James Paul McCartney (TV programme)

Last updated

James Paul McCartney
JamesPaulMcCartneytv.jpg
The opening title used for the special
Developed by ATV
Directed by Dwight Hemion
Starring
Composers
Country of origin United Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersGary Smith, Dwight Hemion
ProducerGary Smith (ATV)
Running time50 mins approx.
Production company ATV
Original release
Network
Release16 April 1973 (1973-04-16)
Related

James Paul McCartney is the title of a 1973 television special produced by ATV, starring English musician Paul McCartney and his then-current rock group, Wings. It was first broadcast on 16 April 1973 in the United States on the ABC network, and later broadcast in the United Kingdom on 10 May 1973. It was issued on DVD for the first time as part of the super-deluxe Red Rose Speedway box set in December 2018.

Contents

Background

Paul McCartney agreed to star in a television special for the British ATV company to settle his two-year legal dispute with Sir Lew Grade. [1] [2] As the owner of the network and its music publishing division, and, by extension, the Beatles' Northern Songs catalogue, [3] Grade had objected to McCartney crediting his wife Linda as his co-writer since 1971, citing her lack of professional experience as a songwriter and musician. [4] [5] McCartney's commitment to the television project allowed him to retain the second composer's publishing royalties, [1] which would otherwise have been assigned to Grade's company. [2] [6]

James Paul McCartney was McCartney's first television special since the Beatles' 1967 film, Magical Mystery Tour, [7] and was intended to showcase his versatility as an artist and entertainer. [1] [8] Many segments featured his band, Wings, while in others McCartney performed solo. [9] ATV hired Gary Smith as the producer and Dwight Hemion as the director, although McCartney was assured full creative control over the programme's content. [10] After recently completing their second album, Red Rose Speedway , Wings travelled to Marrakesh in early February 1973 to plan and rehearse for the show. [11] [12]

Programme content

Left-over tracks

McCartney performed "Mama's Little Girl", "Hey Diddle", "Long Haired Lady", and "Yesterday", among others, as part of the acoustic medley (Part 2), though they were not edited into any version of the broadcast. The complete recording of this medley appeared since on unofficial "bootleg" releases, along with alternate takes of the intro for "Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance".

Additional tracks performed during the "Wings in Concert" segment (Part 10) included "When the Night", "Wild Life", "Go Now" and "The Long and Winding Road", which was the first time McCartney performed this song in front of a live audience ever.

Reception

Critical reception to the programme was highly unfavourable. [10] [13] [14] According to authors Chip Madinger and Mark Easter, the show "was roundly panned by every critic with a pulse, and was not a stunning success in the ratings either". [10] Melody Maker stated: "McCartney has always had an eye and ear for full-blown romanticism, and nothing wrong with that, but here he too often lets it get out of hand and it becomes over-blown and silly." [15] The New York Times ' reviewer described it as "a series of disconnected routines strung together with commercials for Chevrolet cars", while The Washington Post criticised the amount of screen time allocated to Linda McCartney, saying that "her previous careers ... certainly don't qualify her to perform in public." [16]

Writing for Rolling Stone , Lenny Kaye found McCartney "remote and distant from the camera" and added: "if the consequent production did nothing to heal McCartney's ongoing image problem, it certainly didn't help his musical offerings, which came off as forgettably ordinary and certainly disappointing." [17] Referring to the former Beatle's return to television, Alan Coren of The Times wrote: "[James Paul McCartney] was not the sort of programme you make a come-back with. It was the sort of programme you make a come-back after." [18]

