Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Macca's best solo effort, 7 Aug 2000
By A Customer
This is without doubt the best LP Sir Paul and post-Beatles band Wings made. I am a big fan of the Beatles but was never really a big fan of the solo material - with the exception of some of John Lennon's work. The unfortunate thing about Wings is the Mull Of Kintyre straitjacket - most potential listeners are put off by this pigeonholing (a bit like the Beach Boys and the surf boy straitjacket) and I have to admit to approaching this album with some trepidation to say the least. Aside from Lennon's Imagine album (and a couple of compilations) I did not own any other Beatles solo CDs prior to purchasing this one. I have to say that my fears were allayed very quickly - the first listen of this CD had me hooked and I've not let it out of the CD player for several days! Sure, it's not as good as Sgt Pepper or Abbey Road but in places it could pass off as the Beatles - in fact I'm sure if the Beatles had continued into the 1970s this is what they may have sounded like, the majority of songs being really catchy and this is - perhaps a little surprisingly for Wings - a very rocky album in places. I had obviously heard the title track many times but the album is full of really classy material. If there's only one solo McCartney album that you must have, this is it. The 25th anniversary packaging is really good too - the bonus CD offering an insight into the way this album developed in the studio and the liner notes being well written and informative. The Beatles never produced anything as good on their own as they did when they were a group but this comes pretty close. A classic album.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Escape To Freedom, 10 April 2005
Comparing the 'Red Rose Speedway' album which came out earlier in 1973, to 'Band On The Run' we actually see more in common than might appear. Both albums are crammed full of magic McCartney melodies (making 1973 if you count the Live And Let Die single) as possibly his greatest year ever in this respect (well, post Beatles anyway). Actually an interesting fact is that on the last tour, McCartney sang no less than five songs from this year, three from the 'Band On The Run' album.
And both these 1973 albums showcase McCartney's amazingly melodic bass playing. When that combines with or rather compliments one of those great melodies that the man is so famous for, it almost doesn't matter what the words are. But not quite. Here is the difference: on 'Red Rose Speedway' the lyrics are somewhat simplistic, not very imaginative and more than a little sacharine it must be confessed. Luckily the tunes come to the rescue, and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable and charming album not noted for its lyrical content (nothing wrong with silly love songs but here is a whole album's worth! :-). Here on 'Band On The Run, McCartney finds a theme, in this case danger, release, escapism and runs with it. The effect being to carry the listener along with him and seemingly feel and experience these great adventures. There are very few albums which can do that as consistently as this one. There is literally not a weak track and every one is stamped with not only a mark of quality but by an indefinable joie de vivre.
Funnily enough the only sad passage is the opening minute or so of the title track ('Stuck inside these four walls....sent inside forever..."). But this is deliberate as this song builds from this beautifully calm opening towards a serene climax, first with the chugging electric guitar section ('if we ever get outta here...") which deals with daring plans and hopes of escape to the triumphant entry of what seem like about a hundred acoustic guitars (bit like 'My Sweet Lord' in this respect!) for the ecstatic On The Run section, with of course that famous and classic chorus where the words 'Band On The Run' are repeated over and over. Almost as if the very phrase itself is ushering in a new world of hope, freedom and a better future. That is what this song does for me, almost on every listen. But particularly when listened to exactly where it should be. Track 1 Side 1 of the 'Band On The Run' album.
'Bluebird' is acoustic and is almost as good as 'Blackbird' from the White Album. Which is about the best acoustic ballad McCartney or anyone else for that matter ever wrote. So that's how good 'Bluebird' is and it's a song I have never tired of in the 25 odd years I have owned this record. Which is more than be said for 'Jet'.
'Mrs Vanderbilt' is one of those too rare examples where McCartney basically assumes lead guitarist role on the bass, to tremendous effect. The whole thing is utterly infectious. And here it must be mentioned that he also plays all the drums on this record and on this track in particular, it is perfect, especially the drum rolls before the 'what's the use of worrying' lines.
'Let Me Roll It' is another great ballad but this time with gigantic electric guitar riffs which combined with the simple but rock solid bass line produce a powerful atmosphere in which McCartney rolls out his song of reconcilation, to Lennon so it is presumed (not sure if I've ever heard Paul confirm this, probably as it's about lots of things). If it is heard as the reply to Lennon's scathing character assassination of his ex partner on 'How Do You Sleep' (1971) then it is wonderful in its restraint, generous it is generosity and heartfelt and unselfish in its desire for reconcilation. One wishes the whole acrimonious Beatles split had been more like this. Oh well.
'Mamunia' is wonderfully atmospheric and mysterious and has an infectious and marvellous chorus, 'Picasso's Last Words' is superb and has a great story behind it, as recounted by Dustin Hoffman on the bonus interview disc. The slightly sub standard rocker 'Helen Wheels' (originally omitted from the UK release) pops up here. Rather disappointingly the B side Country Dreamer, a far better song, is missing here, even as a bonus track. Then there are a couple of reprises in true Sgt Pepper fashion and we come to the closing romping piano number 'Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five'. Great to hear such confident piano so dominant in a McCartney track, not really heard since Monkberry Moon Delight (1971).
The second disc of interviews with Paul, Denny (far too little in his case) and those featured on the memorable album cover makes for a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Occasionally anyway. Obviously it is Disc 1 (the album, which has been superbly remastered by the way) you will buy this for mainly, . And whilst I admit there are other McCcartney/Wings solo records closer to my heart for many different reasons, it is this one which so indisputedly deserves its five star rating and is the one I would defend in court against any McCartney-basher they can throw at me.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pain is so close to pleasure, 12 Feb 2000
By A Customer
It's so hard to start a review on Band On The Run when one of the best McCartney tracks is placed very next to the end of the album. Picasso's Last Words is a true example how Paul can be avant-garde and, at the same time, a rock and roll pop artist. Paul got with this tune what The Beatles tried during their pot period: a crazy and artsy recording. Also, the task of recording in Nigeria proved that most of the masterpieces -unfortunately - are produced through the dificulties of life. On this 25th issue of BOTR, the remastering work is also superb, and give us all a clue how's to be in the studio with Macca. The second CD is also terrific. Mainly when Dustin Hofman come is with his tales on watching Paul writing a song - live - in Jamaica. This album would be flawless if the bonus CD had more Wings outtakes. Worth to buy and learn how's a rock album is made.
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