Paul & Linda McCartney - Ram｜Vinyl Monday 

what’s your favorite beatle diss track? mine miiight still be isn’t it a pity

What is excellent about Ram is Linda. Her presence is a joy.

One of Paul‘s highlights in a career of highlights.…maybe the highest of his highlights. Ram on.

Today I just learned that Paul himself added the “L.I.L.Y.” to the record. I bought the record a little while back for 10 bucks, and assumed the previous owner was named Lily and wrote their name on it or something. But knowing Paul wrote it and that it means “Linda I love you” makes it so much better.

1:11 I once played Temporary Secretary at a Hallowe'en party, and the look of abject horror that came over everybody's faces as they heard what they were listening to was something that I'll never forget. This is my favourite Paul album though. Usually I understand why a great record gets misunderstood or dismissed when it first came out, but every track on this album is such a joy I really can't see what on earth the critics were smoking back in '71. I think the reaction must have really stung Paul and it was probably a turning point because I suspect it was around that time that he decided to just make music that he enjoys making rather than thinking how it's going to be received all the time. Also, MONKBERRY IS AN ABSOLUTE BOP. James Joyce once said that the key question about any work of art was "how deep a life does it spring?", and Ram is bursting at the seams with life; it's like a blazing fire that, on a cold and miserable day, I want to get as close to as I can and just bask in its warmth.

I've been waiting for this one...... I had the honor of making a 50th Anniversary remake of this record during the pandemic with Denny Seiwell who was the original drummer on Ram and OG Wings. I got to hear so many amazing stories about making the record directly from a guy who was there.... Then we performed the record cover to cover at the Troubadour in LA July 2022 This record is THE GREATEST.... and you are ... THE GREATEST ... Thank you

What ! What more to say about Ram ??? THE VOICE. Topping the +++ writing department is the vocal department. Top of Paul's voice, high and low, swoon and rogue, caressing and gravelling, what he owned then was pure gold. Any style, any inflection, any murmur, any scream he could produce. Think 3 legs, Dear Boy Heart the country and top of all, Monkberry. A splendour. Overall great, the over the top track is ending with a voice solo, and what solo, surpassing the Hey Jude ad lib. Perhaps my favourite post Beatle impro of all four. Life can be hard at times, but you may always listen to this song and enjoy. Thanks Paul for that gift (and work).

The critics were so wrong about his record it's a crime. The songs and production are on the level of "Abbey Road" in my opinion. And why anyone ever referred to this as "lo-fi" is insane, and/or deaf. Great review by the way!

Linda’s work on Ram is outstanding.

I was so excited for this episode. You did not disappoint! Ram is my favorite of Paul’s solo albums and one I immediately loved on first listen. So many of Paul’s early post-Beatles albums were judged with unrealistically high expectations. Every album had to be an Abby Road-type masterwork, and when they weren’t, it was a missed opportunity. He wasn’t allowed to be loose, free and experimental. To me his first four albums sound like he is having fun making music and putting no pressure on himself to create perfection. That’s why I love them.

Thank you Abigail for spotlighting my VERY favorite McCartney album... Love the show, best wishes

Love Ram. Just showed it to a girl I’m seeing. Blew her mind.

Love this record. Dear Boy is hands down my favorite from it-so I’m really surprised to see you say it takes a while to get going. It’s probably one of the more immediate tracks and so melodically gorgeous. It’s so ahead of its time. Alongside songs like All I Wanna Do by The Beach Boys-they highlight indie pop sounds that wouldn’t be popular for many decades.

Another McCartney gem.A favorite of mine since 1971.My favorite album cover by Paul.

You're so fun! RAM. I avoid listening to it, unless I'm ready to keep hearing the whole thing in my head for the next week. Can't understand your take on "Heart of the Country"; the musicianship and recording perfection on that particular song from the whole album seems the most outstanding to me.

Uncle Albert is a gem. Something I would play to my kids while they are playing around, the video was a nice gap filler to the record. Thanks. A. family man's album , you can tell that was a vibe in Pauls mind at the time.

My favorite album of all time.

OMG Abigail I freaking love that you like monkberry moon delight too! It’s also my favorite 😃

Thanks for another great video. I continue to be amazed at the ventriloquist skills you demonstrate in some scenes. For those who don't know, at the end of the Ram On reprise, Paul gives us a sneak preview of Big Barn Bed, a song that appears on a later album.

