I forgot to mention the bonus cut "Freedom" which has taken a lot of flak from some fans. It's not that great of a song but the meaning behind it is and it was written quickly, so overall I certainly don't hate it.
I Do appreciate Freedom and for me even though it is not an amazing song the reason behind it makes this album worth owning even if I am not a great fan of half the songs on this album thanks👍🏻
I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds enjoyment from this record. I like the aesthetic of the album cover. Paul had the original artsy fartsy social media profile picture!
Back in the Sunshine Again is pretty cool. Laid back feel with a tight sounding band. He really liked the drummer and guitarist who played on most tracks. They're still with him almost 20 years later! Ugly little fact about this recording: Heather Mills gets credit for 'arrangement'. Hmm, we all know what arrangement she had in mind, don't we? lol
Very underrated album, I've listened to this album millions of times in this last month, and now I love almost every song in it: Lonely Road, From a Lover to a Friend, She Given Up Talking, the title track, Tiny Bubble, Your Way, Spinning on an Axis, About You (man, what a track), Heather and Rinse the Raindrops (10 minutes of sheer madness from Macca, very groovy)
1. RAM 2. Band On The Run 3. Flaming Pie 4. Tug Of War 5. Venus And Mars 6. McCartney II 7. Wings At The Speed Of Sound 8. Back To The Egg 9. London Town 10. Flowers In The Dirt 11. Driving Rain 12. Off The Ground 13. McCartney 14. Red Rose Speedway 15. Wild Life 16. Pipes Of Peace 17. Run Devil Run 18. Press To Play 19. Give My Regards To Broad Street 20. Choba B CCCP
I love this album. It was the first new album he released when I first became a fan. I had bought Band On The Run, McCartney and the Wingspan comp. Rinse the Raindrops is epic to me. Freedom is a rough track, nice intent but just doesn't work. Yes, Heather is about his second wife. She influenced a few tracks on the album, probably why Paul has not played any of these songs live in years. Nothing from the album on Pure McCartney either, the 4 CD version.
I really like this album but could have done without "From a Lover to a Friend" and "Freedom". The former shows that Linda was a greater muse and the latter could have used more writing sessions. Incidentally, just came from the funeral video. Grandoa could use some metamucil.
I never listed to Driving Rain until Fab4Free4All bagged the crap out of it. I listened, and like it quite a lot. Lonely Road and Rinse the Raindrops make great bookends to the album.
Nice, Larry. I wouldn't go so far and call it "Driving Pain" but in my opinion there are good approaches with unpolished implementations on the album. / PVS
Wow ! I am impressed ! Larry, I thought you would place this at C+ or B- . For an album that has been totally misunderstood and under rated to the lowest degree by McCartney fans, I am totally impressed. I would have Pipes of Peace higher and close to this album for my appraisal. But I am impressed. I kind of like the Riding to Jaipur. I think McCartney is trying to experiment a bit like George did, or John did. I think the sound is quite amazing too !! The songs you have mentioned I am in total agreement for my taste, yes indeed, right on ! The 1.2.3,4,5 song..not my favorite..to me this one brings down a bit the album, but, the rest is very good, the song Heather may be his step-daughter, who gets an instrumental. Linda's daughter really struggled with being a "beatles' daughter. So, this one could be about "Heather", the good person, not the evil person "whom the other children despised" !! Anyway, I think of Pauls' daughter, Heather, over the other "person". Did you get the GQ magazine interview with Paul yet ? I heard it is very good !! All your rankings to me are very good. Yes, I have a somewhat different take on some albums, but we are all different people in tastes. But I love your honesty and your humour is so good !! Mr. Mayo, a wonderful person, but, I do not take his reviews too seriously. I think he does well, but sometimes..not so well. But he has gained a lot of respect just for being honest with his viewers. Honesty is still the best policy ! That is why Politicians cannot be trusted. Take care Larry !!!
Lots of good songs to be found here. A bit of a Wings vibe. Especially on a song like "Your Way". "Lonely Road" is a great opening track. "Tiny Bubble" might also be my favourite track. Not his best album, but also certainly not his worst either.
