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P.McCartney NEW album
Hi beatles fans,
The new album of Paul is called "Flaming Pie" and "Flaming Pie" release date for the
U.S. Now, they say May 27!". In Japan, It is fixed, May 8.
Track-by-track review of "Flaming Pie,"
(The material in the following section may not be quoted elsewhere in whole or in part
without permission of Beatlefan.)
"1) The Song We Were Singing (3:54): Alternates between half-spoken verses
obviously addressed to John Lennon -- "For a
while we could sit, smoke a pipe, discuss all the vast intricasies of life" over
acoustic guitar, and a more heavily produced,
sung chorus -- "But we always came back to the song were singing at any particular
time" -- that is pure McCartney. Features him
playing the Bill Black standup bass. As with much of the album (and much of his
solo work), this is one that has to grow on you
with repeated listenings (and does!).
2) The World Tonight (4:06): Previously previewed in Beatlefan/EXTRA! #75 and
Beatlefan #105, this one features Macca and
Jeff Lynne on guitar.
3) If You Wanna (4:37): Written with Steve Miller and recorded in May '95 at The
Mill, this is the best bet for album radio
airplay with its rousing acoustic guitar and electric solo; this is the "air
guitar" track (judging by my son's enthusiastic
reaction). The lyrics are pretty weak, though ("If you wanna, if you wanna do it
again" and "If you wanna love me, this is what
you need. To be thinking of me when you plant the seed of love.") The latter's from
the very catchy chorus.
4) Somedays (4:15): Previously previewed, except George Martin's orchestration has
been remixed since the advance sampler
tape, with the first "laughing" flutes and the snare drums completely eliminated. A
beautiful (if somewhat melancholy) ballad,
with Macca playing solo Spanish guitar.
5) Young Boy (3:54): Previously previewed, this number was recorded in February '95
in Idaho with Miller, who plays guitar.
That's Macca on the Hammond organ at the end.
6) Calico Skies (2:32): An acoustic love song that almost feels like an Irish folk
tune, with Macca solo on acoutic guitar.
He told Billboard he wrote it in '91 during a storm/blackout. Interesting, since
this very pretty tune is the album's sunniest
song.
7) Flaming Pie (2:29): A bit underwhelming on first listen, it has a very loose
feel (it was recorded in only four hours)
with rollicking piano; reminiscent of a White Album era outtake. Inspired by
Lennon's joking explanation of The Beatles' name
but has no overt references to either in the tonue-in-cheek lyrics, which are
deliberately sassy/nonsensical, though not al all
Lennonesque ("I took my brains out and stretched 'em on the rack, now I'm not sure
I'm ever gonna get 'em back").
8) Heaven On a Sunday (4:27): Very pretty Macca Lite a la "Distractions" on
"Flowers In the Dirt." It has a bossa nova beat.
Best part is the guitar interplay between Macca on acoustic and son James on
electric. James' Hendrixish squealing solos are a
surprising departure from the rest of the track.
9) Used To Be Bad (4:12): An upbeat blues rocker recorded in one take at The Miller
with Miller and Macca trading off the
vocal. The lyrics are basically blues cliches ad-libbed during what sounds like a
fun session.
10 Souvenir (3:42): A gospel-tinged number with an unusual but memorable melodic
structure. Like a couple of other tracks, it
harkens back to the "Ram"/Red Rose Speedway" period. Fades out with the crackling
sound of a 78 RPM record.
11) Little Willow (2:58): Written for the children of a recently deceased friend,
this is an acoustic trifle full of "time
will heal your wounds" sentiment. Pleasant, but this and the album's final track
are the weakest selections.
12) Really Love You (5:18): Credited to McCartney-Starkey, it grew out of a jam
with Macca on bass, Ringo Starr on drums and
Jeff Lynne on guitar. The Fabs' old rhythm section lays down a funky R&B groove
while Macca provides a raucous vocal.
13) Beautiful Night (5:08): Written a decade ago and recorded in May '96, this is
one of my favorites. A piano-based tune
with immediately recognizable Ringo drumming, it has an irresistable, gorgeous
chorus that is vintage McCartney. The most
elaborately produced track on the album (with Martin's orchestration), it has a
false ending that gives way to an upbeat reprise
with all singing. Ends with Ringo declaring, "Lordy, lordy."