Monkberry moon delight is by far my favorite song on the album, probably my favorite Paul song in general

My favorite McCartney album. I only wish he played more songs from it live. The vocals are incredible. A true masterpiece album start to finish.

Can't wait for Vinyl Monday: Band on the Run. Whole creation of that album is one crazy story after another!

Paul's best solo album...in my opinion.

You really nailed this album, Abigail. You’re very talented in the way you present your thoughts. (You also look like you belong in an Austin Powers movie.)

My favorite McCartney album, hands down. I bought it when it first hit the market in 1971. I've owned every version released since in search for the best sound quality. The Archive collection released 10+ years ago has great bonus stuff but the sound quality could have been better. The mono version is useless as it does not have that psychedelic feel of things being panned throughout the stereo picture that I love so much. As for the songs, I love them all with Eat at home being my favorite as he throws in a little Buddy Holly in the vocal. It's a very melodic song that is always included in my mix CD's for the car. Too Many People is another great one that could have been a single instead of B side. I often find myself spinning side 2 over the first side, although, side one is great as well. If Too Many People were on side two, it would have been McCartney's perfect album side of all time. Thanks for choosing this album for your video. You did a great job describing the behind the scenes tidbits.

Paul telling Ringo to piss up a rope during this period is hysterical...Back off Boogaloo indeed.

I'm loving your videos so far, your enthusiasm is contagious. Makes me want to listen to even more music.

Great video Abby, love the shirt too! This is my second favourite McCartney LP after Band on the Run. Every track is a winner!

YES! I love this one, thx abby!

Love the album. Among Paul's absolute best. Heard it many, many times as a kid. Faves include Too Many People, 3 Legs, Eat at Home, Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey and Back Seat of My Car.

My younger sister had the cassette of this album (new tech at the time) that I freely borrowed. It was a guilty pleasure of mine at the time for many of the reasons you mention. Being also a sucker for a medley, which may have explained my soon to be love of prog, I also liked Admiral Halsey, etc and the rough edges of Monkberry. Not an album that ever entered my own collection but one I did listen to often courtesy of the aforementioned sister. Love that you caught the ties to the postcard in Imagine, which I DID have in my collection. There's a full size realistic sculpture of a pig at the Brandywine Art Museum that I pose with John Lennon style whenever we visit. Great episode.

This is the first of your videos I have watched and the best review of an album I have ever heard. So informative!

Great review! I’m so glad you talked about the breakdown in “3 Legs”! It’s such a groove. Also, that fuzzy bass part near the end of “Smile Away” gets me every time I hear it, it reminds of an amped-up version of the bass part from Marty Robbins’ “Don’t Worry.”

Just found your channel Abigail. You're as fun as a Saturday night!! Very informative too. Ram On!!

Ram is to me Paul’s best album. It sounds very loose and carefree with a lot of different noises coming out of Paul’s mouth. Love all the grunts and barking. Musicians are top notch and the album has a certain feel to it. Someone slipped me something I couldn’t handle back in the early 1970’s and I put this album on with headphones and it helped me thru it. Always be my favorite

a "Circle Sky" musical transition in a "Ram" discussion? I think I just found my soul mate.

Excellent video, Abby! I just discovered your channel and I'm going through your videos these last few days. You're truly doing some really good work and I hope you keep it up for a long time to come. Also, love the hair and absolutely adore the voice/accent! As for Ram, I personally consider it top 3 in McCartney's catalog (whether it's #1, #2, or #3, mainly depends on my daily mood) and also think it's among the Top 25-30 albums of the 70s. A true masterpiece!

You’re a bright spark on RU-vid. Another hit for the algorithm. Keep at it. You would have been fun to listen to these albums with when they came out.

Paul McCartney's "Smile Away," the most underrated Paul solo track.

Love your Ram top.

You’re preaching to the choir here, always loved Ram, and agree with your assessment. For years I never flipped it over as side one was so great. The jubilation when we finally hit “hands across the water” in Admiral Halsey is transcendent. Super great job with this episode

LUV the sweater, Abbie!

Abby, your research efforts are amazing! Even the nation’s best FM radio back in the day - WQDR FM, Raleigh, never handed out some of these juicy tidbits! Kudos, girl!

