Paul McCartney - Egypt Station (#1 album in US) Appreciation Thread 2.0 - New and Improved

If Tedder could do a whole album with Paul, like Get Started, well that would be a Beatle Paul album.

 

I think with the other thread being shut down the Popmatters review may have been missed, but it is yet another positive one, and it put's it in the context of Paul's recent solo career, and also draws parallel to 'FITD' and 'Ram' :

Like the three preceding albums McCartney has released since 2005, Egypt Station is a fun success and finds the 76-year-old former Beatle as prolific and enjoyable as ever. The album's buildup fit the McCartney hype machine from introductions on social media and performances in promotional tour stops and special events in the months leading to its announcement and release. McCartney even playfully took part in James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke" and gave the comedian and his late night show audience (which ultimately includes YouTube) a tour of Liverpool. If the presence of Egypt Station tracks in concert setlists wanes over the course of McCartney's pending world tour "Freshen Up" in 2018-2019, the album will still mark a relevant "station" in his career.

Paul McCartney Travels to 'Egypt Station' for an Enjoyable Stop in a Prolific Career

 

Is it okay if I re-post, as I think these ramblings about the lyrics fit this thread better than the chart one . . . ?!

Overall, like the music, the album is uplifting. There is carpe diem quality to the songs--“Dominoes,” “Do It Now,” “Back in Brazil,” “Despite Repeated Warnings” etc, while “Come on to Me” takes place at that pivotal moment between action and inaction.

The message seems to be that dreams can be made, but they don’t just happen. They’re about taking chances, seizing control, grasping the moment, writing your own history. “Everything in life is planned,” but not in a fatalistic way--you have to make the plans and let them happen. “Yes we can do it!”

“Happy with You” interweaves mundane, quotidian verses ("I sat around all day, I used to get wasted" etc etc) with ones that are replete with evocative, almost dream-like imagery. The exotic (Egypt Station?) can be created from the ordinary—or rather what we make of the ordinary, how we choose observe it, to enact with it (intimately, rather than passive detachment). Which brings me to one last observation. The songs also seem to be about intimacy and nakedness and flirtation—not just sexual but also perhaps a flirtation with creativity, with the beauty of song and its birthing.

I wonder if there might be an occasional underlying conversation with what might be called his spirit of song--his own gift/inspiration/Muse, and artistic alter egos (“sea of faces”?)? Not just explicitly in “Confidante” but implicitly in “Hunt You Down/Naked/C-Link”? The naked artist is on the hunt--for the song:

Born to follow you wherever you go
But my problem is I never do know.

Which also takes us back to the opening song. Interesting that “brother” comes up in the first and last song? A previous version of the (artistic) self?

Well, in truth, I don’t know, but at least I care!

 

It's all just in your pretty little head...

 

Below is my original review written right after I heard the Green Elastic version CD.
I have listened to it dozens of times since and will now comment on any changes, etc.
Unless noted, original scores and comments stand.

Lets Get Started is now increased to a 97 score.

Come On To Me now has increased to 85.

Confidante is now up to a 90

Do It Now rises to 80

DRW is now up to 88

In my haste to post on Sept 8th, I forgot Nothing For Free!
As subsequently written by me several times, release an edited single version of it.
Put out a maxi dance club mix, with a killer live version. 90





My take on Egypt Station

So many excellent reviews here and in some professional ones, I’ll try not to repeat their keen observations. To that end, I’m taking a small angle that hopefully will add to our enjoyment.

My angle is that Macca has turned over 18 tracks to me and says :Make the album the way you want it. I don’t care how you arrange them.

OK, two versions:

First the commercial one he gave me.
Second includes two extra track, bonus version.

Original version, lose Fuh You. keep the rest in order.

My version: Lose Fuh You amd Back In Brazil, add Get Started. For now, I’ll keep the order minus those tossed and insert Get Started before I Don’t Know. (Kudos to Dr. Pepper who suggested this 1st)

Then Macca says “ tell me what you think of the songs.”

Opening Station - make full length, 2-3 minutes, set the mood for a journey. N/A

Let’s Gets Started- The joy and dedication of the music and lyric is infectious! Great start. Hooks, beats, harmonies. For the Wings Fans, Can Almost Hear Linda, at least in spirit. Figure of Eight vibe. Bonus Track. 92

I Don’t Know- Well known single, gorgeous ballad. Doubts, struggles. Linda ?
Universal enough for all. (Will keep larger lyric discussion for another post when more ready for that). 92

Come On To Me - Sprightly , light rock with some growing musical colors adding layers as song continues. 82

Happy With You- was Paul thinking of making that Old Man’s album, after all, but finished it with the musical paint only he could create. Has an open nature, Western vibe. . Shadows of 70’s singer-songwriter prototype. Couple others like this. Picture “you “as - him looking into a mirror, proud, not necessarily thanking a mate.
88

