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This forgotten disc from 1974 is teaming with a bunch of memorable Paul McCartney melodies and plenty of witty lyrics by his brother Mike McCartney (McGear). Mike is the lead vocalist on all the tunes but Paul contributes his iconic vocals here and there along with his typically bouncy bass parts. P.M. is also at the helm of production with Denny Laine and Linda joining in on the fun. Future Wings guitarist Jimmy McCullogh makes an appearance as well as 10cc’s Eric Stewart who would later co-write with Paul McCartney in the 80‘s.
Tracks that warrant your attention immediately are the two numbers penned just by Paul. The catchy “Leave It” with the recurring quirky sax line and the suggestive phrase “peeling off her underwear” and the philosophical “What Do We Know About Music?” with it’s tasty, drum, bass and guitar solos. There is also the wonderfully bipolar Bryan Ferry composition “Sea Breezes” which opens this collection. The verses take on a serious, sad undertone while it’s middle section is given a more uplifting, reggae feel akin to McCartney’s middle section in “Live and Let Die.”
To me, the one song that seems a bit out-of-place on this album is “The Casket.” It’s a mostly serious, slow piano – vocal piece with modal McCartney music and somewhat morbid lyrics by English poet Roger McGough. The tone is very folkish in a traditional sense and would have been more comfortable as a B side to McCartney’s biggest hit in the U.K. “Mull of Kintyre” which had not been composed yet.
All the other songs are co-written by the McCartney brothers. Each one is worth listening to. My favorite is the closer. The melancholy, spacey, multi-sectioned “The Man Who Found God On The Moon” with actual sound bytes by Buzz Aldrin. The military track “Norton” is pretty hilarious with heavy Lennon-esque guitar riffing in between the thoroughly British, Monty Python-esque dialog. The rhapsodic “Have You Got Problems?” could have been a classic Wings song. The power-pop of “Rainbow Lady” and the charming, unpretentious “Simply Love You” will stick in your brain after the first listen. And let us not forget the fx-laden, slightly dangerous new wave sounding: “Giving Grease A Ride” pre-dates Gary Newman’s now classic “Cars” by five years. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was influenced by it.
The album cover is also a hoot. A clever take on Gulliver’s Travels with many of the “small people” who contributed positioned on the sideline. That’s Paul McCartney peering at us on the bottom of the cover.
It’s sad that Paul McCartney never put money into promoting this album. It would have been a big seller right along with “Band On The Run” which preceded this recording by a month!
It’s interesting to note that when Sir Paul is challenged by a talented lyricist like his brother or a great songwriter like John Lennon or Elvis Costello, he does some of his most brilliant work. He only allows his best assets to come to the forefront. In this case his melodic genius shines through.
If you’re a McCartney fan, this CD should be in your collection. This CD release contains two more co-written songs that were not on the original vinyl record: “Do The Do” and “Sweet Baby.” They don’t really add anything special to the collection. More or less good fast food for your ears.
Here is a great youtube conversation with Mike McGear and towards the end, he discusses the making of this album and gives back story on some of the songs.
Released 24 September 1974 (LP)
Recorded : January – February 1974 (Strawberry Studios)
Label: Warner Bros. (1974)
Rykodisc (1991)
Written by John Tabbaco
www.johntabacco.bandcamp.com
McGear: The Forgotten Paul McCartney And Wings Album article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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Very interesting! Mike and Paul don’t resemble each other very much, but my brother and I aren’t dead ringers, either. Makes you wonder about other siblings to the famous musicians – I’ve only seen one picture of Chris Jagger, Mick’s brother. I have never seen any photos of Andy Morrison, Jim’s younger brother whom Jim used to torment as a bullying big brother, but eventually they would spend plenty of time together. Morrison never reunited with his parents after his mother just tried to ask him home for a holiday, and he refused. Oh well, nobody said some musical icons couldn’t be jerks, either.
But these people related to the rich and famous have rights to their privacy, especially the kids and those with famous parents who are well into adulthood themselves. It might not hurt to remind us that while my younger brother and I were lucky to have perfect pitch, as well as his sons, one of my sisters can passably sing, if you’re in a charitable mood to compliment her (just kidding, Sis! You know I loves ya!), and the other is admittedly stone tone deaf. But she admits it, so no damage has been reported. It’s my dad’s side of the family with the musical talent, and he used to tell me of warm evenings up in Austin, Minnesota in the mid ’30’s where my grandparents would go out on the porch, and who knows, although I don’t remember Dad saying so one way or the other, a neighbor might stop by with a beat up guitar, banjo or something, and they’d sing for the neighbors in apparently very good harmony, and as soon as they’d start, the word got around that “Vic and Marge are singing for us tonight!” and the yard was full.
This would have to have been the old pop standards of their day, maybe if somebody happened to have an accordion, being deep Scandinavian, German and Danish settlers who loved polkas and waltzes, a few of those as well. Maybe a few danced.
I know this isn’t closely related, but maybe it is, and it is a cool story – no labels, no crooked managers, just friends and neighbors enjoying their music of the day just like we love ours, and if that isn’t the best way to enjoy music, I’d be at a loss to describe what was.