This album is awesome!! I myself got a 2nd hand dutch print from 1973 Haarlem (NL) theres still a document pasted inside the sleeve with all dates of the people that rented it from the library’s. Still one of my favourite albums. Keep up the content :]

This was my favorite McCartney album back in my 20s. I loved the slightly off feel to the songs. Totally agree about the Indie Pop. Back Seat of My Car is such a great tune. I look at him with Linda the same way as John and Yoko. Two guys that were entering their 30s and graduated from having best friends to loves of their lives. Them against the world. That sound bite you played from Back Seat really pushes that narrative as well. Love the videos

In my opinion 'Ram' is Paul's best solo album by a country mile and your review was right on the money. You've put together an awesome video. New subscriber alert 8-)

His is one of my all time favorite records, and my favorite by Paul, so good!

i really dig your hype and effort in details .. back to the roots ... cool :)

Hi, I've just found your channel, I started out with Per Sounds, I can't wait to watch all the others, RAM is a favourite album, I like it a lot, I think it is underestimated in Paul McCartney catalogue. My favorite diss track is junk

That album came out the Summer before high school. I liked it a lot then, and it's still one of my favorite Paul albums. Heart of the Country was one of my favorites from the album, along with Smile Away and Back Seat of my Car. I haven't listened to this in a long time; after watching your video I re-listened. . .it's still really good. Thanks.

Thanks as always for your Monday fillip Abigail! I recently finished reading (oh, OK, listening to) "The McCartney Legacy Vol 1" which also covers the genesis of this album and in granular detail. Before this I had no idea that what I have always imagined to be a fairly DIY album since I bought it on cassette (yes - that long ago!) was a much more sophisticated and layered production. Fortunately, this reality has only made me love it more and listen to it even more intently. I fully agree about a lot of Paul's post-Mops output being too 'cleaned up' and would have welcomed more RAM style work. Ah well, there's always 'Rinse The Raindrops' from 'Driving Rain'.

Paul's response to "How Do You Sleep" - "Quite well, Thank You"

Nice one, thanks. I came late to Ram. After a late '70s spent trying to like ex-Beatle stuff after "discovering" them in the mid '70-s I kept bamming my forehead against disappointment. I scratched around and foraged for a good song here or there but so little of it came up to the standard. I neither knew nor would have cared at that age that the difference was often about personal and creative expansion, if it wasn't as good as Magical Mystery Tour it wasn't good. So, after almost wasting my money on Imagine, Band on the Run and Venus and Mars I quit. In the 2010s, Ram got a reputation which you mentioned as a kind of indy playbook and, intrigued, I gave it another go. I could see what they meant and it certainly improved the experience for me but most importantly, strolling around on urban hikes with the album in my earbuds, it grew on me. I had actually liked Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey when I heard it on the radio as a kid (I used to quote the posh voice saying: We're so sorry, Uncle Albert, but we haven't done a bloody thing all day ...) and that was still good. But now so were Back Seat, Too Many People and Heart of the Country. I did eventually soften on some of the other soloist excursions, as well.

Hi Abby. My favorite of Vinyl Monday episodes and as it my figure my favorite Paul album. Smile Away and Monkberry my favorites as well. (Think I have used favorite too many times). Just picked up a half speed rerelease to add to my original and 8-track. Smile away!

Oh I love this one so much. Easily my favorite Paul album.

Very good perspective loved and subscribed, shared.

It's the only album credited to "Paul & Linda". On hearing this news, Sir Lew Grade, who ran ATV Music, who at that point in time, owned a majority of Northern Songs and, importantly Paul's first few pre-MPL songs went fucking nuts! He flatly refused to credit Linda, as she would receive a very substantial credit and resulting Royalty. Paul stuck to his guns, and Ram is the result.

Bravo, Abigail. This was one of the best overviews of RAM that I have seen. As a massive fan of Sir Paul, I have had a love/hate relationship with the album. Growing up in the 1970s, I was still listening to The Beatles but was disappointed in many solo efforts. Around Band On The Run, I started to give Macca a serious look. My first exposure to RAM was buying it for 50 cents at a garage sale. I knew the Uncle Albert suite but little else. Upon first playing it, I thought it was disjointed and lacking substance. But it is now my favorite Paul McCartney album. I can listen to the beginning and end with a smile on my face. I enjoy other McCartney albums, but nothing is like RAM. You have done it justice. Bravo.

Time has been kind to RAM. Love the earthy vibe to it! I also love your outfit! Very 1971! In a good way!

I bought Ram when it came out when I was 15yrs old and absolutely loved it and still do!

Great album by Paul and Linda, has a great indie feel to it. Back Seat of My Car is the best song on here and my favorite Paul McCartney song ever.

