'McCartney’ Album (1970) Revisited & it’s context

[@Jukebox45s]

I'm in America and in 1974 I bought a record called "Wombling Summer Party" by the Wombles. It was played often on my local radio station and it made the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. I consider it my favorite summer song of 1974.

[@ianfatbudgie]

I have got my 6 yr old into the Wombles. He thinks it’s nowadays music. Ok by me…

[@ianfatbudgie]

Thanks for this video- some if the content was completely new to me after some 45 years of fandom. I particularly liked the George quote at the end which was a lot warmer towards Paul than I thought him capable of at the time. That interviewer asking John about the cover picture was awful. How can people stoop so low. I feel like we can never underestimate the influence of Jan Wenner in hating on McCartney in the 70s. He invented a way of being acerbic and belittling Paul’s output which took more than a decade to get over. Keep going - you’re doing a great job!

[@williamneillgross3926]

5:53 a lot of music was "stripped back" back then. The Beach Boys, stripped way back after Pet Sounds, the first major group to do so that I remember noticing - sonically they were just different after that point after most the the Wrecking Crew dropped out of the process. The Stones, stripped back and that is when they truly blossomed. The Los Angeles scene, already stripped back, even got more so. Cat Stevens, stripped back, James Taylor, stripped back, man even the Monkees got stripped back on Headquarters (then they got crazy on Head). Creedence, Delaney and Bonnie, even Peggy Lee. It was THE major movement back then, we all heard it , we all went with it and I think even though they weren't the VERY first to do it, the White Album and then Let It Be were the most famous points in the process of moving away from the build-up to SGT Pepper and and gradual ebb of that creative wave. At least that is what I remember when I was between the ages of 10 and 13.

[@fourthtunz]

Great review John! I do enjoy that you express that this is your opinion unlike some of the commenters act like it’s a done deal and their opinion is it😅

[@Steven66b]

Fascinating way to transition away from Beatles with raw complete self-made performances recorded direct into the desk.

[@Poverello2001]

I loved the album when it came out and I still love it today. Maybe I’m Amazed is Paul’s best song, in my opinion.

[@marcyfan-tz4wj]

you're as wise as john heaton i think.

[@dennisosborne4368]

BTW the best Xmas songs are Fairytale of New York , Elton’s Step into Xmas, Happy Xmas War is over , the Pretenders 2000 miles and maybe best of all Joni,s River. oh …. And Last Christmas by Wham

[@djreid]

I enjoyed the comments and readings. I also read those stories and rumours, and in Canada for me buying the Let it Be album and McCartney album at the same time, we, after school, came to a home and played the records, and we really loved the McCartney album. It was a Sunday night and I don't know if it was Ed Sullivan Show, but they played the Maybe I'm Amazed song. That was the great moment when I realized how great that song was now in McCartney's music throughout the 1970's, even better than many of his Beatles songs he had written with John. Every Night was truly a masterpiece and the Singalong Junk was so delightful music and the songs were consistent Paul, his voice better than the Beatles stuff and the bass, drums, electric guitar in a sense it was a Beatles album, because Paul did all those instruments on many of the Beatles albums anyway. I did not take serious the bad vibes that was happening with so many against Paul. I just felt that with this album, he will grow and develop into having hit records. And when I heard songs like Another Day and Uncle Albert, I just knew Paul going to have a great collection of hit songs and many good album songs. But it was the McCartney solo album on first listening, really sparked our interest when gathered with friends my same age after school, that we knew for certain it was a phenomenal work.

[@TrickysFlyingBurrito]

Until relatively recently there was still so much negativity towards McCartney's solo albums in the music press, and I'd really just written them off as a result. When I finally did get round to listening to them a few years ago, McCartney and Ram in particular, I was blown away with how good they were - more fool me.

[@johnalello9233]

Very good album from Paul nice review I really enjoy McCartney album! Happy Christmas!

[@Mr.-J-2024]

To me (a first gen fan) this LP came off a a bunch of demos with a hint of some greatness that he still had. After that, Wildlife was really a disappointment ot me and to this day, unlistenable. So glad he got it together with Red Rose, which I loved and continued onward. It was a rough go there for a time but Macca totally redemmed himself with RAM. Loved that album.

[@Shaun-p3c]

Really enjoyed this scrupulously fair review of a charming album, which has aged much better than a lot of other music of the time. Thanks, John.

