Very nice review John, as always, although I must say that "Distractions" is one of my all time favorites of Paul's.. I realize that I'm in the minority on this, but I just think that it's absolutely gorgeous, and I never tire of it...Take care.
Nice review with much of my own thoughts on the album. The bonus material on the archive is very interesting. I agree that 'Motor of Love' lets the album down due to being somewhat overproduced. Apparently the download version includes and extra last track, "Ou Est Le Soleil" as does the cd version. This is a much better final track, IMHO.
Great review of one of my favourite Macca albums - the only tracks that jarr for me are Motor Of Love and How Many People - the album would have benefitted in my view from having Flying To My Home added to it and losing Motor Of Love and How Many People. Otherwise, it’s great!
I didn't like this album at the time, but as with so many things in life absence makes the heart grow fonder. I also found the album collaboration track annoying but couldn't believe how wonderful the bonus side with them is. I think a more 'Ram' approach to the proceedings would have delivered up a more satisfying album which as you said suffered in its production and lack of oomph. Thank you for a superb review John.
Sam Sloane thanks Sam good point about the Ram production....as it turned out the production on the finished album was variable with don’t be careless love being the most disappointing
Aaaah, this album brings back great memories. Nice album cover as you mentioned. Never seen the great gatefold art since I only own the cd version. I always loved the cover photo for the "My Brave Face" single as you mentioned and it would have made a great album cover! Although it was hailed as a comeback, in retrospect, I find that only the 3 or 4 songs I really liked then, I still really like, and the others, ehhhh!!!!! I can do without. To me I find it an average album, and really not much different than "Press to Play" that got ripped by the critics. Loved and still love, "My Brave Face". Listened to that song over and over on a cassette single on my walkman for an entire week straight. Nothing else was permitted to enter my ears. Couldn't get that song out of my head. Still, outside of this track and "Veronica" I've never been a huge fan of the Macca-Elvis collaboration. I do like "That day is done" and "The Lovers that never were" from "Off the Ground" alot as well. But the others I find just okay. To me, you can just tell they have that Elvis influence. Most of these tracks all seem to have a sort of waltz feel to them and alot of word choices and phrasings I don't think Paul was accustomed of using. Not an album I go back to that often, but, I find myself putting "My Brave Face" and "Put it there" on alot of Paul mixed cd compilations that I burn for myself. NIce review as always Mr Heaton. Nice to see you getting around to a few of Paul's 80's albums. Don't know if you've done one already but would be nice to see you do a review of the "Press to Play".
Thanks. Yes 'Press To Play' coming soon I hope. That one is probably underrated the same way this one is a little overrated. A good lead off (and hit) single sure helps and probably finally persuaded Paul to tour. It's a much better opening than 'Stranglehold' for sure, in my opinion. Those B sides though should have made the album and 'Lovers That Never Were' should have replaced 'Don't Be Careless Love'. Imagine that...plus 'Back On My Feet, Flying To My Home' and 'The Loveliest Thing' replacing 'You Want Her Too', 'Motor Of Love' and 'Rough Ride' (perhaps?) and you've got a pretty fine album!
Yea, to me both albums have some solid tracks and some real weak ones. 'Press to Play' I'd say is slightly more experimental as a sort of pre-Fireman attempt. I have to agree about 'Stranglehold' as a poor choice as an opening track. Just a average mid tempo rocker in the same vein as 'No Values' 'Move Over Busker', 'Lonely Road'. Why not lead off with 'Press'????, another song I couldn't get out of my head when it was released. Odd lyrics, yes, but it has a nice groove to it. I have to agree with you that 'Flowers..' would have made a stronger album had they switched out a few tracks with the few you mentioned. I'd also gladly trade out 'motor of love' and instead replace it with 'Same Love' which I've always thought was a decent ballad of his from that time. Also, I think the 12" single version of 'Figure of 8' would have been a better choice than the version on the album.
Just listening to this right now John. Compared to Egypt Station, Flowers is a masterpiece. Some great songs and lyrically really strong. I put it as my second favourite of his 80's albums, TOW being the first.
Thanks John for reviewing this for the reissue. And yes I really liked this when it came out in the late eighties after a few down albums from Paul. Paul did a big stadium tour in 1990 in support of this album and I saw him at huge baseball stadium in Philadelphia, 50,00 in attendance. He performed many of the tracks from this record, along with a lot of Beatles songs and some that he hadn't performed before solo. I remember hearing that he had a new album coming out and after the last few albums I wasn't that excited until I heard 'Figure of Eight' on the radio, and than I said Paul is back! I still enjoy until listening to this album.
Paul is playing all over in the US this summer, but not coming to Philadelphia yet. I was lucky to see him for the first time during the 'Wings Over America' tour when I was 16, nothing will every top that show.