14) Great Day (2:09): A last minute addition as an acoustic coda to the album. Not
a great song, but not bad; rather in the
mode of the "McCartney" album (complete with Linda's backing vocals). Overall, it's
an album that features few knockout punches,
but creeps up on you. I like the looser, less polished feel and the unexpected time
changes and quicks in the arrangements."
***Related infos :
This week's Billboard (dated April 12) features three articles on the new album -- an
interview with Paul, a look at
the expected media campaign and a detailed track listing. Among the topics in the
interview, Paul talks about the origin of the name (long
known to Beatle fans), how his work on the Anthology made him go back to his Beatle roots
for "Flaming Pie," and his reasons for not doing
a "mega-campaign" to promote the album.
...And if you heard that "Young Boy" was out on the 'net somewhere available for download
and you didn't get it, you're too late. The page
disappeared one day after it appeared. The official notices on the page has given rise to
speculation that the song was possibly uploaded
by MPL Communications itself. Interesting thought...
And here is the track listing for the British CD singles.
The first singles from "Flaming Pie," as noted before on RMB, will be
"The World Tonight" in the U.S., and "Young Boy" in the rest of the
world. The bonus track program so far is taking the shape of one
additional non-album track from the album sessions, plus a short "Oobu
Joobu" vignette (this appears to be the plan for the remainder of other
singles to be released from the album, though, of course, it remains to
be seen). That track will feature the complete version of one of the
songs featured on Paul's "Oobu Joobu" radio program from two summers
ago, along with other material, to give us a little taste of the radio
program, as well as some other goodies.
"Young Boy" will be issued in England on April 28th in two different CD
Maxi-Singles (CDR-6462 and CDR-6462S). The track listings are as
follows:
CDR-6462:
1. Young Boy (3:52)
Written & Produced by Paul McCartney
2. Looking For You (4:48)
Written by Paul McCartney
Produced by Paul McCartney & Jeff Lynne
--From the "FP" album sessions. Reportedly, Jeff worked on only 9
songs with Paul, this, apparently, representing the last of the batch
(the other 8 are on the album).
3. Oobu Joobu - Part 1
1. Some Folks Say Oobu (0:25)
2. Oobu Joobu Main Theme (0:30)
3. Fun Packed Show (0:09) - Written by (Oobu Joobu Producer
Eddie)Pumer/Smith
4. I Love This House (3:44) - Produced by Paul McCartney & David
Foster - from the same 1984 (?) sessions which originally produced "We
Got Married" (which appears on "Flowers in the Dirt"). One of 4 songs
reportedly recorded with Foster.
5. Clock Work (0:08) - Written by Pumer/Smith
6. Paul McCartney Talks About "Young Boy" (3:46)
7. Oobu Joobu We Love You (0:13)
8. Oobu Joobu Main Theme (0:56)
CDR-6462S:
1. Young Boy (3:52)
2. Broomstick (5:07) - Written & Produced by Paul McCartney
3. Oobu Joobu - Part 2:
1. Wide Screen Radio (0:10) - Written by Pumer/Smith
2. Oobu Joobu We Love You (0:07)
3. Oobu Joobu Main Theme (0:33)
4. Brilliant, What's Next? (0:04) - Written by Pumer/Smith
5. Atlantic Ocean (6:33) - Produced by Phil Ramone - Recorded
during the same July 1987 sessions which produced "Once Upon A Long
Ago," "Back On My Feet" and several of the bonus tracks featured on
"Flowers In the Dirt" CD singles. Features members Billy Joel's band.
6. Paul McCartney Reminisces (background music "Classical Guitar")
(1:22)
7. Bouree (0:19) - Composed by J.S. Bach
8. Oobu Joobu We Love You (0:12)
9. Oobu Joobu Main Theme (0:57)
The American "The World Tonight" single, which, as of today, was
scheduled for release on May 22, will feature "World Tonight" plus all
of the bonus tracks from the first single listed above, CDR-6462.
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