RAM Album Review with JOHN HEATON |
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- Опубліковано 21 жов 2021
- Guest John Heaton joins Matt of Pop Goes the 60s to review Paul McCartney's Ram
Visit John's channel here where he discusses the Beatles and other favorites: / @johnheaton5667
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I'm one of those that absolutely love Monkberry Moon Delight. McCartneys singing is incredible. Love Lindas background vocals. Hes having fun here and to me it works great.
I always compared it a little to Lennon's "Mother"... not quite primal scream but most certainly a massive release in his vocal. I do love the ending... a little giggling and ab libbing without being too serious.
most underrated song in the history of music
I like it to, lyrically it might be a match for I Am The Walrus at least in mood. That "get left behind" part is so great too.
I love that Paul likes to take different directions not only in music but his vocalizing. Monkberry is awesome and one of my favorites
I'm among those who love Monkberry Moon Delight. It's so preposterously over the top and totally uninhibited. Great fun.
I love this album. I thought Linda’s harmonies were great.
Absolutely! I adore Linda's vocals on this album. Magical.
I agree...I was kind of 'put off' by the completely wrong observations on her superb harmonies in this pretty poor review.
@@johnurban7333 These are opinions, not universal truths. You got your opinion, everyone else has theirs. Just because some other opinion doesn;t agree with yours, doesn't mean this a lame review. In fact, if you wanna look at it a little more objectively: she's not career singer, not a natural singer per se, and here and there the harmonies are a little crappy. Not always, but here and there. BUT, you can still like them yourself anyway -- that's totally fine, and actually I do too! -- but it's not unreasonable that they are going to draw a little criticism. If the opinion of our host here doesn't agree spot on with your opinion, well, that's the way opinions are. :)
One of my favorite albums of all time. I think “Ram On” is a bit of wordplay, since he took “Paul Ramon” briefly as a stage name in the early Beatles days. If you look at it that way, it’s simply a song telling himself to give his heart to somebody…Linda, who was supporting him emotionally so much then. “Smile Away” is a bitter song about keeping a happy public facade during a very depressing time of his life when he was being criticized by everyone, especially his former best friends. “ Monkberry Moon Delight” is also quite bitter. I know Paul says it’s about his kids calling milk monk, but like Martha My Dear is about both his dog and his girlfriend, it sounds like it’s more about John and Yoko to me. I mean, he’s perfectly capable of writing charming kids’ songs, and there’s way too much screaming angst in this song for it to be for his kids.
I commented the same thing about the Paul Ramon name.
Good comment about Monkberry - I never thought about it that way. Thank you, Michele.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Thanks! I've heard Paul is particularly proud of the lyrics. "When a rattle of rats had awoken / the sinews, the nerves and the veins / my piano was boldly outspoken / in attempts to repeat its refrain. So I stood with a knot in my stomach / and I gazed at the terrible sight / of two youngsters concealed in a barrel / sucking Monkberry Moon Delight..." to me, this sounds like a statement about what was happening with the Beatles and how he felt about the Allen Klein situation (a rattle of rats), and also about "bagism" (concealed in a barrel) and John and Yoko's addiction to heroin (sucking Monkberry Moon delight). Just my interpretation.
I bought the book of sheet music for Ram when it first came out, and the word is listed as "sucking," not smoking .
Yeh, maybe the youngsters concealed in a barrel are J&Y, while the Monkberry Moon Delight is the chemistry they allegedly endulged in...
Dear Boy is an amazing song. To me it sounds aimed at Lennon, despite what Paul said. Amazing vocal harmonies and counterpoint. And the flanging on his vocal is a little stroke of genius.
It's actually known to be written for Linda's ex husband.
@@ConglomerationCat Yes, I know. But I can understand why Lennon may have thought it was aimed at him, and I really don't see why it couldn't be both. The immediate spark for a song isn't always the whole story. I mean, Paul seems to want to make SURE Linda's ex-husband KNOWS that he missed out on something great (I doubt Linda herself cared that much). To the point that Paul says "even if you DO fall in love, it won't be half as good as the relationship I now have with her." That level of angst seems more fitting to be aimed at his best friend, Lennon, than at Melville See, whom Paul couldn't possibly have known well enough to inspire such an intense song and lyric as this.
