Music of the Moment: Paul McCartney - Memory Almost Full
I don’t know why I woke up this morning singing “Mr. Bellamy,” but those are the first notes I recall hearing on a morning when I woke up not knowing what day of the week it was. I literally asked TheWifeToWhomI’mMarried what day it was at 7 this morning. I think that’s a sign I’ve been working too many days. It’s a good thing we’re heading to S. Carolina this weekend. I need the break.
Before I could chase that song from my head I found myself silently singing “See You Sunshine.” Two songs from Memory Almost Full before I’ve rolled out of bed is a sign of something. If nothing else, it beats sitting in my apartment parking lot for 20 minutes scrolling through my iPod deciding what to listen to.
I began “See You Sunshine.” This one reminds me so much of his ’70s output with Wings. It is as unapologetically sunny as anything McCartney ever recorded. The way he layers his vocals just radiates ’70s/Wings-era McCartney. I almost wish this one had been written in the ’70s when his voice was stronger. He still sounds great on this track but there are times he’s reaching for something extra and instead just gets more air; great, sunny melody though.
Mr. Bellamy opens with a very cool horn arrangement before giving away to an off-kilter piano line. This is a good song but nowhere near as catchy as “See You Sunshine.” I’m really not sure how this one got stuck in my head.
Listening this morning made me realize I had forgotten the best part of the whole song: the final minute when the music goes somewhere completely different. It’s beautiful.
Anyway, “Sunshine” pleased me so much I’ve spent most of the morning listening to MAF and that’s not a bad thing for an otherwise hectic Monday. McCartney gets written off a lot despite his icon status. Sometimes it’s good to go back and listen to remind yourself what the fuss has been about in the first place. Few, if any, have a better sense of melody.
Filed under: Tags: Music of the Moment, Paul McCartney
I like this album but definitely have not listened to it like I should - I didn’t even recognize the two song titles. Man, am I ashamed.
Digressing, have you heard the old live album, Wings Over America? Man, is that smoking. Why this has been virtually swept under the McCartney rug is beyond me. It blows away his later live releases.