In honor of the Flowers in the Dirt re-release Friday, I thought I would list MY favorite McCartney albums and my least favorite McCartney albums........even though the least favorite do have a few shining moments......It's Paul, even when he's off he's still better than most.
(These choices are NOT based on critical reviews, or ideas that other people think I should have...these are my opinions.....most of you will have different opinions.....what are your top 5, what are your bottom five?)
Starting with the TOP 5:
1. Flaming Pie
Jeff Lynne produced this truly outstanding album. Steve Miller helps out on several songs, Ringo Starr adds drums to a number of tracks, and even Jeff Lynne jumps in to play some guitar.
Favorite Tracks: The World Tonight, If You Wanna, Young Boy, Calico Skies...all of them...GREAT Record.
2. Band on the Run
Paul McCartney produced this album, credited to Wings...although, at this point Wings consisted of only 3 members, Paul, Linda and the steadfast Denny Laine. Paul and Denny performed most of the music, with Linda adding back-up vocals. Paul decided to record in Lagos, Nigeria....Henry McCullough, lead guitar, had been thinking about quitting...and chose to leave the group rather than travel to Nigeria. Drummer Denny Seiwell also chose to leave the group rather than make the trip to Africa. Wings arrived in Africa to a studio that wasn't finished and strict warnings not to be out after dark....Paul and Linda, ignoring the advice about being out after dark, were mugged and faced a very scary situation that could have ended with their murders. Paul soldiered on, with Denny Laine's help, and created Wings' most enduring album.
Favorite Track: Band on the Run, Jet, No Words, Helen wheels and Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five.
3. Flowers in the Dirt
Paul McCartney in the late 1980's decided it was time to tour again. He wanted to have a good solid album, with songs that he could play on tour. He called on friends Elvis Costello and David Gilmour for a little assistance making this fine album. Costello helped out with the writing and Dave lent his guitar skills to the song "We Got Married". Paul also put a new band together featuring Linda, Hammish Stuart (Average White Band), Robby McIntosh (The Pretenders), Paul "Wix" Wickens and Chris Witten. The results are a good solid album, with many enjoyable songs.
Favorite Tracks: My Brave Face, Rough Ride, You Want Her Too, Don't be Careless Love, Figure of Eight and How Many People.
4. Off the Ground
Some people refer to this as Flowers in the Dirt part 2. It was created by the same band around the same time and was toured worldwide. The only new player, was drummer Blair Cunningham (The Pretenders). Chris Witten decided to move on to another project. There are some excellent songs here. I was able to see Paul in Atlanta during the tour for this album and the show was great.
Favorite Tracks: Off the Ground, Get out of My Way, Mistress and Maid, Peace in the Neighborhood and Looking for Changes.
5. Run Devil Run
The title was taken from a drugstore Paul was passing in Atlanta, Ga. This is essentially an oldies album, with a few originals thrown in. This was Paul's first album after the death of his wife Linda. Instead of doing a sad I can't get out of bed type album , he chose to do something upbeat. Again getting help from friends, including Dave Gilmour-who played lead guitar on the album and Ian Paice (of Deep Purple fame) adding drums, Paul gives us a very up tempo and exciting album. One of the songs included in the set was a song Linda liked, called Lonesome Town, which was a hit for Ricky Nelson in 1958. Paul and the group played songs from the album live at the Cavern Club.
Favorite Tracks: No Other Baby, Run Devil Run, Brown Eyed Handsome Man, What it Is, and I Got Stung.
MY LEAST Favorite Paul McCartney Albums.
In reverse order (My least favorite album will be listed last at #1)
5. Wings Wild Life- The most repeated complaint---the album was rushed. It was recorded in two weeks and sent out....Bip Bop and Mumbo....drivel..........you were in the Beatles man!
4. Pipes of Peace- Tug of War left overs.
3. Driving Rain-Working with a new band, mourning his departed wife and celebrating new love....didn't care much for most of the songs
2. Memory Almost Full-Nostalgia filled.....The end of the end is just depressing.
1. Kisses on the Bottom-BLEH!!! I hated this album. One of the worst albums I've ever listened to. My Valentine, with Eric Clapton on guitar is the only track I will even listen to from this ill-advised train wreck. (If you want to hear Cole Porter songs, etc...try Ringo's album Sentimental Journey, it is much more satisfying...the songs are sung the way they were intended to be sung.)
Paul,
No more jazz.....EVER.
Thanks.
