Paul & Linda McCartney - Ram｜Vinyl Monday

Ram on...
Welcome (or welcome back) to Vinyl Monday! I’m Abby and this is my weekly series where I chat about classic albums in my collection that I love. My thoughts on Paul and Linda McCartney’s joint(ish) effort, Ram (released 1971.) Subscribe for more Vinyl Monday and vintage fashion!
Keep in touch:
Instagram: @abigaildevoe / abigaildevoe
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Pinterest: @abigaildevoeonig
Vinyl Monday playlist: open.spotify.com/playlist/27N...
Paradise Overground episode 30: www.mixcloud.com/Amadeus99/ta...
Timestamps:
intro - 0:00
Ram - 1:22
track listing/release - 10:31
my thoughts - 14:03
thanks for watching! - 23:04
Music:
Intro Music: Yeah Yeah Yeah (Long) by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Artist: audionautix.com/
Outtro Music: Ticket To Nowhere Man by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Artist: audionautix.com/
#vinyl #vinylcommunity #beatles #paulmccartney

[@abigaildevoe]

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

[@leswadley6792]

I’ve got to think on this one🤔

[@ChrisSmith-sw6iu]

Wah wah hands down

[@ElectricFlaresFromMars]

How do you sleep is insane

[@alv4794]

Sexy Sadie

[@urgeintheicebox]

Wah-Wah.

[@jean-jacquesmasse9388]

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).

[@Jiji-the-cat5425]

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.

[@abigaildevoe]

artists sneaking love letters into their album art >>>

[@user-kq1hg3eo6l]

I too use to think it was Lily. Maybe and old friend, relative to either him or Linda. But now, its so much meaningful knowing it's " *LINDA I LOVE YOU* .❤❤

[@dennismason3740]

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

[@gmnty13]

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

[@georgepblair]

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!

[@mikecavaretta2621]

I think the “lo-fi” comments referred to his first album, McCartney. But I agree that the critics wrongly dissed this album.

[@richardsinger01]

​​​@@mikecavaretta2621 existing in the shadow of Beatles albums its easy to understand why. Compared to the high points of the Beatles output this would probably seem disappointing.

[@ConglomerationCat]

@@richardsinger01 I was just thinking the same thing... The praise of Eleanor Rigby, She's Leaving Home or Hey Jude to something as That Would Be Something, Monkberry Moon Delight or 3 Legs is a completely different angle for the time. Critics often forget that humans are a lot like cars... They can shift anytime. Both sides are amazingly accomplished because that's the genius aspect of McCartney. He could do it all for the most part and pull it off.

[@alansmith1989]

At that time (Early 71) `Rolling Stone` magazine was firmly in John`s camp. Whatever Paul did, they criticised. That`s how prejudiced that magazine was back then.

[@alansmith1989]

@@mikecavaretta2621 Whereas music critics in U.K were much kinder to it.

[@thJune-ze7dn]

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.

[@abigaildevoe]

now THAT'S how you get a halloween party going! maybe ram was trashed when it came out because of everything else going on in music at the time: 5 minute solos were the thing and orchestral flourishes in pop music were much out of fashion. so as fresh and cool as it's proven to be, in 1971 ram was the dorkiest of dorky. as for monkberry being a bop, congrats for having the correct opinion

[@donreed]

Twenty seconds of it was all I could take!

[@SurferJoe1]

@@abigaildevoe I was a very little kid, but I remember that expectations were just through the roof, understandably- essentially unmeetable- and they all seemed to stumble out of the gate, except George, of course. (And Jann Wenner's Rolling Stone was just laying for McCartney. With the whoopin' stick. Eat it, Rolling Stone). Then 1973 marked a big bounce back, especially Paul and Ringo, and solo Beatles kind of ruled the year.

[@user-kq1hg3eo6l]

I wasn't a big fan of *McCartney II* It had a few great songs on it. Didn't care that much for the " _Temporary Secretary_ " Don't know what Paul was thinking❓ Paul's first solo album " *McCartney* " was so much better!

[@thJune-ze7dn]

@@user-kq1hg3eo6l I sort of enjoy McCartney I, some of the time, but it's a much more normal album than McCartney II, by which I mean it's an album lots of other musicians could have made, and by extension it feels a lot less worthwhile in comparison. McCartney II may be completely wild, but it at least feels like an album that ONLY Paul could make, and that kind of rarity in art is something I really treasure - I found the songs a lot more memorable than McCartney I because of it. Like Picasso's Guernica or Gunter Grass's The Tin Drum, it sticks in your head for a LONG time after.

