I just listened to this album a few minutes ago. Interesting backstory and review. It never occurred to me after all these years that it's Paul on drums.
I agree with the puzzlement with the multiple reprises on Band on the Run. The addition of "Helen Wheels" really gives side-2 extra bang for the buck (as the original USA version did) and the travel theme of the song fits right in with "Band on the Run." Wonderful track by track analysis!
Nice lesson on the history behind this release but unless you don’t have a copy of Band On The Run there really isn’t a need for this release This is more a marketing campaign for Beatles fans and collectors to rebuy this Putting half speed on the cover makes people think this is something special when you can’t really hear that much of a difference between a regular copy of the album Buy it if you don’t have it but it’s not necessary if you have this currently
Nice overview TJ! I’d rate BOTR as certainly one of MCCartney’s best, but I’m probably slightly more into RAM. Venus&Mars, Chaos&Creation & Flowers in the Dirt (excluding the last two tracks Motor of Love & ou est soleil) also rank very high. I’ve always loved No Words-probably due to how the guitars build in the chorus. Picasso is an interesting song-I give it credit for unique song structure, but it’s probably my least favorite on the album, but that’s not saying much as I really this album! I agree that lyrics to Jet sound best when just enjoying them on a superficial level. Since I had the US version, I always appreciate Helen Wheels adding another class A rocker to this album. 1985 is another great track! To me the pianos remind me of 10cc’s Wall Street Shuffle around the 2:00 minute mark. Since that song was released in June 1974, I always wondered if Eric Stewart was influenced by 1985.
Picasso's Last Words was designed by Paul to be a musical reflection of Picasso's cubist style of painting. That is why it left you feeling it was odd - exactly what Paul was going for. He took the standard musical ideas and moved them around till they left you wondering what was going on and why. Much like a cubist painting moves body parts around in a confusing or distorted manner. I think the other thing about the album is that it was describing Paul and Linda's new life philosophy - they were going to escape fame, the Beatles and all the expectations and fly away to their own version of happiness and fulfillment. Almost every song on the album deals with escape, finding freedom and not sweating the unimportant aspects of life. As such, I find it Paul's most complete "concept" album. Thanks for the great and thought provoking video and for your channel. I'm looking forward to your review of Venus and Mars which I agree is great.
Interesting video! Regarding 'Picasso's Last Words'... The extended montage mimics in musical terms the cubist style of art that Picasso (and Georges Braque) pioneered; cutting and pasting and juxtaposing one section against another by positioning them at odd and interesting angles, revealing new possibilities. Tjis, I believe, is McCartney's modus operandi for this song, and that, IMO, is pretty damn clever.
I think "Band On The Run" is Paul's best solo album and it's also my favorite. The second half of "Picasso's Last Words" never bothered me. "Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five" is so epic, that I've forgotten about the reprises in "Picasso's Last Words" by the time of the end of the album. I agree that "No Words" is the weakest track, though it's still very good. I prefer having Side Two with "Helen Wheels", since that's what I grew up with.
The great thing about music is how it affects us all differently and there is no right or wrong. I appreciate your opinions and I pretty much agree with you.
I am so glad i clicked AND WATCHED this dissertation. I love this era of McCartney and being a gen x born in 69 i was more exposed to the Beatles when they all went solo and had tons of airplay during my youth in the mid seventies (with nothing better to do and no bills to pay) while riding around with my parents to where ever. I have this album on vinyl and cd... I dislike the experience of listening to this album. I just does not flow correctly and a couple of songs (as you mention) feel like they're taking a piss on my musical listening acumen lol. I really thought i was being a bit of an ungrateful douche in not praising the album's unassailable genius but there was always something bugging me about it. Thanks for the rundown, i can tell that your opinion comes from total appreciation and respect, as does mine. I subbed so that means i like. Cheers.
You mentioned Tony Visconti - are you familiar with his description of how he was asked to do the orchestrations? He never heard a complete song! Paul was concerned that the tracks would get out before the album release, so he gave Visconti taped extracts of just the little parts of the tracks where he wanted the orchestra, usually with a melody line or whatever and some rough idea of what he wanted it to sound like. That was on a weekend... and he wanted the scores by Wednesday! A bit like when he got Mike Leander to score She's Leaving Home back in 1967 and thus upset George Martin. When Paul knew what he wanted he didn't like to hang about!
A call-back does not constitute an ending. The ho-hey-ho chants at the end of "Picasso" lead into "1985" so great. 1985 has to be the last track. It just works so well. I always liked the "Band on the Run" call-back at the end. Plus it was the single too. "Band" as the a-side and "1985" as the b-side. The call-back is pretty cool for that too.
Great review TJR. I agree with most of you say, apart from Picasso's Last Words which I've always loved the way it is. We all have an opinion and I respect yours, I have many opinions on Paul's albums and how they could be improved, which tracks would be better than other tracks that were included. Band On The Run is for me an album where Paul got everything right, there isn't one song that I would drop.