Who Cares - very strong mid - tempo rocker with great band performance.
Meaningful and clever lyrics above average for Paul. 95

Confidante - a guitar, really? Could be as stated, great metaphor. When I imagine the object is a side lover, the song resonates a whole lot more emotionally, it’s worthy of it. Yet, a guitar in his life can be a life line of significance. have fun and think,of the guitars as the other woman, they both have curves and have to be held tightly. LOL.
85

People Want Peace- agree with the double meaning suggested Inner/outer.
Paul Wants a peace anthem. That’s the problem, he tries like hell amd the sentiment, and words meet bombastic sounds that don’t match. 70

Hand In Hand- Wedding Song? For the grandparents of the bride and groom. I believe another strident attempt to write a song that lives forever , in this case, as a wedding-engagement traditional song that will,live on. Despite some nice touches, musically, fail. Overwrought. 68


Dominoes: would be a standout on Revolver. Gorgeous beds of acoustic guitars, that hold beautiful singing and electric guitars - backwards and forwards.
Some nice lyrics match the exquisite musical landscape. 99

Do It Now- some nice lyrics are buoyed by excellent Beach Boys inspirational harmonies and musical touches reminiscent of same Beach Boys period, but then too many instruments crowd out the charm. 75

Cseasar Rock. - A blast, Macho Macca visits and he and the band kick butt in a playful way reminiscent of Ram. Passion and hilarity make for great Rock and Roll!
95

Despite Repeated Warnings - ......of too much hype, the song actually stands on its own. Could have been great if the first movement wasn’t so plodding and drowning in syrupy strings. A spoken, no music start or simple acoustic guitar and narration mwould have worked better. The rest is excellent , except for the re -visit of strings at last part. Perhaps , had he just made two songs from it stitched together with no,pause between? 85

Hunt You Down Naked-Naked-C. works great as a showcase trio of songs. Inventive, yet traditional and unique- in other words McCartney Music! 95

Last theee are tacked onto this one. back In Brazil, Nothing For Freda d Fuh You

Some lyrics worth discussing at another time.

 

I have listened to Egypt Station all the way through 7 times today. 6 times on MP3 in my work truck and once on my standard CD when I got home. For dessert I'm listening to Ram on LP then I may go to bed.
Our old Paul is back at least one more time and the old magic is back with him and us.

 

Well said! I felt as soon as heard this that the old 70s spirit of Paul’s is back

 

I'm still waiting for my cassette. What's the delay with these?

 

Well said! Analyze this monster! I don't care what anyone says -- this is one of Paul's most emotionally present, intellectually engaging, and authentically open albums of all time. It's so fascinating. As a fan of Paul the artist, I can't even begin to analyze it, I'm so in awe. Just the fact that so much of this album recalls his lost friends in small little nods, George and John, leaves me reeling. What does it take to be 76 and still so full of life and appreciative of life despite all the tragedies and losses he has experienced? It's quite moving.

Also, I think Nancy Shevell should be praised and very, very, satisfied with this album. I mean, when you've got Paul McCartney at age 76 belting "She's a rock!" "Somehow she always knows exactly what is needed," "She's got loyalty like the royalty," not to mention "I used to get stoned, I liked to get wasted, but these days I don't" and "Wanna give you my heart, wanna tell you my story, gonna take it to another level, you and me,"... He's head over heels in love with her. What a beautiful woman, God Bless her.

 

The thing I find puzzling is how good he sounds in places (Despite Repeated Warnings being a clear example), and how ravaged his voice sounds in a few others, especially Confidante (a song I still love anyway).

 

And when Paul dies they'll all suddenly remember how much they loved him.

 

The last part of the cd where the medley is has a sort of Meanwhile Back At The Ranch (as in Wish You Were Here by Badfinger) vibe to it. It made me think of side two of the Badfinger album anyway. Maybe it is just me.

 

Question for those who purchased the CD. With a CD packaged like this without a jewel case is it customary to try to preserve the outer shrink wrap and promo sticker intact? That's what I have attempted to do but it is a bit of a bitch whenever I want to take the cover out and unfold it and look at everything.

 

I have a question about "Confidante." I could swear I hear a harpsichord in the background harmonizing with the guitar in the instrumental break, but the credits just list bass, guitar and piano: Confidante - Paul McCartney - Egypt Station

Am I crazy? (be nice, please!)

 

For all digi-paks, I have custom made plastic outer sleeves, fashioned from heavier stock sheet protectors, and a little tape. They are snug and creased, and since I started doing this, I prefer the dig-paks over the jewel case. It works perfectly for Egypt, and there's no band needed. It was a little time consuming at first, especially doing all the Beatles remasters, but I've done so many, I've become quite proficient.