@@matthewsnyder3433 Everyone reads into it whatever they want. You hear what you hear, or what you think you hear (or what you want to hear, sometimes) i thought it was about my cat
The fact that the maker of this video called Dear Boy one of the weaker songs on the album baffles me, it is so amazing! But everyone has an opinion, it’s just in this case it’s incorrect 😆
I agree. It blows my mind. The lyrics never sat well with me because i thought it was directed to John. Now I think it's addressed to himself. Paul lost his mother in 1956. Most of his songs play on this theme. Yesterday. Let it Be. I Lost My Little Girl. A Pretty Nurse is selling poppies from a tray.
I have a lot of admiration for this album. Has some of his best hits of the early 1970s. It's one of my top favorites, second to McCartney I. And to think he recorded it mere months after The Beatles' split. If Linda hadn't been there for him, I think it's fair to think he might have dropped off the radar after that. I think Linda is owed a lot for keeping Paul going.
well i dunno. It's hard to imagine PM "dropping off the radar".
@@cajunqueen5125 well maybe not, but it might have taken longer for him to get back on track. And perhaps songs like "Maybe I'm Amazed" would never have existed.
@@elirosen1391 ""Maybe I'm Amazed" ha, hate-hate it. Although it does seem I'm one of the few. :) That's why they're called opinions! Possibly it's because it's played to death, of course. But do luv some other things from that album, though, ESP Every Night.
I think many of us admire and like Linda as a person, but don't feel she was much of a musician.
And I think she knew that. Do you know the story of P&L getting mugged in Lagos? She tries to stop them by saying, "STOP! He's a musician!"
She didn't say, "STOP! We're musicians!"
@@trumpsupporter1016 😆 lol
Two of my favourite UA-camrs talking about my favourite Paul McCartney album. Excellent discussion.
Thanks for watching, Onio!
Ditto for me Onio.
Linda's voice is key to the McCartney/Wings signature vocal sound. With respect, I think you guys are taking this album too seriously and falling into the same trap as the contemporary reviews by expecting too much of him. This is a fantastic pop album, imho Paul's best, as fun and interesting as any Beatles album, and a study in rock guitar.
100%
Pasted from Wikipedia, she would have been great on the RAM LP.
Christine Anne McVie (née Perfect; born 12 July 1943) is an English singer, songwriter, and keyboardist and one of the three lead vocalists and the keyboardist of Fleetwood Macwhich she joined in 1970. She has also released three solo albums. She...
Makes me laugh because they hammered Linda's vocals at the time then the B52's came along with the same female vocal style.
Spot on ! Linda was essential to the Wings sound even though she was an amateur. In comparison to Yoko, Linda was sweet on the ears.
Linda was aware of the criticism of her singing so Paul in support hired Denny Laine to shift the attention.
"Ram" is a great album. It's my third favorite behind only "Band on the Run" and "Venus and Mars".
I think "Ram" is his best album, then "Band on the Run" and "Venus and Mars".
I love the “butter wouldn’t melt so I put it in a pie” part 🤷🏼♂️
It’s the best part of the song. I love it
I was not disappointed when I bought this record in 1971...still not disappointed.
My favourite Paul McCartney album - it’s just full of joy and whimsy from start to finish, and although it got panned on release (and it took me a long time to really get into it myself), it’s grown in stature over the years.
Two of my favourite guys and channels.
My mother loved "Monkberry Moon Delight" when I was little. I still do! Great album
My absolute favorite Paul McCartney album
Why???
@@Neil-Aspinall I guess actually Wings across America is my favorite, but I do think Ram is special for myself because I bought it at a young age when it first came out and it has a place in many of my memories maybe or something like that .
@@Neil-Aspinall well a good chunk of this is just down to personal opinion. If someone likes it, they like it. I mean, you can try and analyze "why?", but a lot of times there's no specific reasons that can be clearly articulated per se. i.e. What's my favourite color? Green. "Why?" I dunno, it just is. Why do I like Uncle Albert? I dunno, I just do.
@@cajunqueen5125 Uncle Albert is a inspired piece of work and there are a few other moments but there's a lot of average stuff too. It's a shame Another Day wasn't on the original release as that is a good song.
I’ve always loved Ram. That and All Things Must Pass are my favorite albums from the former Beatles solo efforts.
McCartneys' early albums are burned into my brain, and at 62 I still remember every musical detail. Funny how I don't remember even one of the critics names..
I forgot to mention that in 1971 I was 15 and in high school when RAM was released and I bought a copy of it. I remember a lot of people bought RAM and Imagine by John Lennon during that time. I remember liking RAM a lot back then. I loved it. I still do.
Ram is clearly Sir Paul's best solo record. Still sounds fresh after nearly 50 years! That means its fucking timeless. Gentlemen, one of the best breakdowns on any record I've heard on UA-cam.
