Reaction to Paul McCartney and Wings - Venus and Mars Full Album Reaction! 1st Time Hearing!

[@charlesturner3688]

Lucky enough to have seen Sir Paul McCartney Wings 3 of the 4 nights that they performed at the LA Form on their Wings across America tour. Venus and mars was their opening song.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

oh wow that had to be awesome! We saw Paul a couple of years ago it was surreal!

[@charlesturner3688]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics The full concert can be watched if you haven’t.

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

I heard Pail talking about the Crosseoads theme on the radio when the album was released. It is Paul having a little dig at hinself after Lonrly Old Preople to circumvent the criticism he could see coming that the subject of the song was like something out of a soap opera .

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

lol love it! Get out ahead of it!

[@poetgb]

Shawn and Trey, Really good facts you guys research and share. A no. 1 album. I remember when this album was released. My brother and I bought this album in the Summer of 1975. We were 16 years old and not yet able to drive a car, so we rode our bicycles to the record store in the Mall which was miles from where we lived. We rode our bicycles on the roads and highway, and at one point we almost got run over by a car trying to cross the highway in the daytime. It was a close call. We were crazy and took risks, but we wanted that album. If I remember correctly, I'm the one who held the album in one hand and rode the bicycle with one hand on the handle bar. Lol I just thought I'd share that story. Song 1 is a great way to start the album, a haunting Folk ballad that transitions into a powerful Rock song. This song is rocking with many layers of instruments and tempo changes. Song 2 is a beautiful bittersweet ballad. The music is haunting, the lyrics are straightforward on the subject of love. Song 3 is a catchy little song with an old time sound. in the style of music hall like you said. Paul captured that sound well with the speaker. Song 4 is a cool catchy rocking song. I agree on the music production. Cool lyrics, Paul was having fun. Nice tempo. Song 5 is a power Rock song, good bass and lead guitar and horns. I agree, it is like a slow burn, taking it's time for the song to play out. Song 6 is the title reprise. It adds a nice atmosphere. Song 7 transitions from the previous song. It is cool rocking tune with nice rhythm and tempo shift. The lyrics have a mystifying effect. Song 8 is a high energy Rock song with great lead guitar. The lyrics seem to be a reference to drugs. A solid song. Song 9 is a slow rocking song . I agree, old school Blues. Sung with emotion. Nice blend of instruments and lead guitar. Song 10 is the huge hit from the album. I remember hearing this song on radio everywhere during the Summer in 1975 in Seaside Heights N.J. A classic, a great Pop Rock song with a great melody.Good sax sound. I like the way it transitions into the next song, which is a very nice ballad. Nice arrangement with strings and mice lyrics. I really enjoyed listening to the comments and insights by you guys on each song. I agree, great production and song sequence. Your favorites are great choices and also Trucker Kev's choices are. My favorites are Listen To What The Man Said, Medicine Jar, Venus - Rock Show,. Great job filming this video and great album choice Trucker Kev.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Wow that is a great memory really enjoyed reading it and of course your insights to an album you know quite well!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Glad you enjoyed it. 😀

[@poetgb]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics Thank you Shawn. Yes, we have good memories of that time way back when we bought this album right about the time of it's release. We regard it as one of our favorite Beatles solo albums when we heard it. It holds up well after all these years. We still have the original, and it included a colorful insert. I want to say that I really enjoyed both of your expert insight in your commentary.

[@poetgb]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist Thank you for your album choice. I really enjoyed this, one of my favorite Rock albums.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

RIP GLAD WE STILL GOT THE MEMORIES AND COMMENTS 🙏🏻

[@gregchristopfel8106]

As a life long Beatle fan, but PM in particular, I enjoy your takes on his work. V&M is an excellent album. I was 13 when it came out and loved it. I was 14 when PM & Wings came to Cincinnati and that was my first concert. To hear these songs performed live in 1976 was beyond amazing! Btw, Trey - what happened to your nose?

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Bad bad sunburn! Healed now but wow! Thanks Greg!

[@gregchristopfel8106]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics Ok, well remember to put on your Sunblock #50 in the future :)

[@andyba.8501]

Band on the Run was good, Red Rose Speedway was amazing, but Venus and Mars? Unbelievable! My favorite Wings Album. You gave me the answer could be on the White Album. Thank you for this one!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Andy!