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

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

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

PS .. its Sigh-Well not See-Well. hahahaha.

[@abigaildevoe]

NO WAY you're officially the coolest person here!! it sounds like ram was a fun album to make. no great expectations, just music for the sake of making music

[@fernandoperdomomusic]

Sent your vid to Denny. We wanna send you something. Check your IG DMS

[@paulgreen2303]

I've got one... pre-ordered before release and love it. Thank you!

[@alv4794]

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

[@cesarotero2089]

Total agree. The Best Paul's solo album

[@bobjones3027]

Linda’s work on Ram is outstanding.

[@abigaildevoe]

this channel loves linda!

[@user-kq1hg3eo6l]

Paul helped Linda a lot. Not just her vocals but her Piano/Keyboard playing. Sometimes on this album, it's kind of hard to tell the difference between Paul and Linda on some of the backing vocals. Paul's great! He can surely mix a record. 🐏🐏

[@theninjamaster67]

​@@user-kq1hg3eo6l To be fair Linda was a (very talented) photographer not a musician by trade so needing a bit of help from Paul is not surprising in the slightest.

[@JP-hs6ii]

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

[@EricNielsen85]

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

[@abigaildevoe]

hey that's how i first heard ram too!

[@chriskelly1890]

My favorite album of all time.

[@kristofftaylovoski60]

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

[@jabbarcorrales]

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.

[@user-kq1hg3eo6l]

I have to agree with you! The song is a GEM 👍🏼❤. I remember back in 1971, the radio stations were playing this song 24-7 😍..They really use to play the crap out of songs to the point where you got tired of it... But not with Beatle songs, or Post Beatle Songs

[@SampleFilmsLtd]

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.

[@gregt2141]

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

[@milesbickers]

Thank you!!! That track rocks!!

[@gregt2141]

@@milesbickers You are welcome. Check out 1979 Wings "So Glad to See You Here" from Back to the Egg. Another Paul Rocker and underrated.

[@tockita]

Oh, I looove the bass on that!

[@M67-antohno]

Yeeees! I love how the bass comes in @ 2:46 in the song!

[@ethanwilkins1486]

There are many hidden gems in McCartneys lengthy discography

[@jamesmanon3000]

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

[@marcyfan-tz4wj]

i think the other 3 beatles' hostile reaction to "ram" proves your point about several of those songs and not just "too many people" serving up lines about them that they took personally. great video!

[@sashwap]

"monkberry" absolutely rules. 🤘

[@user-kq1hg3eo6l]

Could've been a #1 single! Even though its it bit long it shouldn't matter! They made exceptions with Paul's " _Hey Jude_ " 👍🏼😋☮

[@addable8999]

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

[@slw59]

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.

[@abigaildevoe]

i would LOVE to see monkberry done live. or long-haired lady, with the audience singing the linda lines :')

[@slw59]

@@abigaildevoe Imagine if he toured the entire album live! 'Smile Away' live would be epic.

[@HeyFella]

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.

[@johnurban7333]

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

[@bobbybroadway9513]

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.

[@Big98Bob]

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

[@scottyr9617]

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

[@dorland3]

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.)

[@thomastimlin1724]

🤣

[@philmstud2k]

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

[@WillCate]

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

[@NotData]

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.

[@beatlefan64]

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.

[@thechuckster6838]

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.

[@gregt2141]

Love your Ram top.

[@indigohammer5732]

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.

[@Pencilman246]

Also interestingly, they were pissed because Paul’s song royalties were split between ATV, Apple, John and Paul per their Beatles publishing agreements. But Linda’s songwriting royalties went to Paul’s own publishing company. So suddenly half the money was going straight into Paul and Linda’s pocket instead of through ATV and onward to Apple. Of course their reasoning, that there’s no way an inexperienced songwriter was helping Paul, was super stupid, they did have a financial reason to investigate and make sure the McCartney’s weren’t committing fraud.

[@demok50]

Monkberry Is my go to gangsta song

[@onetruecaesar99]

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

[@abigaildevoe]

thank you so much! that's the goal honestly

[@dollpxrts910]

I love her style

[@lucaspadilla4815]

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

[@zsatsfm]

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

[@ElectricFlaresFromMars]

Paul at his peak tbh

[@bobjones3027]

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

[@abigaildevoe]

thank you so much! some of these albums would’ve been easier to get on release that’s for sure

[@alamogold8518]

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

[@rockwren]

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.

[@Shah-of-the-Shinebox]

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.

