Product Description

BAND ON THE RUN is generally considered Paul McCartney's strongest solo effort. The album was also his most commercially successful--selling well and spawning two hit singles, themulti-part pop suite of the title track, and the roaring rocker "Jet". On these cuts, and elsewhere, McCartney's penchant for sophisticated, nuanced arrangements and irrepressiblycatchy melodic hooks is up to the calibre he displayed in the Beatles, far surpassing the first two Wings releases WILDLIFE and RED ROSE SPEEDWAY.
The focus found in BAND ON THE RUN may have to do with the circumstances of its creation:Two former members quit the band prior to recording, leaving McCartney, wife Linda, and guitarist Denny Laine to complete the album alone (with Paul writing, producing, and playing most of the instruments himself). The album has the majestic, orchestral sweep of McCartney's ABBEY ROAD-era ambition,with a wide range of style-dabbling, from the swaying, acoustic jazz-pop of "Bluebird" to the appealing, straightforward rock of "Helen Wheels" to the wiry blues of "Let Me Roll It" to the swaying, one-off pub singalong "Picasso's Last Words (Drink to Me)"). Though it lacks the emotional resonance of contemporaneous releases by John Lennon and George Harrison, McCartney's infallible instinct for pop craft overflows on this excellent release.

Track Listing

1. Band On The Run
2. Jet
3. Bluebird
4. Mrs Vanderbilt
5. Let Me Roll It
6. Mamunia
7. No Words
8. Picasso's Last Words
9. Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me)
10. Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five
11. Helen Wheels
12. Paul McCartney Intro
13. Band On The Run (2)
14. Band On The Run (3)
15. Bluebird (2)
16. Jet (2)
17. Let Me Roll It (2)
18. Helen Wheels (2)
19. Band On The Run (4)
20. Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me) (2)
21. Band On The Run (5)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #24749 in Music
• Released on: 1999-03-15
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition

Customer Reviews

Good
The best he did post Beatle ? I think so,other McCartney albums have classics and good tracks but also some mediocre ones but this album is filled with great tracks some mellow some more upbeat,the American version has an extra track `Helen wheels` which does not appear on UK versions.We all know `Jet` and `Band on the run` but `1984` is also a superb track,well worth buying,if your a McCartney fan you will already have this one if your not then try it,it could turn you into a McCartney fan.

Escape To Freedom
Comparing the 'Red Rose Speedway' album which came out earlier in 1973, to 'Band On The Run' we actually see more in common than might appear. Both albums are crammed full of magic McCartney melodies (making 1973 if you count the Live And Let Die single) as possibly his greatest year ever in this respect (well, post Beatles anyway). Actually an interesting fact is that on the last tour, McCartney sang no less than five songs from this year, three from the 'Band On The Run' album.
And both these 1973 albums showcase McCartney's amazingly melodic bass playing. When that combines with or rather compliments one of those great melodies that the man is so famous for, it almost doesn't matter what the words are. But not quite. Here is the difference: on 'Red Rose Speedway' the lyrics are somewhat simplistic, not very imaginative and more than a little sacharine it must be confessed. Luckily the tunes come to the rescue, and the result is a thoroughly enjoyable and charming album not noted for its lyrical content (nothing wrong with silly love songs but here is a whole album's worth! :-). Here on 'Band On The Run, McCartney finds a theme, in this case danger, release, escapism and runs with it. The effect being to carry the listener along with him and seemingly feel and experience these great adventures. There are very few albums which can do that as consistently as this one. There is literally not a weak track and every one is stamped with not only a mark of quality but by an indefinable joie de vivre.
Funnily enough the only sad passage is the opening minute or so of the title track ('Stuck inside these four walls....sent inside forever..."). But this is deliberate as this song builds from this beautifully calm opening towards a serene climax, first with the chugging electric guitar section ('if we ever get outta here...") which deals with daring plans and hopes of escape to the triumphant entry of what seem like about a hundred acoustic guitars (bit like 'My Sweet Lord' in this respect!) for the ecstatic On The Run section, with of course that famous and classic chorus where the words 'Band On The Run' are repeated over and over. Almost as if the very phrase itself is ushering in a new world of hope, freedom and a better future. That is what this song does for me, almost on every listen. But particularly when listened to exactly where it should be. Track 1 Side 1 of the 'Band On The Run' album.
'Bluebird' is acoustic and is almost as good as 'Blackbird' from the White Album. Which is about the best acoustic ballad McCartney or anyone else for that matter ever wrote. So that's how good 'Bluebird' is and it's a song I have never tired of in the 25 odd years I have owned this record. Which is more than be said for 'Jet'.
'Mrs Vanderbilt' is one of those too rare examples where McCartney basically assumes lead guitarist role on the bass, to tremendous effect. The whole thing is utterly infectious. And here it must be mentioned that he also plays all the drums on this record and on this track in particular, it is perfect, especially the drum rolls before the 'what's the use of worrying' lines.
'Let Me Roll It' is another great ballad but this time with gigantic electric guitar riffs which combined with the simple but rock solid bass line produce a powerful atmosphere in which McCartney rolls out his song of reconcilation, to Lennon so it is presumed (not sure if I've ever heard Paul confirm this, probably as it's about lots of things). If it is heard as the reply to Lennon's scathing character assassination of his ex partner on 'How Do You Sleep' (1971) then it is wonderful in its restraint, generous it is generosity and heartfelt and unselfish in its desire for reconcilation. One wishes the whole acrimonious Beatles split had been more like this. Oh well.
'Mamunia' is wonderfully atmospheric and mysterious and has an infectious and marvellous chorus, 'Picasso's Last Words' is superb and has a great story behind it, as recounted by Dustin Hoffman on the bonus interview disc. The slightly sub standard rocker 'Helen Wheels' (originally omitted from the UK release) pops up here. Rather disappointingly the B side Country Dreamer, a far better song, is missing here, even as a bonus track. Then there are a couple of reprises in true Sgt Pepper fashion and we come to the closing romping piano number 'Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five'. Great to hear such confident piano so dominant in a McCartney track, not really heard since Monkberry Moon Delight (1971).
The second disc of interviews with Paul, Denny (far too little in his case) and those featured on the memorable album cover makes for a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Occasionally anyway. Obviously it is Disc 1 (the album, which has been superbly remastered by the way) you will buy this for mainly, . And whilst I admit there are other McCcartney/Wings solo records closer to my heart for many different reasons, it is this one which so indisputedly deserves its five star rating and is the one I would defend in court against any McCartney-basher they can throw at me.

NO ONE EVER LEFT ALIVE, IN NINETEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE.
I haven't finished my Macca solo coletcion, so I can't say if it is his best (but I can say it is one of the most perfect albums for a long car journey - bravisimo!!). So...
1. BAND ON THE RUN - excellent!
2. JET - excellent!
3. BLUEBIRD - excellent!
4. MRS VANDEBILT - excellent!
5. LET ME ROLL IT - ok!
6. MAMUNIA - good/great!
7. NO WORDS - great!
8. HELEN WHEELS - great/excellent!
9. PICASSO'S LAST WORDS (DRINK TO ME) - excellent!
10. NINETEEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE - excellent! in fact, words cannot express the brilliance of this track. One of the best endings to an album ever...along with A Day In The Life (Sgt. Peppers), The End (Abbey Road), Eclipse (The Dark Side Of The Moon), etc. THIS ALBUM IS NOT OVERRATED! Buy it, it brings undeniable pleasure to the ears and the brain. I love it!!