McCartney 2 Revisited

[@jeffkaufman9875]

I bought the album at Fisher’s Big Wheel department store in Conneaut, Ohio while at my Grandmother’s shortly after its release in May of 1980; I was 14 and afraid too much mired at the time in more rigid expectations of Paul’s sound production-wise to appreciate the record until a bit later, though I loved (and still love) the artwork… Listening to the record 42 years on, I am immediately brought back to that summer of 1980 when my gathering-appreciation of it began, the mood and tone of the album captivating me as I listened along with George’s wonderful eponymous album from the previous year… SO glad that I purchased several copies of the Super-Deluxe Archive edition at a time when they were virtually being given away…

[@JaySpangler]

So unfortunate that Secret Friend wasnt on the original album. I think it would have made an arresting opener for side 2. (We can all agree to disagree on which track or two we might leave off to make room for that.) its such a trippy, experimental piece... maybe my favorite track from the McCartney 2 project. Thankfully these days its part of the archive release!! Thanks for the great videos John!

[@akumar7366]

I was 16 that year and I really liked that song .

[@wigimonster8909]

1st McCartney album I purchased as an 11 year old at Sam Goody’s. It’s diversity and unpolished production is what keeps me coming back to this one. My faves being On The Way, Nobody Knows, and Darkroom. Another notch on a catalog that will looked back on years from now with more appreciation.

[@jamescostigan3721]

I was 17 when this came out and I have always loved it and it ranks rather high in McCartney rankings and I still listen to it rather often. In spite of the synths, I love it because it is so different. And fun. Not overproduced, which is a good thing. At the time, I preferred the live Coming Up, as it was #1 in the US in the Summer of 1980, but over the years, I have come to greatly favor the studio version. Thanks for the video.

[@ianreid802]

I must admit I didn’t take to this when I first heard it but it has grown on me over the years and now really enjoy it and can see how ahead of its time it was.

[@matttokley8215]

Surely not as good as Broad Street though?? 😀😀

[@pourlefun]

I absolutely loved this album when it came out - for exactly the reasons you mention. It really seemed like he was just experimenting with some new electronic toys for his own amusement. No pressure, no expectations, no pretensions. I also really liked that the synthesizers sounded like synthesizers and weren't used to mimic something else. I was really shocked to read a negative review in my local newspaper - it didn't occur to me that people wouldn't like it! At the time, the LP also included a 7" single-sided copy of Coming Up (live) that played at 33 RPM.

[@nervo6321]

Hi John glad you revisited this album a lot of fans dont rate it but personally i love it , especially Coming Up and the lovely Waterfalls... of its time

[@FatNorthernBigot]

McCartney 2 was my perfect introduction to popular music. (I was 7). It was downhill from there.

[@renaud_c_h]

I remember buying the album on release and yes, it still has that summer vibe to it. I'd say in hindsight the only thing that is now annoying is the fact he speeded up his vocals on many tracks and that hasn't really stood the test of time, particularly when his voice sounded great in those days...

[@tinostabile3256]

Hi John, always fun to catch up. This single brings back good memories. Love all the analysis and the context you provide. Thank you

[@xtstevie]

Loved this when first released but quickly went off it for decades but only over the last few years i've started to appreciate it again & for me it's the best of the 3 McCartney albums.... Temporary Secretary has devided opinion on probably more fans than any other of the man's solo work & although never a classic by any means he wasn't scared to try new ideas!! 9/10 for me this album.

[@fwnfaa]

Ive always thought it is a great album, i love the way Macca try new ways in musicland, Frozen Jap, Front parlour,Coming up what a track, One of these days great ballad, nice video.

[@PhilJS67]

Great review John, puts the album nicely into context. Not my favourite by Paul but plenty there to enjoy.

[@jamesfair4315]

Some of Paul's music takes awhile to grow on you like some on this album. I always like Nobody Knows, as well as Coming Up and Summer Days Song.

[@robertzastrow4648]

Always enjoyed McCartney II. Think it's more experimental then McCartney from 1970. Favorite song on it is the closer, "One Of These Days", a beautiful ballad that I wish he had performed in concerts in the years after the album came out. Also like "Bogey Music". Think "Frozen Jap" is funny, considering what happened to him in Japan. Always enjoyed the music video for "Coming Up", with "Beatle Paul" on Bass guitar! However, I prefer the live version of "Coming Up". Have also wondered if the three inside photos of Paul were suppose to be him dressed like John, George and Ringo. In one photo, he's wearing a bathrobe with granny glasses on (John). In another, his face looks gaunt and he has a fake brown mustache on (George). In the last photo, he's holding some type of plastic ring with both hands (Ringo). Think Linda took these photos, as well as the front cover photo, which has Paul with a surprised expression on his face (possibly like a mug shot? LOL!).