[@graydonwallace2342]

Along with Ram, that string of albums from Red Rose to Venus was an incredible creative streak for Paul. Hopefully Trey and Shaun do a review of Red Rose Speedway at some point- so much great and underrated material on there- in both the double and single album formats

[@rodneygriffin7666]

I'm sorry that I'm such an 🍏 scruff, but I do love this album. In fact, I love all the Beatles' solo records. That being said, I was 10 when this record came out. I had bought Band on the run previously and didn't really get into it until about 15 years ago. I truly love this record and is high on the list of my favorite solo Beatle records.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Rodney!

[@brgreg8725]

Love it guys!! Shawn that’s so cool your dad was a Wings fan! This is my favorite Paul album for many, many years (until Tug of War). Great job as always. Also Paul’s best so-called “Granny song” is Your Mother Should Know

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

That wasn't Shawn's dad who was a Wings fan. He was a long haul country music truck driving man. that was my dad I'm the one that chose this album for the full reaction.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha exactly what Kev said, and he has it right country music all the way for my dad.

[@brgreg8725]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist oops my bad.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@brgreg8725 all good 🤠✌️

[@johnheaton5667]

Thanks guys....not my favourite Paul record but still pretty great....title track, and "Listen..." my highlights!! so many other good tunes but to be honest prefer the live versions of most songs!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks John hope you are well!

[@jasontheoldmillennial7197]

I’m so glad you are doing a Paul McCartney album. Listen to what the man said is the highlight of this album. I thought Trey might get up and dance while he was listening to Give Me An Answer. I hope you do more McCartney albums in the future.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks JB hope you are well!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Glad you enjoyed my choice 🤠👋

[@graydonwallace2342]

Great review, guys! I'm glad you got around to listening to and commenting on this one. Venus and Mars is a classic McCartney album, and a highlight of his 70's and Wings period. Along with Ram and Band on the Run, it is easily among my favourites from McCartney in solo years, and it is often highly regarded in Top 10 lists among both casual and diehard McCartney fans. The album definitely has a confident, and as Trey noted, energetic feel that was buoyed by the previous critical and commercial success of Band on the Run which preceded it. McCartney was also very definitely thinking about how the songs which make up the tracklist for Venus and Mars, would translate to the stage as Wings were increasingly becoming more popular and were gaining a reputation as a dynamite live act. This is also why McCartney's Wings Over The World Tour of '76 featured a setlist that leaned heavily into tunes from the Venus and Mars album, including: Venus and Mars/Rockshow (which opened all his concerts on that tour), You Gave Me The Answer, Magneto and Titanium Man, Letting Go, Spirits of Ancient Egypt, Medicine Jar, Call Me Back Again and Listen To What The Man Said. One of the things that you pointed out in your review was how well the songs were recorded and arranged, and I completely agree. The lyrics aren't what sell the music-it's the music and the performances that do that.The use of brass on many of the tracks definitely captures the New Orleans influence and while the album overall is a pop rock record, I also think it was one of McCartney's bluesiest and funkiest efforts in a lot of ways as well. McCartney, more than any of the others in the Fab Four saw being a performer as an important part of being an artist, which is why playing live in the 70s was very much a focus of McCartney's creative output during the time and probably why so much of his work seemed to reflect success on the stage as well as on the charts. McCartney could craft catchy, clever and eclectic pop better than anyone at the peak of his powers, and his 70s period reflects that for sure. While I agree that Medicine Jar is a highlight and a total win for Jimmy McCulloch and Spirits of Ancient Egypt was definitely more tossed off and given to Denny so he would have a track to sing on, my faves of the album have always been Magneto and Titanium Man, Letting Go, Call Me Back Again and Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People. Overall, I feel Venus and Mars is a thrill to listen to from top to bottom and one of McCartney's best. If I had a time machine I would go back to 1976 to see McCartney during this period because this material really shined onstage: If you have time and haven't seen them, check these out. You will probably enjoy them! Looking forward to your next video! 1. Letting Go (Live) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKe3d5Kkn9xoptU 2. Listen to What The Man Said (Live) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4iqd5VqotSobdE 3. Medicine Jar (Live) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHeZdn6XrLOSm5o&start_radio=1 4. Magneto and Titanium Man (Live) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3PZeWiXidqkjNE

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Graydon! Always love to see your thoughts, thanks for the links will check them out!

