| Ann Harris sent me this last week. She thought the notesfile
would like to see it...
News about Paul's new album..."Flaming Pie": (1/6/97)
Rumors have begun to circulate about Paul's forthcoming album.
According to the reports, Jeff Lynne has produced or co-produced
"at least" six songs for Paul's new CD. The songs include
"Flaming Pie" (also the title of the album) and "The
Song We Were Singing." George Martin also produced some acoustic songs
for the new CD. Paul is also working on a new 10-minute animated short
film featuring a new five-minute song called "Tropic Island Hum" that
may or may not be destined for the new CD.
Update 2/11/97: Here's more information on the album, courtesy of Matt
Hurwitz, publisher of Good Day Sunshine: (Thanks, Matt!)
The album's title track is based on the original Lennon line/story
about the origins of the Beatles' name. It's kind of a development of
the idea,rather than a song about John, and the source who described
the track was chuckling about it, noting that it's quite a lot of fun.
Besides the known contributions of Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller and
Ringo (who appears on two tracks), for those of us who were worried,
Linda sings on a couple of tracks!
Album is currently scheduled for early May release.
There will be CD singles, with bonus tracks, the first of which will
appear in April. No songs have been selected, but a possible choice is a
wonderful pop tune called "Young Boy."
The album's tracks have been selected, though an exact running order
has not.
It was played for EMI executives around the world within the last week,
most of whom were quite ecstatic about it, one noting it as "his best album
since "Band On the Run"."
Update (2/12/97): Allstar Daily News (http://www.allstarmag.com)
reports that McCartney plans to use a syndicated radio special, in lieu
of a tour,to help promote "Flaming Pie." Details aren't yet confirmed,
but it could be a one- to- two- hour special, hosted by McCartney, to
debut the first single and the entire album. Those who played on the
album will also likely be included in the special.
Update (2/17/97): More info, courtesy of Matt Hurwitz, publisher of
Good Day Sunshine (Thanks, again, Matt!):
The song "Flaming Pie," says one source, is "a whimsical comment on
the confused origins of The Beatles."
The album, at this point, is still being mixed, and running order
hasn't been set yet. The album will contain 14 songs, at this point.
All eight of the tracks Jeff Lynne has produced with Paul (he's
listed as co-producer) will be appearing on the album. The source notes
that "You can't tell which ones he's done and which ones he didn't.
There's no overt "Jeff Lynne" sound; the stamp is 90 percent Paul's."
Ringo appears on two of the eight that Jeff worked on.
There are three songs total with Paul and Steve Miller.
ICE has also reported that Paul's son, James, plays on the album.
Update (2/19/97): Paul plans to make a new hour-long documentary for
television during the recording of "Flaming Pie" with Geoff Wonfor,
the director who produced ``The Beatles Anthology,'' according to a
report by Reuters.
``He's making a new album and the documentary is basically about where
he is now," according to publicist Geoff Baker. Following in the
footsteps of earlier films (like "Movin' On") that Paul has done while
recording albums, expect the documentary to feature recording session
footage and recollections about his career, present
and past, and his work in classical music, including his upcoming
"Standing Stone" composition. The film will be seen in Britain in May.
Update (2/20/97): Beatlefan Extra! is reporting the street date for the
album will be May 12 in the U.K. and May 13 in the United States. They also
say that
Paul will be the subject of a lengthy profile in the New York Times
magazine in May. (Thanks to Sean Anglum at KRCC-FM for this info.)
New Wilburys album?: (2/7/97) In a cover story in the Feb. 7th issue of
BAM magazine, a California music magazine, Tom Petty says another
Traveling Wilburys album is in the offing. "I think the Wilburys was good.
I liked being in that band. I saw George four or five days ago. We had
breakfast and talked.
I think we'll probably do another Wilburys album next year. That's a great
little side thing we have. I can go into another world for awhile."
|
| used w/o permission from http://www.yahoo.com/headlines/entertainment/
Monday May 5 6:09 PM EDT
Paul McCartney Ventures Into Cyberspace
By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuter) - Sir Paul McCartney is venturing into cyberspace later
this month for a live online chat promoting his new solo album, and at
least a million fans have signed up to pose questions to the former Beatle.