Nice review, John. I also got to see one of McCartney's Flowers in the Dirt tour in 1990, Berekely, California. Only time I ever saw him in concert. Great memories! Nice to see Linda.
I bought the album after we bought tickets for one of the Birmingham concerts. Seeing McCartney was terrific. The tour is captured on the Tripping The Live Fantastic live album and that's where the weaknesses of this album appear. Set against the great Beatles songs and a few by Wings, these tracks were definitely second class.
Shakermaker I quite like Figure of Eight. Somewhere, on one of the many cd single versions, maybe on a tiny disc, I have a edit of it that is really great. Somewhere in my things.
When this first came out I loved it. In my opinion it was the first good album he had released since "Tug of War". I still really like "My Brave Face" and "Put it There". But but but. . . .Listening to it now it really is just "So So" especially since hearing later albums like Flaming Pie and Chaos and Creation. I kind of like the demos better, but (and I know this is a failing on my part!) I can't stand Elvis Costello's vocals! I know he writes good songs but (to me!) he always sounds like he is going to be sick when he "vocalizes"! Sorry any EC fans . I do appreciate his songwriting and think that he gave Paul a shot in the arm when he needed it!
Good review John. This was definitely a return to form for Paul and the lyrics are excellent. I have enjoyed listening to LP very much over the years. I have not been lucky enough to see him in concert recently but I did see WINGS at the Bournemouth Winter Gardens in the early 70s on the Rose Red Speedway tour . Very memorable.
I enjoyed this review John and i will certainly get the reissue release with all the demos. Motor of Love to me is the standout track on the album by some distance and i was somewhat dismayed that you dismissed it really , still as you regularly say it is only your opinion . Keep up the good work.
Amongst several versions of tracks released I have two different versions of the This One 12inch (with different track listings), Also little known is that the single release of Figure of Eight is a different mix to the album (without stating so) and includes some extra vocals. So many great bonus tracks from this project and none featured on the deluxe reissue (and not all were even available in the download “pack”. The album was a tad over produced and tries too hard. We got married was a song he had kicking around for years. The demos with Elvis I find all very shouty. Can’t believe how old it is? Still think of it as one of his new ones!
Brilliant review. I remember when this album came out and hard to believe nearly thirty years! On the CD it ends with with Ou' Est Le Soleil which might be a little bit better ending than the vinyl version I suppose. I have not heard the demos but wondering if given the choice to have the B sides or demos which one would I pick. I'm glad I kept my 1993 remastered version of this album which has some of the B sides on it.
Spot on again John this was a great return to form for Paul now having a great band behind him as for the songwriting with Elvis his best partnership since John, all Liverpool lads. You Want Her Too the way Elvis responds to Paul's vocal for me just like Getting Better & that great big band sound at the end. Figure Of Eight Classic catchy Macca at his best.
Great review John in fact all your reviews are top notch in my book. This Album kind of passed me by when it first came out all those years ago. I just remember my brave face on the radio which I liked.Quite frankly I wasn't too keen on Paul since Tug of war. I'm going to have to give this a good listen.
Another well-done review, John. I actually just picked up the new vinyl edition with the extra tracks. I think I enjoy the "My Brave Face" demo more than the actual track. I agree this was better than PRESS TO PLAY, and a decent LP to tour off. But I think Paul was still feeling his way, though it was a step in a positive direction.
HI john you look like you have good weather . Good review this lp holds so much fore me . I think that this lp is in my top 10 lp and like you this was my first time seeing him in concert . It still to this day is a big deal WOW plus I to was in the fan club and got tickets in the 10 row . And win he came out on to stage it was electric and I could not be leave that it was really him. I don't have the new vinyl but looks impressive !!. O I love the two songs for your wedding :} .To end my talk I bot this lp the day it was released . Thank you John and see you in the next video ...
The McCartney/Costello collaborations were fantastic, not only on this LP but also EC's 'Spike' LP the same year. Group all the PM/EC songs together from said LPs you'd have a great EP. . . . Great review, John.
I loved your review. I think "My brave face" "This one" and "Put it there" are standout songs. The album is one really good, and there`s no fillers in here in my opinion. I even like "You want her too" The tune is catchy, i don`t care about the lyrics. I just saw a recent interview with Paul where he said he was planning to include a couple of tracks off "Flowers in the dirt" on his setlist. I hope he does "Put it there" The live versions of "My brave face" and "this one" on Tripping the live fantastic were not very good at all. The live version of "Figure of eight" was amazing and even better than the original version.
