Following on the back of the Wings re-issue Band on the Run; one of the latest Paul McCartney albums to get the 21st century treatment is the former Beatle and Wings favourite McCartney II.
Although audiences had come to identify the former Beatles man as the source of inspiration behind Wings during the 70’s, it is as a solo artist that Paul began his comeback charge in the new decade. Slightly understated in its approach there is a gem on every piece of music that’s laid down for older fans of the Beatles and an exciting vibrancy for newer fans to grasp which made Paul a star all over again.
Had life not turned another way with the cancellation of the Japan tour due to unsavoury press and much publicised media coverage of the finding of marijuana among his personal possessions, the British public may never had the opportunity to hear songs that Paul wrote whilst taking stock of Wings. It does depend on your point of view; however the talent that lay in Wings may have balked at the idea of songs as the upbeat and now classic Coming Up being part of an album, but with Paul in creative control it was a number two hit in Britain and number one in America.
Although Temporary Secretary was blasted by some critics at the time of the original release, in retrospect it captures the emergence of the burgeoning and blossoming 80’s synth bands that would be lauded for their innovation and experimental use of keyboards and effects in the same decade. As with his work with John Lennon, he makes use of the real life and conjures up tracks that fit around true life situations and places. The phrase may not be as memorable say as the allusions to Mr Heath and Mr Wilson, the then leaders of the British Labour and Conservative parties in the song taxman but the nod to the Marx employment agency that specialised in secretarial staff brings a wry smile to the lips.
DarkRoom has the feel of electronic that would be successfully employed by the likes of The Gorrilaz’s in later years. With its repeating pattern and lyrics it would have been seen as ground breaking but too far ahead of its time for 1980 audiences.
For a new decade and a new perspective that Paul employed following the dissolution up of Wings, McCartney II is an album that ranks highly amongst the solo albums of Paul McCartney. Upbeat and sardonic, a creative high point that would lead perfectly into the 1983 Tug of War album.
Ian D. Hall