Each album is this year’s postcard from Paul. How are you? What’s on your mind? Playing with any new sounds? I was always intrigued by this album, from the day it was released. I didn’t love it, but I couldn’t stop playing it. Now I know, Paul was in that bad marriage. Here’s all this creative musical genius pouring out amazing sounds and melodies and vocals, but it’s so minor-key, so angry, so painful. This album is full of hurt and confusion. As I remember reading at the time, Paul was diddling about on the piano, and wife Heather said I like that, is it an old Beatle song of yours? No, but Paul turned it into “Heather.” He didn’t write that glorious thing for her, she chose it. Riding To Jaipur. No, thank you. Like Frozen Jap or Loup 1st Indian on the moon, Paul hasn’t learned the music or scales of other cultures, not like George did. Paul just bumped into something while noodling on the piano or guitar that sounds India-ish and wrote a tune of it. The occasional simple lyrics come with the territory with Paul. Whatever. Your Way sounds like the best-but-missing song on my near-the-bottom-of-the-list album Wildlife. It has to be an old song for the Lovely Linda. The other love songs are each edgy, unsure, grasping in the dark. Rinse The Raindrops is epic. It’s another cut I share with my deadhead friends. Freedom is a fave. I remember the first performance in the 2001 Concert For New York City. It’s a traditional old activist screamer, like me. I gotta say, Thank you Larry for this series. I’m getting a huge kick out of the ride through my favorite old records with you and all the commenters. Every time you or the fans like something I didn’t, I check it out. Maybe I’m amazed at the passion Paul’s work inspires in all of us with our different tastes.
I'm falling behind! I'm catching up though 😄. There's a solid 40-45 minute album, my one question is why does it be sooo long? It's only silly love songs after all :). Speaking of which, the lyrical content certainly hasn't aged the greatest. The lengths Paul goes to confess his new love go over the top, and he hammers out song after song of it which after a while gets fairly tedious. Some of the other lyrics are bizarre too such as on the so so Spinning On The Axis. What this album lacks in lyrical quality is some quality songs otherwise. The two mainly instrumental songs in fact are some of my favourites. It's nice to hear Paul sounding a bit different, save for some of the more benign love songs. Exhibit A, Rinse The Raindrops, totally different in style from his usual rockers but works out really well, possibly the best track on here. Freedom is a nice sentiment but totally out of place on the album, it should have remained a single though it isn't offensive. Overall, parts of this feel lacking in inspiration, while others pop. It's uneven but, in the end, good. 6.5/10 (honestly, the ratings don't mean anything by this point)
I really struggle with this album. Even now, I put on the album. It plays, it ends, and it is over. I could not remember any of the tracks when you spoke about them. But as you say, it is just personal opinions etc and no one is forcing me to listen to the album.
I respect your review and it was very interesting for me it is one of the least favorites I do enjoy about 6 songs ALOT it is a true blue period album for Paul and the country having Freedom on the album is a plus but ties it to that time in history thanks for the review 👍🏻👍🏻
i think it and tug of war are the 2 best after wings cds i still think pipes of peace was a snoozer for me id give this a b+ i love run devil run for the non wings cds my fave
Dear Mr Mud Stuffing: This album has created something of a negative reputation in the years since it was released. I like the album. Paul McCartney is not capable of releasing a bad album. Yes, the odd song might have been signed off on too quickly, but this is one of the greatest songwriters in the 20th Century we're talking about here. In the UK, however, EVERY McCartney album in his career has made the top ten... except Driving Rain, which stopped at No.46. I'm at a toss to explain it. x
Yes, I believe it's about his 2nd wife Heather Mills.. I never liked her either and in the interviews she seemed like a manipulative snake...And I believe on his next album he wrote a dark or negative song or two about her. Can't wait till you review that !