Great review as always John. Personally I don't rate this album that highly though clearly does have some standout tracks on it such as Put it There and This One. You are spot on about the b side Flying to my Home, a great track which would have graced the album in my opinion. Anyway Flowers in the Dirt is an improvement on Press to Play but not a McCartney classic as far as I'm concerned. Fortunately for us though it heralded a great tour, I saw him in Birmingham too!
Motor of Love starts off well until the mechanically sounding chorus that borders on the cringing. As commented elsewhere, Flying to My Home would have been the better song. On the whole, an okay album but not one I rush to play these days.
Great wedding story, John. It always surprises me how many people profess complete ignorance of this album...at the time it seemed a big deal, but in retrospect it doesn't seem to have left much impression on a lot of people, and some fans (eg Joe) express outright disdain for it. I was looking forward to you reviewing this one as I'm very fond of it. This was the album I listened to just after I'd passed my driving test and was driving about on my own wheels at last....in a Citroen 2CV 'Dolly' with retractable roof. I drove my mates to the coast of West Wales for a week's holiday and we blasted Flowers in the Dirt all the way, alternating with Cloud 9 on the other side of the cassette. Rock and roll!
Beatle James - I think you're seriously exaggerating in saying that I (Joe) have "outright disdain for this album". I have said it's got a couple of great Paul classics on it ("This One" and "Put It There"), and some other pretty good tunes too ("My Brave Face", "Figure of Eight", "Rough Ride") - but overall my very consistent conclusion has been that I felt it was a step in the right direction, but kind of a middle-tier LP for me. (I dislike several songs but not all, and certainly this LP would never be near Paul's "worst" albums for me). And you know, I guess it depends what side of the fence you're on, so far as feeling an overall opposite vibe from the rest of the general public; you say you sense complete ignorance for this album, while lately I think people are practically glowing and gushing all over in favor if it!
Hi Joe. Sorry to misrepresent you...I know you said you enjoyed several of the tracks (though I'm sure you said you didn't care for My Brave Face) it's just that the tracks you said you didn't like , you really did seem to radiate disdain for them, eg That Day Is Done, Distractions and particularly We Got Married, your comments on which I thought were really funny. Apologies again! I've encountered quite a few VC'ers who don't know anything about this album. Paul (Baracka P) said he'd never heard of it when I made a video about it a while back. I sent a copy as VCLT to Martin Spinit Tweeks in England because he said it had completely passed him by also.
Beatle James - It's okay, James. I'm really not a big fan of "My Brave Face", no - but it's one of the more workable songs to me on the album of the ones I don't care for. Yes, I do find "That Day Is Done" to be a funeral dirge. And I find "Distractions" pleasant in tune, but what gets in the way for me are how silly some lyrics like the "butterflies that buzz around my head" bit are. I think I like "We Got Married" much better now than I did then.
Terrific review, in agreement with just about everything said. I consider "Flowers" a very good McCartney album, though it had the potential to be much better. I find the Trevor Horn/Steve Lipson produced tracks on the album in particular to be a bit of a let down (Roughride, Figure of Eight, How Many People, Ou Est Le Soleil), but in fairness maybe Paul just gave them the weakest compositions and hoped for the best from the production team. The single version of Figure of Eight is much better, sounding much closer to the live version that opened the shows. I would have liked 3 tracks in particular left off the album ( Roughride, Motor of Love and How Many People), replaced with superior songs that were available to be included. Flying to My Home is a real gem, and is squandered as a B-side. I very much liked The First Stone, from the This One single, co-written with Hamish Stuart, a rocking stab at televangelists at the time. And Loveliest Thing is another lost gem that would have fit nicely on the album, left over from the ill-fated Phil Ramone sessions. Paul has admitted in interviews that he is not the best judge of his own material at times, and often relies on the opinions of those around him to decide which tracks are single worthy or album worthy, including asking his kids. Also in agreement that the Costello demos with Paul are outstanding, and are in some ways more enjoyable to listen to now than the original album. The demo Paul does for The Lovers That Never Were in particular is amazing, with one of Paul's all time great vocal performances, sadly squandered here on a demo recording.
There are some good songs on this album i really like and some i do not care for. I'm not slamming the album but i wish that paul would have put some of the B- sides on here and taken off "Motor of love" "Rough ride" "Distractions" " You want her too" "Don't be careless love". I've been with mac from the start and it always drove me nuts he would put out these fantastic B-sides when they should have been on an album. "Flying to my home" should have been on here for sure. "Back on my feet" would have been nice too. Great Review john
day tripper - I agree. So many good B-Sides. "Flying To My Home" and "Back On My Feet" were so much better. He could even have added "Once Upon A Long Ago", which had not been on an album yet. .... I would have axed "Motor of Love", "You Want Her Too", "That Day Is Done", "Distractions". I don't mind the song "Ou Est Le Soleil" (whatever it is) as much as others do, but that one could have been left as a bonus track.