I think Band On the Run has more musical variety on it than on any other of Paul's solo albums and on any other Wings effort (London Town tries too hard). I like your breakdown of the title track behind the keyboard. It does shed light on a Eastern musical nuance that I haven't heard before. That Am to D part used to remind of Jesus Christ Superstar for some reason - same with Live and Let Die. Jet and Bluebird are great follow ups to the title track. Best three songs in a row, at least from the '70s or at least 1973 or at least from Wings in 1973. I like Mrs.Vandervilt and Mamunia. They're both fun. I always thought Mamunia was sort of like Paul being eco friendly. Plus, every second breath we take comes from the sea (Jackson Browne). That's science. Have you ever heard Jerry Garcia's version of Let Me Roll It? Weird pick for him, I think. I love that song on this record. It sounds like the Beatles in a way (ha ha). Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five is an awesome song, I think. I just have a hard time with the middle parts that break away from the rocking part. I'm glad he didn't do that with Helter Skelter! I agree with you that the 19 hundred and 85 lyric may have been a place holder that Paul didn't change (is that what you said - omg I can't remember - I'm tired). It's for Paul to know and us to speculate on. I didn't like No Words for the longest time and then started liking it and then started not liking it so much again. I agree that the guitar at the end could have been something to continue for a bit. It's too short. I also had a difficult time with the crazy part of Picasso's Last Words for the longest time because I heard the Wings Over America version first. Then I just succumbed to it at least being better than the song about Vincent Van Gough by the guy who wrote the American Pie song. I think Band On the Run holds together, but like Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, it doesn't hold up well as a concept album even with the reprise at the end and the cover art. Take care TJ and see you next time!
I think why this one is more highly regarded than Venus and Mars is all context from one that came out. It seems the first four albums Paul put out on his own. We’re kind of considered flops compared to what John and George were doing and even in 1973. When this came out was a timer, nobody was expecting anything great from Paul McCartney anymore, and he took it to the rafters. I think with his I’m gonna show you to the band members who left was also to the public. Certainly this album and live in let die give Paul the confidence that he was lacking for the last three years. I to like Venus and Mars very much but it’s more of a collection of great songs with different genres, as opposed to some of the tracks on band on the run really rocking and gave a good range of what Paul is very good at, ballads and rockers.
No mention of Helen Wheels.. On my original vinyl this was an oddity of sorts seeing as how it wasn't listed as a track on the back cover. We figured it was a "hidden" track
Helen Wheels was never part of the original track listing, although it was included in some of the American Pressings. Paul never intended to have it included on the album, so I didn’t include it here. But honestly, I think it’s a great rockin’ track. Looking back I regret not mentioning it now.
Good review. I have a different opinion about No words. My third favorite song after the title song and Let me roll it. Great melody, great orchestration. Just too short.
If you dig it, then more power to you. And yes, despite my feelings, I think it’s too short. Perhaps I would feel differently about it if it felt more finished.
Nice, informative video. I always felt “Let Me Roll It” needed a searing, soulful solo in there, somewhere. Maybe by Clapton (like “WMGGW” on the White Album), another blues musician or Paul, himself? And have it open side two, after side one closes with “Picasso’s…” in your theoretical BOTR running order? Unpopular Opinion: I don’t like Paul’s vocals for “1985”, the timbre is a little grating to my ears. Also, as much as I enjoy his piano riff throughout, it wears out its welcome before the song is over. But, the ending is very operatic and satisfying, even if the brief reprise feels a little awkward.
This my 2nd fav Paul solo (with “Venus & Mars” sharing the number 2 spot”) Let me start with controversy about this album, i STRONGLY believe that “Helen Wheels” belong on this album. i was always frustrated how in the Archive edition they let off “Helen Wheels” (I wish you hadn’t skipped) because Paul originally didn’t want it on there. I humbly disagree with Paul. I always felt very strongly that “Helen Wheels” belongs on BOTR if any reason because of the reference to “Sailor Sam”.. Why wouldn’t that song fit on the album?? About “Mrs Vanderbilt” lyrically for me, it’s a little reminiscent of “Elenor Rigby” but little less dark. “No Words” sounds like something Chicago would do… I’d like to know your thoughts on the “Helen Wheels” controversy.
I am glad to have it on the album. I didn’t include it because it wasn’t part of the original track listing. But I am glad now I can listen to it with the rest of the album.
Great stuff but i strongly disagree that No Words lacks strong melody. It is gorgeous, packed with many hooks. Let Me Roll It is the least melodic track though still great.
Thank you, TJR, for another wonderful analysis. Perhaps this is the right place to get rid off an opinion which has been bothering me for 50 years: IMHO „Band On The Run“ is one of Paul‘s worst albums. Right after the fantastic title song it goes downhill steadily. The Hey-ho chorus in „Vandebilt“ is the lowest moment in all of Paul‘s music! And when it’s finally over, it soon comes again only to ruin the otherwise fine „Picasso“. How tasteless this is! With the exception of „Jet“ all other songs are dull. „Venus and Mars“ is so much better. Just my opinion, but it has been staying with me since 1973. The idea of listening to it in an ‚underdubbed‘ version makes me run… Very kind greetings from Berlin, Harry
@@TJRtheOriginal: I like your channel a lot, it‘s kind of buddy-ish, like sitting together, having a beer and chatting about fine music. It does not matter an ocean lies between us. Thanks to our technology. - Your new video has so much Information, „I‘d have you anytime“ and „Let me roll it“: fantastic detail. Thank you again!
