A little article, but thought some of you might be interested...

Paul McCartney is ready to release Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard, the former Beatle's thirteenth solo studio album, on September 12th. The follow-up to 2001's Driving Rain was co-produced by McCartney and Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck) and marks a return to the simplicity of the prolific songwriter's classic, self-titled 1970 debut.

Chaos' thirteen tracks include piano-driven songs such as "Promise to You Girl" and "Fine Line," darker songs such as "Too Much Rain" and "At the Mercy," and the tune "Jenny Wren," which McCartney says is the "daughter of [the Beatles classic] 'Blackbird.'" The prolific songwriter plays most instruments on the album, down to the harmonium and flugelhorn.

"I did not want to rush this album," says McCartney. "We really made a lot of it up as we went along. I'd try something, and if it didn't work I'd try something else until it did. It was like making a go-cart in the backyard."

The release of Chaos will come just four days before the launch of McCartney's thirty-seven-city U.S. tour.

Nice bit of info, cheers.!!!

Err I hope he doesn't waste half the concert playing his "new" stuff.


I want to hear Bealtes damnit.

Quoted from Mushmouth

Err I hope he doesn't waste half the concert playing his "new" stuff.
I want to hear Bealtes damnit.

I think that post sums up Paul McCartney's dilemma. Many (not all, I know) folk go to his concerts because he is a Fab, and they want to hear him sing Beatles stuff. Paul said (at the start of Wings touring) that he would NEVER do this, NEVER ride on The Beatles' coat-tails, but it is now the main point of his concerts. "Listen to me sing my greatest Beatle songs".

He cannot get his new work taken seriously by many fans, because he is trapped in the past.

Quoted from Ydoll_Gwyn

He cannot get his new work taken seriously by many fans, because he is trapped in the past.

Of all the pasts to be trapped in though, his "I used to be the grooviest f**cker on the planet, wrote some of the most memorable songs of the century and  helped to change the world" cannot be the worst. He has a great legacy that maybe he feels a responsibility, even a sense of guardianship for. He must be keenly aware now of his own mortality.
And all his new songs are crap.

I'm just getting great vibes from this. I don't know why. I hear Nigel Godrich gave Paul a hard time.  http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/70262004.htm

I think Paul is going to deliver big time with this record. Nigel has also made my fav. Beck album, my favorite Beta Band album and my favorite Radiohead albums so he's bound to deliver.

Quoted from Ydoll_Gwyn

I think that post sums up Paul McCartney's dilemma. Many (not all, I know) folk go to his concerts because he is a Fab, and they want to hear him sing Beatles stuff. Paul said (at the start of Wings touring) that he would NEVER do this, NEVER ride on The Beatles' coat-tails, but it is now the main point of his concerts. "Listen to me sing my greatest Beatle songs".

He cannot get his new work taken seriously by many fans, because he is trapped in the past.

It's a fair point. I wouldn't be as pessimistic to say that he is 'trapped' in his past though. Why not listen to him sing his greatest BEatles songs? I absolutely loved it at Earls Court when he did. What is actually wrong with that? Surely it's a mutual thing? Also, why not enjoy the thought of him reliving his past with this next album? Maybe he should have never tried so hard to get away from his BEatle writing period for so long.

It's the attitude you receive him with that will determine whether you enjoy it or not. I admit freely to not really liking his solo reportoire. This next album though, has intrigued me more than his previous solo releases. Mainly because he IS performing Beatle material again on tour and he is with a great, contemporary producer.

I think his 'dilemma' only exists with his critics. He just likes to make music. If the writing well has run a little drier, so what? I'll certainly give it a listen. Who knows? This COULD be his best yet.

Quoted from Ydoll_Gwyn

I think that post sums up Paul McCartney's dilemma. Many (not all, I know) folk go to his concerts because he is a Fab, and they want to hear him sing Beatles stuff. Paul said (at the start of Wings touring) that he would NEVER do this, NEVER ride on The Beatles' coat-tails, but it is now the main point of his concerts. "Listen to me sing my greatest Beatle songs".

