Paul and Linda McCartney - "Ram" (1971)

I've mentioned this before, but when it comes to the dynamic duo, Lennon and McCartney, I have always voted for Lennon. Lennon was the revolutionary, the visionary, and the one doing the groundbreaking experimentation. McCartney was a little kinder, a little sweeter, a little cheezier and never crossed the same borders. I'm not an expert on their respective solo careers, and I think none of them ever came up in the same league as in the Beatles years, but I have the feeling that the difference largely persisted. Lennon a bit more progressive and unruly, McCartney it a little more kind and traditional.

If anything of the above is true, perhaps Ram is the exception that proves the rule. Ram is a really good album and a truly pleasant experience. This album came to me when I was around 15 years old in the form of an old classic - a cassette tape. It was my aunt's husband who recorded this album for me, a man in possession of many interesting vinyls and who has actually seen the Beatles live. If I remember correctly it was during their first tour in Sweden. When I got Ram I instantly liked the album (even though it was on cassette). I bought on vinyl later on.

This was Paul's second album after the breakup of the Beatles and the only one where both he and his wife Linda are credited as the artists. After Ram, Wings was formed and a new era began in the McCartney's careers. About half of the songs on Ram have both Linda and Paul as songwriters, the other half have Paul as the sole creator. However, it's Paul who sings on the album and Linda does some backing vocals and harmonies.

Again, it's good songs straight through, sure, some wouldn't end up on an old classic mixtape but there are no direct lows. My two favorites have always been the dreamy Ram On and Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey. But there are a lot of other goodies too, Long Haired Lady is one of the B-side's highlights. As is customary in the case of McCartney, it's relatively easily digested music, but it's digestible music with quality. Quite fun and interesting pieces. Lennon's anguish and bitterness is far away and it's a bit more playful than, say, George Harrison's Everything Must Pass. Shall I compare with some of the Beatles' albums I would say it's Abbey Road that's closest at hand, and some of the songs on Ram perhaps would deserve a place on that record.

The other Fab heard a lot of hidden messages (mean stuff) in the lyrics that were directed towards them, especially Lennon of course. One respons from John was the song How Do You Sleep? which was aimed towards Paul. Paranoia or not, but Paul admitted only that a few lines in opening song Too Many People were directed at John. John also suspected that the picture on the back cover of two beetles mating was referring to how Paul felt that the other Fab had treated him.
In addition to responses from John in the form of mean songs against Paul, there was a kind of war of words between them in the press after the release of Ram. Today's hip hop-related wars of words between rap artists apparently have a history with connections all the way up to the Beatles.

When the album was realeased it didn't receive good reviews, but history has given it right. Today, many believe that Ram is perhaps the highlight of Paul's solo career and a masterpiece. Personally, I recommend it. It's qualitative, easily digested music that is both interesting and exciting. Such music is not easy to neither create nor find in the record stores, but Ram is one of these records.

Tracklist


Side A
1. Too Many People 4:10
2. 3 Legs 2:44
3. Ram On 2:26
4. Dear Boy 2:12
5. Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey 4:49
6. Smile Away 3:51

Side B
1. Heart of the Country 2:21
2. Monkberry Moon Delight 5:21
3. Eat at Home 3:18
4. Long Haired Lady 5:54
5. Ram On 0:52
6. The Back Seat of My Car 4:26

Strawbs - "Hero And Heroine" (1974)

Strawbs is / was an English band that was created already in 1964. As is customary in the music industry members have come and gone. Some who have appeared are Sandy Denny (later of Fairport Convention), Rick Wakeman (who went to Yes), and Blue Weaver (who played with acts such as Bee Gees and Mott the Hoople ). Kind of authorities, wouldn't you say? At the time of the recording of Hero and Heroine the band consisted of Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, John Hawken, Chas Cronk and Rod Coombes, where the latter three were new members.

Also regarding genres Strawbs have had various guises, they have played bluegrass, folk, glam and progressive. Today it's the last genre they are most associated with. I think Hero and Heroine was their seventh studio album and was the successor to their great success Bursting at the Seams.

It opens nicely with the beautiful suite Autumn, which consists of three parts. This is a strong opening and had the LP continued in the same way it had been a masterpiece. At this point maybe the listener's expectations goes up too high concerning the rest of the album, because it becomes a little more up and down. I think side A is the high point, even if the B-side certainly also has its strengths, such as Round and Round or Lay a Little Light on Me.

In addition to the standard instruments guitar, bass and drums, we also hear piano, synth and mellotron a lot on the album.

The record wasn't a success in England, but in the states it looked brighter and Strawbs focused, therefore, some time on this continent. Allmusic.com writes on the album (and give it 4.5 out of 5 in their rating):

"...which, coupled with new band's muscular playing, made the Strawbs one of the hardest-rocking progressive bands in the world. They should have been able to blow acts like the Moody Blues off the stage, so what went wrong with this album and the tour? One suspects it was a little too serious and complex for kids who were just looking for a soundtrack to their drug experiences, and it rocked too hard for the "sensitive" English-major types who got off on Cousins' lyrics ..."

When I listen to Hero and Heroine, I get the insight I often get when I hear music from the 60's and 70's - every song has its own character and it seems to be some work and serious thought behind every creation. This in contrast to much of today's commercial music that feels much more mass produced, planed and sandpapered to not stick out and provoke in any way. Then I get the insight that I sound old and that you can't compare today's commercial radio music with yesterdays (perhaps less commercial) progressive music. I know it's good music being done today too, it's just that I don't hear it that often. Help me, I'm stuck in the past!

Anyway, I like this album, it's a relative newcomer to my collection, and spontaneously, it feels like a good buy. The listener is treated to a bit of everything, there are sweeping, bombastic choruses (oooh, I'm a sucker for those), a touch of psychedelia, some humble and not too difficult progressive parts, some hot smokin' rockers (which I could do without) and a few quieter songs. Everything isn't good, but the overall picture is still a fully accepted member on the record shelf. Allmusic.com suspected the album of being a little too complex for some of the audience, but I don't agree with this. In my world it's a fairly straightforward album, at least compared to many other progressive creations.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Autumn: Heroine's Theme / Deep Summer Sleep / The Winter Long 8:27

2. Sad Young Man 4:08

3. Just Love 3:40

4. Shine On Silver Sun 2:47

Side B

1. Hero and Heroine 3:21

2. Midnight Sun 3:12

3. Out In the Cold 3:18

4. Round and Round 4:43

5. Lay A Little Light On Me 3:27

6. Hero's Theme 2:27