[@The_Great_Darino]

The first album I bought with ‘my own money’. Coincidentally, I found myself singing ‘Temporary Secretary’ around the house the other day (sorry, John. I know that’s not one of your favorites 😵‍💫). I wonder if the live version of ‘Coming Up’ was the released version based on how well live ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ did. Perhaps Paul was a bit leery of how the studio reception would be, thinking then a live version may give it an extra ‘boost’. Edit: or maybe Paul was being superstitious, as both ‘Maybe…’ and ‘Coming..’ we’re both from his solo work, so he was hoping ‘Coming Up’ live would be as successful as ‘Maybe…’ was 😉 Lastly, I’m guessing it was common place that the live single was included as a 45, as it was when I bought the album.

[@FatNorthernBigot]

Most people's first album is usually something embarrassing. You're very lucky. (or had uncommonly good taste for your age)

[@Donci-ul2pz]

In Front Parlour there is a motive from the song Let it be

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

Hi John, always good to see live for this album. You say you remember the build up and how notable it was that it was solo rather than Wings. Do you remember whether at the time before it was released your overriding thought was excitement about it being solo, or were you more disappointed that it wasn't going to be Wings?

[@johnheaton5667]

Hi Andrew I loved Wings at the time but I do remember preferring the studio version back then…though I had no idea it was the beginning of the end of Wings

[@Bobmacca64]

Hi there, John. Great video on a fine album indeed. Even the ' goofing around music' by Paul' is good, that goes to show the talent of the man:) You didn't mention One Of These Days. Do you like it?

[@johnheaton5667]

It’s a classic…forgot to mention it on this occasion!

[@verti_calman]

McCartney ll - it is what it is, I wouldn’t want it any different, Paul has always been good at ‘messing about’ and you’re right it’s totally unpretentious and John liked Coming Up too, enough said !

[@TrickysFlyingBurrito]

There seemed to be a narrative around the time of Anthology that most (if not all) of the solo Beatles albums were rubbish, which as a young newcomer to their music I just took on face value. This was the album that challenged that perception for me, I love the understated production and there are some genuine classic tracks on there. I've also never really understood the hate for Temporary Secretary - I think its just a fun, lighthearted track that breaks the album up a bit.

[@trevordixon1427]

Paul mccartney collection cd is best with those missing tracks

[@MIB_63]

I too prefer the studio version of Coming Up. The album is a mixed back and would have benefitted from the inclusion of Blue Sway, Secret Friend and Check Machine which are among my favorite tracks from these sessions. IMHO he should have released Blue Sway as a stand-alone single.

[@loungejay8555]

The song One Of These Days wouldn't have sounded out of place on the white album.

[@johnheaton5667]

I agree…it’s a superb track…and with this one hard to say how it could have been improved!

[@The_Great_Darino]

I like ‘One of These Days’, but it seems like his voice is distorted at the end. Just sounds….odd.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@John-zg2ze]

Apparently inspired by a hare krishna devotee

[@APCSW19]

Nice video cheers. You refer to the 'oddy' when holding the album, or I may have misheard?

[@johnheaton5667]

OBI is the name given to the thin paper strip which comes with Japanese album pressings

[@johnheaton5667]

OBI is the name given to the thin paper strip which comes with Japanese album pressings

[@APCSW19]

Aghh, understood. Thanks very much. I've been giving the album another listen since your review. Still sounds good. I agree that it was quite ambitious in terms of a new sound. I guess there's always the risk of alienating fans who might want to hear more of the same, although the best artists never stand still for too long.

[@davidj3416]

I like the unheralded Bogey Music. I prefer the live version rather the studio version of Coming Up, with Paul’s plastic voice.

[@invisibleray6987]

Temporary secret friend

[@markpercival7076]

Did any of your copies come with the one-sided 7" single with the live Coming Up on it? Mine did when I bought this LP back in 1980.

[@johnheaton5667]

No unfortunately the UK copies didn’t come with the 7”….I have a couple of copies of the single but not the one- sided one!

[@markpercival7076]

@@johnheaton5667 According to Wikipedia, they only did this in North America. I'm in Canada. I don't think it is particularly rare.

[@manolokonosko2868]

There is a certain charm or magic about "McCartney" and "McCartney II", as on the former he's very insecure about his future as an ex-Beatle, yet churns out some interesting experimental pieces and a handful of classics, and in the latter Paul is experimenting further, getting away from the commercialism or band membership obligations of the past 7 albums. For me, it was my first McCartney album as I was discovering the music of the solo fab 4 and therefore has a special place in my heart. The songs are pretty good too. However on the latest one "McCartney III" the magic is gone and the songs just an exercise in self-indulgence. By "III", Paul knows anything he records will sell by the millions, and he is already a super wealthy superstar, and the forgettable music reflects it. I don't mind that he's aged, I just see that album as decades too late, too little in terms of true experimental quality, and frankly, it's "Fat Elvis" Paul with too much time on his hands churning out bottom of the barrel crap.