[@trevordixon1427]

Merry days

[@jeffkaufman9875]

Though both a palpable disappointment upon their original release, McCARTNEY, like its eponymous sequel, McCARTNEY ll, through the lens of time and relaxed-expectations, continue to reveal charms of appeal worth-the-weight of their place on a righteously-sagging McCartney mantle of greatness… McCartney lll, I’m afraid, but happy to say, will never deserve or hold a future place there…

[@RonaldBrown59]

I always enjoyed the under-produced sound of this album, many great songs on this one. I even enjoyed most of the instrumentals. Under-rated and over looked album from Paul. Anyone looking for higher production values from Paul can just listen to Ram instead. Great review John, thanks for sharing.

[@davidm7840]

Totally underrated album. People are finally giving it its due now.

[@verti_calman]

I bought this wonderful album on release and along with Ram sits at the top of the pile for me. I remember N.M.E. gave it a more favourable review calling it ‘a warm pleasure’ And it was….

[@shedbythetracks]

The McCartney album had as much influence on young musicians as the Ed Sullivan appearance. The John and George opinions are petty to say the least.

[@rdsieben]

Good day John. My understanding is that you live in Hungary now. What is it like living there? The country looks very attractive for ex-pats.

[@joegordon2915]

I can totally understand Pauls anger. John wasnt being truthful when he said they asked Paul to change the date. They TOLD him it had already been changed. Also, he had dragged an unwilling John and George through the Get Back sessions and they were never very supportive. then, when Pauls solo is about to come out, all of a sudden they are quite eager to push Let It Be. He had every right to be mad.

[@kjeldpedersen666]

Hi John I consider “McCartney” a decent first album as a solist. Not a masterpiece, but kind of cosy - and Paul didn’t seem to have other aim beyond proving that he could work without The Beatles and George Martin. And, in addition, a little hint here and there about where he was moving as a composer… Don’t consider it strange that he aimed at making a “naked” production. It’s well known that he was furious about the production of some of his tracks on “Let it be”. And in addition it was very convenient for Paul too, having isolated himself in Scotland. In more than one way a very logical step…

[@dennisosborne4368]

As a caveat I am a huge Beatles and McCartney fan and generally lean towards his songs rather than Johns. But I think this album is like the Emperors New Clothes. There are four great songs. Maybe I,m amazed, Everynight and Junk / singalong junk. The rest are really poor imo and I know it’s paired down and rustic but the song quality is my biggest criticism. It’s under produced and the songs are either needing far more work or should have been binned. Ram is miles better. I do agree about Maybe Im amazed. If it had the Abbey Road George Martin production with Ringo drumming and George playing it would have been immense, if it’s not already. Good old Ringo still persuaded John and George to let Paul have his way on the release date. I think Paul is embarrassed about the Ringo incident and rightly so, he was when Howard Stern raised it.

[@andrewashdown3541]

Junk is IMO McCartney's most timeless melody, a favourite alongside Listen To What the Man Said and Wanderlust and ...

[@pawelpap9]

I loved this album when it appeared as back then I saw it as an extension of The Beatles music. However, it was difficult not to notice almost all songs were in various stages of incompleteness. While one may enjoy the homely feel of the album, it is obvious that with additional effort Paul could have turned it into a masterpiece. Finish the songs, trim some unnecessary instrumentals, polish production and you would have accomplished something impossible to beat. Finally, it is quite obvious why Paul needed John as a partner. Couple of John’s biting remarks would have forced Paul to up his game. Curiously, I do not remember listening to John’s and George’s first albums and thinking “if only there was Paul playing here”.

[@tbeau6663]

Two excellent tracks, plus another one unfinished . The rest of the album is overrated mush from a man who wrote or co-wrote so many Beatles' classics. Over the next 20 years, Paul seemed clueless when selecting album cuts for single release, often issuing a soulless turkey. From this particular album, there was an obvious pairing of songs (Maybe I'm Amazed/Every Night), but for reasons only known to him, there was no first solo single until Another Day. the following year.

[@keithm.7335]

I believe Paul could have been more diplomatic about the release date. There was a justifiable reason John and George and maybe even Ringo thought why was it necessary to release it so close to the release of the Let It Be album. I think the McCartney album itself is fine.

[@davecostello560]

If you care to read vol 1 of the McCartney Legacy, you'll see the full context of why Paul stuck to his guns with his own album release - it was the thin end of the wedge, where he'd been pushed and pushed by Klein and the others, and finally had to say no to the dictat - not request - that he put back the release date.

[@trevordixon1427]

Phoebe snow did every night?

