Review: Paul McCartney Band On The Run Half Speed Remaster 

Link to buy: 1 disc vinyl (original album half speed remaster) amzn.to/49aw4Il 2CD (original album & Underdubbed) amzn.to/3Hz7g1b 2LP vinyl (original album & Underdubbed) available from Paul McCartney website

Not only I get excited when a new Paul/ Beatles album are released but also when you upload a new video Andrew. I love your content!

6:06 "This is not a coloured vinyl reissue..." I'm waiting for the three-year anniversary of the underdubbed album [Taylor's Version] for the coloured vinyl edition! 😉 I'm gonna go for Vandebilt Violet 💜 Silliness aside, great, detailed video, thanks 🙂

Such an amazing in depth review! Was waiting for this one for a while. Keep it up Andrew! Peace and Love!!✌🏻❤️

Great insight, thanks! I may have to order this. I’m reading The McCartney Legacy volume one 69-73. Just finished the Ram chapters. Will now search for your review of the remaster as a companion piece to the book, since you gave it rave reviews in this video. 😀

Andrew your review is exciting love the vinyl, looking forward to the live see you then .

Enjoyed your review. So excited for my order to arrive, wish I had known Amazon would be offering this so quickly, I would have gone with them so I could receive it on the 2nd. Will be seeing you on Sunday take care!

Thanks for reminding me of the excitement I felt 50 years ago… Shortly before I stopped being excited about new music, and new music stopped being exciting.

this deserved a box set with more extras

Looking forward to Sunday thanks Andrew 👍

Nice detailed review of the half-speed remaster. It sounded very balanced in terms of your comments. I'm looking forward to getting hold of the CD eventually.

Really enjoyed the video. I think I am going to go with the 2 disc coming out on Friday but will actually wait for your analysis before purchasing.

Many thanks for this Andrew you've really whetted my appetite for this release, roll on Friday when my copy hopefully arrives, along with another much anticipated release of the new Kula Shaker album. I'm more up for the Underdubbed album to be honest, really loving the BOTR title track that is out there to stream, been playing that a lot, but the whole package is gonna be great. Hopefully I'll be here for the live stream on Sunday evening.....

Glad you got it early. It pays to have a good relationship with a record shop. Mine is pretty good at giving you pre orders early as long as you don't stich them up. If a release is a Friday they usually have them the Monday before!

Thanks again Andrew for you're informative video. Cheers Fred.

Great review. Can’t wait to get and listen to mine.

This is exciting! I've been listening to Wings a lot latley. Always interesting to put on my headphones and hear the seperation...especially with all the new technology.... Thanks...❤✌️

Thanks Andrew. Helen Wheels was on the Australian version too. This is definitely one reason I'll be buying the new version. Cheers

Great review of the album and can't wait for my double CD to arrived through the letter box. Thank you.

Hi Andrew , I received my Band on the Run Albums today , the single vinyl edition & the 2lp version , with a very nice Embossed cover on the pictures of Paul , Linda , Danny . Can’t wait now for Venus & Mars hopefully next year .looking forward to your live World Cup stream on Sunday at 20.00 pm 😊

Hello Andrew. I bought the hi res version of the Underdubbed Mixes and after about 10 listens I feel this version has refreshed my outlook on the songs. Though Band On The Run is a classic 70s album the overfamiliarity of it has made me dig it out on very rare occasions! The other thing with the rough mixes is that I've rearranged the tracks back into the original running order and that makes for a better listen. Band On The Run, Jet, Let Me Roll It, Picasso's Last Words, No Words and Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five are priobably my highlights so far. I would've loved the overdubs as an album too. :)

Can't wait for mine !

Still holding out hope for an obi strip on the two LP version! (I wouldn't count on it either.) From your review and the closeup on the grooves, I'm wondering if the 2017 version had a bit of compression that's been removed (or reduced) in the half-speed to take advantage of the increased dynamics available?

Thanks again Andrew for a helpful, detailed review. You are clearly an audiophile! I would be interested to know what hi-fi equipment set-up you have, if you don't mind sharing that information.

Love your videos Andrew. Do we know why they didn't use the original master tapes for this BOTR release?

THANK YOU ANDREW , VERY NICE 🍏

Always find your videos fascinating

So there is a new cd version coming as well? I wonder how that differs from the archive remaster.

Hi Andrew. Love your all things Beatles videos. I have the 1993 CD version of this album. Do you think this remastered version is worth buying. Keep up the good work 👍🏻

Great review, Andrew. Fair to day the track itself 'Band on the Run' is one of the great 70s singles. ive just listened on streaming through headphones the beatles blue album reissue on dolby atmos and was surprised how good and fresh the soubd quality was. I thought you needed all the 'right technical' equipment to experience dolby atmos. Whats your view on this?