[@lemonhead-yh1zn]

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

[@abigaildevoe]

this album has a lot of bangers for sure!

[@electricwizard3000]

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.

[@app1escruff]

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

[@user-kq1hg3eo6l]

Couldn't care less what the critics said about the album! I'm the guy who bought the album, and the guys who's listening. I say the album is *fucken amazing!* And thats all that counts. Another thing, if you listen to this album with headphones on you'll find it more amazing! You'll hear sounds you couldn't hear coming from the speakers. Great album! I have the Album for home and the CD for my car. Back in the day I had the 8-Track, then Cassette. 🌞🚶‍♂🚶‍♂🚶‍♂🚶‍♂❤

[@dylanjohnson6826]

One of my favorite records of all time

[@dananorth895]

Started listening to the Beatles from their 2nd Ed Sulivan appearance while I was in kindergarten. One of the very few bands where every song on every album was listenable with numerous hits as well.

[@Goodall10]

Ram isn't Paul's #1 album to me (that's Flaming Pie), but it's certainly top tier. I don't think I could be friends with someone who doesn't like Monkberry. It's just so damn energetic and fun! Not every song needs to have deep, meaningful lyrics.

[@jasonshort1437]

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

[@joeschmoe1794]

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.

[@p.a.jacobs5514]

I was 16 when ram came out. I knew Paul was going to be ok then and have great band!!!!!.

[@MarionJInce]

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

[@Richarddraper]

The critics were flat out wrong about Ram. Seems crazy that they ever had so much power looking back from today's vantage point. Pretty much everything about this album is perfection. Eat at Home and Heart of the Country are the only songs that I've never fully warmed to. This video makes me wonder if you've listened to the McGear album that Paul did with his brother Mike in 1974? It's basically a secret Paul album with him playing, producing and writing the music. It's got the same vibe where Paul allows himself to be silly. Maybe because he's not recording under his own name.

[@pauldaniels2019]

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.

[@doctorinsomnia5410]

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....

[@abigaildevoe]

i think it's HILARIOUS that paul performs temporary secretary live, because either a. he's in on the joke or b. the joke has totally flown over his head for like 40 years

[@chaytondarst4143]

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

[@PauloRicardo-fz9gx]

YES! I love this one, thx abby!

[@reliablebow]

Monkberry is so much FUN!!!!!!!!

[@chuckstenberg]

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

[@direkramseychikboy9102]

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

[@DonHornsby]

Indeed.

[@stuffilike2739]

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

[@pasteye1671]

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.

[@abigaildevoe]

thank you so much! glad i could do your favorite album justice

[@MartinHMyers]

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!

[@steelypeanut]

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.”

[@scott12xu]

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. 😁

[@chrismcgovern1647]

LUV the sweater, Abbie!

[@Robutube1]

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'.

[@phillipanderson7398]

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

[@evilscientistrecords]

My key takeaway from this video is Temporary Secretary holy smoke I wasn't aware of this song 😵‍💫

[@abigaildevoe]

you didn't know about the crown jewel of mccartney II "temporary secretary"?? until that delightful dumpster fire of a corey feldman record "temporary" was the music equivalent of tommy wiseau's the room

[@evilscientistrecords]

@@abigaildevoe yeah somehow I managed to live in blissful ignorance...

[@cherti]

I prefer this to every Beatles album other than Revolver honestly (Monkberry Moon Delight is my favourite too)

[@fosterern]

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

[@neilbruce4201]

My fave tracks are the ones you're less keen on, ie Ram On (an all time Paul fave), Dear Boy and Heart Of the Country. One man's meat and all that.

[@mariepreston8060]

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.

[@bradparnell614]

I'm a Macca Maniac and this is definitely one of my favorites. I grew up with Wings but the Beatles are my overall favorite. No singular artist comes close to Paul for me. Originally George was my favorite Beatle and I bought all of his albums but some of his albums I only liked a few tracks. With Paul it was every track on every album (more or less up until the late 1990s early 2000s). Ram is no exception and since I was only 6 years old or so when it came out I was oblivious to the critics' opinions of this upon my first listen. Like a lot of critics, my opinion of Ram has changed over the years but as I started from a point of thinking it was pretty good in the first place, I now think of it as one of his best, maybe even second best after Band on the Run, though my personal favorite has always been Red Rose Speedway. I had that on 8-track, vinyl, cassette, and CD, the only such album I've ever bought on all formats. Ram has always been a great deal of fun and I even enjoy the Thrillington version. Dear Boy and Smile Away are especially fun from Thrillington. I actually have an .mp3 playlist where I play track 1 from one album and then track 1 from the other and so on. It's even more fun that way.

