Ram by far. It was unfortunate that those with power at Rolling Stone mag took sides, favouring John and dishing Paul and his substance as a musician via Jann Wenner (founder of Rolling Stone mag). This in turn seemed to shape all reviews given by writers within this mag.
Interesting to hear this, Garrett. Before my time but I’ve certainly read other anecdotes that encapsulate just how much of a stronghold they held on the prevailing cultural opinion for certain music.
And McCartney before RAM. Sure, some self-indulgent experimental stuff, but Maybe I'm Amazed, Junk, Every Night, That Would Be Something...enough for any great album.
McCartney refused to issue anything from the album as a single. Years later, there was a live Wings version of Maybe I'm Amazed that may have been a successful single. The live studio version is better.
Not trying to be contrarian, but for some reason, Band on the Run has always left me a little cold. I'll take the simple charms of McCartney over it just about any day. "Junk" is one of my all-time favorite Macca tunes, and "Man We Was Lonely," "Every Night" and "Teddy Boy" always make me swoon in a White Album sorta way. Thumbs up on the rest of your choices, though!
All takes and opinions are welcome Brad! Thanks for sharing. If you enjoyed this, make sure you sub for the entire Beatles discography ranking that drops later this month.
I probably come back to ATMP most often. When I first listened to the album in the late eighties (my early-ish twenties) I didn’t get it and pretty much set it aside for probably another twenty years. And then I gave it another shot. Then it floored me. Still does.
I have a hard time picking between BOTR and Ram … and the lovely thing is I don’t have to choose! Not always, but often enough, I’ll listen to Thrills Thrillington and then Ram. That’s a delightful way to spend part of the afternoon. And don’t sleep on NEW from 2013.
Ringo … Ringo and Goodnight Vienna are both a lot of fun.
Lennon … wow. Yeah POB and Imagine are both pretty raw. As you said, POB is a tough listen, and Imagine only less so. Mind Games, while far from perfect is probably my go-to for the “I don’t want to do Greatest Hits, but I don’t want to get wrung out, either” experience.
Great list! All Things Must Pass remains a personal favourite—its emotional resonance remains. I loved your reminder of Ringo’s Ringo album and his knack for collaboration.
My favorite is Paul McCartney's 1982 album "Tug of War." Yes, it has the now much maligned Stevie Wonder duet "Ebony & Ivory" (a huge hit at the time) but it also features a number of interesting, well-produced, and heartfelt songs. My favorites are the title track, "Take it Away," "Somebody Who Cares," and "Ballroom Dancing." I also love the funkiness found in the other Stevie Wonder duet on the album: "What's That You're Doing." A very solid album.
Thanks for sharing Dan! I like the second Stevie duet from that record a lot. I agree that it’s well-produced overall, and yet, it doesn’t do much for me. I honestly had that reaction to a lot of the McCartney solo stuff I listened to in preparation for the post. I admire it more than I listen to it repeatedly.
I get it. For some reason this one struck a chord with me in 1982. I rediscovered it a couple of years ago and was impressed with the diversity on the album as well as how many tracks I still connected with. I liked his follow-up "Pipes of Peace" as well although I didn't have nearly the same attachment to it. In all fairness, I need to listen to some of those earlier Beatles' solo albums, some of which I've never listened to all the way through.
I totally ignored Red Rose Speedway for years, probably because of My Love. I've gone back to it recently, and find Get on the Right Thing, Little Lamb Dragonfly, Single Pigeon, and When the Night. Phenomenal.
Oh sure :) and those may be better starting points for most. I have to admit I lost interest in buying greatest hits on physical media after streaming, though. There didn’t seem to be much of a point.
How did we not notice George was a vampire?
😅😅
Ram by far. It was unfortunate that those with power at Rolling Stone mag took sides, favouring John and dishing Paul and his substance as a musician via Jann Wenner (founder of Rolling Stone mag). This in turn seemed to shape all reviews given by writers within this mag.
Interesting to hear this, Garrett. Before my time but I’ve certainly read other anecdotes that encapsulate just how much of a stronghold they held on the prevailing cultural opinion for certain music.
And McCartney before RAM. Sure, some self-indulgent experimental stuff, but Maybe I'm Amazed, Junk, Every Night, That Would Be Something...enough for any great album.
I’ve never liked his solo debut, tbh. Minus a couple of strong singles, a lot of it is forgettable for me.