[@FlaminpieSpain]

Nice review John I thought you would slag it off but you are similar in your opinion to the album as I am

[@mikahattunen4502]

I for one would not want to hear what George would have done with the solo on Maybe I'm Amazed. George doesn't have the roughness and edge to his playing the way Paul has. He would have ruined it in comparison.

[@adrianmist6681]

Sorry John, I disagree with your review, I would say 10% brilliance, 90% doodling. Although I probably liked it better when I first bought the album, a couple of years after it's release. I was inspired though to buy a tape recorder and have a go myself, not as easy as I thought 😂

[@neilgoldsmith5482]

This album has aged so well. It's his 4 best album. Top3 1 Band on the Run 2 Venus & Mars 3 Ram & this one. "Outstanding tracks are Ooh You (More Guitar) Maybe I'm Amazed & Heart of the Country. John's Plastic Ono Band was not as good. Although both Imagine & Walls & Bridges are better than McCartney until Ram. 🎸😎

[@tyronewhitehead2737]

I love this album

[@dutchcanuck7550]

I'm enjoying your retrospective reviews, they remind me to take the LP off the shelf and give it another spin myself. I cannot remember the last time I listened to McCartney, was definitely worth the time. (For some reason, in my mind for many years, the title of the album had an exclamation point e.g., *McCartney!* Dunno why, but there you are, a textual Mondegreen.)

[@acj2789]

In the title, can you get rid of that apostrophe in "it's"?

[@stephenpharrison1124]

The first solo albums from John, Paul and George show why the Beatles couldn't remain together as a band. John's and George's songs would have made sense on a Beatles album. Add Paul's and it wouldn't have made any sense. That isn't to the McCartney album isn't great but, given what John and George were up to, it wouldn't have worked.

[@anthonyvigliotti6560]

Excellent review. Spot on. I agree with you 100% on your take on this album. I have always loved it and have felt that some of the harsh criticism about it, especially at the time of release, was way out of line.

[@silverclive]

It could have done with George Martin's involvement.

[@mikeberg5003]

Good album. Good review. I still have my original vinyl LP from the week it came out. NO SCRATCHES LOL. I don't think it is as good as Ram but after all these years I think it's better than Band On The Run oddly enough. Also Jann Wenner has always been a prick. Oh and not to be pedantic but it's pronounced Yahn not Jan

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Nice review, John. The changing the Rolling Stone review of this lp is most certainly true - see author Michael R. Frontani. Greil Marcus who was the magazine editor also corroborates this story.

[@tyronewhitehead2737]

Brilliant review Happy Christmas John 🎄

[@dimsylsodium1]

The "McCartney" album is what it is. At the time, I remember "Every Night" being a classic McCartney ballad and would easily have fit into any Beatles album. "Junk" has an unforgettable melody (again, typically Beatles - like side 2 of Abbey Road). And that was it. I just didn't get "Maybe I'm Amazed" until I heard The Faces/Rod Stewart version. Then it became a favourite of mine - along with the subsequent live version by Wings (which I thought leaned heavily on the Faces version). Overall, it's not a particular favourite post Beatles album of mine. It certainly has itd highlights; but in the end, "it is what it is" (a bit of a mixed bag).

[@jefgat155]

dimsylsodium, Literally EVERY album by ANYONE "...is what it is."

[@Scoundrel12131965]

Thanks for the review and the memories, John. I think 'Maybe I'm Amazed' and perhaps 'Teddy Boy' are the only memorable songs on the album, the rest fairly forgettable. Despite this I still like a lot of the rest of the album. I like 'That Would Be Something' for the slapdash and improvisatory nature of the music and simple and outdoorsy feel of the words. Also the bits like 'Glasses' (tantalizing and brief);and the instrumental 'Hot As Sun' (I think this was used as an intro on a American after school t.v. cartoon, if memory serves me). Also the "surf" music. Overall it suffers from the looseness and spareness of it all, and then a year later releases 'Ram' (which I believe overshadows 'McCartney'). Of course, it doesn't matter what I think. Today the album is recognized as part of McCartney's musical heritage, and for many of his fans a "classic". The album cover also contributes to this. I tend to listen to this alongside his other early albums/singles up through 'Red Rose Speedway', really like listening to them chronologically. Great listening experience!

[@highwayblues638]

Hey John , Here in Canada ... I know the Wombles and have one of their vinyl records from back in the day .....