[@graydonwallace2342]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics My pleasure, guys! The links to those live performances gives the album's content even better context as the album and its songs were conceived to coincide with that tour- definitely arranged and designed to have an impact onstage. Songs from Venus and Mars on that tour were absolute standouts.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

they got around to it because I'm the one that chose it for my patreon choice of full album review for the month 😉 Had I not picked it they may not have gotten to it for who knows how many years they're very busy

[@graydonwallace2342]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist I'm glad you did and an awesome choice! One of my favourite McCartney albums for sure!

[@eduardooscar309]

Thanks for these greatest review It's in my Top 3 of all Paul McCartney history, it's part of a trilogy with the previous "Band on the run" and the follow "At the speed of sound" the A-side is fantastic, the begining is amazing with "Venus & Mars / Rock show" the next ballad is beautifull and then appear the amazing jazz sound in "You gave me the answer" follow by the powerfull "Magneto and Titanium man" (bizarre lyrics reminds "Maxwell silver hammer" in Beatles) fantastic A-side! in B-side my favourites are "Listen to what the man said" and how to combine with the next two grandious ballads "Treat her gently / lonely old people" and amazing Paul vocals in "Call me back again" amazing album! for me, 8 1/2 pts next to 9 I wish your review for the follow: "Wings at the speed of sound" P.S. in same year 1975 "Venus & Mars" by Paul & Wings "Main Course" by Bee Gees "ABBA" by ABBA three fantastic Masterpieces

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great takes, really appreciate it and we love Main Course have a review of it up!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Glad you liked my choice

[@donw804]

I played this album over and over after its release. I'd give it a very solid 8. Medicine Jar is definitely one of my favorite tracks on the album. The tragic irony of the song is that Jimmy McCulloch ultimately died from an overdose of morphine and alcohol a few short years later.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Oh that is terrible. Thanks Don always appreciate you!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

There's more irony to that too Don. Jimmy would do another one on speed of sound called Wino Junko

[@donw804]

@@truckerkevthepaidtourist You're right. A darn good song from another Wings album I definitely enjoy.... At the Speed of Sound.

[@bassioelmucho]

He was only 26 or 27 from what I remember

[@markydh83]

I do think you should review the Wings Over America live album. Spirits of Ancient Egypt is much better live, and the live version of Call Me Back Again is out of this world. I don’t know how you guys feel about the bass, but Paul had the dial turned up on it. However, you’d probably have to review Wings at the Speed of Sound first. Overall, it’s probably not as good an album as the two that proceeded it, but there are still some really strong tracks on there.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

If you pay $85 on patreon you can have them review it as a full album review. Although it's 3 records Long almost 2 hours they would probably have to do it over 2

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

ya we would love to do a lot of albums makyd but there is no time outside of one or two things besides our Patron requests. Appreciate you watching!

[@bassioelmucho]

That is an underrated album! Band is in fire!!

[@frommetoyou1981]

'Crossroads' follows 'Treat her gently/Lonely old people' as if to signify that 'Crossroads' was the type of popular programme that was often on TV and one that Lonely old people sit and watch.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks!

[@Cryo837]

Please do a rating of all the Wings albums. Saw Wings live in Seattle in 1976. Found the DVD of that concert and it is truly great!!!!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Maybe at some point. Thanks!

[@whatthejim]

Great reaction & review guys, here’s my top 5 songs from this album: 5-Medicine Jar 4-Call Me Back Again 3-Venus & Mars / Rock Show 2-Treat Her Gently / Lonely Old People 1-Listen To What The Man Said

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great list for sure! Thanks!

[@ilash81]

Nice! Was hoping you'd get to this one eventually. I certainly don't think it's as good as Ram but it is a favourite of mine. It's probably Wings' second best album, but I do have a major soft spot for Red Rose Speedway, especially if you throw in a few of the songs that were left off it to keep it as a single album. Venus and Mars is kind of Wings' arena rock album, but Paul's music was so eccentric in the '70s that it's obviously a lot more than that. And yeah, I'm still reeling that you guys actually like You Gave Me the Answer! I was 110% sure you would hate it even more than most of Paul's granny music in the Beatles so, yeah, colour me surprised. This one's about an 8.5 for me with my favourite tracks being Venus and Mars/ Rockshow, You Gave Me the Answer, Letting Go, Magneto and Titanium Man, Listen to What the Man Said and Lonely Old People. Oh and Medicine Jar. Hmm... that's more than 5 but it is a super strong album. Obviously, Paul has more great stuff out there but don't overlook the bonus tracks on the deluxe edition of the album - some really cool stuff there, including outatkes, b-sides, singles and excerpts from the TV special, One Hand Clapping. Great review and nice one, Kev!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Totally see how Answer would be shocking to everyone! Always enjoy your insight Ilan!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Nice to see it's getting good response very cool I picked a good one for a change.😱

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for choosing it!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics should pin this comment people still don't realize that there are Patreons not just me but others that choose the albums that you listen to

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Just might be their best album love you guys. Actually tied with speed of sound London town and back to the egg!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks David! Appreciate you!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Speed of sound wasn't one of my favorites but it's become over the last couple of years. I really enjoy the whole thing the Deep cuts are just really really great.

