The Beginners Guide To Paul McCartney 1970-1975
In May 1970 Paul McCartney was a man who was at a difficult time in his life. He was considered to be the man who broke the news that The Beatles had split………..He was in the doldrums when it came to songwriting ( He has talked of having writers block at this time) . He was on his own, as writer/ performer and the press, were out to sink him. His first solo album had caused “Let It Be” to lose sales by competing with it and the other thee Beatles were on the opposite side to him in a court battle……………………….For many people , one of these would be enough to cause significant problems but, Paul was always a fighter and a cool head and so in the midst of all this he and Linda set about launching his or their solo carrier………………………
As mentioned above, Paul had a considerable writers’ block at this time, but he had beena prolific writer and still had material left, that he had previewed to The Beatles during the Let It Be Sessions………….So , he sets about getting an 8 track recorder installed at home , moved Linda into his songwriting/ performing business and started to look at recording some of these tracks on his own,. As the Beatles collapsed around his ears, Paul started to record the album that would become “ McCartney” John had already attacked the singles market and so Paul decided that he too could use some exposure here too and “co-wrote” a single with Linda “ Another Day”…………………
·
Another Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syWWern80ow
Sounding like something the Beatles might have put on the album after Abbey Road, Paul managed to get his career off to a good start with a chart entry.
· McCartney
The album “McCartney” was released a little before this , complete with press release which answers questions about Paul’s current position……………………………..McCartney is not strong Macca album but,for a man in deep water and with considerable demands upon him, it is not a bad start . It clearly shows that new material is hard to come by……………..a good scan of the “Let It Be” outtake material of the time, shows that many of the offerings here are McCartney’s offerings to the Beatles but, some of it is not too bad and it does give an interesting insight into the early situation in which solo Paul finds himself.
The next few years are a struggle for Paul and Linda…………..The albums are average and the singles controversial: but one of the most enduring talents “Lives On”: despite sniping from the press and John…………………with George and Ringo in ascendancy……..Paul drives on!
- · Ram
- · Wild Life
- · Red Rose Speedway.
At this point the band Wings exists and the live aspect of the group is gaining ground. Macca is on the road to recovery when it all seems to evaporate…………………………………………….The band nearly splits and only three are left………………………….The recording position switches to Lagos…………………….life gets risky ……………..the technical side is patchy and somewhat makeshift but:…………………………………………………………here it is
The Starting point:
- · Band On The Run
They don’t come any better!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Against the odds and with little going for him ……………..Macca hits gold.
Every track on this album is first class ……………..he picks up from where Abby Road leaves off and his message to John…………………………..Let Me Roll It……………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is one of the best albums of his long career
Further Listening
- · Venus and Mars
Videos
Paul left an interesting and informative trail of singles behind in his early solo years : They range from the ex Beatle songs…………………. to the political………………..to a nursery rhyme …………….to the banned …………………………let’s explore:
- · Back Seat Of My Car ( Left over Beatle Track )
- · Hi Hi Hi ( Paul was banned from the BBC!)
- · Give Ireland Back To The Irish ( Political)
- · Mary Had A Little Lamb ( Nursery Rhyme)
- · My Love ( Success !)
- · Band On The Run
- · Jet
Oddities
- · .Ram ……………..By Percy “Thrills” Thrillington an orchestral version of the Ram album …………….recorded by Paul under a pseudonym………………..
- · Walking in the Park with Eloise/Bridge Over the River Suite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdHWf-52c1M
Track written by Paul’s father and recorded by Paul and others .
· There is also a possible” Lost Album” recorded in Nashville in 1974 tracks from which have dribbled out on “B” sides over the last 30 years or so.
It is also important to remember that during the whole of this period, that Paul was out on the road and this constant set of demands and his contact with the public help to recreate the star and song writer.
Website http://www.paulmccartney.com/
Nice to be able to go back to trust and friendship!!!!!!!!!
It's a mixed up sensation this being alive
Oh! it wears a man down into the ground
It's the strangest elation
I can't describe it
Oh it leaves a man weary
It makes a man frown..............................Chris Simpson ( "Mixed Up Sensations" 1975 Martin's Cafe )
It's a mixed up sensation this being alive
Oh! it wears a man down into the ground
It's the strangest elation
I can't describe it
Oh it leaves a man weary
It makes a man frown..............................Chris Simpson ( "Mixed Up Sensations" 1975 Martin's Cafe )