Driving Rain is a depressing album Larry probably due to the death of Paul's first wife Linda,his true love and his current,soon to be ex wife Heather,in my opinion because it's so depressing Driving Rain is Paul's worst album,ironically the largely instrumental track Heather is my favorite song on the album. Bob.
I can't help but connect Driving Rain with 9.11, the awful single Freedom, Heather Mills and the death of George Harrison. So many negative associations! But the album is not bad. The performance is great, it’s the songs that don't move me much. Similar to Wings At The Speed Of Sound situation for me: everything is fine except the songs))) I think Paul should have released an EP instead of 50 minutes long play CD. My choise is: 1. Driving Rain 2. Tiny Bubble 3. Heather 4. Lonely Road 5. Magic 6. Your Loving Flame
Lower tier McCartney for me. “Freedom” is a great sentiment, but a lousy song. Like “ Hot Blooded” by Foreigner, it lyrically sounds like it was written on a two minute toilet break. My top 5 McCartney solo albums 1) Ram 2) Venus and Mars 3) Band On The Run 4) Flowers In The Dirt and 5) Memory Almost Full
A few decent songs, but overall a highly forgettable album. One of his worst album covers too. It did get him back out touring though and he’s been going strong ever since.
I forgot to mention the bonus cut "Freedom" which has taken a lot of flak from some fans. It's not that great of a song but the meaning behind it is and it was written quickly, so overall I certainly don't hate it.
Freedom sounds a lot like "If I had a hammer" by Trini Lopez.
I Do appreciate Freedom and for me even though it is not an amazing song the reason behind it makes this album worth owning even if I am not a great fan of half the songs on this album thanks👍🏻
I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds enjoyment from this record. I like the aesthetic of the album cover. Paul had the original artsy fartsy social media profile picture!
About You is one of my favorite Paul songs. Your Way is also classic McCartney.
Back in the Sunshine Again is pretty cool. Laid back feel with a tight sounding band. He really liked the drummer and guitarist who played on most tracks. They're still with him almost 20 years later!
Ugly little fact about this recording: Heather Mills gets credit for 'arrangement'. Hmm, we all know what arrangement she had in mind, don't we? lol
Larry, the little "jab" at the end was classic! Well done!! LOL you've restored all of your credibility.
Very underrated album, I've listened to this album millions of times in this last month, and now I love almost every song in it: Lonely Road, From a Lover to a Friend, She Given Up Talking, the title track, Tiny Bubble, Your Way, Spinning on an Axis, About You (man, what a track), Heather and Rinse the Raindrops (10 minutes of sheer madness from Macca, very groovy)
Other video for today "MEMORIAL SERVICE COMEDIAN #5 - R.I.P. GORDON GALL" at ruclips.net/video/OElxaAhHPeE/видео.html
1. RAM
2. Band On The Run
3. Flaming Pie
4. Tug Of War
5. Venus And Mars
6. McCartney II
7. Wings At The Speed Of Sound
8. Back To The Egg
9. London Town
10. Flowers In The Dirt
11. Driving Rain
12. Off The Ground
13. McCartney
14. Red Rose Speedway
15. Wild Life
16. Pipes Of Peace
17. Run Devil Run
18. Press To Play
19. Give My Regards To Broad Street
20. Choba B CCCP
I love this album. It was the first new album he released when I first became a fan. I had bought Band On The Run, McCartney and the Wingspan comp. Rinse the Raindrops is epic to me. Freedom is a rough track, nice intent but just doesn't work.
Yes, Heather is about his second wife. She influenced a few tracks on the album, probably why Paul has not played any of these songs live in years. Nothing from the album on Pure McCartney either, the 4 CD version.
I looooooooove it, Lonely road, From a lover, Your loving flame, Tiny bubble, Driving rain and Freedom are the songs I like I give the album 8/10
I like Driving Rain now a lot more than I used to - took awhile to get into but now I think it’s a great record! Would love an Archive reissue 👍
The 2000's were a very creative period for Paul. It's really a good album.