"It's an awful lot to ask of anyone," McCartney said Monday. "I don't think
we'll get through all the questions, but we will give it a go."
McCartney agreed to conduct his first live Internet chat, which will be
televised live May 17 in Britain, Germany and the United States, following
next week's release of "Flaming Pie," his first album in four years.
The album, reminiscent of the Beatles' early sound, goes on sale May 12 in
Britain and most international markets and is due out in North America May
27.
McCartney wrote most of 14 songs featured on the album, a collaboration
with family and friends including his wife, Linda, his 19-year-old son
James, former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, former Beatles producer George
Martin and Steve Miller and Jeff Lynne.
In a recent interview, McCartney said his work on "The Beatles Anthology"
series brought back memories of how much he enjoyed the group's early days
and persuaded him to release what he describes as his "home-made" album,
"Flaming Pie."
The catchy, toe-tapping tunes mark a deliberate return to a style that
McCartney said he consciously tried to avoid following the breakup of the
Beatles.
"I turned my back on it," he told Reuters Television at his recording
studio in southeastern England. "But then I started to miss it. I started
to think it's a style I like so, why not get back to it."
The album also is tinged with melancholy. McCartney said the song "Little
Willow" was written the day he heard Maureen Starkey, Ringo Starr's first
wife, had died of cancer. "It is certainly heartfelt," he said.
The musician-songwriter, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II this year,
also paid tribute his wife, who has rarely been seen in public since she
was diagnosed with cancer nearly two years ago. Their 28-year-old marriage
is one of the most enduring in show business.
"I went for her in a big way," he said about their first meeting. "We've
never looked back."
Linda McCartney, now recovering from her bout with cancer, has appeared on
the promotional video for the new album.
In his interview, McCartney also spoke of the grief he felt following the
murder of fellow Beatle John Lennon by a deranged fan in New York City 17
years ago.
"I loved him," he said. "The memories are really great. It's terrible what
happened to him."
McCartney said he and Lennon could produce chart-topping tunes in three
hours and rarely came away from a session without a new song.
The title of McCartney's new album is a reference to an imaginary tale
Lennon once wrote for a Liverpool music publication about the
origin of the Beatles' name.
In a recent Billboard magazine interview, McCartney recalled that Lennon
wrote: "something like, 'I had a vision when I was 12, and a man came unto
us on a flaming pie and said, "You shall be Beatles -- with an A." And so
it was."'
A spokesman for the rock television channel VH1, which will screen
McCartney's online debut May 17, said: "The total (number of chat questions
submitted) is rising all the time.
"We have had questions sent through every medium. In the first few days
after the announcement, we received 7,000 phone calls alone. People are
trying every way to put a question to Paul, although we have not had any by
carrier pigeon yet."
"God alone knows where it will end by the time Paul goes live on the Net,"
he said. McCartney is scheduled to remain online for 90 minutes, though
chat organizers have estimated it would take two years for him to answer
all the questions submitted so far.
Anyone still wanting to join the electronic list and put a question to one
of the most successful songwriters of the 20th century can send it to:
http:/vh1.com or http:/flamingpie.com.
Reuters/Variety
|
| A rec.music.beatles review of FP (Most of the FP discussion their
has devolved into name calling, but this seemed the best of the lot.
I have the US single and luvzzit.
Well, I finally got my copy of _Flaming Pie_ last Friday (05/09/97), and
after about 20 listens I'm celebrating my 29th birthday (05/13) by
reviewing it. After all the big boys (and girls) bickering over what FP
*might* be, it will be nice to hear some actual discussions about the
album's contents.
I'd like to say first that I am neither an apologist for nor a dismisser
of McCartney's solo career. Ever since _Tug of War_, I've purchased
*every* release as it came out (well, OK, not the Fireman CD... <g>),
eagerly and with an open mind. Often, I've been disappointed (_Pipes of
Peace_, _Broad Street_). Often, I've been pleased or even thrilled (FITD,
OTG). Sometimes I have to go through all the traditional stages of grief
(denial, anger, resentment, guilt, sadness, acceptance... ) begore I can
come to grips with an album (e.g., _Press to Play_). I've been frustrated
("Give Me a Ring" only a b-side?), perplexed (where did "Rough Ride" come
from?), infuriated ("I acted like a dustbin lid"?!?), and overjoyed ("Here
Today," "However Absurd," "Back On My Feet," "Kicked Around No More,"
etc.). At *no* time have I ever been anything less than a "true" fan
(whatever that means!). It is with this attitude that I approach _Flaming
Pie_.