It's funny you should say that because i like that song too (" Ou Est Le Soleil"). I forgot about "Once upon a long Ago". That also should have been on here.
Great review John. At the time of release, I was very happy that Paul had ditched his formula of 'solo/not honestly collaborative' type albums (Press to Play, Broadstreet & Pipes of Peace) which I found very uninspiring for a person of the calibre of Paul. Flowers at least shows influence from not only Elvis Costello, but also Wix, Hamish & Robbie. I've always believed that (apart from McCartney 1), that he produces his best work when his songs have had at least 25% external influence in either the song writing, arrangement or production. GAZ
Hi John, great review and really enjoy your videos, not least because we tend to agree on albums! Really enjoy Flowers and I've especially like the reissue (didn't go for the super deluxe as couldn't justify the price tag) but got the double vinyl. Those Costello demos are gorgeous - I listen to record 2 more than record 1. I've also started up my own channel. Only one vid up thus far, but any support would be appreciated!
BeatleManiac23 cheers mate and welcome to you tube... Those deluxe sets are way overpriced... I picked up venus and mars and speed of sound but when they cut the price substantially!
Hi John, I’ve a question (obviously you’ll likely not know as I don’t but worth an ask even if it’s just for your opinion)... as for the “Archive” series that started in 2010 with Band On The Run and with the most recent release of Flowers, do you think he’ll do all of his albums? He obviously isn’t rereleasing them chronologically, more thematically (e.g. McC 1 & 2 released at the same time as they have similarities in the way they were produced). And weather or not he does or doesn’t do all of the albums, which do you think we’ll be seeing in the upcoming years? Mostly because I don’t want to make a purchase of an album just have to repurchase a rerelease again soon thereafter! 👍🏽😁
Thomas Camp hi thomas I wish I knew....we've been waiting years for the missing four seventies albums...would be great but I wouldn't hold your breath..
A Partir de este album empezó a ser otro. Dejó de hacer albumnes mediocres y malos. Ya era otra cosa con este Flowers In Dirt, Off The Ground y Flaming Pie. Una gran trilogía de album.
Exactamente. Esa trilogía de los 90s, aparte de ser el soundrack de mi adolescencia, tiene un sonido fresco, rockero y maduro. Amo los discos que llegaron después, pero estos tres son el puro estilo McCartney, según mi opinión.
On a couple of occasions I read that Paul treated Elvis very shabbily, even yelled at him in the studio, in front of all the recording engineers and staff. How true is this? As true as John Lennon treating Paul Simon like shit in a studio in the early 70s. Perhaps this is why Elvis, and so many other talented songwriters such as Eric Stewart, refused to work with this man ever again.
John, I really like your reviews and your love for all things Beatle. But for the love of god, please put the album art in a separate small window in the top right corner. You flashed the album cover (and I went back and watched again in 2X) FOURTY SIX (46!!!!!) times. That doesn't include the singles, mind you. Add those in and it's over 60. Come on, mate. It's a good job that the song "Distractions" is on this album. I guarantee you will greatly increase your subs. Honestly, it is dizzying.
It seems like you really want to like this album, yet you find faults with almost every song! :-) To be honest, it’s really not that great, even if it is an improvement over Press to play.
Very nice review John, as always, although I must say that "Distractions" is one of my all time favorites of Paul's.. I realize that I'm in the minority on this, but I just think that it's absolutely gorgeous, and I never tire of it...Take care.
Thomas Calden if i'm in the mood that track is great...cheers thomas
"How Many People" is dedicated to the memory of Chico Mendes, the Brazilian Rain Forest Campaigner.
I wish he would of reviewed the song "this one" more..such a great song..one of the highlights of the album.
One of my favourite Macca songs
Nice review with much of my own thoughts on the album. The bonus material on the archive is very interesting. I agree that 'Motor of Love' lets the album down due to being somewhat overproduced. Apparently the download version includes and extra last track, "Ou Est Le Soleil" as does the cd version. This is a much better final track, IMHO.
Great review of one of my favourite Macca albums - the only tracks that jarr for me are Motor Of Love and How Many People - the album would have benefitted in my view from having Flying To My Home added to it and losing Motor Of Love and How Many People. Otherwise, it’s great!
No matter the record being reviewed, it's always a pleasure to hear what you have to say about it, John. Informative and well done as usual. 👍
Thanks David!
The first Paul album I ever bought and still love it, great review yet again John
I didn't like this album at the time, but as with so many things in life absence makes the heart grow fonder. I also found the album collaboration track annoying but couldn't believe how wonderful the bonus side with them is. I think a more 'Ram' approach to the proceedings would have delivered up a more satisfying album which as you said suffered in its production and lack of oomph. Thank you for a superb review John.