One of my favorite records of all time

Wow. Bought when it was first released Always loved this album

Quite an enjoyable video! This was a Paul McCartney album I held out on for a very long time because my dad told me it's his least favorite of Paul's records (he thought there weren't a lot of songs that made sense on here). I only picked this up and heard it recently. I enjoy it for all of it's quirky fun. Whether I agree with this being the first Indy record...probably not, because in my mind Indy music suggests something where a band throws in everything--kitchen sink included--as well as the money they've made at the local Ye Olde Local Tavern from playing on Saturdays the previous 5 months, just to get the record made and out there (err...maybe what I just said does agree with your Indy rock statement?). I would probably give the 1st Indy Record title to either McCartney or maybe even "UFO" by Jim Sullivan. But I find this just a fun record to put on just to lift the spirits. "Back Seat of My Car" is perhaps my fave moment on here. While not my absolute favorite Sir Paul and Lady Linda record (because well worn copies of "Band On The Run", "Wings Across America" and "Flaming Pie" are scattered across many shelves and night stands in my house, much to my wife's chagrin), this does rank amongst my top 5 Paul records. I have and always will enjoy the fun, musicality and adventurousness of Sir Paul, no matter what! Fan boy, out!

I love ram when I first bought my original pressing and put it on for the first time I loved it all the way through its kinda like a proto wings album and it's my second favorite album by Paul it's amazing great video I can't wait for the blind faith video great job Abby

Great video Abby! I have the German vinyl pressing and the factory recorded reel to reel tape.

Ram is a great album. I bought it when it came out ( I was about14 years old) and love it. I am suprised how many people don't realy know about it. I do find some that " get it" though, and I'm like "right, exactly!" I enjoyed your review! My fave is the whole thing and it's ending "Back Seat of My Car"...thanks!

I love her style

Hell yeah! Fellow George girl whose favorite Ram track is Monkberry Moon Delight. It’s THE BEST! 🤙

Love this album. Was miffed about the breakup of the Beatles but a friend of mine passed me a "cassette tape" of the RAM album (legit honestly) and it just grew on me. Love the last track "back seat of my car" where Paul expresses his love for Linda. PS Love your review and amazing outfit.

"monkberry" absolutely rules. 🤘

Thanks for a great overview and review of this masterpiece, Abby! I especially liked your references to "Temporary Secretary" and one of the greatest Monkees songs ever for your B-Roll - "Circle Sky!" RAM is brilliant for so many reasons. You used the word "chaotic" and I think that is an apt description. "Chaotic" is the opposite of the polished pop and rock music that Paul is known for. At this moment in his career, I'm not sure anyone was less popular than Paul. He was blamed by the other three Beatles, the press (especially Rolling Stone), and the rest of the world for breaking up the world's greatest band. The Paul McCartney fan club had dwindled down to one person - Linda. And L.I.L.Y. is what this record is really all about. Thanks for all the great love you gave to Linda, she was there for Paul when he needed her most, and I love her contributions to this album. Great point about "Smile Away" being a nod to the Brian and The Beach Boys. I definitely think the incredible backing vocals on "Dear Boy" also have a Beach Boys feel to them. Brian and Paul both loved the sound of great harmonies.

My favorite McCartney album! I've had a copy since 1971!

Best part of the whole video was the temporary secretary dance, or the temp-sec, which definitely deserves to be a you-tube short video, and the one time I got to see Sir Paul live, he actually performed it. Never a favorite of mine, but the image of you dancing to it might make me listen to that obscure gem more often....

Hi Abby, I just discovered you tonight. I was 17 years old when I got this album and it has long since been a favourite. Thoroughly enjoyed your background info on the making of the album. Though I'll be 69 next year I can assure you that in my soul I am that 17 year old, long haired music fan all over again. looking forward to catching up on your other reviews. BTW your dress sense is perfect for the occasion. Take care.

This is my all-time favourite disc. I have "classic" albums from the 1960s through 2000s but this toiops them all. McCartney is a genius and this record proves it. Simple. He was accused by many of "breaking up the Beatles", so how could he make a good record? Fortunately the disc has outgrown the "breakup myth" and now people are discovering it as a hidden gem. "Johnny-cum-lately". Sorry for sounding bitter but some of us saw the gold through the mud being slung. Thanks for championing this. You are such a beautiful woman. Instant Subscription.

Ok Abigail, subbed you up, as anyone who praises RAM obviously has great taste!

Great videos! You look great too! Keep it up!

