I listen to it on this album. I've always preferred the live version on Wings Over America. "Every Night" has always been my favorite track.
This was and still to this day my favorite McCartney album.
So homegrown and down to earth with a lot of love.
Every time the piano came in on Sing Along Junk, it still makes me emotional.
I love this album, but I love all Pauls album
perfect review my freind. man, where have all you Beatles fans been all my life? Here, i thought i was the ONLY fanatic all these years
I have my original apple pressing and then bought it on cd when it first came out . I didn’t buy the archive edition .. I missed the boat ! Now it’s very expensive if you can find it. Always a favorite and during this world pandemic and chaos , I have rediscovered my vinyl. Along with your clips Andrew, my old vinyl brings great peace and joy in a very dark time
Wonderful review! I still have my original LP bought the day it was released. Paul's always been my favorite and for so many years he got such a bad rap blaming him for the Beatles break-uo. He was just getting his feet wet with this album. Bigger and better things were on the way! Cheers.
Thanks Shari 🙂👍
Hi Andrew.
Still one of my 5 favourite Paul albums.
50 years old today.
Just watched the new video for Maybe I'm Amazed.
April, 17 in 1998 Linda died. So this a day with mixed feelings.
The release of that video I take it as a memory to Linda.
You did a fine job in reconstructing the making of McCartney.
Thanks Pe! I had forgotten that it was also the anniversary of Linda's passing yesterday 😢
Hot As Sun was something the Beatles rehearsed during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions, so it was probably fresh in his mind.
My Top 1 McCartney album.
Paul McCartney 4 ever!
Great video, Andrew! It's my pleasure to realise I was born a week before the release of McCartney on the 10th of April 1970 😉
So you were born and and on the same day it's announced that Paul quits the Beatles!
@@AndrewDixonMusic yes it is 🤷♂️
Fascinating stuff!
Hi Andrew Great video as always. Love this album definitely one of McCartney’s best. Maybe I’m amazed always been one of my favourite tracks .
Great video Andrew. Well researched and presented. I always thought Man We Was Lonely would fit nicely onto the Ram album. There's an HD premiere of Maybe I'm Amazed at 3pm today . Enjoy listening to the album. Cheers again...
Cheers Eddie! I just watched Maybe I'm Amazed video, I immediately recognised the section on the ferry with Heather, that's the ferry from Ardrossan to Arran which I was on about 4 years ago and took almost the same photo looking over the bay. From there paul must have got the Lochranza to Mull ferry, which sets off about 100 yards from the hotel I stayed on in Arran that year! Sorry that may been really uninteresting!! 😆
Thanks Andrew for another well researched very enjoyable video with your musical interludes.
I’m off to play my copy now
Great video..as I get older and really appreciate this album..I realize how dark it is..I know Paul was having a tough time to say the least..but I like the fact he kind of reinvented himself..such a masterpiece..
I love this album! This is one of my favorite McCartney albums and I appreciate that he just wanted to keep it moving and record everything himself. I think it has so much charm because of it's low-key nature. I happen to really like "Man We Was Lonely" on this album but it's ok if you don't love it. Cheers Andrew and stay safe!
Cheers Kevin! I like the song, it just feels like something that at other points in his career he would have perhaps given to someone else to record. 🙂👍
A very underrated album!!😁
Brilliant Andrew! I’m new to your channel and enjoying your insights.
Thank you, and welcome! 🙂👍
Fabulous video Andrew, really enjoyable. I loved your musical interludes. Thanks for all the great research here, top marks! Btw, I've always thought 'Man We Was Lonely' had particular relevance to the situation that Paul and Linda were in at the time of the album.
Cheers James! I;ve no doubt you;re right about the relevance of the song. Just seems like it would have suited someone like Mary Hopkin perfectly. I wonder if she ever covered it? *Googles it quickly* - No doesn't look like she ever did!
@@AndrewDixonMusic Maybe there's a video thread idea there of McCartney songs that should have been covered by various people!
As always, a superb critique Andrew. I think it’s a fantastic album and worth getting for the two versions of ‘Junk’ alone! Interesting how, after being probably the most prolific writer in The Beatles since ‘66 onwards, it was the other three who slightly overshadowed him around this time. Maybe there was an element of uncertainty on his part as to where his musical future was going. Certainly George had his backlog of songs he wanted to record for years, which turned into All things must pass. John also transformed from Rock Star to Artist with Plastic Ono and evening Ringo was ready to try his hand. After being the powerhouse behind The Beatles since ‘67, Paul either wanted to make a low key album or was too emotionally exhausted to produce another all guns blazing masterpiece. Of course that did happen with Band on the run and as you said, Ram had the classic big McCartney numbers like Admiral Halsey and Back Seat. Thanks again Andrew!😁👏👏👍🏻
Cheers Dom! A pretty damn fine critique by yourself also there! 🙂👍
A very nicely pitched review of an important (and great!) record. Thanks Andrew!
BTW - I'm old enough to remember the documentary that inspired the song title: "Kreen Akrore - The Tribe That Hides From Man" and I'm pretty sure that it is pronounced Kree-En Akroree ;-).
I purchased the half speed mastered vinyl of this album. It's a really great sounding pressing.
It's out here in the UK in a couple of weeks, still deciding whether to try and get one.