Sam Sloane thanks Sam good point about the Ram production....as it turned out the production on the finished album was variable with don’t be careless love being the most disappointing
Aaaah, this album brings back great memories. Nice album cover as you mentioned. Never seen the great gatefold art since I only own the cd version. I always loved the cover photo for the "My Brave Face" single as you mentioned and it would have made a great album cover! Although it was hailed as a comeback, in retrospect, I find that only the 3 or 4 songs I really liked then, I still really like, and the others, ehhhh!!!!! I can do without. To me I find it an average album, and really not much different than "Press to Play" that got ripped by the critics. Loved and still love, "My Brave Face". Listened to that song over and over on a cassette single on my walkman for an entire week straight. Nothing else was permitted to enter my ears. Couldn't get that song out of my head. Still, outside of this track and "Veronica" I've never been a huge fan of the Macca-Elvis collaboration. I do like "That day is done" and "The Lovers that never were" from "Off the Ground" alot as well. But the others I find just okay. To me, you can just tell they have that Elvis influence. Most of these tracks all seem to have a sort of waltz feel to them and alot of word choices and phrasings I don't think Paul was accustomed of using. Not an album I go back to that often, but, I find myself putting "My Brave Face" and "Put it there" on alot of Paul mixed cd compilations that I burn for myself. NIce review as always Mr Heaton. Nice to see you getting around to a few of Paul's 80's albums. Don't know if you've done one already but would be nice to see you do a review of the "Press to Play".
Thanks. Yes 'Press To Play' coming soon I hope. That one is probably underrated the same way this one is a little overrated. A good lead off (and hit) single sure helps and probably finally persuaded Paul to tour. It's a much better opening than 'Stranglehold' for sure, in my opinion. Those B sides though should have made the album and 'Lovers That Never Were' should have replaced 'Don't Be Careless Love'. Imagine that...plus 'Back On My Feet, Flying To My Home' and 'The Loveliest Thing' replacing 'You Want Her Too', 'Motor Of Love' and 'Rough Ride' (perhaps?) and you've got a pretty fine album!
Yea, to me both albums have some solid tracks and some real weak ones. 'Press to Play' I'd say is slightly more experimental as a sort of pre-Fireman attempt. I have to agree about 'Stranglehold' as a poor choice as an opening track. Just a average mid tempo rocker in the same vein as 'No Values' 'Move Over Busker', 'Lonely Road'. Why not lead off with 'Press'????, another song I couldn't get out of my head when it was released. Odd lyrics, yes, but it has a nice groove to it. I have to agree with you that 'Flowers..' would have made a stronger album had they switched out a few tracks with the few you mentioned. I'd also gladly trade out 'motor of love' and instead replace it with 'Same Love' which I've always thought was a decent ballad of his from that time. Also, I think the 12" single version of 'Figure of 8' would have been a better choice than the version on the album.
Just listening to this right now John. Compared to Egypt Station, Flowers is a masterpiece. Some great songs and lyrically really strong. I put it as my second favourite of his 80's albums, TOW being the first.
Thanks John for reviewing this for the reissue. And yes I really liked this when it came out in the late eighties after a few down albums from Paul. Paul did a big stadium tour in 1990 in support of this album and I saw him at huge baseball stadium in Philadelphia, 50,00 in attendance. He performed many of the tracks from this record, along with a lot of Beatles songs and some that he hadn't performed before solo. I remember hearing that he had a new album coming out and after the last few albums I wasn't that excited until I heard 'Figure of Eight' on the radio, and than I said Paul is back! I still enjoy until listening to this album.
Ron Brown thanks Ron...yes back in 1990 seeing paul (for the first time) was a marvellous novelty! These days not so much
Paul is playing all over in the US this summer, but not coming to Philadelphia yet. I was lucky to see him for the first time during the 'Wings Over America' tour when I was 16, nothing will every top that show.
Nice review, John. I also got to see one of McCartney's Flowers in the Dirt tour in 1990, Berekely, California. Only time I ever saw him in concert. Great memories! Nice to see Linda.
Hi Martin did not get to see him live until 1993 London but as you say great to see Linda.
I bought the album after we bought tickets for one of the Birmingham concerts. Seeing McCartney was terrific.
The tour is captured on the Tripping The Live Fantastic live album and that's where the weaknesses of this album appear. Set against the great Beatles songs and a few by Wings, these tracks were definitely second class.
Distractions is a masterpiece. One of the greatest overlooked songs of the McCartney catalog. At least for me it is.
Figure of eight for me
Shakermaker I quite like Figure of Eight. Somewhere, on one of the many cd single versions, maybe on a tiny disc, I have a edit of it that is really great. Somewhere in my things.
