Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 8 / 3 / 2024

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Review

“Band On The Run' was Paul McCartney's fifth post-Beatles LP and, as he has often commented, it was the album to finally dispel the gloom that had engulfed him following the break-up of The Beatles three years before. There's no doubt that this record was one of McCartney's finest solo achievements and the newly released 50th anniversary version of “Band On The Run” reaffirms the album's quality. The sessions for the album had been challenging. Keen for a complete change of scene, McCartney had chosen to make the record in Lagos, Nigeria - a city then far less sophisticated than it is today. Just days before the band were due to depart from London, guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Danny Seiwell quit - just leaving a trio of Paul and Linda McCartney plus ex-Moddy Blues guitarist Denny Laine. Then, within hours of their arrival in Nigeria, Paul and Linda were robbed at knifepoint. Yet, all of this simply made McCartney more determined to put all his effort into making a good record. He played guitar, drums, bass and piano - and a brilliant record was soon taking shape. From the title track's ambitious three-part structure to superb ballads like 'Bluebird' and 'Mamania', a Wings signature sound was soon established. Paul's voice blended well with Linda's harmonies and Denny's deeper vocals. The newly released remastered edition of 'Band On The Run' features an “under-dubbed” version of the album with the removal of woodwind and string embellishments as well as some guitar work. These stripped-down takes are a revelation and they also demonstrate what a skilled rock drummer McCartney is (a fact acknowledged by rock drumming great Dave Grohl and something that both George Harrison and Ringo Starr conceded many years ago!). Producer Giles Martin (son of the late Sir George Martin) has also created a high definition Dolby Atmos mix of the new version of the LP that is available to stream. He describes “Band On The Run” as “An album that was definitely Paul McCartney's champagne cork moment”. Half a century later, it is still hugely impressive! “Band On The Run” is available as a single vinyl LP (£31), a double LP (£53), double CD (£22) and digitally.

Track Listing:-

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

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