Paul McCartney to Release Album
Published: 2005-05-11
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney is releasing a new solo disc this September to coincide with a massive tour of the U.S. McCartney was to use a backing band in the studio but decided instead to play all the instruments himself. Long time Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich produced the album.

The Lexus-sponsored tour will kick off September 16th, with entertainment marketing giant AEG producing half the shows. Ticket prices will likely run as high US$250. Reports this week say the first 16 dates have already sold out.

McCartney’s last tour in 2002 netted $103.3 million, making it the biggest tour of that year. The concert industry has struggled lately, causing many established acts to cancel dates and reduce ticket prices. Things are set to improve this year with the likes of the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, U2, Coldplay and Green Day all touring.

McCartney has promised to include more Beatles songs on this tour.


http://soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=1959

:dance: :guitar: :yippee: :notworthy

I wouldn't pay the price that Paul is asking for tickets. Though I love the music that Paul made with The Beatles and liked what he did with Wings, I don't think that he has really done much of anything worth while since 1980 (the album Flaming Pie being one of the few exceptions to this rule). Also, when I've seen live footage of Paul performing classic Beatles songs, they always seem to lack the energy and passion of the original recordings. I don't like Paul as he is in 2005 is worth the steep ticket prices that he is asking.

I wouldn't pay the price that Paul is asking for tickets. Though I love the music that Paul made with The Beatles and liked what he did with Wings, I don't think that he has really done much of anything worth while since 1980 (the album Flaming Pie being one of the few exceptions to this rule). Also, when I've seen live footage of Paul performing classic Beatles songs, they always seem to lack the energy and passion of the original recordings. I don't like Paul as he is in 2005 is worth the steep ticket prices that he is asking.

I agree with you on the ticket prices, but disagree with you re: Paul's music since 1980. Paul has done quite a few albums worth checking out since then. Here's my top five:

1. Tug Of War (1982)
2. Flowers In The Dirt (1989)
3. Flaming Pie (1997)
4. Driving Rain (2001)
5. Run Devil Run (1999)

Honorable mention goes to 1991's Unplugged (The Official Bootleg).

I wouldn't pay the price that Paul is asking for tickets. Though I love the music that Paul made with The Beatles and liked what he did with Wings, I don't think that he has really done much of anything worth while since 1980 (the album Flaming Pie being one of the few exceptions to this rule). Also, when I've seen live footage of Paul performing classic Beatles songs, they always seem to lack the energy and passion of the original recordings. I don't like Paul as he is in 2005 is worth the steep ticket prices that he is asking.

Ok, Paul is not 30 years old anymore.(Neither am I) If I had the money and a way to see him I would! Only because he is a legend and the most prolific songwriter of the 20th century. He deserves to be honored for that. He may be older but he's not dead! :p

I agree with you on the ticket prices, but disagree with you re: Paul's music since 1980. Paul has done quite a few albums worth checking out since then. Here's my top five:

1. Tug Of War (1982)
2. Flowers In The Dirt (1989)
3. Flaming Pie (1997)
4. Driving Rain (2001)
5. Run Devil Run (1999)

Honorable mention goes to 1991's Unplugged (The Official Bootleg).

Hi Brad! How are ya? :wave:

Ok, Paul is not 30 years old anymore.(Neither am I) If I had the money and a way to see him I would! Only because he is a legend and the most prolific songwriter of the 20th century. He deserves to be honored for that. He may be older but he's not dead! :p

Penny Lane, I think that you read more into my post then was there. I didn't mention anything about Paul's age. I realize that he is older now, and I would never hold that against him or anyone else. I am not that shallow of a person. I think that Bruce Springsteen is still making great music at age 56. Eric Clapton's last album was also really good and he is age 60.

What I was trying to say was that with a few exceptions (Flaming Pie, Driving Rain) I don't think Paul has made very good music since around 1980. Also, when he goes back and plays the Beatles classics, the fire seems to be gone. When I saw him perform "Hey Jude" live on VH1 Classics recently, the power and the passion of the song was gone. It was like Paul was simply going through the motions. When I listen to a Beatles song like "Eleanor Rigby", "Let It Be" or "The Long and Winding Road" I get goosebumbs because there is so much passion and energy to the songs, but when Paul performs these songs now they come across flat.

I too consider Paul McCartney to be one of the all time great songwriters of our time. He is a legend and has achieved something that few ever will, but all of Paul's great achievments are long in the past. Penny Lane, in your opinion has Paul recorded an album since 1980 that ranks up there with The White Album, Abbey Road or even Band on the Run and Ram?

Brad, it is good to see that you are back. :wave:

Penny Lane, I think that you read more into my post then was there. I didn't mention anything about Paul's age. I realize that he is older now, and I would never hold that against him or anyone else. I am not that shallow of a person. I think that Bruce Springsteen is still making great music at age 56. Eric Clapton's last album was also really good and he is age 60.

