Paul McCartney’s Expanded Wings! “Venus And Mars” and “At The Speed Of Sound”!
If you are a fan of Paul McCartney, there was some great news announced the other day! “The Paul McCartney Archive Collection” announced two new reissues coming in September!
McCartney formed Wings in 1971 – immediately hitting the road to perform live, which is what he always wanted for the Fab Four. Wings recorded in various iterations throughout the 70’s…
Here is my story about their legendary tour of America in 1976:
Now, two more of McCartney’s most popular 70’s music are being reissued with amazing extras!
“Venus & Mars”
This terrific album always suffered a bit by coming out right after “Band On The Run”, one of the greatest albums ever released.
However, the opening salvo of “Venus & Mars / Rockshow” is a terrific way to begin, and other classic songs on the album include “Letting Go”, “Love In Song” and the smash hit “No Matter What The Man Said.”
McCartney loved this music more than we know…because he keeps singing it! Here is Macca performing “Venus And Mars / Rock Show” in 2012:
“Venus And Mars” was the first of two albums to feature what many regard as the perfect Wings line-up, with the Paul and Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Joe English. This is the group that is on the live “Wings Across America” recording. “Venus And Mars” was recorded in New Orleans and Los Angeles. As Paul remembers:
“I felt really comfortable with that band. I had written Venus And Mars songs in Jamaica – we were getting around a bit in those days! – and had the album pretty much mapped out. Even though we didn’t use the style of New Orleans on the album, it influenced the way we felt about the music and added to the spirit.”
The US Release date is September 23rd.
Both albums will be available in a variety of physical and digital formats:
Standard Edition: Starting with a 2-disc (2 CD) Standard Edition, the first CD will feature the original remastered album and the second CD will include bonus audio made up of material including demos and unreleased tracks.
Deluxe Edition: The 3-disc (2CD, 1DVD) Deluxe Edition will be housed in a hardback book featuring unpublished photographs, new interviews with Paul, material from Paul’s archives and expanded track-by-track information. The deluxe version bonus DVD will be comprised of filmed material from around the time of each release, some of which has never been seen before.
Venus & Mars
CD 1 – Remastered Album
1. Venus and Mars
2. Rock Show
3. Love In Song
4. You Gave Me The Answer
5. Magneto and Titanium Man
6. Letting Go
7. Venus and Mars – Reprise
8. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt
9. Medicine Jar
10. Call Me Back Again
11. Listen To What The Man Said
12. Treat Her Gently – Lonely Old People
13. Crossroads
CD 2 – Bonus Audio
1. Junior’s Farm
2. Sally G
3. Walking In The Park With Eloise
4. Bridge On The River Suite
5. My Carnival
6. Going To New Orleans (My Carnival)
7. Hey Diddle [Ernie Winfrey Mix]
8. Let’s Love
9. Soily [from One Hand Clapping]
10. Baby Face [from One Hand Clapping]
11. Lunch Box/Odd Sox
12. 4th Of July
13. Rock Show [Old Version]
14. Letting Go [Single Edit]
DVD – Bonus Film
1. Recording My Carnival
2. Bon Voyageur
3. Wings At Elstree
4. Venus and Mars TV Ad
Vinyl: The albums will also be available on special gatefold vinyl editions (vinyl editions include a download card).
Digital: Digitally Venus and Mars and At The Speed Of Sound will be made available as both standard and deluxe versions – including Mastered for iTunes and Hi-Res formats.
Here is the promotional film explaining what is being offered!
And that’s not all!
Wings At The Speed Of Sound:
Another hit Wings album is also being remastered the same day!
“At The Speed Of Sound” was released in March 1976, and included the smash hit single ‘Silly Love Songs’- and the album was McCartney’s most successful American chart album – seven consecutive weeks at Number One!
As the press announcement says, Paul has personally supervised all aspects of the reissues. The remastering work was done at Abbey Road by the same team who have worked on all the reissues as well as The Beatles’ catalogue.
Here is the promotional trailer:
This Wings album includes the hit single “Let ‘em In” and one of Macca’s biggest hits ever, “Silly Love Songs.”
Here’s a great behind-the-scenes photo from the recording session I found at lukashaisha.blogspot.com:
Also included on this album is one of McCartney’s best rockers, “Beware My Love.” Here’s a live version of this classic song front he terrific 1976 concert pic “Rockshow”:
“At The Speed Of Sound” Remastered Material:
CD 1 – Remastered Album
1. Let ‘Em In
2. The Note You Never Wrote
3. She’s My Baby
4. Beware My Love
5. Wino Junko
6. Silly Love Songs
7. Cook Of The House
8. Time To Hide
9. Must Do Something About It
10. San Ferry Anne
11. Warm And Beautiful
CD 2 – Bonus Audio
1. Silly Love Songs [Demo]
2. She’s My Baby [Demo]
3. Message To Joe
4. Beware My Love [John Bonham Version]
5. Must Do Something About It [Paul’s Version]
6. Let ‘Em In [Demo]
7. Warm And Beautiful [Instrumental Demo]
DVD – Bonus Film
1. Silly Love Songs Music Video
2. Wings Over Wembley
3. Wings In Venice
Huge McCartney fans like myself are still wondering if he will go backwards again – and give us an expanded version of his terrific 1972 album “Red Rose Speedway.” That album includes another of his most iconic songs, “My Love.”
I hope so – either way, I am onboard with all of these terrific reissues…let me know what you think!
And if you want more Beatle stories, read all about “Ram” and Paul’s pic Beatles battle with John Lennon by clicking on my story here:
Enjoy!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Awards, Books / Media, British Cinema, Classic Rock, documentary films, London, Music, Obscure Music, Talent/Celebrities, The Beatles, Uncategorized
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