When this first came out I loved it. In my opinion it was the first good album he had released since "Tug of War". I still really like "My Brave Face" and "Put it There". But but but. . . .Listening to it now it really is just "So So" especially since hearing later albums like Flaming Pie and Chaos and Creation.
I kind of like the demos better, but (and I know this is a failing on my part!) I can't stand Elvis Costello's vocals! I know he writes good songs but (to me!) he always sounds like he is going to be sick when he "vocalizes"!
Sorry any EC fans . I do appreciate his songwriting and think that he gave Paul a shot in the arm when he needed it!
I agree with you Andy. I've never liked Elvis Costello's vocals either. To me he sounds like Huckleberry Hound with nasal congestion.
I hold the very strong opinion that EC ruined this album
Good review John. This was definitely a return to form for Paul and the lyrics are excellent. I have enjoyed listening to LP very much over the years. I have not been lucky enough to see him in concert recently but I did see WINGS at the Bournemouth Winter Gardens in the early 70s on the Rose Red Speedway tour . Very memorable.
michael purchase thanks
Michael i would swap seeing any recent gig with seeing wings in 73...awesome!
I enjoyed this review John and i will certainly get the reissue release with all the demos. Motor of Love to me is the standout track on the album by some distance and i was somewhat dismayed that you dismissed it really , still as you regularly say it is only your opinion . Keep up the good work.
Amongst several versions of tracks released I have two different versions of the This One 12inch (with different track listings), Also little known is that the single release of Figure of Eight is a different mix to the album (without stating so) and includes some extra vocals. So many great bonus tracks from this project and none featured on the deluxe reissue (and not all were even available in the download “pack”. The album was a tad over produced and tries too hard. We got married was a song he had kicking around for years. The demos with Elvis I find all very shouty. Can’t believe how old it is? Still think of it as one of his new ones!
Brilliant review. I remember when this album came out and hard to believe nearly thirty years! On the CD it ends with with Ou' Est Le Soleil which might be a little bit better ending than the vinyl version I suppose. I have not heard the demos but wondering if given the choice to have the B sides or demos which one would I pick. I'm glad I kept my 1993 remastered version of this album which has some of the B sides on it.
franco f yes keep the 93 cd... Hard to believe this new set omits those b sides... Thanks and all the best
Spot on again John this was a great return to form for Paul now having a great band behind him as for the songwriting with Elvis his best partnership since John, all Liverpool lads. You Want Her Too the way Elvis responds to Paul's vocal for me just like Getting Better & that great big band sound at the end. Figure Of Eight Classic catchy Macca at his best.
Great review John in fact all your reviews are top notch in my book. This Album kind of passed me by when it first came out all those years ago. I just remember my brave face on the radio which I liked.Quite frankly I wasn't too keen on Paul since Tug of war. I'm going to have to give this a good listen.
Thanks James...it has its moments!
Another well-done review, John. I actually just picked up the new vinyl edition with the extra tracks. I think I enjoy the "My Brave Face" demo more than the actual track. I agree this was better than PRESS TO PLAY, and a decent LP to tour off. But I think Paul was still feeling his way, though it was a step in a positive direction.
MeanMr Mayo thanks Joe
HI john you look like you have good weather . Good review this lp holds so much fore me . I think that this lp is in my top 10 lp and like you this was my first time seeing him in concert . It still to this day is a big deal WOW plus I to was in the fan club and got tickets in the 10 row . And win he came out on to stage it was electric and I could not be leave that it was really him. I don't have the new vinyl but looks impressive !!. O I love the two songs for your wedding :} .To end my talk I bot this lp the day it was released . Thank you John and see you in the next video ...
Beatle Brad thanks Brad...10th row...awesome!
The McCartney/Costello collaborations were fantastic, not only on this LP but also EC's 'Spike' LP the same year. Group all the PM/EC songs together from said LPs you'd have a great EP. . . . Great review, John.
Thanks Jason. Yes I also love 'Veronica' and the opening track of 'Spike' where Paul's playing bass.
'So Like Candy' from EC's Mighty Like the Rose was another Macca pairing. The melody is very McCartneyesque.
Yes it's great. Wasn't 'Playboy to a man' released by Elvis too?
I loved your review. I think "My brave face" "This one" and "Put it there" are standout songs. The album is one really good, and there`s no fillers in here in my opinion. I even like "You want her too" The tune is catchy, i don`t care about the lyrics. I just saw a recent interview with Paul where he said he was planning to include a couple of tracks off "Flowers in the dirt" on his setlist. I hope he does "Put it there" The live versions of "My brave face" and "this one" on Tripping the live fantastic were not very good at all. The live version of "Figure of eight" was amazing and even better than the original version.