(Here's a hint: Melody should be pleased.)
--------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER: To protect myself, I'm issuing a blanket **IMHO** to act as a
flame-retardant umbrella for any statments that may appear to be presented
as unarguable facts. We're all different, folks, and the only way we'll
ever get closer is by talking it out. Enjoy.
--------------------------------------
So, without further a-dooo...............
======================================
Paul's Humble "Pie" Contains Plenty of Jam
[Could there BE more puns in this title? ;)]
I can't tell you how many times I've said to myself, "I wish Paul would
stop fussing around and just make a damn album!" The accidental brilliance
and loose-edged fun found in the informal "Russian Album" and "Unplugged"
performances always seemed to be missing once "proper" recording started.
_Flowers In The Dirt_ was terribly disjointed, with no less than seven
production teams; its fits of greatness ("Put It There," "We Got Married")
were surrounded by purposeless pop exercises ("Figure of Eight") and
outright drivel ("Motor of Love," salvaged only by the bridge, "There was
a time, when I was down...").
_Off The Ground_ was a great leap forward: strong songs, tight band, one
co-producer. When it worked ("Hope of Deliverance," "Peace in the
Neighborhood," the Costello collaborations), it was some of his finest
work; when it didn't ("Looking For Changes," "Biker Like An Icon"), it was
close to embarassing. And Macca *still* tinkered too much for his own
good: "Off The Ground" seemed like a blazing rocker when it was premiered
live at the Ed Sullivan Theater show, but it lost much of its bite in the
recording studio.
There was, as always, hope of deliverance from the darkness (stalled
sales, presumed irrelevance) that surrounded Paul's solo career, and
Hope's name was "Anthology." From the moment I heard that the Fab Three
would be reminiscing on film and sifting through their old '60s outtakes,
I just *knew* that this would have a positive effect on them as artists.
As Paul himself writes in the FP liner notes, "The Anthology was very good
for me because it reminded me of The Beatles' standards and the standards
that we reached with the songs. ... [It] also reminded me of the time that
we *didn't* take to make an album and of the fun we had when we did one."
Flush from a kind of success he hadn't tasted in 20 years -- and
simultaneously heartened by the Beatles reunions and disheartened by
Linda's illness -- Paul set out to record an album that *meant* something,
but without squeezing the life out of it. And I'm here to shout from the
highest mountaintop that he has accomplished his goal: _Flaming Pie_ is an
unqualified success, a triumph which could, when the dust settles, stand
as his greatest achievement as a solo artist. It's way too soon to say
this, of course; _Band On The Run_ has been the public's yardstick of
quality for so long that people will be loathe to question it in favor of
a new contender. I myself keep re-listening to FP, waiting for the lustre
to wear off, waiting for the rush of its newness to leave behind a more
mellowed assessment of its quality. But this hasn't happened. Currently,
when I doubt my excitement, I return to this thought: FP is at least 20
minutes longer than BOTR, and there isn't a single song I would remove.
My track-by-track impressions:
1) THE SONG WE WERE SINGING: Honestly, one of the weaker efforts on the
album, and my least favorite. However, as an introduction to the album it
works very well, and I like it on that level. It's a song about old
friends and the joy of making music, and it leads to some old friends
making joyful music. The first song done with Jeff Lynne.
MY RATING (0-10): 6 (5 if it was not the lead track)
REMINDS ME OF: "Tug of War"
2) THE WORLD TONIGHT: Great guitar pop/rock with strong lyrics and a
healthy shake of Jeff Lynne's pixie dust. The only Paul/Jeff track that
really bears his stamp. Paul manages to hold back the ELO sound much the
way John stifled Spector's Wall of Sound on _Plastic Ono Band_. We all
know this one already, so you don't need my commentary. I love it.