Thank you, Gary! Much appreciated.
Yes, it is a mixture of homeliness and LOVE in a new found family and that's what makes it so priceless.
Great episode. I’ve been subscribed to John Heaton for many years now and have always valued his opinion, not just on The Beatles but on music in general. A very intelligent gentleman who isn’t afraid to speak his mind when others get carried away with the hype.
Yes, I was delighted to collaborate with him as I respect his opinions as well - even when we disagree.
I was 7 years old in 1971 when my dad bought this album. I loved it then and still do. Didn’t know at the time PM was a Beatle. Dear Boy still sounds so beautiful to me.
Makes sense - in a lot of ways it is an album for kids.
He was just becoming a father and I think a lot of the music has kid's appeal.
I found this about 2 year back, amazing album, the best post Beatles album of any of them.
The first three albums by Paul are exactly the sort of music I hoped he’d be making. His understated songs were always my favorites. Songs reminiscent of the songs of Newman and Nilsson.
I agree.
The critics who knock RAM are classic examples of “People Who Can’t…just criticize”. “RAM” is truly an immensely enjoyable and satisfying LP. “Band on the Run” gets all the accolades and it’s definitely great. But over the years I’ve found myself listening to “RAM” most often. Song after song it just keeps delivering.
Hey, great video! I absolutely loved The Beatles and still do at 66. Ram was recorded after Paul's deep depression sent him to the brink of a nervous breakdown. He was impacted the most of any Beatle by John leaving the band and for many years myths have persisted (many of which you have graciously dispelled!) as to who, why and what caused the breakup. Linda was a very tough gal who saw her husband suffering greatly from his pain and it is true that Paul stayed drunk for quite some time and refused to take a bath and couldn't take an interest in his family. Linda didn't give in, she became angry and laid into Paul telling him that he was Paul Fucking McCartney and that he didn't need the others to make great music. Paul came around and sobered up and with Linda's continued support and nurturing love, made it through. For this reason, I believe Paul made up his mind to include Linda in his music. I do not believe that she was a surrogate for John. Paul had already had her sing some high harmonies on the song, Let It Be when it was recorded. The song Maybe I'm Amazed is Paul acknowledging Linda for helping to save himself during the worst trauma of his life. I see them as soul-mates and he never liked being away from her for any length of time. Some songs on Ram are a bit campy, a bit whimsical. Fine, light-hearted is okay. A couple of songs sound very much like a garage band to my ears, raw and unpolished. That's okay, too. I really enjoy your work and your digging deep for answers!
Thank you, James. Very thorough review - maybe I replace Heaton with you next time!
Great discussion on a terrific album. This has to be my favorite McCartney album. Having been a fan of both your channels it was great to see you two together to talk Beatles. Hope to see another collaboration but in the meantime I will continue to watch both of your channels.. take care!
Thank you Bill! We have some plans for a couple more collabs, so stay tuned!
Monkberry Moon Delight rules. Glad to know John liked it. My favorite Paul album is Tug Of War but Ram is definitely right behind it. Curiously, I never "hear" Linda's vocals while I'm listening to it, lol. Heard the album dozens of times ( only listened to it for the first time ten years ago when the box set came out ) but I can't pin point the Linda bits at all, I guess they just wash over me and I focus on Paul.
Monkberry Moon Delight is my favorite song on the album. Love the ending to Too Many People. Back Seat of My Car is too long.
It's my favorite Beatles solo album, along with Plastic Ono Band.
I knew you rated this one high, Larry - thanks for stopping by.
I’m not a Paul historian. I’ve never been aware of any major criticism of this record. Been in love with it since first hearing the proper mono mix in 2012.
Probably the best McCartney record, though I have a soft spot for MC2. (1980)
Oh yes, Temporary Secretary = genius ahead of his time
For non-Paul historians out there, try watching Episode 1
of 5 part "Understanging McCartney" (1970-75)
ua-cam.com/video/kjjqUCvHNIs/v-deo.html
@@tracibaxley7649 I sense sarcasm but it was weird electronic music which was becoming popular-and still is! Nothing wrong with trying new things 😉
It’s funny how 50 years later it’s having a bit of a rediscovery. I’m seeing it pop up in videos everywhere and my friends love it too. It’s def Paul’s best thing ever made after the Beatles.
Woah we are on a different page Tony? So much of Ram is Paul thinking he can fart on a record and it will still sell?
@@Neil-Aspinall oh wow do you even like music?