Among more recent critiques, Peter Doggett describes the special as "insipid" and "unrecognisable as the work of the man who had conceived Magical Mystery Tour". [19] Robert Rodriguez writes that, in its attempts to present McCartney as all-round entertainer, the show embarrassed and alienated his rock audience, and that even the in-concert segment was lacklustre. Rodriguez concludes: "the band must surely have been conscious of their shortcomings alongside virtually any other recording act of the day. When Henry McCullough buries his head in his hands during the [McCartney] solo finale of 'Yesterday,' one feels his pain." [20] Tom Doyle contends that the show "wasn't all bad" but considers the "Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance" segment and the Chelsea Reach pub scene to have been particularly ill-advised for McCartney's image at the time. [21]

Home media

The special was never released on VHS. [22]

In 2018, a DVD remaster was released as part of the "Paul McCartney Archive" deluxe reissue of Red Rose Speedway . [23] This new edit doesn't contain "Bluebird" as part of the acoustic medley (Part 2), alike original UK broadcast. However, unlike the UK broadcast, the last song of the "Wings in Concert" segment (Part 10) is "Long Tall Sally", as the US/Japanese broadcast, while "Hi, Hi, Hi" is missing.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul McCartney and Wings</span> English–American rock band

Paul McCartney and Wings, often billed simply as Wings, were an English-American rock band formed in 1971 in London by former Beatles bassist and singer Paul McCartney, his wife Linda McCartney on keyboards, session drummer Denny Seiwell, and former Moody Blues guitarist Denny Laine. Wings were noted for their commercial successes, musical eclecticism and frequent personnel changes; going through three lead guitarists and four drummers. However, the core trio of the McCartneys and Laine remained intact throughout the group's existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Long and Winding Road</span> 1970 single by the Beatles

"The Long and Winding Road" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1970 album Let It Be. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. When issued as a single in May 1970, a month after the Beatles' break-up, it became the group's 20th and final number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

<i>Band on the Run</i> 1973 album by Paul McCartney and Wings

Band on the Run is the third studio album by the British–American rock band Paul McCartney and Wings, released by Apple on 30 November 1973. It was McCartney's fifth album after leaving the Beatles in April 1970. Although sales were modest initially, its commercial performance was aided by two hit singles – "Jet" and "Band on the Run" – such that it became the top-selling studio album of 1974 in the United Kingdom and Australia, in addition to revitalising McCartney's critical standing. It remains McCartney's most successful album and the most celebrated of his post-Beatles works.

<i>Back to the Egg</i> 1979 studio album by Wings

Back to the Egg is the seventh and final studio album by the British–American rock band Wings, released in June 1979 on Parlophone in the UK and Columbia Records in North America. Co-produced by Chris Thomas, the album reflects band leader Paul McCartney's embracing of contemporary musical trends such as new wave and punk, and marked the arrival of new Wings members Laurence Juber and Steve Holley. Back to the Egg adopts a loose conceptual theme around the idea of a working band, and its creation coincided with a period of considerable activity for the group, which included making a return to touring and work on several television and film projects.

<i>McCartney</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Paul McCartney

McCartney is the debut solo album by English musician Paul McCartney, released on 17 April 1970 by Apple Records. McCartney recorded it in secrecy, mostly using basic home-recording equipment at his house in St John's Wood. Mixing and some recording took place at professional London studios. In its loosely arranged performances, McCartney eschewed the polish of the Beatles' past records in favour of a lo-fi style. Apart from occasional contributions by his wife, Linda, McCartney performed the entire album alone by overdubbing on four-track tape.

<i>Red Rose Speedway</i> 1973 studio album by Paul McCartney and Wings

Red Rose Speedway is the second studio album by the English-American rock band Wings, although credited to "Paul McCartney and Wings". It was released through Apple Records on 5 May 1973, preceded by its lead single, the ballad "My Love". By including McCartney's name in the artist credit, the single and album broke with the tradition of Wings' previous records. The change was made in the belief that the public's unfamiliarity with the band had been responsible for the weak commercial performance of the group's 1971 debut album Wild Life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fool on the Hill</span> 1967 song by the Beatles