As just a little kid when Ram arrived [in a house always full of music, and as the youngest of five], it seemed as if everybody loved this album - at least all my siblings and I, as well as any other kids on the playground lucky enough to have heard the album [or at least the charting hits]. Not until somewhere near 2000 did I even hear any disparaging comments about it, but to me it's always a very lovely 'rainy-day' album: one part melancholy, one part whimsy, all McCartney.

ram is my favorite solo Beatle’s album, each track is a banger, no misses, sweet, zany, each track is a bundle of fun or break up reflective Paul

I was nine years old when Ram was released. I bought it the week it came out with my own money, it being the second one bought on my own - first one being “Magical Mystery Tour” since it had a booklet inside and “Ram” did not. I remember playing the hell out of it but always being scared of “Monkberry Moon Delight” as Paul’s vocals were very menacing. There was also the lyric in the second chorus which I thought was “ketchup - cats in it” meaning they had made ketchup with cats. I never knew what Paul sings at the very beginning of “Too Many People” until someone told me a few years ago - it’s “piece of cake” with the syllables being drawn out. I always thought he was singing “This time girlfriend acting…acting…” Nowadays, I also like how “Back Seat Of My Car” never seems to end and only fades out because of time constraints on an album. To me, it literally plays on into infinity. 😁

Wonderful video... Great breakdown and history behind it. I always thought Monkberry Moon Delight was quite similar to John's Well, Well, Well in the sense that it was blowing off steam. Not so much primal scream therapy that John went through but just "letting it out" so to speak. Always have a special place in my heart for Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey. My father passed away last year and he would play a cassette copy of Ram in his baby blue Toyota pickup truck when I was a child.

Hi tweety..bought this album when it was released..just floored me..still got it..with a few small scratches..no big deal..this thing is as thick as a brick!

I always loved RAM. It's my second or third favorite Maca album, and my favorite Paul and Linda McCartney album.

getting full on fun with flags vibes here :P

✨🎶AWESOME INSIGHT🎵✨

Great video, very informative and entertaining! Ram is up there as one of my favourite McCartney albums (Although McCartney II sits at the top,mainly for the mood it sets, especially when it gets into the second side). I like the choice of Circle Sky for your interludes and great to hear that people like Mike Nesmith's solo albums (I myself have "Loose Salute", "Standard Ranch Stash", "Radio Engine To The Photon Wing" and "Infinite Rider"). Artists I would recommend to listen to are Sixto Rodriguez and Harry Nilsson.

Great review! Love that album, I have an original too.

Three Legs always makes me think of Pauls marriage to Heather Mills lol. Love your videos. You really know your shit Ram is one of my favorite albums. Its cool to see it reviewed by a girl instead of old guys. I like the way you pointed out that Ram can't be put into any classification. I've always thought that. You're really good at what you do. Keep making videos.

Great job with this one Abbie. You nailed it. RAM is my favorite and the expanded version CD set is really great. His next album (first Wings one) Wild Life is, to me, even more eclectic than this one. It's odd how other music and bands come into your head while thinking of an album but throughout this vinyl Monday, I kept thinking of the Violent Femmes debut album from 1982 (the one with "Blister in the Sun" on it). Now that's an album I'd like to see you give your take on. All the best.

The Beatles Revolver was the first full album I ever listened to and Paul McCartney's Ram was the first album I ever bought. So for me, these two will always and forever be my, without a doubt, favorites!

I reckon I like this album even more than you - I don't think there's a weak track on it. In fact, my favourite is Dear Boy - I love those cascading, circular melodies that Paul's so good at. Apart from New (my favourite song of his in years), it's such a waste that he doesn't really do them anymore. Also: total Nez-head here. I love that you use Circle Sky as your linking music. UHH!

I didn't love Monkberry initially, but it grew on me and now I love it lmao

Great shirt!

"Or should I say...(brings up the a vinyl copy of Layla and Other Love Songs into the shot)...'Derek and the Dominoes' effect" omg subscribed

Bought _RAM_ blind back in 1971, as usual with *Paul McCartney* , I'm never disappointed!!! It's a great album then and now! 🐏

I remember hearing Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey on the radio when I was in 1st grade back in 1971 and it became my first favorite song ever. It wasn’t until I was in junior high / high school years later that I realized that Paul had done it lol.

So funny, Abby and I apparently have almost exactly the same musical tastes. I totally agree with everything including Monkberry Moon Delight.

Monkberry Is my go to gangsta song

One of his best album. I love it from top to bottom. Its a different genre out of the Beatles shadow.