MY RATING: 9
REMINDS ME OF: Revolver a la Wilburys
3) IF YOU WANNA: Paul wanted to write a road rocker, and he succeeds
nicely. When I first heard Paul was recording with Steve Miller, I snorted
derisively. I take it back; Miller really brings out the rocker and (gasp)
bluesman in Paul, whose singing throughout this album is awesome. The
lyrics are nothing much, but hey, it's a road song!
MY RATING: 7
REMINDS ME OF: "Junior's Farm" (kinda)
4) SOMEDAYS: A pretty acoustic ballad written for Linda. Paul adds a
Spanish guitar solo and George Martin lends a delicately baroque (can
there be such a thing?) arrangement. Heartfelt vocal delivery rises above
adequate lyrics. A fine return to acoustic-ballad form for Paul, but here
are better on this album.
MY RATING: 8
REMINDS ME OF: "Here Today"
5) YOUNG BOY: Pure pop from the two-man band of McCartney/Miller -- not
that there's anything wrong with that! The other lead track from the CD,
and the first European single. Again, most of us have heard it, so I won't
rattle on. Steve's guitar solo sounds quite Harrisonesque at the end!
MY RATING: 8
REMINDS ME OF: "Hope Of Deliverance"
6) CALICO SKIES: An undeniable classic. Just Paul and his acoustic, with
some knee-slap percussion -- just like 1968! For a man who has written ten
billion love songs, he keeps coming up with new ways to say "I love you."
This song has a new favorite: "It was written that I would love you/ From
the moment I opened my eyes/ And the morning when I first saw you/ Gave me
life under calico skies." Amazingly, this song was recorded in 1992, and
has been on the shelf until now!
MY RATING: 10
REMINDS ME OF: "Blackbird"/"I Will"/"Bip Bop Link"
7) FLAMING PIE: A terrific rocker recorded with Jeff in just four hours,
"Flaming Pie" doesn't disappoint. I snorted derisively (again!) when MPL's
press release said that the title track sounded like a White Album outtake
-- but it does! Paul pulls out the boogie-woogie piano for this one,
accompanied by yet another impassioned vocal. When was the last time he
had this much *fun*?
MY RATING: 9
REMINDS ME OF: "Lady Madonna"/"Little Woman Love"
8) HEAVEN ON A SUNDAY: An unexpectedly jazzy joy in a sea of pop/rock. It
had to grow on me, but after about three listens, I was hooked. Some very
strong lyrics boost an ordinary chorus: "We've been calling it love/ But
it's a dream we're going through/ ... We've been learning a song/ But it's
a long and lonely blues/ [chorus]: If I only had one love/ Yours would be
the one I'd choose." James the Younger, in his recorded guitar debut,
keeps it from getting too soft. Has some vaguely ELO-ish backing vocals
from Jeff, but tastefully done. ["Paul, can I compress the drums on this
one? Can I?" "No, Jeff, but you can do some of those spaceman backing
vocals you like so much." "Thanks, Paul!"]
MY RATING: 9
REMINDS ME OF: "Distractions" (for lack of a better parallel)
9) USED TO BE BAD: When I heard that one of the tracks would be a duet
with Steve Miller, I snorted derisively -- I've gotta stop doing that! I
now find myself grateful for Mr. Miller's participation, because he really
coaxed Paul into relaxing and jamming -- this time to some Texas blues.
The lyrics are what you'd expect from a song that grew out of a jam, but
both men have a great time playing and singing. Nice to hear Paul cut
loose on this infectious track.
MY RATING: 7
REMINDS ME OF: ZZ Top (Macca-style)
10) SOUVENIR: Three stylistic surprises in a row for Paul! This one is a
Stax-flavored R&B number produced by Jeff and Paul, featuring some horns
and a few subtle "spaceman" vocals from Jeff. Some of the phrasing is a
little awkward to my ears, but Paul obviously put a lot of care into the
writing and recording of this song. One of the more "produced" songs on
the album. The distorted 78-rpm-like coda is *very* cool.