"The Fool on the Hill" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1967 EP and album Magical Mystery Tour. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The lyrics describe the titular "fool", a solitary figure who is not understood by others, but is actually wise. McCartney said the idea for the song was inspired by the Dutch design collective the Fool, who derived their name from the tarot card of the same name, and possibly by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

<i>The Best of George Harrison</i> 1976 compilation album by George Harrison

The Best of George Harrison is a 1976 compilation album by English musician George Harrison, released following the expiration of his EMI-affiliated Apple Records contract. Uniquely among all of the four Beatles' solo releases, apart from posthumous compilations, it mixes a selection of the artist's songs recorded with the Beatles on one side, and later hits recorded under his own name on the other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Back Seat of My Car</span> 1971 single by Paul and Linda McCartney

"The Back Seat of My Car" is a song written by Paul McCartney, released as the closing track of his and his wife Linda's 1971 album, Ram. Several months later, it was released as a single in the UK, peaking at number 39. The song modulates stylistically between a sweeping piano-and-orchestra ballad similar to McCartney's "The Long and Winding Road" and upbeat rock sections before ending in a raucous and passionate finale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Ireland Back to the Irish</span> 1972 single by Wings

"Give Ireland Back to the Irish" is the debut single by the British–American rock band Wings that was released in February 1972. It was written by Paul McCartney and his wife Linda in response to the events of Bloody Sunday, on 30 January that year, when British troops in Northern Ireland shot dead thirteen civil rights protestors. Keen to voice their outrage at the killings, Wings recorded the track two days later at EMI Studios in London. It was the band's first song to include Northern Irish guitarist Henry McCullough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Love (Paul McCartney and Wings song)</span> 1973 single by Paul McCartney and Wings

"My Love" is a song by the British–American band Paul McCartney and Wings that was first released as the lead single from their 1973 album Red Rose Speedway. It was written by Paul McCartney as a love song to his wife and Wings bandmate Linda. The single marked the first time that McCartney's name appeared in the artist credit for a Wings record, after their previous releases had been credited to Wings alone. Released on 23 March 1973, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US for four weeks and peaked at number 9 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was viewed as Wings' first significant success in the US and helped Red Rose Speedway achieve commercial success.

"Sue Me, Sue You Blues" is a song written by English musician George Harrison, released on his 1973 album Living in the Material World. Harrison initially let American guitarist Jesse Ed Davis record it for the latter's Ululu album (1972), in gratitude to Davis for his participation in the Concert for Bangladesh. When writing the song, Harrison drew inspiration from the legal issues surrounding the Beatles during the early months of 1971, particularly the lawsuit that Paul McCartney initiated in an effort to dissolve the band's business partnership, Apple Corps.

<i>Back to the Egg</i> (TV programme) British TV series or programme

Back to the Egg is a TV special containing music videos to promote the band Wings' 1979 album Back to the Egg. The program was first broadcast on US television stations in November 1979, but its UK airing, on BBC1, was delayed until June 1981, two months after the band disbanded. The locations used for filming include Lympne Castle and Camber Sands, both on the south-east coast of England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Early 1970</span> 1971 single by Ringo Starr

"Early 1970" is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr that was released as the B-side of his April 1971 single "It Don't Come Easy". A rare example of Starr's songwriting at the time, it was inspired by the break-up of the Beatles and documents his relationship with his three former bandmates. The lyrics to the verses comment in turn on Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison as individuals, and the likelihood of each of them making music with Starr again. In the final verse, Starr offers a self-deprecating picture of his musical abilities and expresses the hope that all four will play together in the future. Commentators have variously described "Early 1970" as "a rough draft of a peace treaty" and "a disarming open letter" from Starr to Lennon, McCartney and Harrison.

"Sunshine Life for Me (Sail Away Raymond)" is a song by English musician Ringo Starr from his 1973 album Ringo. It was written by George Harrison, Starr's former bandmate in the Beatles, and was one of several contributions Harrison made to Ringo. Recording for the song took place in Los Angeles in March 1973, with Richard Perry as producer. In addition to Starr and Harrison, the musicians on the track include Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson of the Band, and multi-instrumentalist David Bromberg.

