Macca is Back-a

FAWNING OVER PAUL MCCARTNEY’S OFF THE GROUND

The first thing that needs to be said about Off the Ground is it sounds good. Damn good. Musically this is probably the best band Paul has ever played in, harking back to the glory days of Wings, the incarnation with Laurence Juber on guitar. The rockers particularly "Get Out of My Way" and "Biker Like An Icon" have that 90’s guitar sound to them. This band would probably be worth listening to if say, Ringo was fronting them.

The song cycle shows Paul doing what Paul does best: popping out. Like all good McCartney albums, the mixture between ballads, rockers and poppers demonstrates a versatile performer. Seven years ago, a good friend declared the song "Through Our Love" off of Pipes of Peace to be the best melody(e) Paul has ever composed. Three years ago, a rival St. Paul merchant said the same thing about "Motor of Love" from Flowers in the Dirt (despite the lyric of "motor of love, motor of love…"). My nomination for such an honor goes to this album’s best ballad, "Winedark Open Sea" which is as infectious as it is melodious and I don’t even know what that means.

The best lyric on Off the Ground comes from the title song which sounds like a great, long lost Wings tune. "It doesn’t take a lot of power to make a big tree grow," Paul sings. "Doesn’t take a pot of knowledge, for a seed knows, what a seed must know." It’s that type of Paulie philosophy that one finds either clever, or cloying.

The single, "Hope of Deliverance" is like a lot of Macca tunes. The first time I heard it, I thought little of it. Upon repeated listening, it grows on you gathering force with each listen. It’s another song consistent with past Paul philosophies; hopeful with a hint of the darkness that surrounds us. It’s so simple, yet that is the way that Paul has always worked best. The worst songs from these sessions are the two that try way too hard to be "relevant": "Big Boys Bickering" a response to George Bush’s environmental policies, and "Looking for Changes" a hopelessly insipid animal rights plea which makes "Ebony and Ivory" look like inspired genius.

Of the two songs co-written with Elvis Costello, "The Lovers that Were" and "Mistress and Maids" only the former is a worthy collaboration/contribution (and it’s no "Veronica" or "My Brave Face"). Costello’s lyrical talents didn’t exactly rub off in a lasting way. Who else could dare sing the line, "I owe it all to you, you make me happy."

"Peace in the Neighborhood" takes another look at Paul’s view of his role in the Beatles, and the 60’s. "I was there, I really was. At the center of a love vibration." One has to wonder if the words John sang long ago, "the dream is over" have finally penetrated Paul’s cerebrum. He finally concludes that he has "awoken from the dream". There is an undercurrent of guarded optimism throughout the album, a hint that it isn’t all sunny, that in essence is the best element of all.

The MTV special (and a February 13th appearance on "Saturday Night Live"), the upcoming tour (a May22nd Dome appearance), a decent new album (due in the stores tomorrow), it’s time to declare that Macca be back-a!!!

RANKING PAUL McCARTNEY’S SOLO OR NEAR SOLO STUDIO ALBUMS

Red Rose Speedway – Silly love songs, stealing a kiss in the park, lazy summer days, holding hands, and an effective moving little tribute to a dying lamb. Ok, the hit son’s chorus was sung to the words, "Wo Wo Wo Wo" but this album always puts me in a better mood.

Tug of War – Rolling Stone declared it Paul’s masterpiece. Maybe not. But a nice effort. I like the guitar solos on "Somebody Who Cares: and "Dress Me Up Like a Robber", the touching Lennon tribute, "Here Today", and the sublime "Take it Away". Paul has said the title song sums up his solo career; "But I can’t let go, if I do you’ll take a tumble and the whole thing is going to crumble."

Flowers in the Dirt – Paul tries to return to Beatle Paul and why not? Two "A" efforts, "My Brave Face" and "This One", along with three "B" efforts, "Figure of Eight", "Put it There" and "We Got Married".

Band On the Run – The first successful Wings album, chock full of hits. What’s best though, is the return of Paul’s humor and confidence- he’s down right cocky on this album. He answers the ultimate Paul question "What’s the use of worrying?" with the appropriate "No use."
McCartney – Unpretentious, homey and ahead of its time, John covered the same themes ten years later. "Maybe I’m Amazed" and "Every Night" by Mr. and Mrs. McCartney.

Off the Ground- Rocks, soothes, pondering for potheads: danceable and smoochable. All for around $15.!

Pipes of Peace – The title song is among my favorite McCartney songs, "Say Say Say" is ok, ok, ok. "The Average Person" is so condescending it has to be heard to be believed.

Ram – He tried. He didn’t succeed. Scorned by critics, who thought his first album was a half-baked idea, Paul returned to the studio and tried to create a "meaningful" album. All the charm of the debut went out the window. "Back Seat of My Car" and "Dear Boy" should get live treatments.

Venus and Mars – A concept album with no real clue. I can play a killer version of "You Gave Me the Answer" on the piano.

McCartney II – "Coming Up", "Waterfalls", "Temporary Secretary (Alex), and a whole lot of doodling.

Give My Regards to Broadstreet – Too many retreads, but how come "No More Lonely Nights" isn’t a concert regular? Besides he ain’t such a bad boy anymore.

Press to Play – See Ram comments. The best three songs are available on CD only. "When she helps me make the melodies, I let the words take care of themselves."

Choba B CCCP – Better than John’s Rock n Roll but the motivation seemed to be restoring Paul’s reputation rather than any musical inspiration.

Back to the Egg – Another that tried hard to sound important "Spin It On" gets points for its sheer velocity, "Arrow Through Me" is cool and "Old Siam Sir" rocks. The others?

Wild Life – Recording the way Dylan does, quick and on the first take. Of anyone it wouldn’t work for Paul would have to head up the list. And this album doesn’t work, a mere Wings audition recording. Bad cover, bad cover notes, bad album.

London Town – Recorded on a boat where any inspiration is washed to the sea (did anyone see that boat movie with Nicole Kidman?). Includes the all time worst Wings effort "Morse Moose and the Grey Goose". Surprised it stuck to the tape.

At the Speed of Sound – Tried to showcase the talents of the other members of the band. "Silly Love Songs" is bad Paul, "Time to Hide" is bad Denny, "Wino Junko" is bad Jimmy, "Must Do Something About It" is bad Joe, and "Cook of the House:" is bad Linda (although that was Bill Seeler’s favorite Wings’ song).

Hidden McCartney Gems (songs sort of rare)

"Simple as That" – written for some anti-crack project, it’s a memorable McCartney melody with a song that succeeds because the words aren’t preachy. "Would you rather be alive than dead? I It’s as simple as that."

"Once Upon A Long Ago" – Released on the British version of All the Best and as a single. It’s an effective look at Paul’s childhood, an even better version than "Penny Lane."

"I’ll Give You a Ring" – B-side of the "Take it Away" single. In the cabaret dance hall style of "When I’m 64" and "Honey Pie", I like the clarinets.

"Loveliest Thing" – found on the Japanese release of the Flowers in the Dirt CD, a nice little Paul ballad.

"Girls School" – B-side of "Mull of Kintyre" single, strings together the titles of a bunch of pornographic movies none of which Paul saw (or so he claims). Rocks, and shows a bit of wit.

"All My Trials" – A live recording from the last tour, Paul gives a nice reading to a great song.

PURPOSE STATEMENT OF THE NEWSLETTER: You bring me your canned goods, I promise to blow you all a kiss!