[@geriwings]

nice !!! my fever album and Back to the egg Tug of war Flaming pie Chaos and creation

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Gerardo!

[@Vinylfromtheunderground]

Some of his worst Gerardo 🙃

[@hungfao]

Fun personal fact: I had a drummer in the 80s who was apparently at the studio when Paul was recording this album. He had no interaction with Paul but one day he said there was a rumor John Lennon was going to come to the studio. A lot of excitement. But it was not to be.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Oh wow that would have been unreal. Thanks!

[@derekroberts6654]

much as i love the album “Venus & Mars” (my second fav Paul solo album with “Ram” as number 1) i cant help but to feel a lot of the V&M songs just sound better live on “Wings Over America”, especially “Rockshow”. It’s almost alot of those song from V&M were made to be played live. I’m really hoping somewhere on KZbin someone would give a comparison analysis “Venus & Mars” vs “Wings Over America” because when you finally hear those songs live, it’s like that’s how they were supposed to sound to begin with. V&M, to me, is what i call a “Paradox” album if I’m using the term right.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Very interesting insight! Thanks for sharing Derek!

[@guesswho4256]

Thank you for your reaction and information. Somewhat uneven album but overall enjoyable. Especially like "Letting Go", "Medicine Jar" and "Listen to What the Man Said."

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks GW!

[@270yis7]

Wings rocked the 70s.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Yes they did!

[@philipcone357]

John was suppose to play on the album.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Yes we talked about it

[@davidzenner7040]

Much of the guitar work you’re attributed to Denny are played by Jimmy McCulloch who was lead guitar throughout his tenure with the band

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Hard to know with the linear notes and interviews we do the best we can

[@davidzenner7040]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics Definitely not meant as criticism just for your knowledge. Jimmy is wicked on guitar. Check out Venus and Mars/Rock Show/Jet medley live or anything on Wings Over America or the Rock Show movie of same concert tour

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Oh I know Dave just clarifying because probably will be 10 more that tell us the same thing. Thanks!

[@davidzenner7040]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics I debated whether or not to be “that guy” as the geeky expert

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Yeah Jimmy was definitely the lead. Want to see some great Jimmy McCulloch playing check out on KZbin Stone the crows with the great Maggie Bell she was like the Scottish Janis Joplin there's some great videos on there live where you can watch Jimmy just unleashing riff after riff.

[@Vinylfromtheunderground]

I love this lp however I could do without the 2 tracks that start side 2 sung by 2 journeymen. Lowered the lp from a 9.5 to an 8 for me.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Jim!

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

Well Jimmy it looks like you're not going to like speed of sound either when I decide to go ahead and patreon that full album eventually 😂

[@randyventresca4152]

Venus & Mars is one of my favorite Wings albums. I give it a 8.5. Paul can produce great songs with great melodies and musicianship. Lyrically, he's OK but I believe John and George became better lyricists than Paul.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Randy!

[@tylerlarsh2801]

React to daft punks discovery album. For me it’s one of the best albums of all time

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

WIll check it out! Thanks Tyler!

[@mmdurante1616]

Ok album, but quite uneven. Definitely not as good as Ram, though. Love you guys, but you couldn't be more wrong there. Ram's probably better than anything any of the Beatles put out on their own. Yeah, All Things Must Pass is overrated. Every time I've listened to it over the years, I've become more convinced of it. There, I've said it!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha couldnt disagree with you more, Ram is not good in both of our books but beauty of opinion and music, something for everyone!

[@mmdurante1616]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics Ok, I'll begrudgingly accept that it's a matter of opinion and not established fact. Haha

[@andyjacobs28]

It's not my favorite, a 7.5/10 for me. I like the singles, especially Letting Go. The only other song that stands out to me is Magneto and Titanium Man. The rest are just sort of blah.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Andy!

[@hugoC9371]

First

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Congrats Hugo