He cannot get his new work taken seriously by many fans, because he is trapped in the past.

I agree with this, BUT lets go down that long and winding road again. Its not just Paul, Ringo sings Beatle tunes, John sang Beatle tunes, and George also sang Beatle tunes during live performances. Its enevitable. I wish Paul wouldnt sing Beatle tunes (or at least trim the 20 or so down) as I like his solo stuff, but I think we all know whats more popular with the masses.

Quoted from kevin_b

And all his new songs are crap.

I dont know how to respond to this. I guess you cant argue with a person who is so close minded.

Quoted from tkitna

I dont know how to respond to this. I guess you cant argue with a person who is so close minded.

I meant it more as a joke. I haven't heard any of Paul's solo stuff since Back to The Egg (apart from bits on the radio) so I freely acknowledge that I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Here's the tracklist:

1. A Fine Line
2. How Kind of You
3. Jenny Wren
4. At the Mercy
5. Friends to go
6. English Tea
7. Too Much Rain
8. A Certain Softness
9. Riding to Vanity Fair
10. Follow Me
11. Promise to You Girl
12. This Never Happened Before
13. Anyway

So, no Bushie-Tushie song, then...

Damn, I was looking forward to that. Really.

I'm bummed he didn't record it with the band. Sounds like it should have been McCartney III.

One of the COOLEST titles for an album I have heard in a long time & it makes sense coming from Paul.

Has anyone heard clips? I can't wait for this album. Like what I said before I'm getting great vibes.

This is said to be the cover of the new album.

I read that Paul felt he somehow got a little help from his late friend George. He said he felt Georges attendance very strong when he was writing Waiting For Your Friends To Go, that he hasn't got the feeling he wrote the song himself. 'I got the feeling George wrote the song, with nothing to add from my side. The song wrote itself, it went so easy that I thought it was in fact George writing one of his songs. Not me.'

^Aw, that's so cool! Who says he doesn't give credit, eh Ydoll?

Quoted from Bobber

I read that Paul felt he somehow got a little help from his late friend George. He said he felt Georges attendance very strong when he was writing Waiting For Your Friends To Go, that he hasn't got the feeling he wrote the song himself. 'I got the feeling George wrote the song, with nothing to add from my side. The song wrote itself, it went so easy that I thought it was in fact George writing one of his songs. Not me.'

What a cringe-making, mealy-mouthed piece of nonsense that is. Paul McCartney spends years telling us how much he contributed to John's songs, and how little John contributed to his. Then up pops this piece of idiocy - where Paul says George (George!) actually wrote a song for Paul to record.

Two things immediately occur to me:
(1) The song is dreadful, and Paul can say "Well, I didn't write it!"
(2) Paul thinks a phantom other-Beatle presence will help sales.

Quoted from Mairi

^Aw, that's so cool! Who says he doesn't give credit, eh Ydoll?

I really don't think he spent years saying what you said he said. And I don't think he down played John as much as you like to say. I do however believe he had a reaaction to the whole John as martyr and John is God and John was the genius and Paul was the fluff and so on. Maybe that's why he had to say, hey look, I was there too. He's mellowed out about it now and I think he gets it. Don't tell me that if your contributions came into question you wouldn't react. It's a natural human emotion. If he overreacted, well, than that's normal too. He's gotten past it though. Which I think needs to be acknowleged.

Oh, and I think it's from his heart when he talks about George. This is the same man who believes Linda gave him to okay to marry Heather when he heard an owl hoot. So he's spiritual. Are we going to fault him for that too? Why is everything he does taken as a ploy or as insincere? Maybe he just has those beliefs.

Quoted from Ydoll_Gwyn

What a cringe-making, mealy-mouthed piece of nonsense that is. Paul McCartney spends years telling us how much he contributed to John's songs, and how little John contributed to his. Then up pops this piece of idiocy - where Paul says George (George!) actually wrote a song for Paul to record.