I fluked mine this afternoon. Guy at my friendly neighbourhood record store let me take it early. Having played my original copy this morning, I played the new one this afternoon and loved it. The sound stage I understand totally.

Gee ya gotta be quick to get first comment, here. I enjoy yr vids, Andrew. Greetings from Sydney.

Thanks Andrew, a balanced view - as always

Hi Andrew - thank you for this half speed master review plus the other video you made reviewing the "underdubbed mixes". Regarding the former, can you confirm that it was made from the 2010 remaster included in the Archive collection release? Does the same go for the regular LP and CD1 of the main album? The reason I'm asking is this: Giles Martin recently created a *brand new* Dolby Atmos mix of BOTR. As a by-product of that effort, why in the world wouldn't they have created a new mix of BOTR? Was that ever a consideration? Mike

Being in the States, I'd never known the album without Helen Wheels, and still sort of miss it when i listen to newer issues.

It seems like only yesterday I bought the 25th anniversary set. Wow!🙂

The original US version of the album did not have the "Helen Wheels" lyrics on the inner sleeve, so this edition is faithful to that.

Thanks for showing us the new half speed remaster! I always enjoyed looking at that poster when I was a kid. Did they add the Helen Wheels lyrics to the inner sleeve for this version? The lyrics were never on my original 1973 U.S. LP.

I clicked your link for the 2cd version and it's sold out. I received What Your Doing email from Macca and there was a link for the cd at a price of £14.99. Sold Out! It would be great if it goes to number 1 in the charts!!! Freudian slip @10:30

Hi Andrew, you may have answered this before, but wondering where you got the lights behind your system and what colors you are running?

Hi Andrew, in your opinion is there much difference in sound quality between the archive releases and the half speed masters? Cheers, loving the videos btw 👌

Hi Andrew love the review, sadly I'm gona have to pass on it as I really wanted the two album set on vinyl but they are all sold out so I'm just gona have to settle for my original 73 version, nevermind I'll have the underdubbed on Spotify...

Might you compare this half speed master with the 80's Columbia Records version? Love your videos. Keep up the great work!

Good review Mate fav song Let Me Roll It

I'm ready! What's next! !

Is double LP version offered only through Paul’s website? I have not seen it on Amazon Canada.

Be interesting to see what they do with Venus & Mars next year, that album really needs a complete remix 🎶

Hi again Andrew what kind of battery life have you experienced? Reviews seem really varied on battery ļife

8 years or so ago, they reissued about half of the Wings albums with the bonus tracks, like the 93 cd editions. Does anyone know if Band on the Run has been released on vinyl WITH the BONUS TRACKS, like the late 90s double cd? It was hard to follow those 2015 reissues, cause they did Speed of Sound, then Flowers in the Dirt, then Wild Life, there was no rhyme or reason

Let’s hope the relaunching of the Wings Fun club means that London Town and Back to the Egg boxes are coming soon. No interest in the 1/2 speed. I will get the 2CD version and can’t wait to hear the original rough mix of the album

Did you get the double LP version from a regular shop or through McCartney's web shop? In Norway, it seems like only the half speed version is available.

Hi Andrew , how did you get it before its official release date on Friday 2nd February ?

Hi Andrew, just got my copy. On 1985, do you find Paul's main vocal more to the right, than before?

What about compare this issue with BOTH 1981 US halfspeed? Regards

Little tip regarding taking an LP out of sleeve with lots of static Andrew…… just blow into the sleeve both sides of the records and it pops right out

Comparisons with original UK release?

Why is the under dubbed version being sold only on the Paul McCartney website? Do you think it will be a collectors item because it? Will the under dubbed be at half speed as well?

I wish more record companies would include a proper polylined sleeve instead of the printed sleeves. The printed ones always seem to have static built up, making it difficult to get the vinyl out. The Hendrix reissues are among the few that do that.

It’ll be interesting to hear how much better this sounds than my 2017 or 1973 US pressings. My 2017 sounds amazing but doesn’t have “Helen Wheels”. My ‘73 pressing does, but it’s a bit on the noisy side. So the only reason I’m getting this is to have “what I consider” the Complete album. I love “Helen Wheels”. It reminds me of “Hi, Hi, Hi” which I also love. Always like to have the classic McCartney rocker on the album

The original pressing which picked up for £12 last Feb in tip top nick, it’s one of the best sounding rock records ever. If you really want a treat, seek it out.

