The plan is to release all of Paul’s solo albums in double cd formats with bonus tracks and booklets, complete with rare, never seen before photographs. Released in 1970, a week before ‘Let It Be’ much to the annoyance of the other Beatles, ‘McCartney 1’ is perhaps one of the most misunderstood albums in the history of rock. McCartney went away to his farm in Scotland with a basic four track mixer and created an album on which he wrote, produced and played on all the songs. Critics were confused that such a major artist would release a low-fi album with no less than five instrumentals and three songs (‘Teddy Boy’, ‘Junk’ and ‘Every Night’) that were rejected by The Beatles.
It needs to be said that those three songs are now hailed amongst his greatest works. If the album has a highlight, it’s ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’ with a vocal tour de force and killer chorus. ‘McCartney 2’ in contrast sold better but is the more indulgent album. Following Paul’s Japanese drug bust (one song is entitled ‘Frozen Jap’) he dissolved Wings, embraced new wave and again made an album on which he wrote, produced and played everything. Naturally, it spawned a massive number one hit called ‘Coming Up’ and a beautiful ballad and follow up single ‘Waterfalls’ with a typically naff lyric warning the listener rather sensibly not to chase big friendly polar bears. However it is the lesser known third single, ‘Temporary Secretary’ which as well as being a bit creepy, is one of the best forgotten songs of the era.