Two things immediately occur to me:
(1) The song is dreadful, and Paul can say "Well, I didn't write it!"
(2) Paul thinks a phantom other-Beatle presence will help sales.

I'd sooner listen to what Paul says than someone who knows absolutely nothing about the development of the song and It's possible that John would claim his due to the partnership if he could.

And two things immediately occur to me:
(1) Maybe we should all keep an open mind on a song we haven't heard, perhaps?
(2) Only one person I can think of would think of something like that, and it ain't Paul.

I cant wait to hear Paul on flugelhorn.  

Quoted from TheMasterOfGoingFaster

I'd sooner listen to what Paul says than someone who knows absolutely nothing about the development of the song and It's possible that John would claim his due to the partnership if he could.

And two things immediately occur to me:
(1) Maybe we should all keep an open mind on a song we haven't heard, perhaps?
(2) Only one person I can think of would think of something like that, and it ain't Paul.

I'M not saying the song is poor. I'm saying (as a reason why Paul is invoking George) that if it IS bad, or people think it is, Macca can say that it was really George!

As to your point 2 - you are joking, man! Paul is EXACTLY the one to think like that. He's always got an eye to anything that promotes him and his work ...

(from another site)

Info and track listing on the new Paul McCartney CD, “ChAOS AND CREATION IN THE BACKYARD”:

Produced by Paul McCartney and Nigel Godrich
Recorded at Ocean Way/LA, Abbey Road/London
and The Mill/Sussex.
Orchestrations by Nigel Godrich
Release date: September 13th, 2005
Track listing:

1 - “Fine Line” (3:02) - The first single. Great uptempo piano-based track. Lyrics include ‘C’mon brother...all is forgiven..’

2 - “How Kind Of You” (4:46) - Slow, dreamy track with pretty chords and instrumental passes. Ending is a bit Radiohead-like.

3 - “Jenny Wren” (3:46) - Classic Macca acoustic guitar and vocal track. Interesting sound in solo - perhaps a japanese-style guitar.

4 - “At The Mercy” (2:37) - Nice track with strings and some very nice diminished chords. Almost a 10cc-ish chord progression in spots. Some lyrics include ‘at the mercy of a busy day, we can think of nothing more to say.’

5 - “Friends To Go” (2:43) - Song starts off sparse and builds throughout. Great Macca piano work. Lyrics include ‘I’ll be waiting on the other side for your friends to go.’

6 - “English Tea” (2:11) - Awesome track that would not sound out of place on ‘Revolver.’ A string quartet starts the song off. Lyrics include ‘miles and miles of english garden’, ‘lines of hollyhocks and roses’ and, ‘every Sunday morning.’

7 - “Too Much Rain” (3:24) - Another standout track. Lots of acoustic guitar and piano. Nice accent on the title phrase, and nice 7th chords on title.

8 - “A Certain Sadness” (2:45) - Interesting song, sort of a musical departure for Paul. Almost latin/cha-cha in beat. Pretty piano and guitar licks.

9 - “Riding to Vanity Fair” (5:06) - This is a song directly and angrily pointed at Heather, written after her not so Paul-friendly interview in VANITY FAIR. Direct and to the point. Lyrics like ‘you put me down’ and ‘now that you don’t need my help, I’ll take the time to think about myself’. Ouch!

10- “Follow Me” (2:31) - Great track that was premiered at the Glastonbury Festival in 2004. Solo version is arranged much like live band version, maybe a wee bit slower.

11- “Promise To You Girl” (3:09) - Brilliant track, very much in the ‘Flaming Pie’ vein, right down to the piano. Again, some 10cc-sounding harmonies.

12- “This Never Happened Before” (3:24) - Textbook McCartney ballad, with a soft drum machine backing and gorgeous melody. This may appear in a movie in the not too distant future. Some lyrics include ‘I’m very sure this never happened before.’

13- “Anyway” (3:49) - Beautiful melody with sweeping harmonies. After the track ends, there is about :30 silence, then...the hidden track appears...