@@AndrewDixonMusic I hadn't jumped on the archive bandwagon with that one, so I grabbed it! It's replacing the original '70s album I've had that belonged to my dad (well, not replacing it, but giving it rest).
Even though I've heard all of this information before, it was nice to hear this story told this way. Very well done! Looking forward to checking out all of your videos! McCartney is one of my favorite albums. I wish he would do McCartney III in his living room the same way. Cheers!
Thanks Dave!
Very interesting and informative as usual Andrew. You certainly have amassed a great deal of information about The Beatles!
Great video as always Mate. In my opinion probably the least commercial first solo album by a Beatle, quite a shaky beginning. But probably his most introspective album.
Try That Would Be Something in the key of A, as Macca plays it on the unplugged show, shows more bluesy in my opinion.
Take care mate. Stay safe
Ps. Have a listen to the Nick Lowe in a room video, it's great
That was very interesting Andrew, I have been wanting a vinyl copy of this for some time now!
Thanks! Go on, treat yourself! 🙂
Hey Andrew, nice review of McCartney's first solo album, which I've always enjoyed! I wish he had considered releasing "Oo You" as a single, which I've thought is a decent McCartney rocker. Years ago, I read where John was asked about his reaction to McCartney (the album) Maybe it was McCartney II, Paul's 1980 album. John made the caustic comment that he wasn't surprised by it, since he thought Paul always wanted to be a one man band. I've also read that when Paul quit the group in April, 1970, that John, George and Ringo briefly considered carrying on with the Beatles, by bringing in Klaus Voormann on bass, as Paul's replacement. They were also going to change the band name from the Beatles to the Ladders.
Hi Andrew! This is one of Paul's albums that I haven't purchased yet. I'll have to do it asap! Be safe; God bless!
Hi Daisy, if you want an album by "Paul, the man", rather than "Paul, the rock star" then you'll love this!
A very fine LP indeed. You've got to laugh though at John's apparent observation that Paul always wanted to be a 'one-man band', & at critics not liking unfinished songs as though the medley on AR didn't exist!
I'm been invited to a listening session on Sunday
There's an official one today been announced you may have seen via Paul's Spotify account and #McCartney50
You certainly know ur McCartney Andrew 👍👍
Do you know why The Pure Mccartney box doesnt include numbers from the Flowers in the dirt album, strange that numbers like the hit singels My brave face, This One is not included???
Supposedly it's because it was known that Flowers would be the next Archive Collection, and on a different label, so they were keeping them back for that. Odd decision that makes some sense but not much.
@@AndrewDixonMusic Sometimes record companies makes strange decisions , but thank you anyway for the answer.👍
Interesting review , I too considered the contrast between the production on Abbey Road to this. Try as I might I cant warm to this album I much prefer Ram which as you say goes back to a Beatles style polished immaculate production . As to why he did a solo album at this time well what else was he gonna do? In the autumn of 69 he retreated to his farm and had a mini breakdown but after a couple of months he went back to the only thing he knows ... work . By this time he realised John was serious and George had had enough so he accepted the Beatles were over.
Macca recorded basically McCartney III too about 1987 but never released.
Return To Pepperland? Hopefully we'll get it eventually!
@@AndrewDixonMusic yess
A great summary Andrew. I'm very familiar with the album but wasn't aware of the 4 phases. I love the production rawness of the earlier albums. What to me is 'overproduction' gradually diminished my interest in new releases after Back to the Egg - though with later exceptions such as McCartney II and Chaos & Creation.
I don't know how many people are aware that Tim Rice wrote (very forgettable!) lyrics for Hot as Sun for an Elaine Page tv show/album at the beginning of the 80s. It's here: ruclips.net/video/rB10mnu4Fw4/видео.html
It wouldn't be the same album without Man we was Lonely! A great singalong. I learned it from one of Ivor Sorefingers' McCartney lessons on RUclips.
Oh, and for chord nerds I've got a transcription of Suicide on Ultimate Guitar (fab retro chord sequences and great use of the diminished scale).
Thanks for that link! I'd heard about the Elaine Paige version but hadn't heard it, it's pretty horrible isn't it! 😆
@@AndrewDixonMusic Yep!
Rolling Stone was gonna put out a favorable review, when Jann (a Lennon minion, to be nice, a real asshole to be frank) as editor put the breaks on it! All the other CLONES just fell in line!
McCartney is a Classic album, every bit as charming as any of his previous work! I used to agree with you concerning Man We Was Lonely, but over the years, it’s grown on me!
Now McCartney 3? Hang it up, Paul! That’s the best you could do when you finally had time to craft a wonderful home recorded album??? Then have OTHER artists try to prove your bad material is actually good? Not cool!!! What were you thinking? “I’ll make THE DEFINITIVE WORST POST BEATLE album anyone has EVER made!!!
Too much of anorak.although parlogram takes the biscuit.or the boy with 50 white albums in his collection.obsessive or wot.love the Beatles but not as much as some.
i.be.suprised.if.paul.tours.in.2021.he.be.78.and.is.voice.is.poor
I had read that Paul had Maybe I'm Amazed waiting in the wings with the anticipation of a new Beatles album. I'm surprised he didn't release it as a single. It's such a great song. I guess people were confused about this album cause of all the great songs he had written previously.
I also think he was reluctant to release a single as he knew that would mean far more promotion, public appearances, Top Of The Pops etc and it doesn't feel like he was in a frame of mind at that time to want to do that.