“ Helen Wheels ” ( a single not included on the original UK release of Band On the Run ) in an “ underdubbed ” version as captured by engineer Geoff Emerick ’ s rough mixes prior to the album ’ s completion . Although these are not new mixes , Emerick ’ s roughs strip away production and recall the peek behind the curtain offered by the Beatles ’ Let it Be … Naked reissue , which removed Phil Spector ’ s “ wall of sound ” production . Unlike “ The Long and Winding Road ,” it ’ s easy to think that McCartney may have had orchestral bombast in mind when |
composing epic pop suite “ Band on the Run .” The riff following the song ’ s “ If I Ever Get Out of Here ” movement is missing the intended power of the familiar album version with its 60-piece orchestra . McCartney sings in unadorned voice in the rough mix , without the dramatic enhancement of reverb . Anyone who ever wondered whether album-closing piano anthem “ Nineteen Hundred and Eighty- Five ” would have been more potent without Visconti ’ s “ Live and Let Die ” -styled orchestral coda , Supertramp-y clarinet solo , and reprise of the “ Band on the Run ” theme can now judge by playing the “ underdubbed ” instrumental version . Reclaiming ground with the press and public was important in 1973 following the subdued reactions to Wild Life and Red Rose Speedway . Wings ’ two prior albums had only resulted in one major hit - Red Rose Speedway ’ s sentimental gem “ My Love .” Despite losing guitarist Henry McCullough and drummer Denny Seiwell at the eleventh hour prior to recording in Lagos , Nigeria , McCartney and Wings triumphed with Band on the Run . The album is packed with charting songs and fan favorites that remain staples of Paul McCartney set lists . The title track begins in lonely confinement but bursts into euphoric freedom across its three movements . The album was initially slow to gain traction , but the release of the “ Band on the Run ” single carried both the song itself and the album to # 1 in the US . Driving rocker “ Jet ” was a fictionalized McCartney tale spun from the intimidating experience of first meeting spouse and bandmate Linda McCartney ’ s father , lawyer Lee Eastman . The “ underdubbed ” counterpart reveals the extent that the song was transformed by Tony Visconti ’ s orchestral arrangement and the contributions |
of Liverpool saxophonist Howie Casey , who would become a regular component of Wings ’ live show . Casey ’ s sax is also featured during “ Bluebird ” and the rollicking “ Mrs . Vanderbilt ” with its “ ho , hey ho ” crowd chant and laughing coda . “ Bluebird ” is a wistful bossa nova and another ode to unfettered freedom , this time set in the company of a loved one . Linda McCartney ’ s off-key background vocals are a distraction to an otherwise endearing song , but keeping the family involved was always part of Wings ’ aim and inherent charm . Auto-tune was decades away . The loping and John Lennon-ish “ Let Me Roll It ” is a muscular pop song with McCartney ’ s sharp guitar riff and slap-back vocal echo . The structure recalls the Beatles ’ “ Oh ! Darling ” with inspiration rooted in Fats Domino ’ s music . The romantic lyric carries its songwriter ’ s intentional double entendre as a potsmoking anthem of camaraderie . The “ underdubbed ” version features McCartney ’ s scratch vocal , with additional sounds and background chatter not heard in the final mix . Love song “ No Words ” was co-written with bandmate Denny Laine , who passed away in December . The song is reminiscent of Badfinger ’ s harmony-laden power-pop . Emerick ’ s rough mix emphasizes McCartney ’ s piano and the doubletracked guitar solo at the song ’ s fade-out . The album does have its excesses . The Afro-pop influenced “ Mamunia ” is a comparatively inessential trifle , although its ode to the rain exceeds the filler heard on the prior Wings efforts . The folksy strummer “ Picasso ’ s Last Words ( Drink to Me ),” allegedly written to prove to Dustin Hoffman that McCartney could write a song on the spot about anything , overstays its welcome by a couple of minutes with a florid lounge-pop callback to “ Jet ” and noodling orchestration that produces inadequate bang for the buck . The further callback to “ Mrs . Vanderbilt ” prominently features percussion by Cream drummer Ginger Baker , who shook a tin can full of gravel . The song was recorded at Baker ’ s studio in Lagos . “ Helen Wheels ” was a savvy addition to the North American release of Band on the Run , with its big beat reminiscent of Gary Glitter ’ s “ Rock and Roll Part 1 ” and Laine ’ s charming guitar boogie . The song was a top ten hit in the US . The lyric captures the scenery along a road trip from the McCartneys ’ Scottish farm into London .
The 2xLP edition collects the main album and “ underdubbed ” platters in a slipcase , and includes a pair of poster collages with Linda McCartney ’ s Polaroid snapshots from Lagos . The half-speed master offers an audible enhancement to
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L I S T I N G S |
April 20 , 2024 |