Do you prefer Red Rose Speedway as a single or double-album

And my copy of the 45 has a skip on Side A, so I only listen to the B-side. ..

 

As I have previously posted elsewhere:

Commercially and critically, from a 1973 standpoint, the decision to go with a single LP was the correct choice. However, the inclusion of certain songs at the expense of other songs on the single LP is debatable, and it is likely a better single LP could have been cobbled together. (But you can be sure that everyone would have a different version of what should have been included or not.)

With hindsight though, from a 2018-2019 viewpoint, a sprawling, somewhat noncohesive, slightly messy double LP is way more INTERESTING. And in general, a flawed double LP typically gets more critical acclaim than a similarly flawed single album. People tend to judge double LPs differently than single LPs, giving them more leeway in a critical sense.

HOWEVER: Critics in 1973 would have inevitably compared Paul's double Red Rose Speedway to The Who's Quadrophenia and The Stones Exile On Main Street, or even Todd Rundgren's Something/Anything. And I think Paul's album would have been deemed lightweight and inconsequential compared to those albums. However, in a 2018-2019 assessment, Paul's double version would have gained approval---as it seems to be judged now.

 

Glad you mentioned Todd Rundgrens Something/Anything. That one is a true desert island disc for ne
RRS is lightweight and inconsequential but that s the way Paul is. However I personally find tracks like Dragonfly or Mommas little girl far from lightweight. In their own way they are both heartfelt and emotional

 

I've been loving the double album. In fact the first disc I think would have made a great single lp. My critique is that the Medley really weighs the album down . It's the most uninteresting thing on it so to me it really hurts the original release.

 

I agree. I have the double vinyl version and it is quite enjoyable. It's one of those times when the single album feels like a truncated version of something meant to be longer.

 

I haven't heard the 2LP version yet but I'm familiar with most (all but twonot sung by Paul) of the tracks there and my feeling is that there is not enough quality material for a 2LP there.

However, I will refrain from voting until I actually hear it.

 

Single. Good to listen to the double version now but I can’t imagine the critical/commercial reception at the time.

There’s some nice songs in the double but also some throwaways IMHO.

 

Also:

If the double-LP version of Red Rose Speedway had been released, it is possible that "I Lie Around" and "Country Dreamer" would NOT have been used as B-sides (for "Live and Let Die" and "Helen Wheels", respectively). In that case, Paul would have needed 2 other non-LP songs to use as B-sides (presuming that he would continue to use non-LP B-sides).

What could those other songs have been?

 

Of the two options, the double . . . simply using the "more is better" theory.

At the time, a single lp consisting of the following would likely have fared better still:

1. Hi, Hi, Hi
2. Country Dreamer
3. Big Barn Bed
4. Live And Let Die
5. Tragedy
6. I Lie Around

1. The Mess
2. C Moon
3. My Love
4. Get On The Right Thing
5. Little Lamb Dragonfly

 

See what I mean? He’s even catching flak for that masterpiece.

 

I always thought there was something off about the sequencing of the original album. Get On the Right Thing sounds like a better opener to me than Big Barn Bed and My Love should have either closed side 1 or opened side 2.

 

Interestingly, this song was released back in the day actually. It was the b-side of the single 'Helen Wheels'.

 

I appreciate finally having all of the extra tracks on the 2 LP edition, but I believe the 1 LP edition plays better as a coherent album. The 2 LP edition feels a bit overlong and disjointed, kind of like Wings' own version of The White Album.


Of course, my opinion might be due to having lived with the 1 LP version of RRS for so long (it's one of my fave McCartney albums).

 

Was never a huge fan of this record...until I heard the 2lp version. I firmly believe this is how it should have been released initially.

 

I just put together a playlist with the double album running order, and I think it gets my vote.

 

Love the 2 LP version it has been in heavy rotation on my turntable since I got it I think it flows really well and it was a great idea to have it released now, better late than never.

 

If one were to buy the double cd deluxe edition, are all the songs from the double LP on there?

 

Yes.

But you would have to put the 20 songs into a different order to match the proposed order of the double-album version.

 

I think it comes off better as a double ,but that doesn't mean a single lp with new track list wouldn't be better too

 

Thank you Mr Grove. I put all my CDs on my hard drive, so it is just a playlist.

 

I'm with you, Alexpop. Mostly high marks for the original
tracks, and mostly meh for the added tracks.

Yep. Mostly all of the original tracks survive, and you
only get the new ones by having 6 tracks per side!

Whaaa??? You did! Oh my goodness, you are inscrutable, Alexpop!

 

Then you will be set. Plus the other bonus tracks on the second CD, like Hi Hi Hi, Live and Let Die (original and take 10 versions), and C Moon, are excellent too.

 

True, but Paul's single-LP version was already judged lightweight against the other single-LP heavy hitters of 1972/3, so I'm not sure if it would have made a difference on that front.

But great post and insights.

 

"1882 (Live)" would work on "Live and Let Die."

 

I’m now beginning to wonder whether RRS should’ve been a triple album.