Amazon.co.uk Review
Released in the glow of Wings' biggest and best album,
Band On The Run,
Venus & Mars found Paul McCartney in his element--a working rock star, being screamed at again, cheerfully riding the last rays of his youth. Adulation always brought the best out of him, and
Venus & Mars is nearly the equal of its more lauded predecessor. McCartney never strays from his favourite themes (sex, drugs, rock & roll and marriage), but his confidence is audibly high, mixing gorgeous, airy production numbers such as "Listen To What The Man Said" and "Letting Go" with the ribald and hilarious. "Rock Show" matches The Who's "Long Live Rock" as the finest and funniest of those self-celebratory Seventies stomps.
McCartney's effortless marshalling of melody and arrangement hoists the blander material out of trouble, and the best stuff's powered by genuine, rediscovered verve. Facile and frivolous, but not at all bad. And their version of the "Crossroads" theme tune is wicked. --Taylor Parkes
CD Description
VENUS & MARS is an interesting mix of musical styles, punctuated by Paul McCartney's unerring sense of melody and hookysongs. Along with founding members Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney & Denny Laine, recent additions Jimmy McCulloch (ex-Thunderclap Newman) Joe English rounded out the band on guitar and drums respectively. Guests for these sessions (partially recorded at New Orleans' famed Sea Saint Studios) included N'awlins pianist Allen Toussaint, saxophonist Tom Scott and guitarist Dave Mason.
The highlights include the hard-rocking anthem "Rock Show" (later used to great effect in the Rock For Kampuchea benefit concert five years later) and the gently nostalgic "You Gave Me The Answer", Macca's tribute to the sounds of vaudeville introduced to him by his late father. Elsewhere, the mysticism of the French Quarter is embedded within "Spirits Of Ancient Egypt" while New Orleans' rich R&B tradition is all over the horn-laden "Call Me Back Again". The bouncy number one single "Listen To What The ManSaid" also contrasts nicely with the melancholic title track.