Standing tall despite his advanced age in which everyone is already retired, Paul McCartney is here with a three-record album: “McCartney I/II/III”.
Queen Elizabeth, who has been the subject of many songs and also showered with criticism rather than praise, has passed away, yet Paul McCartney, one of the musicians that Queen has given the title of Sir, still stands tall despite her advancing age. And he is here with a new triple record album in a box: “McCartney I/II/III”.
This such piece of art is written and performed by McCartney. He featured only vocals from his wife, Linda, and two extra musicians on “Slidin,” guitarist Rusty Anderson and drummer Abe Laboriel, Jr. All three albums were released on both color and black records and are also available on CD. 35 songs nearly just under two hours. Despite spanning fifty years, the records have a lot in common. Most importantly, all three are boldly non-commercial.
“McCartney I” is the stuff that came about after The Beatles’ disbandment in 1970 (when McCartney was accused of causing it). McCartney’s adventurous and artistic spirit comes to the fore in the recordings, which are recorded in the home facilities and feel incomplete. These recordings are like the first examples of lo-fi productions that will come much later.
McCartney has not downshifted at all these days. As if he had read the future, he had filled a section of his detached, three-story house near the EMI recording studios with musical instruments and recording equipment. There was a lot of music, but there were few among them that carried the song format. The songs may seem haphazard, but let us not forget that some of them are early versions of songs we’re used to hearing from big concert recordings.
“McCartney II” belongs to the days when Wings was falling apart in 1980. During this period, McCartney focused on songs that kept up with musical trends. When we entered the 90s, everyone had seen how well he used modern technology and market strategies. The recordings here are partially experimental and in the spirit of the time. Songs like “Frozen Jap”, “Temporary Secretary” and “Coming Up” herald upcoming electronic trends and sounds. It is avant-garde compared to the previous record. Macca classics stand out on the plate.
The songs with an idyllic atmosphere in “McCartney III”, the recordings of which were completed a year ago, represent his last period. McCartney was one of the musicians who turned the epidemic days into opportunities to work and produce. He turned his attention to some old ideas but handed the steering wheel to young musicians from the next generation; Beck, Ed O’Brien, Damon Albarn, St. Vincent gave names like Josh Homme the opportunity to remix a song. The resulting remix album reflected the spirit of today while maintaining its strict song structure. The third record is the result of McCartney’s efforts to return to songwriting. It hosts some of his most intimate songs to date. Like “Women and Wives” and “Find My Way”…
If McCartney is not your favorite Beatle, you must admit he is the most prolific. When John Lennon’s life came to a tragic end at the age of forty, George Harrison and Ringo Starr could not keep up with him. McCartney had the advantage as he had so many opportunities to record. He has done so much with the Macca project, from forming the electronic music duo Fireman with Martin “Youth” Glover, to composing orchestral sheet music for ballet and choirs. Before that, he had a prolific time with the Wings ensemble and his wife, Linda, under the name Ram. There is no need to even count the solo albums.
Each of the albums in our new box whispers to us that McCartney is still uncompromising in dedication and creativity. It shows how energetic and productive he is even as he turns eighty years old.