Fascinating... It would be a poor design choice to not have the obi strip available for the deluxe verison. Having purchased all the previous 1/2 speed remasters, I'll probably pick this one up too.

I was wondering what the fuss was about until I got past the first two songs. Then….. wow. Particularly on blackbird, mamunia, no words and Picasso’s last words. Still can’t help but feel they pulled my pants down with the £57 price for the 2LP (inc postage).

Pricing is all over the place , the 2 lp is $50 u S in the states but $137 can $ in Canada . The single lp in Canada is $ 44 can $ which is 25 u k pounds

Hi Andrew, Dodgy are still together, and they play live - be it not half-speed mastered, nor underdubbed! You can catch their Free Peace Sweet Show for £ 20 in Darwen, Lancashire at Sunbird Records (where you also may find an extra copy of an old Paul McCartney LP that you already have in multiple formats), on Thu. 7th March at 7:30pm and Fri. 8th March at 11:55pm. I'd go, if I'd live in England. Micha

About the time I was in the service, at the military PX store, the big thing from about 1973 to 1975 were 8 track tapes, the newest 8 track machine to come out was Quad which had two components inside 4 larger speakers. The latest quad surround sound tape was Band on the Run, I also picked up Beatles VI. I loved the feel of Band on the Run then, and I love the Dolby atmos sound now! I enjoy the 9 song album because they all fit the format of the sessions. I enjoy Helen Wheels, but it's a 1972 style of Wings, therefore should not be included.

Band on the Run is a fine album, albeit slightly overrated, but it has been reissued to death. Please Please Please get London Town and Back to the Egg reissued🙏

11:00 ' *Picasso's Last Words* ' now ' *Jack Kirby's Last Words* ' ?

At least the box is very nice looking. And a single copy of the half speed isn’t terribly expensive so all in all it’s worth it.

Why digital and not analog? For half speed masteo

Half-speed? Does it then play at 16,5, half of the speed of 33:-) Thanx for the review. I like RAM better, haven't listened for a long time but I think the title track is the best track on it.

Do u think this new mix is worth my hard earned money, or it’s more worth it as a collector to put in the collection?

Looks like the same album I bought years ago. Why the fuss ? Better sound maybe ? I will keep my treasured Concorde albums for a long time. Those albums are the best quality records and cd's I've heard.

Interesting to see that Macca is the only one from the cover who is still alive…great album.

As far as Helen Wheels is concerned I prefer the compromise on the Paul McCartney Archive Collection version of Band on the Run where Helen Wheels is placed after Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five.

Wait for next year for 51 year version in splitter colours.

London Town and Back To The Egg deserve a half speed master.

I'm getting the 2 cd version for my birthday at end of February but might treat myself to vinyl on Friday.

Why would you prefer the album without Helen wheels?

Surprised it doesn’t say Paul McCartney & Wings on the spine..

Hi Andrew, in your upcoming live stream will you talk about every aspect of the " Band On The Run" sessions in your review of the new versions? It would be interesting to hear about the spat Paul had with Ginger Baker who i believe accused him of stealing African rhythms when in fact he has been doing it for years. It would be interesting to hear some further information. Looking forward to Sunday. 👌

Can’t wait for Paul to do all his works and then just stop after Flaming Pie. Anyway can’t wait to see your opinions on this goodbye

Bin it.

This is so tiresome already. I still have my original vinyl US album (bought it in December 1973). My nephew sent me the 25th Anniversary CD which belonged to my late brother (his Dad). Good enough for me. Good luck to all of you with your half masters and so on and so forth. No offense, but I think you're all crazy. Save your money. You'll be looking for it someday.

Good review But not for me. All sounds a bit artificially enhanced to my rather damaged ears. Too digital

What is the big deal about this release?? Is there any reason to buy this if you have a copy of this or the Archive version??? These half speed masters don’t improve the sound quality that much as they get a lot of bad reviews from audiophiles Unfortunately another McCartney team cash grab for people they know have to buy everything over and over

half speed of the same. Pass. Only the underdubbed stuff can be interesting, let's see.

Just another money grab! 😢😢😢

Was not very impressed with the underdubs. Unexciting release. Come On MPL, you can do better than this

hello andrew great presentiation,,you know this is a dissapointment,like the red& blue,i have not bought them because they were not done right,too much duplication of the same,nothing new,in my view there should have been a new mono mix of this LP,not a fold -down mix,just to do something different,,and outtakes,of the songs,with false starts,other versions, of band on the,bluebird,,jet, let me roll it,helen wheels,i expect some comments about this,its ok ,its my view on it,,thanks for reading my email..dan diorio,,