@@Neil-Aspinall Do you even love humans?
@@AnthonyRecenello Yes but of a higher caliber Tony. Beatles caliber in fact with George Martin at the helm like a school master keeping the class in line.
@@thomasfink2385 Not many but what a weird question Tom, what has that got to do with a basically sub album execution? (there are 2 highlights I'll give ya that)
Hello. It’s John Heaton.
I remember "Ram" getting just ripped in Rolling Stone when it came out.
Personally love it and glad it’s finally starting to get its due.
Quite frankly RAM is the favorite lp by Paul and Linda...of course every lp is good..but ram is the most underrated and FUN to listen to...repeatedly! A must to have and ENJOY!! Great job gentlemen!!!
I bought the 'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" single as a kid never knowing that when I got older I would discover it came from a powerhouse album.
Great dissection. Look forward to more. Thank you both.
I appreciate the support, Lance!
Wow!! Matt, you getting together with John to discuss this album is absolutely fantastic!! I’ve followed both of you for quite a while now. Thank you and please keep up the great work, and really looking forward to your next collaboration with John!!
Thank you - John and I had a good time and we hope to do more.
It’s a wonderful album. It has its own feel to it and I love that. The scratchy guitar and lo fi feel invited the ‘Indie’ comparisons I think. I wouldn’t make any of the songs shorter either 😊
Ram On, Dear Boy and Too Many People .......amazing. Ps Get on the Right Thing is great too!
This has always been and still is my most favourite McCartney album.
So glad you made a video on RAM! Such an interesting and unique album. One of my favorites!
When The Beatles imploded George and John were off to a flyer. Paul did take a little longer to settle into his new role as ex Beatle. Remember this was the guy who wrote some of the greatest songs of the 20th century and appeared to struggle once The Beatles ended. Ram now is considered a classic and yet was dismissed by critics. Paul had nothing to prove and yet his huge musical talent was enough to plough through the negativity. Paul McCartney was and is the greatest songwriter of all time....
I agree. Nobody has written as many great songs as Paul. John might have, give the chance…….
So glad to hear both of you talk about this masterpiece. I first bought the tape in the 80's, without knowing much about it, and that it would become the album I would listen the most, all style, artists and bands included.
It is really something how rude and mean were the critics at the time, I guess you had to be in 1971 to react like this... Anyway, 50 years later, I still listen often to Paul's greatest solo achievement. I just need to!!
Funny what John says because my daughters love a lot Monkberry moon delight and we changed some words in French, we made our own version. But I have to admit that I didn't expect to disagree that much with you!
Two of the best Beatles youtubers on one video. Wow! This is undoubtedly one of Sir Macca's post-Beatle albums. Back Seat, Too Many People, Heart of the Country, Uncle Albert....what was wrong with the critics back in 71?
Paul Ramon was Paul's nickname during the first Beatles' ( Siver Beetles) tour through Scotland in 1959 or 60.
In which they supported Johnny Gentle.
Hence the song title on Ram
Ramon...
Totally agree with John about lyrics not being everything, especially for the huge number of fans whose understanding of English is limited. I've lived in Japan and HK for many years and have met many who judge solely by the music, arrangement and vocal quality. The music we love isn't only meant for English-speaking lyric-loving fans. Good point, John and worth remembering.
Yes, and many people listen to grand opera while understanding barely a word of Italian, being moved by it anyway.
How do we judge Mozart? By the lyrics? I am a huge Queen fan, and the lyrics are utterly unimportant. The music speaks in emotions.
Exactly!!! I listen to opera in many languages, I have no clue what they’re saying. I also have several favorite Japanese bands that I’ve listened to for over 20 years and have zero clue what the translations are. I am still enthralled and delighted because the music is amazing!
Hey, great choice for your first collaboration with John (hopefully more). This is one of my favorite McCartney albums so I’m always interested to hear other peoples opinions on it.
I borrowed the U.S. cassette version from my local lending library as a teenager in the 1980’s. By the end of my first listen, I was literally jumping up and down for joy. I was surprised to later find out it had been panned.
Great discussion guys. Look forward to future ones! Kudos!
Thank you, Tyrone!
Glad to see you back from vacation keep the great work
Ram is not only one of my favorite Paul albums, but all time albums. One thing that really surprised me when I bought the album was the song 'Sitting in the back seat of my car'. I though it was a great song and was shocked I that I had never heard it played on the radio.