[@jimmynicollikesapickle1124]

There was moog synthesizer on Abbey Road, 11 years earlier.

[@johnheaton5667]

True but back then Paul was playing piano too!

[@Baeilesa]

We need a (BAT OUT OF HELL) review John

[@Deebhoy]

Always thought it was a terrific album. However it has suffered over the years by what wasn't on it. Check My Machine is absolutely superb and sounds like something Gorillaz would release. Blue Sway and Secret Friend and the daftness of All You Horse Riders. At times when Paul doesn't think commercialy he taps into something totally amazing.

[@bronzesnake7004]

I was disappointed when this album first came out, but after I played over and over...and over it began to drag me back to sanity and it became one of my favorites!! I learned most of them on my guitar and wooed my future and current, same wife playing and singing these great songs!! Worked like a charm and we're still going strong after all these years!!! Thank you Paul, I kinda like the girl too!! ") Jack ~"()'~

[@frankfurfaro3891]

this album doesn’t come close to mccartney 1 . when i bought it i ran it over in my driveway . i thought it was awful ! mccartney 1 is do much better

[@onlysleeping8934]

I'm with you. Doesn't come close to McCartney 1 I even think McCartney 3 is better

[@trevordixon1427]

Cd with extra tracks is better.not archive....

[@edwardrussell5989]

I loved the single Coming Up. But found the album to be pretty average. Not one of my favourites.

[@onlysleeping7874]

If you read this John, I'm sorry, but I couldn't disagree more. To me, this album is a piece of garbage. Paul's voice sounds ridiculous. Temporary Secretary is unlistenable. Apart from One of These Days, On The Way and Coming Up, this album is horrible. I was 16 when it came out & I thought it sucked and I still do. I know, it's "experimental". It still sucks. I only listen if I need to induce vomiting

[@roywatson8133]

ive been waiting for someone to slag this album off brought when it came out in may 1980 never beem mad on it way to overrated waterfalls one of these days are good never that mad on coming up dont know what lennon seen in it the album sounds to home made most of the tracks just sound like thow aways to me thats why is next album tug of war was a classic paul had to deliver

[@onlysleeping8934]

@@roywatson8133 I'm just being honest. McCartney 1 is genius compared to the dribble on this LP. People like what they like, but it really is a terrible album by McCartney standards

[@maxwelleddison6717]

Why do people make such a fuss of it being a solo album? Wings were just side men. Nobody bought Wings albums for any other reason other than to hear Paul. All of the Wings albums are nothing other than Paul solo albums.

[@ronfowlermusic]

You're wrong.

[@maxwelleddison6717]

@@ronfowlermusic 🤪 if you say so.

[@ronfowlermusic]

@@maxwelleddison6717 the big deal is Paul plays all the instruments, does all the vocals on McCartney and McCartney II. He doesn't have Denny Seiwell or Steve Holley drumming; he doesn't have Henry McCullough or Laurence Juber playing guitar. If the Wings guys were just sidemen, then why did Jimmy McCulloch and Denny Laine get to write and sing songs on the albums and on stage? People make the mistake of thinking a true band means everyone sings, plays, writes, etc. Right. If Wings was just a backing band for Paul, then I guess the same was true for the Kinks - Ray Davies and sidemen; Ray wrote and sang most of the songs; his brother Dave was lucky to get even one song on an album. Creedence Clearwater Revival - just a backup band for John Fogerty. The Rolling Stones - sure, the songs say Jagger/Richards, but who's the lead singer? Most bands have one guy that does most of the singing, maybe a couple guys that do most of the writing. Who did most of the writing in the Beatles? Who did most of the singing? I guess George and Ringo were just sidemen for John and Paul.

[@maxwelleddison6717]

@@ronfowlermusic when i listen to a Wings album I'm listening to Paul singing Paul songs. Songs written by the others just pass me by. I don't see members of Wings as any more important than any other musicians Paul has used over the years. Sorry 🤣

[@ronfowlermusic]

@@maxwelleddison6717 this is the problem with so many of Paul's fans - their worship of him blinds them to anyone else's talent. I suppose there are people who buy Beatles albums only to listen to the Paul songs! If Paul is such a freaking genius, does that talent not also extend to recognizing talent in other musicians? I doubt that Paul picked Denny L, Denny S, Henry, Jimmy etc because he felt sorry for them. He recognized them as strong musicians that could play the songs he wrote and make them sound great; and contribute something of their own along the way.