The Reverend Will the Thrill Presents the Album of the Week!

It's been a weird week for me, especially the last few days (more on that toward the end).  During those last few days, I've found myself being drawn to the Beatles for some reason--specifically Paul's post-Beatles work, specifically Wings.  For three, maybe even four straight days, I woke up with the song "No Words" rattling around my cranium.  And I don't know why.  It's not like I intentionally listened to the song, let alone the album on which it's featured (Band on the Run), anytime recently.  Perhaps it played randomly on my phone while I was at work and it seeped into my subconscious--obviously, if it did, I don't remember hearing it.

Consequently, I've been revisiting Sir Paul's music, including The Beatles.  I've always kind of felt bad for Paul, because I get the impression that many people think of him as someone who just wrote silly love songs--generally and literally.  But, frankly, I've always liked that about him.

 

I seriously thought about submitting Band on the Run this week.  It is probably Wings' most remembered album, likely their biggest hit, and includes some of my favourite deep cuts, most notably "Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five."  However, I was remembering something I read in a book about rock snobbery.

My cousins Ari and Gates gave me a book for Christmas (2024) called I Hate New Music: The Classic Rock Manifesto by British expat journalist Dave Thompson.  Thompson is one of the ultimate rock snobs--even moreso than I like to think I am.  While I didn't agree with every assessment of his, I found it highly entertaining.  In the book, he posed the queston:  What is the most satisfying sound in rock 'n' roll?  Obviously, the response is subjective, but Thompson's choice kind of caught me off guard.  And it's not necessarily what I would have thought of as the most satisfying sound in rock, but I always felt that his choice was interesting because I think most rock snobs would just write it off.  (He also seemed to prefer it in 8-Track, although I've never listened to one, so I can't comment on that particular aspect.)  Overall, I've always felt that it was an underrated album and to read the words of an actual rock snob extolling its virtues and not just discounting it because it's Paul--who, admittedly can get kind of schmaltzy--was kind of reassuring.

This week's album was recorded mostly at Sea-Saint Studios in New Orleans.  McCartney brought new members Jimmy McCullough and Geoff Britton into the fold, however, Britton left after only a few months.  He only played on three tracks, so Paul recruited Joe English (who is actually American) to finish the album.  Legendary pianist Allen Toussaint even played on "Rock Show."  Featuring some of my favourite deep cuts including "Magneto and Titanium Man," "Medicine Jar," and "You Gave Me the Answer," please enjoy Wings with their 1975 release Venus and Mars.

(Sometime around 1990, I remember McCartney giving an interview--I think to MTV's Kurt Loder, but don't quote me on that.  He was asked about his early career goals and aspirations.  He talked about writing songs that he hoped would be covered by the likes of Frank Sinatra and said, "I was out to become the next Cole Porter."  After a beat, he added, "Still am, babe!"  I only bring this up because that ambition is evident in "You Gave Me the Answer," which might be my favourite song on this album.  See also:  "English Tea" on his 2005 album Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.)

This will be my last "Album of the Week" rant for about a month and a half.  If you've seen me at all in the last year, you know that I don't get around like I used to and should.  I've been walking with a cane since November.  I am scheduled to have hip replacement surgery (my second) in about three weeks.  I may post some earlier "From the Vault" rants in my absence, but at this point, I don't have the mental capacity to come up with anything new.  Wish me luck.

Until I return, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and please remember that if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.

Yours in peace, love, and rock 'n' roll!

The Reverend Will the Thrill