Wings Over the World is a 1979 television music documentary film featuring the rock band Wings. It consists of concert performances from their acclaimed Wings Over the World tour of 1975-1976, together with behind-the-scenes footage. Also included is a short excerpt of Wings rehearsing at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts before their 1972 UK university tour. Problems with the audio from the 1976 live performances delayed the film's release until 16 March 1979 in the United States and 8 April 1979 in the United Kingdom, by which time, band members Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English had left the group and been replaced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomorrow (Paul McCartney song)</span> British pop song

"Tomorrow" is a song by the British–American band Wings from their debut album Wild Life, released in December 1971. It was written by band members Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney. In 1976, American singer David Cassidy had a hit with his cover version of the song.

"Six O'Clock" is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr from his 1973 album Ringo. It was written by Starr's former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney and the latter's wife, Linda, who also participated in the recording of the song. It was the first time McCartney and Starr had worked together since the Beatles' break-up in 1970. Their collaboration reflected an easing of the tensions that had existed between the two musicians for much of that period.

"You and Me (Babe)" is a song by English musician Ringo Starr, released as the final track on his 1973 album Ringo. Starr's fellow ex-Beatle George Harrison wrote the song along with Mal Evans, the Beatles' longtime aide and a personal assistant to Starr during the making of Ringo. The track serves as a farewell from Starr to his audience in the manner of a show-closing finale, by lyrically referring to the completion of the album. During the extended fadeout, Starr delivers a spoken message in which he thanks the musicians and studio personnel who helped with the recording of Ringo – among them, Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and his producer, Richard Perry.

<i>Lennon Remembers</i> Book by Jann Wenner

Lennon Remembers is a 1971 book by Rolling Stone magazine co-founder and editor Jann Wenner. It consists of a lengthy interview that Wenner carried out with former Beatle John Lennon in December 1970 and which was originally serialised in Rolling Stone in its issues dated 21 January and 4 February 1971. The interview was intended to promote Lennon's primal therapy-inspired album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and reflects the singer's emotions and mindset after undergoing an intense course of the therapy under Arthur Janov. It also serves as a rebuttal to Paul McCartney's public announcement of the Beatles' break-up, in April 1970.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Woffinden 1981, p. 67.
  2. 1 2 Sounes 2010, pp. 303–04.
  3. ↑ Sounes 2010, p. 303.
  4. ↑ Schaffner 1978, p. 151.
  5. ↑ Doggett 2011, pp. 167–68.
  6. ↑ Doggett 2011, pp. 168, 194–95.
  7. ↑ Doyle 2013, pp. 78–79.
  8. ↑ Schaffner 1978, p. 156.
  9. ↑ Badman 2001, pp. 96–97.
  10. 1 2 3 Madinger & Easter 2000, p. 180.
  11. ↑ Badman 2001, p. 90.
  12. ↑ Madinger & Easter 2000, p. 179.
  13. ↑ Frontani 2009, p. 166.
  14. ↑ Doyle 2013, p. 81.
  15. ↑ Badman 2001, p. 97.
  16. ↑ Frontani 2009, pp. 166, 269.
  17. ↑ Kaye, Lenny (5 July 1973). "Review of Red Rose Speedway". Rolling Stone . p. 68. Archived from the original on 6 August 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  18. ↑ Frontani 2009, p. 269.
  19. ↑ Doggett 2011, p. 208.
  20. ↑ Rodriguez 2010, pp. 329–30.
  21. ↑ Doyle 2013, pp. 79–80.
  22. ↑ "James Paul McCartney 1973 TV Special".
  23. ↑ "Paul announces reissues of 'Wild Life' and 'Red Rose Speedway' + 'Wings 1971-73'". 8 October 2018.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.