[@bobfennell3717]

Great review John. Much of the criticism of the album at the time stemmed from the fact that expectations of the Beatles were so very high after all they had achieved up to and including Abbey Road. Therefore the pared-back nature of McCartney and the inclusion of quite a lot of instrumental filler was bound to be a disappointment coming from someone of whom we had such high expectations. I bought it on its release and it has proved to be worth the occasional listen, but it will never be a favourite on my turntable.

[@sharonevans6864]

I bought this as well on release as a thirteen year old. I agree with you 100 %, this was disappointing and quite frankly there was a lot better music out there to buy.

[@highl54]

Maybe I'm Amazed is a masterpiece, perhaps Paul's best song in his post-Beatles period. Somehow I always thought it belonged on the Abbey Road album. All these years and decades, I can't help but think what perfect song it would have been if it had been recorded with John, George and Ringo.

[@kevinschiller1749]

Paul plays all instruments

[@rdsieben]

Me too. Plastic Ono Band was too pessimistic

[@martinmcgrath1985]

Paul’s most underrated album.. junk, maybe im amazed, every night, are great! Boring old narrative let’s attack Paul, let’s praise George from critics.

[@mikahattunen4502]

My favorite solo by Paul. Warm exposed and open.

[@mikahattunen4502]

I don't like Ram. I like Wild Life and McCartney I.

[@invisibleray6987]

Wombling Merry Christmas is top 5

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I must give it a listen, I only know a few of the songs

[@myguitardetective5961]

It's clearly not 75% "great"...though it is my favorite McCartney LP. It has three great songs on it: "Junk," "Maybe I'm Amazed," "Every Night." two good songs: "That Would Be Something, "Teddy Boy," the rest are mediocre to poor (I'm a musician and I can play all of these songs as recorded...so I'm not "under-appreciating" anything....). It's odd that Paul decided to play "That Would Be Something" on "Unplugged" in a different key altogether (not as he played it on the record...there are no covers of it that are correct on KZbin either, btw...).......While prolific and pop-chart oriented, Paul's solo career features few good albums despite their "commercial appeal"..."songwriting appeal", not so much....

[@dennisosborne4368]

Maybe I,m amazed is up there with his greatest Beatles ballads. The recording could have been better and it would have sounded great if George Martin had produced. I am not a fan of the guitar solo. Every Night is a nice song, a little over rated maybe. Junk is beautiful if a bit slight and would have fitted superbly on the White Album as intended. As for the rest John was right when he said it was rubbish and he was capable of much better which he was. Don’t get me started on wings wild life which is even worse. There are loads of Macca and Wings albums superior to this

[@david-stewart]

You really think Paul has had a consistently good solo career?

[@andybertaut]

did you really just say "red indian"???

[@edwardrussell5989]

Sorry but McCartney is patchy to say the least. Average instrumentals and some bum songs maybe I’m amazed and every night excepted. The other Beatles were correct in their assessment

[@dennisosborne4368]

I agree

[@markkeyton]

It was hard saving up my pocket money for This album i felt it was not enough . Maybe I am amazed is a master pièce and none of the others could have come close to writing playing and producing something of This quality and proof of why is still here and the greatest composer of the 20th century .

[@gerhardprasent3358]

Agree, Maybe I'm Amazed is simply great, yes a masterpiece ... and yes, Paul the greatest songwriter of the 20th century ...ok ... but the greatest composer of the 20th century ? C'mon, do you know Strawinsky, Bartok, Shostakovic, Ravel, Bernstein, Ligeti ???

[@markkeyton]

@ speaking for myself

[@paulhaworth6399]

Much prefer the McCartney album to Lennons plastic ono band album. I have grown bored with Lennons political preachy stuff and Yoko love songs.

[@ronfowlermusic]

me, too. Paul just let the music flow out of him; sometimes you can try too hard. John was so hung up on portraying this tough guy rocker image; Paul didn't worry about that kind of stuff until much later in his career.

[@stuartshire]

Love your remark about maybe I’m amazed on abbey Road ❤ if only ! Great video John

[@darrenjray]

*its

[@jeffkaufman9875]

@darren Its awfully telling to be a grammar goalie; let one go by now and again just for the fun of it…

[@Badfinger-m5v]

John and George were such dicks to Paul. And they were such cowards not to talk to Paul themselves about the release dates of the albums. Who needs "friends" like that?

[@graniterhythm53]

Paul had isolated himself from day to day Beatles activity due to business differences - hence his reaction to Ringo which John & George had hoped could be avoided by them not turning up also! As Paul has often said, decisions on everything had to be group unanimous - 3 to 1 killed The Beatles!

[@jasonbrooks6562]

Far too many instrumentals for my liking.