Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I wonder if Paul's recent personal problems might inspire him to some really good songwriting, in a little grittier vein?

It is possible. McCartney did "Long and Winding Road" and "Let it Be" near the end when things got even more stressful with the Beatles.
I've read reviews that the stress of trying to record in Nigeria added to "Band on the Run," which still may be his best solo album for me.

Woodpecker Bliss? Surely you jest...that's a nasty double entendre...

I think the high points of his artistic career tend to coincide with either collaborative challenges (with John or Elvis Costello, for example) or personal challenges (establishing a solo identity, the death of Linda) but it's hard to predict what will stoke his fires.

Collaborative challenges? Like "Say, Say, Say?"

Not to psychoanalyze, but what the heck: a long marriage where supposedly they never fought + he smoked a lot of dope = stress-level flatline. Linda passes (MSRIP), and Paul re-marries relatively quickly, all things considered, plus he still smokes a lot of dope, and is lousy with cash and adulation. Not a lot of cause for stress there. This most recent thing, though, might even be able to overcome all the ganj, in terms of anguish.

I don't wish bad times on the guy, but there is always an edge missing there that you KNOW is still possible. I would LOVE to hear it. There was no Golden Slumbers on "Chaos and Creation".

There was a Beatles book I read a while back, I forget which one, that made a good point, contrasting John and Paul: the author posited that life basically made John uncomfortable, and he wasn't good at it, while Paul was completely comfortable with himself and his life, and he was "good at it"--or something to that effect.

I always hoped he would get with Denny Laine and Ringo and do some kind of "Wingtles" concept. No disrespect to his current (and fantastic) band. Denny might be the closest thing to John he can collaborate with. They did spent a great deal of time together.

Won't happen, Richard---bad blood between him and Denny. Another collaboration with Ringo? Possible, but not probable.

Can somebody name me a musician who kicked out astonishingly good music in his 20's and 30's, but whose output was not nearly so good in his 40's and 50's, and who came back strong as ever in his 60's?

I'd love to hear it, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm just thankful he's still playing and I wish him long life and a better relationship. He's earned it.

"I always hoped he would get with Denny Laine and Ringo and do some kind of "Wingtles""



I'd like to see Paul and Ringo get together with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend and do "The Whotles"!

I'd buy that ticket.

Mark-how about Bob Dylan? While I don't think you could say his newer albums are as good as the stuff from his 20s and 30s, he's certainly coming back strong over the last album or two. Different genre, but how about Johnny Cash too?

Bill, ya beat me to it on the Dylan comment! He's got that new album out that is apparently really great...

I would add Brian Wilson to the list of comebacks.

I myself would love to see McCartney take over Harrison's spot in The Traveling Wilburys.

You guys are giving me hope.

...I just don't want to be hurt again...(sniff)...

But you're right. I agree about Dylan and especially Cash. His final albums were transcendent, quavering voice and all. Forgot about him. All right Paul, bring it on!

Dylan's new album is good. I especially like the tune Nettie Moore which ranks up there with any of his work.