I really like this album but could have done without "From a Lover to a Friend" and "Freedom". The former shows that Linda was a greater muse and the latter could have used more writing sessions. Incidentally, just came from the funeral video. Grandoa could use some metamucil.
I never listed to Driving Rain until Fab4Free4All bagged the crap out of it.
I listened, and like it quite a lot.
Lonely Road and Rinse the Raindrops make great bookends to the album.
Nice, Larry. I wouldn't go so far and call it "Driving Pain" but in my opinion there are good approaches with unpolished implementations on the album.
/ PVS
Wow ! I am impressed ! Larry, I thought you would place this at C+ or B- . For an album that has been totally misunderstood and under rated to the lowest degree by McCartney fans, I am totally impressed. I would have Pipes of Peace higher and close to this album for my appraisal. But I am impressed. I kind of like the Riding to Jaipur. I think McCartney is trying to experiment a bit like George did, or John did. I think the sound is quite amazing too !! The songs you have mentioned I am in total agreement for my taste, yes indeed, right on ! The 1.2.3,4,5 song..not my favorite..to me this one brings down a bit the album, but, the rest is very good, the song Heather may be his step-daughter, who gets an instrumental. Linda's daughter really struggled with being a "beatles' daughter. So, this one could be about "Heather", the good person, not the evil person "whom the other children despised" !! Anyway, I think of Pauls' daughter, Heather, over the other "person". Did you get the GQ magazine interview with Paul yet ? I heard it is very good !! All your rankings to me are very good. Yes, I have a somewhat different take on some albums, but we are all different people in tastes. But I love your honesty and your humour is so good !! Mr. Mayo, a wonderful person, but, I do not take his reviews too seriously. I think he does well, but sometimes..not so well. But he has gained a lot of respect just for being honest with his viewers. Honesty is still the best policy ! That is why Politicians cannot be trusted. Take care Larry !!!
Lots of good songs to be found here. A bit of a Wings vibe. Especially on a song like "Your Way". "Lonely Road" is a great opening track. "Tiny Bubble" might also be my favourite track. Not his best album, but also certainly not his worst either.
Best song on this album. Tiny Bubble
I love it
A solid B, agreed
Each album is this year’s postcard from Paul. How are you? What’s on your mind? Playing with any new sounds?
I was always intrigued by this album, from the day it was released. I didn’t love it, but I couldn’t stop playing it.
Now I know, Paul was in that bad marriage. Here’s all this creative musical genius pouring out amazing sounds and melodies and vocals, but it’s so minor-key, so angry, so painful. This album is full of hurt and confusion.
As I remember reading at the time, Paul was diddling about on the piano, and wife Heather said I like that, is it an old Beatle song of yours? No, but Paul turned it into “Heather.” He didn’t write that glorious thing for her, she chose it.
Riding To Jaipur. No, thank you. Like Frozen Jap or Loup 1st Indian on the moon, Paul hasn’t learned the music or scales of other cultures, not like George did. Paul just bumped into something while noodling on the piano or guitar that sounds India-ish and wrote a tune of it.
The occasional simple lyrics come with the territory with Paul. Whatever.
Your Way sounds like the best-but-missing song on my near-the-bottom-of-the-list album Wildlife. It has to be an old song for the Lovely Linda.
The other love songs are each edgy, unsure, grasping in the dark.
Rinse The Raindrops is epic. It’s another cut I share with my deadhead friends.
Freedom is a fave. I remember the first performance in the 2001 Concert For New York City. It’s a traditional old activist screamer, like me.
I gotta say, Thank you Larry for this series. I’m getting a huge kick out of the ride through my favorite old records with you and all the commenters. Every time you or the fans like something I didn’t, I check it out. Maybe I’m amazed at the passion Paul’s work inspires in all of us with our different tastes.