MY RATING: 8
REMINDS ME OF: Otis Redding
11) LITTLE WILLOW: Paul slips into _Red Rose Speedway_ mode for this
beautiful and tender ballad of consolation. Written for Ringo's kids after
Maureen Starkey died. "Nothing's gonna shake your love/ Take your love
away/ No one's out to brek your heart/ It only seems that way." Paul plays
no fewer than nine instruments on this one, but it still sounds simple and
pure. Another instant-classic.
MY RATING: 10
REMINDS ME OF: "Little Lamb Dragonfly"
12) REALLY LOVE YOU: I don't know what to say about this one. Every single
review/preview of FP has cited this song (the McCartney/Starkey
collaboration) as the weakest of the set -- but I love it more each time I
hear it! Another loose jam session, this time between Paul, Ringo and
Jeff, this is just a great R&B groove with throwaway lyrics and great
performances. It's no "Helter Skelter" screamfest, but Paul wails away
nicely -- at one point he sounds like Mick Jagger at the end of "Monkey
Man"! Whenever you might expect it to get monotonous, something gives it a
kick: Ringo tosses in a perfectly Ringo-esque fill, Paul drops in on
Wurlitzer piano, Jeff (or Paul, overdubbed) chimes in with an "Eight Miles
High" guitar squiggle. If this track were unearthed as a _Get Back_
outtake from 1969, it would probably be hailed as a lost gem.
MY RATING: 9
REMINDS ME OF: "12-Bar Original" (but MUCH better)/"Eight Miles High"
13) BEAUTIFUL NIGHT: Paul is pretty much the Godfather of piano-based
album closers ("Golden Slumbers/The End," "1985," "However Absurd," "C'mon
People"); he produces another one here, and It's a good one. Having
restrained himself throughout the album, Macca pulls all his rabbits out
of his hat: orchestras, false endings, guitar duels, sing-alongs, you name
it. Ends with Ringo exclaiming, "Lordy, Lordy!" Indeed.
MY RATING: 8
REMINDS ME OF: "C'mon People"/ "Back Seat Of My Car" (at the end)
14) GREAT DAY: Following the loud ending with a quiet one, a la "Her
Majesty," was a good last minute. An old family sing-along from the early
'70s, it doesn't offer much lyrically but it delivers because of its
unpretentious charm. A perfect ending.
MY RATING: 7
REMINDS ME OF: "Big Barn Red"/_McCartney_
MY TOTAL RATING FOR THE ALBUM: 8.2 out of 10
15) LOOKING FOR YOU: The b-side of "The World Tonight" is very much in the
vein of "Really Love You," so may folks will either love it or leave it. I
like it a lot, although it took several listens before I thought of it as
anything but a toss-off. I particularly like the delayed-echo vocals and
Paul's somewhat menacing bass line.
MY RATING: 7
REMINDS ME OF: "The Mess"
16) BROOMSTICK: An outtake from the Steve Miller sessions, this track is
the b-side to "Young Boy" in Europe. A strange swamp-shuffle kinda song, I
enjoy hearing Paul stretch his boundaries again, but it doesn't really fit
in with the feel of the rest of the tracks.
MY RATING: 6
REMINDS ME OF: Early Randy Newman (with Ry Cooder)
=========================================
Well, I hope this whets the appetites of those who haven't heard it yet. A
few notes before I end my opus (and I apologize if it was TOO long...):
What makes this album so great? Primarily, of course, there are strong
melodies with good lyrics in the hands of capable singers and musicians.
But I want to emphasize two other factors:
1) The production, which is crisp and clear at all times; uncluttered
when it can be, more developed when it should be. The songs don't get
overwhelmed by technique.
2) Paul's singing, which is direct, honest and sincere, completely
devoid of the slick distance that has often alientated me. Once again, I
feel like he is speaking to me and me alone. This is the magic of the
greatest pop music.
Do I think this is his greatest solo work ever? I suppose I shouldn't
decide yet, no matter how much I want to shout "YES!!" But I can say that
with _Flaming Pie_, Paul McCartney has looked his past directly in the eye
and refused to blink. This time, his past just might blink first.
*****************************
Sean Murdock
[email protected]
|