[@peacetrain3320]

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!

[@wobo7239]

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

[@abigaildevoe]

thank you so much! sometimes i'll goof, nobody's perfect, but i do care about the details

[@paulgreen2303]

I'm an old guy... in my 70's - I've loved RAM since day one of it's release. It's a shock to me that others would have any issue with it. I have it on initial release vinyl, initial release CD and Paul's special website only Half Speed Remaster from it's limited release 50th Anniversary on May 13, 2021. It's his best "solo" LP for sure.

[@MrSirMrSirMr]

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!

[@chrislj2890]

That mod and groovy outfit gave me flashbacks to the '60s. You could have been on the cast of "Laugh In", lol.

[@peterjetnikoff]

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.

[@fernandoluzuriagaacosta5338]

Love this one. Funny how such a quirky album was made when Paul was going through depression and a shitty time after The Beatles broke up. Monkberry Moon Delight is proof that this man wasn´t human.

[@chadczternastek]

Rappers do battle raps, like NWA did when they split up. Ice Cube would diss Easy E,, vice-versa. Little did they know The Beatles did it first. Like they did so many times. I'm having such a lift in my mood since I really discovered The Beatles. Solo albums I'm at now. Love to watch your reviews so far. Maybe I'll find some more great stuff. Thank you.

[@Jiji-the-cat5425]

This album is one of Paul’s greatest solo albums, I’d even put it above Band on the Run. I simply don’t understand the hate this album got. The more I hear the music critics reviews on it, the more I remember why I don’t like the music critic industry that much, especially the ones from that era. Everything about this album I love, even all the weird stuff, it makes it all so much better. It’s what music is about, it’s about fun. Paul also got overly trashed on as the Beatles split, and the trashing continued into his early solo career, which is a huge shame.

[@abigaildevoe]

it's hard to imagine why ram got trashed back in 71, but then i remember 5-minute solos were the thing. goofy lighthearted pop songs about butter pies and living on a farm would've been considered super dorky

[@sakaridis]

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!

[@danielceo4694]

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!

[@zephead64]

There are several key moments in my early childhood that help define my everlasting love of music and one is when I essentially 'lifted' the 45 single of Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey from my cousin. He did not really care because it was kinda trashed. Little 7 years old me had a suitcase style record player and played that record a lot... but primarily the B-side which is Too Many People. TMP just turned me on in so many ways... It's still one of my, if not THE, favorite of Paul's solo work.

[@alansmith1989]

Paul's first solo album "McCartney" Did Make No 1 for Three weeks in early 1970 on the `Cashbox` chart and for four on the `Record World` charts in the U.S - but today U.S commentators only quote the `Billboard` chart where it stalled at No 2.

[@dan2050]

The first McCartney album went to number 1 on Billboard in May of 1970 which was 6 months before ATMP was released. It was number 1 for 3 weeks. You may be thinking of Ram which only made it to number 2. It was stuck behind Tapestry.

[@alansmith1989]

@@dan2050 My Apologies Dan, you are quite correct. I'll need a `Head` transplant- for one that actually works! 🙂Cheers! 😄😃

[@thespicester]

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-)

[@chuckyoneill9029]

Very good perspective loved and subscribed, shared.

[@thymonvanderploeg4835]

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 :]

[@JerryDavis]

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

[@JoeGarchar1960]

Here's the deal with critics. They don't write music, they don't play instruments, and they don't release records! Rolling Stone is the best example of this! You would miss out on some great music. Listen for yourself, be pro-active or pro-listen and forget reviews. This album was a masterpiece when it was released and again I bought it when it was released. And I agree that Ram is Paul's best solo release from start to finish, but Paul was and still is my favorite Beatle with George second and "All Things Must Pass" is still phenomenal and George's best post Beatle solo LP. There were so many good things going on back in 1971. The energy from that period is really difficult to match! Crazy good!!!

[@jonathanlafrance8643]

One of the GREATEST MUSICAL MASTERPIECES of ALL TIME!!

[@user-kq1hg3eo6l]

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

[@bille7928]

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

[@DonHornsby]

Bonus. I love that you gave props to Papa Nez during this video. Awesome.

[@mudman3371]

i'm on a video marathon of your channel and i'm loving it would love a michael nesmith review, he's greatly under appreciated as one of the fathers of both country rock and music videos

[@abigaildevoe]

i'd love to make a nez video sometime too! i'll have to go all out, rhinestone cowboy suit included