I'm falling behind! I'm catching up though 😄. There's a solid 40-45 minute album, my one question is why does it be sooo long? It's only silly love songs after all :). Speaking of which, the lyrical content certainly hasn't aged the greatest. The lengths Paul goes to confess his new love go over the top, and he hammers out song after song of it which after a while gets fairly tedious. Some of the other lyrics are bizarre too such as on the so so Spinning On The Axis. What this album lacks in lyrical quality is some quality songs otherwise. The two mainly instrumental songs in fact are some of my favourites. It's nice to hear Paul sounding a bit different, save for some of the more benign love songs. Exhibit A, Rinse The Raindrops, totally different in style from his usual rockers but works out really well, possibly the best track on here. Freedom is a nice sentiment but totally out of place on the album, it should have remained a single though it isn't offensive. Overall, parts of this feel lacking in inspiration, while others pop. It's uneven but, in the end, good. 6.5/10 (honestly, the ratings don't mean anything by this point)
I really struggle with this album. Even now, I put on the album. It plays, it ends, and it is over. I could not remember any of the tracks when you spoke about them. But as you say, it is just personal opinions etc and no one is forcing me to listen to the album.
Both Flaming Pie and Driving Rain album covers looks like CCTV footage of Paul McCartney during a crime.
I think the album is very good😊my kids really liked this album too😊
I respect your review and it was very interesting for me it is one of the least favorites I do enjoy about 6 songs ALOT it is a true blue period album for Paul and the country having Freedom on the album is a plus but ties it to that time in history thanks for the review 👍🏻👍🏻
"Driving rain" is a clue about the Paul is Dead Theory. Am I sure about it? No😂
i think it and tug of war are the 2 best after wings cds i still think pipes of peace was a snoozer for me id give this a b+ i love run devil run for the non wings cds my fave
Aaaaaah! You said "Hi fans of high quality entertainment," and you had a fan on. Aaaaaah! 😳
I like the album cover. I do not think this album is as bad as everyone thinks. Its not his best work but Ive heard worse songs from Paul.
Dear Mr Mud Stuffing: This album has created something of a negative reputation in the years since it was released. I like the album. Paul McCartney is not capable of releasing a bad album. Yes, the odd song might have been signed off on too quickly, but this is one of the greatest songwriters in the 20th Century we're talking about here. In the UK, however, EVERY McCartney album in his career has made the top ten... except Driving Rain, which stopped at No.46. I'm at a toss to explain it. x
Yes, I believe it's about his 2nd wife Heather Mills.. I never liked her either and in the interviews she seemed like a manipulative snake...And I believe on his next album he wrote a dark or negative song or two about her. Can't wait till you review that !
Agreed, Mills is one of the most self-absorbed, off-putting people I’ve ever seen.
I am nodding my head.
Did you see her in the British version of Who Wants To Be A MIllionaire? 🤣🤣🤣
Driving Rain is a depressing album Larry probably due to the death of Paul's first wife Linda,his true love and his current,soon to be ex wife Heather,in my opinion because it's so depressing Driving Rain is Paul's worst album,ironically the largely instrumental track Heather is my favorite song on the album. Bob.
I can't help but connect Driving Rain with 9.11, the awful single Freedom, Heather Mills and the death of George Harrison. So many negative associations! But the album is not bad. The performance is great, it’s the songs that don't move me much. Similar to Wings At The Speed Of Sound situation for me: everything is fine except the songs))) I think Paul should have released an EP instead of 50 minutes long play CD. My choise is:
1. Driving Rain
2. Tiny Bubble
3. Heather
4. Lonely Road
5. Magic
6. Your Loving Flame
Эй! Палыч I to feel an EP would have been a better output
Lower tier McCartney for me. “Freedom” is a great sentiment, but a lousy song. Like “ Hot Blooded” by Foreigner, it lyrically sounds like it was written on a two minute toilet break. My top 5 McCartney solo albums 1) Ram 2) Venus and Mars 3) Band On The Run 4) Flowers In The Dirt and 5) Memory Almost Full
Am I the only one who thinks that the cover is a 10/10
I can't stand his bonus track freedom one of Paul's worst singles to date!!!
A few decent songs, but overall a highly forgettable album. One of his worst album covers too. It did get him back out touring though and he’s been going strong ever since.