HIDDEN TRACK - “I’ve Only Got Two Hands” (3:00) - A fascinating instrumental that really highlights Paul’s fine piano work. The song completely changes tempo and melody about 1:00 in, then changes again towards the end to some backwards ‘Strawberry Fields”-like sounds.

A hidden track...interesting. And "Fine Line" is great.

Anyway, about the George thing, I found it here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/4717407.stm

Does anyone have the complete lyrics to "Riding to Vanity Fair"? And does anyone have that Vanity Fair article so I can read what she said?

Thanks.

I can't wait to get Paul's new album!!!!!!! I plan on getting it the day it comes out. I hope that it's just as good as the Driving Rain album.

As GOOD as Driving Rain ... I hope it's better, MUCH better than that.

Since you've said in another thread that you don't have UNPLUGGED, get that.

Come on Dolly. Lets lighten up some. I read the entire post and you've had nothing positive to say. Can he do no right in your eyes?

Quoted from tkitna

Can he do no right in your eyes?

Based on his last twenty-year record, very rarely. It's no use saying I'm always negative: I try to see positives he's done (for example UNPLUGGED, to mention something that's been talked about here lately).

I can only call it like I see it.

Are you even going to check out his new album? I'm not sure why you would but i'm just asking. Do you go into an album looking for all the negative aspects first?

The question i'm most curious about though,,,,,,,,'What was the last song by Paul that you liked'?

Quoted from tkitna

Are you even going to check out his new album? I'm not sure why you would but i'm just asking. Do you go into an album looking for all the negative aspects first?

The question i'm most curious about though,,,,,,,,'What was the last song by Paul that you liked'?

Of course I'm going to check it out. That WAS a silly question.

I go into an album I've never heard before with an open mind. That was ANOTHER silly question. I certainly do not say, "This'll be dreadful because the last one was". NOR do I say, "Gee, I liked this guy a lot in the past, so this one'll be great too." Both extremes (I'm sure you'll agree) are stupid.

The last song by Paul McCartney that I liked? OK, it was not a Macca-penned tune, but I thought his performance was excellent on I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra on the Ian Dury tribute album, "Brand New Boots and Panties". It was released in 2001 I think. Check it out.

Quoted from Ydoll_Gwyn

Of course I'm going to check it out. That WAS a silly question.

Well, not entirely silly, when you stated that you rarely liked anything he has done in the last 20 years. I wasnt sure that you would bother with him anymore.

Quoted Text

I go into an album I've never heard before with an open mind. That was ANOTHER silly question. I certainly do not say, "This'll be dreadful because the last one was". NOR do I say, "Gee, I liked this guy a lot in the past, so this one'll be great too." Both extremes (I'm sure you'll agree) are stupid.

Again, i'll refer to my above statement.

Quoted Text

The last song by Paul McCartney that I liked? OK, it was not a Macca-penned tune, but I thought his performance was excellent on I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra on the Ian Dury tribute album, "Brand New Boots and Panties". It was released in 2001 I think. Check it out.

I shall. Thanks.

So have you latched on to Partial To Your Abra yet, Tkitna?

PM me if you can't find a copy, and I'll make one available to you ...

I havent yet, but i'm definately intrigued by it. I sent you a pm and thanks for the generosity.

The link is in a PM waiting for you, TK. Let us know what you thought!

I got the pm, but will need to wait until I get home to download it (cant do it here at work), but i'll definately get back with you. Thanks again.

Ok, I listened to 'Partial To Your Abracadabra' and I like it a lot. The chord changes sound unique and I dig them. The piano is also nice in spots (probably Paul, but I havent dwellved into this yet). His voice souinds like its struggling in some spots, but its textbook 70's Paul if there was one in the 80's and 90's. The screaming is nice as is the horns (love the brass and woodwinds). I'll probably buy this cd just for this track if nothing else.

Thanks again Ydoll as I do really enjoy this track.

(i'm still going to find something that you admire with some of Pauls later work)