What I was trying to say was that with a few exceptions (Flaming Pie, Driving Rain) I don't think Paul has made very good music since around 1980. Also, when he goes back and plays the Beatles classics, the fire seems to be gone. When I saw him perform "Hey Jude" live on VH1 Classics recently, the power and the passion of the song was gone. It was like Paul was simply going through the motions. When I listen to a Beatles song like "Eleanor Rigby", "Let It Be" or "The Long and Winding Road" I get goosebumbs because there is so much passion and energy to the songs, but when Paul performs these songs now they come across flat.

I too consider Paul McCartney to be one of the all time great songwriters of our time. He is a legend and has achieved something that few ever will, but all of Paul's great achievments are long in the past. Penny Lane, in your opinion has Paul recorded an album since 1980 that ranks up there with The White Album, Abbey Road or even Band on the Run and Ram?

Brad, it is good to see that you are back. :wave:


Yeah I know what you're saying. I guess after 40 years things get stale. But I am very defensive when it comes to Paul! :lol: I remember when Frank Sinatra tried to make a comeback. It wasn't good. I am speaking from experience when I say that when you are past 50 things aren't very exciting anymore.
Maybe Paul should quit while he's ahead? I can't believe that I just said that! :eek: :lol: Well, he can still sing. And I will always love him! :wave: Oh yeah................... :eyes:

age has nothing to do with if an artist still has it or not. Like DAX mentioned, Springsteen is 56, and he still has his edge. David Bowie is 58, and I'd personally rank his last 2 albums in the same league as anything he recorded on RCA Records. Elton's last few albums have been above-average as well.

I think with McCartney, he knows what he's got, he doesn't need to even try anymore, he will always be a Beatle and he will always be a legend. I think Mick Jagger/Stones have been the same way in recent years, they have the legacy, no point in trying because they have the catalog of hits that will keep people coming back to see them

I don't think Macca's last few years haven't been because of age, but because he no longer has the hunger. He's made his mark and he knows nothing he can do at this point will take away his importance, so he probably doesn't have his heart in it anymore

Hi Brad! How are ya? :wave:Brad, it is good to see that you are back. :wave:
Thanks.

In your opinion has Paul recorded an album since 1980 that ranks up there with The White Album, Abbey Road or even Band on the Run and Ram?

I honestly think Flowers In The Dirt and Tug Of War rank pretty high up there. Maybe not with The Beatles or Abbey Road, but they certainly hold their own against Ram (Macca's best solo album) and Band On The Run.

I honestly think Flowers In The Dirt and Tug Of War rank pretty high up there. Maybe not with The Beatles or Abbey Road, but they certainly hold their own against Ram (Macca's best solo album) and Band On The Run.

AKA, I'm glad you're back!:wave: I missed you since you are gone back in December. I like Paul McCartney and the rest of the Beatles. I hope that Paul McCartney will do good with his album. I remember the song he sang with Stevie Wonder on "Ebony & Ivory" and with Michael Jackson on "Say Say Say".

I honestly think Flowers In The Dirt and Tug Of War rank pretty high up there. Maybe not with The Beatles or Abbey Road, but they certainly hold their own against Ram (Macca's best solo album) and Band On The Run.


I have to say that I didn't much care for either Tug of War or Flowers in the Dirt. I haven't played it in years, but isn't Flowers the one he did with Elvis Costillo (spell?) ?

Ram and Band on the Run are his finest post-Bealtes work.

I have to say that I didn't much care for either Tug of War or Flowers in the Dirt. I haven't played it in years, but isn't Flowers the one he did with Elvis Costillo (spell?) ?

Ram and Band on the Run are his finest post-Bealtes work.


I think Tug Of War is great; it would be absolutely perfect if it didn't have "Ebony And Ivory" on it (the other McCartney/Wonder collaboration, "What's That You're Doing," is absolute bliss, though).

Yes, Flowers In The Dirt is the one he did with Elvis Costello. His following album, Off The Ground (1993), tries to repeat the winning Flowers formula (sans Costello), but fails miserably.

I think Tug Of War is great; it would be absolutely perfect if it didn't have "Ebony And Ivory" on it (the other McCartney/Wonder collaboration, "What's That You're Doing," is absolute bliss, though).

Yes, Flowers In The Dirt is the one he did with Elvis Costello. His following album, Off The Ground (1993), tries to repeat the winning Flowers formula (sans Costello), but fails miserably.

I can't argue with you over "Ebony and Ivory". That song is truly awful. Off the Ground is also really bad, though I somewhat like the title track. Brad, what would you regard as McCartney's ten best post-Beatles albums, both Wings and solo?

Brad, what would you regard as McCartney's ten best post-Beatles albums, both Wings and solo?Ah, a challenge!

1. Ram
2. McCartney
3. Tug Of War
4. Band On The Run
5. Flowers In The Dirt
6. Flaming Pie
7. Driving Rain
8. Run Devil Run
9. Unplugged (The Official Bootleg)
10. McCartney II