For me, there are two very special tracks in this album that reveals the rich combination between Paul's and Linda's voice: "Uncle Albert" (with a kind of almost dreaming air; and in my view could it be a track out of the medley with "Admiral Halsey") and "Dear Boy" (with a very good vocal harmony). It deserves attention too, in my opinion, the strong Paul's vocals in "Too Many People". A great album!
I first heard this album in the late 90’s and I thought it was a current album! Very ahead of its time and still a masterpiece from start to finish. One of my desert island picks for sure!
First of all, Oh Woman O Why is definitely Paul's best rocker. So happy you mentioned that!! My fave Ram songs are Too many people, Dear Boy and Backseat of my car. Got this album when I was 12 in 1976. It's my favorite post Beatle album! Thank you for these talks about The Beatles and the solo stuff. Have watched quite a few of your thoughts
and interviews about the Beatles. Please keep them coming. Still can't get over Oh Woman Oh Why!! Thank you!!
Thank you, Maureen - I appreciate the comment!
One of my favorite tracks from the “Ram” sessions that never made it on the album is “Rode All Night”. A great rocker and jam track that absolutely shatters any perception of McCartney being soft.
No way, I love the Ram LP!
Great to see John on here.
Wow, this is exciting. John Heston and Pop Goes the 60’s are two of my favourite channels. What an amazing collaboration! Ram is also one of my favourite records.
Thank you,, Charles!
Good old John Heaton. Every time I watch him I have to keep reminding myself he's not my bank manager warning me about my account. Cheer up, mate! 😜
I love Ram, it was one of the first albums i bought when i was 11 or 12 years old. Lyrically its not Pauls best album by quite a bit, but the singing, melodies and song structures are off the charts great. Linda's backup singing is good enough and would in later years be very solid on albums anyway.
Linda gave him the strength to move on , remember he was very young and it helped him .
Excellent content with two forthright and entertaining Beatles historians. I look forward to listening to the commentary on Sometime in NYC, and I hope the video is just as long. Job well done.
Thank you, Griffin!
Ram is in my top 3 of McCartney albums. I love it not so much because of the individual tracks but because of the diversity of styles and moods and for not taking itself too seriously. IMHO it works better as a whole than most other McCartney albums.
As someone who was 19 years old when "RAM" was released, I find John And Matt's opinions quite interesting. It makes quite a difference if one has lived through the release of an album as a mature individual, (John said he was 7 years old when "RAM' was released. God knows how old Matt was) and someone who encounters it decades later.
Nice to see John Heaton make an appearance. He’s a master class in all Beatles & music. Great discussion.
John is a valuable reviewer, for sure!
@@popgoesthe60s52 P.S. I find it ironic that Paul and the other two Beatles were disenchanted with having Yoko around. (effecting the band's chemistry etc.). Then Paul who is a giant in the industry, does the same with Linda right off the bat. Personally I don't care for her contributions whatsoever. (the oooh's and awes) As well, I saw Paul live in NYC in 1989 (Flowers in the Dirt), and her vocals again were hard to take. I greatly respect that he loved her and had a fantastic marriage and raised wonderful children. However I would argue his solo music suffered from it. (bubble gum) When I saw Paul with his current band in Miami a few years back, there was already a difference in edge & tone and tenor. She was a great person and photographer. But as a musician not so much IMHO.
Great to see you gents together!
I think the criticism came from the perception of Paul having broken up the Beatles and johns harsh interview with rolling stone . You have to look at it in the context of the times . I think the criticism was good to Paul gave him fuel to his creativity. We re evaluate album now in the light of all he has achieved since .
Loved this album from the day it was released , along with Red Rose Speedway it's my favorite solo work by any ex Beatle.
Red Rose Speedway deserves way more love!!
@@thesilvershining Totally Agree ! In fact when I look at my "McCartney playlist" I've got more tunes from Red Rose Speedway than I do from Ram !
😃
@@BrixtonTone It hurt when he said “Get on the Right Thing” was bad because it’s one of my absolute favorites 😂
I accidentally found John's reviews a couple of years ago, great!
Great collaboration! 2 fantastic channels.
Thanks Brent - if the comments aren't to nasty, we will probably do others.
Contrary to many people's opinions I think "Another Day" is a fantastic, emotive song. I agree with you that it would have fitted this album like a glove. "Oh Woman, Oh Why" is really good too.
What a splendid pairing up Matt, I am a follower of John as well, you both are the best in this field
Agree!!!
Thank for watching, John! More to come.
I enjoyed that and look forward to more good cop/ bad cop collaborations between you and John.
