The Beatles were huge. It's a statement that is no longer personal opinion or general consensus, but now fact; the Fab Four were massive. Their legacy is still being felt today, no other band could quite create the stir that the Beatles did in the past couple of years with the release of their own RockBand game, the remastering and releasing of their albums and the availability of their music on iTunes. Huge. But it's odd to think that they were only really in the public eye as a group for nine years. So what did they do after that?
John Lennon was famously involved in protests, house-husbanding and visited music only in self-confessional pieces of genius, such as 'Imagine', 'God' and 'Mother'. George Harrison also stayed in the music business, with his personal masterpiece coming in the form of triple-album 'All Things Must Pass'. Even Ringo had success in the music world, releasing numerous albums and travelling in 'Ringo's All-Starr Band' to worldwide joviality. But for someone who was blamed for the breakup of The Beatles, the departure hit home more than with the others.
Sir Paul McCartney, as has been written thousands of time, took the breakup of the Fab Four harder than others, disguising the grief he felt from the tearing of the Lennon-McCartney partnership by rush-releasing 'McCartney', just days after The Beatles confirmed they were no more. And in his depressive faze, he released many questionable records that shook his once unshakeable reputation, the cheeky sweet-faced Beatle image straining under the weight of failing productions. But in 1973, his luck changed.
In the dangerous and hectic surroundings of Nigeria, McCartney had just recorded his latest albums with his new band 'Wings' and it was to change his fortunes. Despite losing half of the original recordings and narrowly missing being attacked in the street, Nigeria saw Macca produce his own personal masterpiece; the album that became his solo calling-card and is still playing the majority of to this day.
Kicking off with title-track 'Band On The Run', McCartney exhibits the musical expertise and lyrical talent that people had come to doubt. From the lounging breeze of guitar licks, to the gloomy cry of entrapment, and blossoming into the cacophony of customary McCartney balladry, the first song sets the tone for a record that spawns classics so effortlessly. 'Jet' is a fuzzy rocker with a pumping beat, while 'Mrs Vandebilt' is a head-bobbing, toe-tapping tune built for rampant stadium crowds.
And with McCartney's large-scale anthemic tunes, of which the belting 'Let Me Roll It'; with its stunted guitars, bellowing chorus and simmering beat; sits up alongside his best, he brings his delicate melodic genius. 'Bluebird' is a touc
hing, jazz-tinged tune that floats along with his best vocals on show, while 'Picasso's Last Words' drifts in a similar mood; relaxing to the tip and with the heartfelt touch only Macca can truly give it and develop it into a great song. Even the dewy 'Mamunia' and the slowly-twisting 'No Words', which aren't fantastic songs, make what is an exceptional album.
The album's highlight however is it's finale. In the moody piano-rocker 'Nineteen Hundred And Eighty-Five', McCartney hits his best since Abbey Road. With a thumping beat, constantly-moving keys and a tortured Macca vocal, it acts to round off what is a truly brilliant effort from someone who's talent should never has been questioned. It still today stands up as the best solo album from a Beatle, although others' efforts are not to be ignored.
Save for 'Maybe I'm Amazed', 'Live And Let Die' and 'My Love', 'Band On The Run' is the compilation of McCartney's best work as a solo artist and should be an essential part of any music-lovers' collection. It's what is good about the big man; huge balladry, well-built luxurious records and grabbingly addictive chorsuses. The exact opposite to Lennon's solo work in terms of feel and style, but it shows what each of them bought to the greatest song-writing partnership of all-time.
And although it has the questionnable motive of releasing it to coincide with the remastering of Lennon's solo works, it does help us to remember the two beyond the Fab Four. The Beatles formed what music is today, but John Lennon and Paul McCartney should be remembered for what they did throughout their careers. And it doesn't get much better than 'Band On The Run'.
Great album, must-own for most music fans, whether you like McCartney or not, and here's my favourite song 'Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five' for your enjoyment.
NWR
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