Paul McCartney's Band On The Run Spins Anew... - The Cultute of Pop, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

Paul McCartney's Band On The Run Spins Anew...

Posted: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:40:00 PST

As a card carrying Paul McCartney fan for the last 46 of my 48 years, you may find it shocking to know that I didn't get my first copy of Band On The Run until the dawn of the CD era circa' 1988-1989.

     What can I say? My weekly allowance during the "Have A Nice Day" era (a.k.a. the 1970's) could only buy so much at a time. Besides, I had to buy some of the current hit parade from time to time (not to mention playing catch up on the discography of that other group he was in before Wings). But since a third of the record came blaring from car radios, transistor carry alongs and boom boxes well past their initial hit singles heyday on the charts, my BOTR cravings were held at bay; relegated to my ever expanding wish list.

     Flash forward nearly a decade and a half later with a little bit more hobby dinero under my belt during the music industry's first foray of mining their back catalogs for CD reissues. Not surprisingly, the ex-Beatle and his former musical mates were the first to make the jump into the digital era via their record labels, albeit with mixed results (George Harrison's cloth ears CD debut of All Things Must Pass, anyone?). Thankfully, McCartney's legendary Grammy winning album didn't suffer the same fate. Not hi-fi store demo qualit mind you, but it sure sounded great blaring from my still relatively new Yamaha sound system at the time. Even better? Those other seven songs foreign to my ears combined with Helen Wheels, Jet and the title track added up to a musical whole that lived up to its legend.

     Despite my musical pleasure, the musicologist in me felt  unsatisfied...where were the original inner sleeve goodies like lyrics and photographs from the original vinyl incarnation (a shortcoming that affected such catalog titles back in the day). No bonus tracks, unreleased gems or retrospective liner notes? One tended to get spoiled when certain record labels went the extra mile with commemorative box sets and anniversary commemorations (especially the sadly missed, once hyperactive Rhino Records and Sundazed). Combined with McCartney's busy schedule in years to come (classical works, animated projects, being with Linda during her battle with cancer), it was dissappointgly evident that  a 'do-it-right' version of Band On The Run would be a long time coming....

...and years later, it's finally appeared, "like a mighty crash".

     Thanks to McCartney's association with Concord Records/Hear Music, Band On The Run has re-emerged in a wonderful 2 CD/1 DVD edition worthy of its reputation. From packaging to mastering, it easily defeats the slightly dissappointing late 1990's Capitol reissue whose only sole virture was a "making of" audio documentary bonus disc. Although the songs still suffer from a boxy quality due to the limitations of the African-based recording studios and the multi-tracks nearly being permanently damaged (a story you'll find in full in lengendary recording engineer Geoff Emerick's wonderful book, Here, There and Everywhere), the fine remastering work of Steve Okell and Sam Rooke bring much needed clarity to the material, especially in the higher frequencies, less bottom end (my major complaint of the two previous copies of the album I own) and wonderful stereo separation.

As far as bonuses, the companion CD features six live tracks from the fabled, unreleased One Hand Clapping film, a real treat for long time fans who have previously bought this material in the glory days of bootlegs...it's never sounded better. Two B-sides (the delightful Country Dreamer and quirky instrumental Zoo Gang) along with Helen Wheels (left off the British version of the album) round out the disc, which although woefully short, makes a pleasant half hour listen. Yes, I would've preferred more (the unusual radio edit of Jet, the remixed Band On The Run tracks in full from the 1998 re-issue, etc), but there's always a commemorative box set around the corner for such things (we hope).

More treats abound in the DVD disc, including the video for Helen Wheels, the making of the Band On The Run album cover and best of all, the afforementioned One Hand Clapping film. Some fans have complained about the lack of restoration and song trims, but I must admit I still find it appealing in a nostalgic, underground video sense and it's a real treat to see/hear renditions of these songs in then-new live arrangements. Among the high points: A powerful Jet (featuring fine drumming from short term member Geoff Britton), an early version of Soily (Jimmy McCulloch, you and your guitar sound are still sorely missed), Bluebird (which for me surpasses the studio version) and Live and Let Die complete with a live studio orchestra.                

     All of the above along with a wonderful 22 page booklet filled with original album artwork, never before published photos and a superb essay from Rolliing Stone contributor Paul Gambaccini add up to a must have for fans, old and new.

     To sum it up, a promising start for future McCartney reissues (come on Red Rose Speedway and Wings Over America!). As our mates across the pond might say, I'm chuffed.