Paul McCartney

[Sean]

Anyone tried his Standing stone?- it's being broadcast today here along with a few other pieces, and I thought about recording it. I've tried a couple of short orchestral pieces before now (A leaf and Spiral) and a bunch of others for string quartet, but though not at all routine, overall they didn't rise much above anonymity.

[scottscheule]

I haven't heard anything classical by him, and the reviews I've read have ranged from negative to very negative. 

If you find something positive, please let me know.

His pop works are, of course, masterful.

[karlhenning]

I haven't heard anything classical by him, and the reviews I've read have ranged from negative to very negative. 

If you find something positive, please let me know.

His pop works are, of course, masterful.

The best of them, to be sure.

Even in that realm, though, even the most ardent of his admirers might consider his work at times puzzlingly mixed.

[scottscheule]

The best of them, to be sure.

Even in that realm, though, even the most ardent of his admirers might consider his work at times puzzlingly mixed.

Fair enough.  I've no complaints about any of the Lennon collaborations, but some of the stuff from the Wings years is crap.

[karlhenning]

Mm.  How about "Temporary Secretary" from McCartney II, eh? 

[Sergeant Rock]

Anyone tried his Standing stone?- it's being broadcast today here along with a few other pieces, and I thought about recording it. I've tried a couple of short orchestral pieces before now (A leaf and Spiral) and a bunch of others for string quartet, but though not at all routine, overall they didn't rise much above anonymity.

Sean, shouldn't this post be in the guilty pleasures thread in the Diner 

Or maybe not...there is no indication that his "classical" music ever gave you any pleasure. That's perfectly understandable.

Sarge

[Hector]

Everything after 'Mull of Kintyre' and much  post-Beatles is best avoided.

Depressing, really. What I have heard of his latest is equally so.

[karlhenning]

Memory Almost Reliable

[Mark G. Simon]

Let's just say that a listen to McCartney's Standing Stoned or Ecce corn meum will increase your appreciation of George Gershwin's accomplishments a hundredfold.

[karlhenning]

"Mamma Mia!"

[Choo Choo]

Yeah, forget McCartney - let's talk about ABBA.

Let's face it:  if you don't like Abba, you don't really like music.

[karlhenning]

My work here is done . . . .

[Daverz]

His latest dabbling, Ecce Cor Meum, got a mostly positive review in ARG recently.  I'll see if I can find it later and type some of the highlights in.

I have to admit that, aside from whatever singles were played on the radio in the 70s, I'm totally ignorant of McCartney's work after Ram.

[Steve]

Yeah, forget McCartney - let's talk about ABBA.

Now this must belong in the Guilty Pleasures thread. O, Moderator! 

[scottscheule]

Let's just say that a listen to McCartney's Standing Stoned or Ecce corn meum will increase your appreciation of George Gershwin's accomplishments a hundredfold.

Bad show!

[hornteacher]

Paul did come out with a very good album in the mid 1990s called Flaming Pie.  In my opinion that was his best solo album after Wings broke up and really the only one that stands together as a full work as opposed to just a group of songs.

You gotta admire the guy though for refusing to wither away.  He's 65 and about to go on tour again.  I saw him live back in 1992 and he puts on a great show.

[karlhenning]

Heck, I have no complaint with "just a group of songs" if they're fine songs.

It's the piffle I object to, mostly  0:)

[hornteacher]

Heck, I have no complaint with "just a group of songs" if they're fine songs.

It's the piffle I object to, mostly  0:)

True, and Paul has done both (great songs and piffle).  The great thing about Paul is that he is aware of this.  He's often said that sometimes he doesn't "get it right" and that out of all of the albums he's done (even though he puts passion and work into each one) they can't ALL be good.

[karlhenning]

True, and Paul has done both (great songs and piffle).

Indeed.

The great thing about Paul is that he is aware of this.  He's often said that sometimes he doesn't "get it right" and that out of all of the albums he's done (even though he puts passion and work into each one) they can't ALL be good.

I'm afraid I disagree with Sir Paul on this one.  There's no reason he has to be happy publishing anything that is less than good; there is especially no reason why "they can't ALL be good."

I just don't understand him here.

[scottscheule]

Indeed.

I'm afraid I disagree with Sir Paul on this one.  There's no reason he has to be happy publishing anything that is less than good; there is especially no reason why "they can't ALL be good."

I just don't understand him here.

Look at Brahms, for instance.  But perhaps the rules are different for popular music.