Great review as always John. Personally I don't rate this album that highly though clearly does have some standout tracks on it such as Put it There and This One. You are spot on about the b side Flying to my Home, a great track which would have graced the album in my opinion. Anyway Flowers in the Dirt is an improvement on Press to Play but not a McCartney classic as far as I'm concerned. Fortunately for us though it heralded a great tour, I saw him in Birmingham too!
Thanks Tim! I saw him in Birmingham in early Jan '90 and I remember 'Coming Up' ushering in the new decade to great effect!
John Heaton We were probably at the same show John!
Figure of eight CD single contained The Loveliest Thing which is tremendous song
Motor of Love starts off well until the mechanically sounding chorus that borders on the cringing. As commented elsewhere, Flying to My Home would have been the better song. On the whole, an okay album but not one I rush to play these days.
Great wedding story, John. It always surprises me how many people profess complete ignorance of this album...at the time it seemed a big deal, but in retrospect it doesn't seem to have left much impression on a lot of people, and some fans (eg Joe) express outright disdain for it. I was looking forward to you reviewing this one as I'm very fond of it. This was the album I listened to just after I'd passed my driving test and was driving about on my own wheels at last....in a Citroen 2CV 'Dolly' with retractable roof. I drove my mates to the coast of West Wales for a week's holiday and we blasted Flowers in the Dirt all the way, alternating with Cloud 9 on the other side of the cassette. Rock and roll!
Beatle James - I think you're seriously exaggerating in saying that I (Joe) have "outright disdain for this album". I have said it's got a couple of great Paul classics on it ("This One" and "Put It There"), and some other pretty good tunes too ("My Brave Face", "Figure of Eight", "Rough Ride") - but overall my very consistent conclusion has been that I felt it was a step in the right direction, but kind of a middle-tier LP for me. (I dislike several songs but not all, and certainly this LP would never be near Paul's "worst" albums for me). And you know, I guess it depends what side of the fence you're on, so far as feeling an overall opposite vibe from the rest of the general public; you say you sense complete ignorance for this album, while lately I think people are practically glowing and gushing all over in favor if it!
Beatle James thanks James
Beatle James great driving story and background....cheers james
Hi Joe. Sorry to misrepresent you...I know you said you enjoyed several of the tracks (though I'm sure you said you didn't care for My Brave Face) it's just that the tracks you said you didn't like , you really did seem to radiate disdain for them, eg That Day Is Done, Distractions and particularly We Got Married, your comments on which I thought were really funny. Apologies again! I've encountered quite a few VC'ers who don't know anything about this album. Paul (Baracka P) said he'd never heard of it when I made a video about it a while back. I sent a copy as VCLT to Martin Spinit Tweeks in England because he said it had completely passed him by also.
Beatle James - It's okay, James. I'm really not a big fan of "My Brave Face", no - but it's one of the more workable songs to me on the album of the ones I don't care for. Yes, I do find "That Day Is Done" to be a funeral dirge. And I find "Distractions" pleasant in tune, but what gets in the way for me are how silly some lyrics like the "butterflies that buzz around my head" bit are. I think I like "We Got Married" much better now than I did then.
Very interesting review as always. Thumbs up!
Thanks!
Terrific review, in agreement with just about everything said. I consider "Flowers" a very good McCartney album, though it had the potential to be much better. I find the Trevor Horn/Steve Lipson produced tracks on the album in particular to be a bit of a let down (Roughride, Figure of Eight, How Many People, Ou Est Le Soleil), but in fairness maybe Paul just gave them the weakest compositions and hoped for the best from the production team. The single version of Figure of Eight is much better, sounding much closer to the live version that opened the shows. I would have liked 3 tracks in particular left off the album ( Roughride, Motor of Love and How Many People), replaced with superior songs that were available to be included. Flying to My Home is a real gem, and is squandered as a B-side. I very much liked The First Stone, from the This One single, co-written with Hamish Stuart, a rocking stab at televangelists at the time. And Loveliest Thing is another lost gem that would have fit nicely on the album, left over from the ill-fated Phil Ramone sessions.
Paul has admitted in interviews that he is not the best judge of his own material at times, and often relies on the opinions of those around him to decide which tracks are single worthy or album worthy, including asking his kids.
Also in agreement that the Costello demos with Paul are outstanding, and are in some ways more enjoyable to listen to now than the original album. The demo Paul does for The Lovers That Never Were in particular is amazing, with one of Paul's all time great vocal performances, sadly squandered here on a demo recording.