 

I forgot some 10’s, like “Too Many People”, “Dear Boy”, “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”, “Back Seat Of My Car”, “Silly Love Songs”

Otherwise, thinking through it, I had to make a distinction between what I’d consider a 9/10 or 8/10. Otherwise, what would it mean for something to be a 10, if everything I really like is a 10? For instance:

9/10’s
Arrow Through Me, Coming Up, Girlfriend, The Pound Is Sinking, Somedays, Distractions, Little Lamb Dragonfly, Tomorrow, London Town, Someone Who Cares, Call Me Black Again, Junk, Daylight Nighttime Suffering, etc...

8/10’s
Figure Of Eight, This One, Flaming Pie, You Tell Me, I Can Bet, Waterfalls, Every Night, Pipes Of Peace, Good Times Comin’/Feel The Sun, Once Upon A Long Ago, When The Night, Love In Song, I Want To Come Home, Promise To You Girl, At The Mercy, That Was Me, etc...

So to specifically answer your question, I consider Beatles songs similarly. For instance, “Hey Jude” is 10, “The Long And Winding Road” is 8, “Let It Be” is 9. I think, on balance, if I went through the entire solo or Beatles catalogue (or really anyone), there would be a smaller number of 10s and 9s, but a lot of 6-8’s.

 

Yeah, I was guessing a 12-string guitar with a Joni or Keith alternative tuning?

 

I can't think of any Paul solo album besides this one, where I absolutely adore every track and there are no cringeworthy tracks at all. The only two I can think of that come close are Ram and Chaos.

 

My experience with ES--the genuine joy it has yielded (only enhanced by sharing on threads like this one)--has taken me back to New, an acquisition I made after becoming enamored with Pure. Truth be told, it had lain gathering dust, perhaps because I felt I had heard the best of it on Pure, or perhaps just out of apathy. Anyways, I have found myself enjoying New too. Not as much, but liking the ambient (almost electronica) texture, particular the closing tracks which had previously slipped my attention. Interestingly, given the number of different producers, its overall sound, or at least style, seems much more uniform (to my ears) than ES!

On a whim I've now nabbed a collector's edition with the extra tracks and live stuff (Japanese originally?) that seems to have come down in price ($20). Hope I don't regret!!

 

That's only cos you now know that the ending is gonna be a good one, coward!

 

Great with a new pure appreciation thread. Since Egypt Station is an outstanding effort from mr McCartney. Much has been said -I stick by my original wiew-even more so after many repeated listening . The album contains everything I ever could have hopef for in a new
Macca album-and then some
Pop, rock, ballads, expiremental, intimate and epic. It s all there-in spades. I would not have dreamed Paul at this stage would challenge himself to a master-work of this magnitude.
The nr one chart sucess was fun but for me of very minor importance. Sales-wise Paul ain t game for the stars of today. He shouldn’t t be either
That doesn’t t lessen the fantastic quality Egypt Station posess. It s nothing but a master-class in songwriting, arranging, producing and performing
It s a keeper and one for the ages were each and every track have something that stand out
For me it s been Christmas everyday since this one arrived
I rarely use this world but Egypt Station is nothing short of a masterpiece

 

I need to get it and take it in some more but it's been a very long time since I've had this much interest in any new release I've heard. Nice work Paul!

 

Precisely why any negativity washes over me. In any case, I think this is slightly exaggerated. And, again, how does ‘only’ reaching no. 3 and having a short chart run ‘prove’ he’s ‘a bit of a joke and an embarrassment’, when ‘no-one’ sells product the way they did 10, 20, 30 years ago?? (Sorry, that should really be directed at GubGub).

 

Very interesting. I'm not massively knowledgeable about Paul's musical history, but I do sense a musical nod here 'n' there (obviously "People Want Peace" is one), and I would be interested in hearing more from people like you more in the know.

What I do notice, are fleeting musical references here and there, particular a 1970's vibe--which is one reason I am really drawn to this album. I think I hear Wings, ELO, maybe even a little Supertramp or Queen?? ("DRW"). But I guess it comes through more in the overall musical daring-do, the song-suites and especially the guitar-driven riffs (gotta love those cowbells + riff in "Hunt You Down"!!). Very 1970's.

You know what, above all, I like? Is there can be these musical (and perhaps lyrical) nudges and winks, but nothing ever sounds like pastiche. One thing I am wary of from Paul is perhaps a tendency to over-think, and, though this album is clever (and, it has to be said, occasionally lyrically clumsy as well) it always feels natural, not tricksy. Perhaps a perfect balance of the Ram/McVartney Paul and the Band on the Run Paul.

Others will know more . . .