McCartney refused to issue anything from the album as a single. Years later, there was a live Wings version of Maybe I'm Amazed that may have been a successful single. The live studio version is better.
What singles came from his first lp? Another Day/Oh, Woman! Oh, Why? was released soon after.
Well said, spot on!
All things. John’s last album, not on your list
Not trying to be contrarian, but for some reason, Band on the Run has always left me a little cold. I'll take the simple charms of McCartney over it just about any day. "Junk" is one of my all-time favorite Macca tunes, and "Man We Was Lonely," "Every Night" and "Teddy Boy" always make me swoon in a White Album sorta way. Thumbs up on the rest of your choices, though!
All takes and opinions are welcome Brad! Thanks for sharing. If you enjoyed this, make sure you sub for the entire Beatles discography ranking that drops later this month.
https://ibb.co/M5RQ3NHx “Take Me to the Land of Hell.” She’s in top form.
Beautiful
Please take a look at mine on Lennon and strawberry fields forever
https://substack.com/@collapseofthewavefunction/note/p-181780578?r=5tpv59&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Nicely done
Thank you!!
Brainwashed- George’s posthumously released last album is brilliant, maybe as good as ATMP. Seriously
Thanks for sharing Michael :)
I probably come back to ATMP most often. When I first listened to the album in the late eighties (my early-ish twenties) I didn’t get it and pretty much set it aside for probably another twenty years. And then I gave it another shot. Then it floored me. Still does.
I have a hard time picking between BOTR and Ram … and the lovely thing is I don’t have to choose! Not always, but often enough, I’ll listen to Thrills Thrillington and then Ram. That’s a delightful way to spend part of the afternoon. And don’t sleep on NEW from 2013.
Ringo … Ringo and Goodnight Vienna are both a lot of fun.
Lennon … wow. Yeah POB and Imagine are both pretty raw. As you said, POB is a tough listen, and Imagine only less so. Mind Games, while far from perfect is probably my go-to for the “I don’t want to do Greatest Hits, but I don’t want to get wrung out, either” experience.
Thanks Tim — insightful stuff here, especially about Lennon. Totally agree.
All Things Must Pass (although it could have used 1 disq less).
Interesting, which would you cut?
Great list! All Things Must Pass remains a personal favourite—its emotional resonance remains. I loved your reminder of Ringo’s Ringo album and his knack for collaboration.
Ringo is underrated, but I kind of think that’s the way he likes it. Thanks for reading!
My favorite is Paul McCartney's 1982 album "Tug of War." Yes, it has the now much maligned Stevie Wonder duet "Ebony & Ivory" (a huge hit at the time) but it also features a number of interesting, well-produced, and heartfelt songs. My favorites are the title track, "Take it Away," "Somebody Who Cares," and "Ballroom Dancing." I also love the funkiness found in the other Stevie Wonder duet on the album: "What's That You're Doing." A very solid album.
Thanks for sharing Dan! I like the second Stevie duet from that record a lot. I agree that it’s well-produced overall, and yet, it doesn’t do much for me. I honestly had that reaction to a lot of the McCartney solo stuff I listened to in preparation for the post. I admire it more than I listen to it repeatedly.
I get it. For some reason this one struck a chord with me in 1982. I rediscovered it a couple of years ago and was impressed with the diversity on the album as well as how many tracks I still connected with. I liked his follow-up "Pipes of Peace" as well although I didn't have nearly the same attachment to it. In all fairness, I need to listen to some of those earlier Beatles' solo albums, some of which I've never listened to all the way through.
I totally ignored Red Rose Speedway for years, probably because of My Love. I've gone back to it recently, and find Get on the Right Thing, Little Lamb Dragonfly, Single Pigeon, and When the Night. Phenomenal.
Wanderlust and Here Today are phenomenal cuts.
Of course, they all have great hit collections and anthologies which collect the best tracks from these albums and later ones available.
Oh sure :) and those may be better starting points for most. I have to admit I lost interest in buying greatest hits on physical media after streaming, though. There didn’t seem to be much of a point.
Great list. You don't often see a Top Seven list. Was it impossible to pick another three to make it a Top Ten?
The best album by the other three are not as good as McCartney's worst.
Everything Phil Spector touched died. Ask his girlfriend.
I'd add Wonderwall Music by the birthday boy George Harrison