There are some good songs on this album i really like and some i do not care for. I'm not slamming the album but i wish that paul would have put some of the B- sides on here and taken off "Motor of love" "Rough ride" "Distractions" " You want her too" "Don't be careless love". I've been with mac from the start and it always drove me nuts he would put out these fantastic B-sides when they should have been on an album. "Flying to my home" should have been on here for sure. "Back on my feet" would have been nice too. Great Review john
day tripper - I agree. So many good B-Sides. "Flying To My Home" and "Back On My Feet" were so much better. He could even have added "Once Upon A Long Ago", which had not been on an album yet. .... I would have axed "Motor of Love", "You Want Her Too", "That Day Is Done", "Distractions". I don't mind the song "Ou Est Le Soleil" (whatever it is) as much as others do, but that one could have been left as a bonus track.
It's funny you should say that because i like that song too (" Ou Est Le Soleil"). I forgot about "Once upon a long Ago". That also should have been on here.
day tripper thanks kregg yes both of these you mention were wasted as b sides!
Great review John. At the time of release, I was very happy that Paul had ditched his formula of 'solo/not honestly collaborative' type albums (Press to Play, Broadstreet & Pipes of Peace) which I found very uninspiring for a person of the calibre of Paul. Flowers at least shows influence from not only Elvis Costello, but also Wix, Hamish & Robbie. I've always believed that (apart from McCartney 1), that he produces his best work when his songs have had at least 25% external influence in either the song writing, arrangement or production. GAZ
Gazza P cheers Gazza good to hear from you
Hi John, great review and really enjoy your videos, not least because we tend to agree on albums! Really enjoy Flowers and I've especially like the reissue (didn't go for the super deluxe as couldn't justify the price tag) but got the double vinyl. Those Costello demos are gorgeous - I listen to record 2 more than record 1.
I've also started up my own channel. Only one vid up thus far, but any support would be appreciated!
BeatleManiac23 cheers mate and welcome to you tube... Those deluxe sets are way overpriced... I picked up venus and mars and speed of sound but when they cut the price substantially!
i saw macca in berlin last year it was great i went to london saw mpl and went to abbey rd and all that stuff love this lp much better than press
Hey John could You do a show where You compare the live bands Paul has had? Which is in Your view the best? And more, just an idea
Hi John, I’ve a question (obviously you’ll likely not know as I don’t but worth an ask even if it’s just for your opinion)... as for the “Archive” series that started in 2010 with Band On The Run and with the most recent release of Flowers, do you think he’ll do all of his albums? He obviously isn’t rereleasing them chronologically, more thematically (e.g. McC 1 & 2 released at the same time as they have similarities in the way they were produced). And weather or not he does or doesn’t do all of the albums, which do you think we’ll be seeing in the upcoming years? Mostly because I don’t want to make a purchase of an album just have to repurchase a rerelease again soon thereafter! 👍🏽😁
Thomas Camp hi thomas I wish I knew....we've been waiting years for the missing four seventies albums...would be great but I wouldn't hold your breath..
A Partir de este album empezó a ser otro. Dejó de hacer albumnes mediocres y malos. Ya era otra cosa con este Flowers In Dirt, Off The Ground y Flaming Pie. Una gran trilogía de album.
Exactamente. Esa trilogía de los 90s, aparte de ser el soundrack de mi adolescencia, tiene un sonido fresco, rockero y maduro. Amo los discos que llegaron después, pero estos tres son el puro estilo McCartney, según mi opinión.
On a couple of occasions I read that Paul treated Elvis very shabbily, even yelled at him in the studio, in front of all the recording engineers and staff. How true is this? As true as John Lennon treating Paul Simon like shit in a studio in the early 70s. Perhaps this is why Elvis, and so many other talented songwriters such as Eric Stewart, refused to work with this man ever again.
It’s not true at all!!! I was there every day
John, I really like your reviews and your love for all things Beatle. But for the love of god, please put the album art in a separate small window in the top right corner. You flashed the album cover (and I went back and watched again in 2X) FOURTY SIX (46!!!!!) times. That doesn't include the singles, mind you. Add those in and it's over 60. Come on, mate. It's a good job that the song "Distractions" is on this album. I guarantee you will greatly increase your subs. Honestly, it is dizzying.
Dytunck ok thx for the feedback
the last mccartney album i bought
are you gonna do a top 20 McCartney B sides?
rjun67 good idea let me think about it
Motor of love LOL
are you gonna do the BBC albums??
Hi Jon I did the first BBC Beatles album. By the way I just picked up the Stones BBC CD today which I have not listened to yet
flying to my home is the best track not on the album
It seems like you really want to like this album, yet you find faults with almost every song! :-) To be honest, it’s really not that great, even if it is an improvement over Press to play.
flowers in dirt ...totally unrated. 2 out of 5
Not much good on this album.
I hate that 'band'