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey was a HUGE hit single in the States in 1971. And a lot of people I knew bought Ram.
A very eclectic, funny, sarcastic and rockin' album. As a whole, it's a very good release.
My absolute favorite Beatle solo album, its a perfect record!
Are you being facetious Lits? There is so much rubbish on this album.
@@Neil-Aspinall one man's trash is another man's treasure eh?
@@pnichols6500 I find it astounding that people find Ram as a complete unit a good album, it's not by any stretch of the imagination.
@@Neil-Aspinall the only tracks i dont love are 3 legs and dear boy, everything else is brilliant, catchy, and sounds great!
paul is my favorite beatle for a reason
@@Neil-Aspinall Neil, you are absolutely obnoxious. You sound like a 4-year old throwing a tantrum. Personal taste varies person to person-hence “personal.” People are allowed to like and find merit in whatever music they want. Some people like jazz, some don’t. Some like rap, some don’t. If you “hate” this album so much feel free to waste your time doing so in private and stop commenting on everyone’s posts like a weirdo.
2 people I follow closely. Couldn't ask for anything better. Well done gentlemen and Beatles maniacs! 👍👍
I was 11 when this album came out. Still holds up 52 years later. Linda should be commend for pushing through and going for 25 years with Paul. Critics be damned, I listened to Rolling Stone early in my life and they screwed me over for years!
John Heaton has a good point when he talks about the lyrics on Monkberry Moon Delight and non-englishspeaking fans. I'm one of those and I love every song on Ram, including Monkberry, because the music is so good. If you love melodies Ram is a goldmine. And every song has so many colours, with changes in tempo, backgrounds, arrangements etc. And Paul use his marvellous voice in so many different ways. He's scatsinging with the guitar, with the bass , he's making cricket sounds, he sings raw, he sings lovely, he sings bluesy, he's playing with his voice. There is so much charm in Ram. I love Ram and it's an important part of my teenage.
Even If I rank All Things Must Pass (the two first records) as the best Beatle solo record, I think Ram is closer to Beatles than ATMP.
And If I compare Ram to Imagine, I think Ram is a lot bettter record. The Imagine album has one really great song, and it's overshine every song on Ram, but the rest of the Imagine album is medioker in comparising to Ram.
The arrangements are so exausting to listen to. It's the same from start to end in every song. Nothing new comes in and change the scene. Nicky Hopkins plays exactly the same pattern through every song. George plays the same slide guitar pattern through Cripple Inside (the stolen song!), and so on! So boring! So heavy to listen to! Not the great colour paintings as on Ram. John totally misses what Beatles always stood for; variation, never repeat yourself, always add something new to every verse!
Well, the Imagine album is also an important part of my teenage years, but I never liked it as much as I like Ram.
Sorry for my bad english (and maby some auto-correct).
Great comment, Tomas - thank you!
I was 17 when the Beatles split up and I was totally ok with it. I would have hated to see them on a downward trajectory. Re Linda I saw wings live twice in the Glasgow Apollo and she put in a fantastic performance. Both great gigs with an audience that won’t be fooled easily.
For me, Ram has always been a great, if imperfect album. But, it's only imperfect in that Paul's genius is overflowing in an uncontrolled, full blast barrage, with a few loose ends showing here and there. I think Ram is all the better for that. Trying to polish the production to some king of smooth, everything in it's place perfection would have ruined it. I can't believe how these two complain about this or that part of various songs, because they're not exactly as they personally want them to be. All the nit-picking and persnickety whining. Whatever. --Great discussion, nevertheless.
Really enjoyed seeing two of my favorite channels together!
Thank you, Tyler!
Loved McCartney's singles in the 70's, some of my favorite McCartney tunes.
His non-album singles were superb - Another Day, Live and Let Die and
Mull of Kintyre stand out, exp. the last.
But Silly Love Songs? I still get a catch in my throat, but not the good kind.
Hey Matt, thanks to you and John for dissecting the Ram album down to the bare bones, very informative and enjoyable! I think Paul said somewhere that Ram On was a play on what he called himself when goofing around in Germany and on You know My Name, he said he called himself Ramon! Ram On! I love this album but it gets cheesy at times, and I also notice Linda's flat singing predominantly on this album! No Autotune back then, maybe it would have helped! I also agree that Another Day and Oh Woman, Oh Why should have been included on this album. MonkBerry Moon was trash and the reprise of Ram On also unnecessary!! You know for a guy that was so anal about every little note being just right and having the Beatles rehearse Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da about 100 times, what was the deal with Linda?? He cut her a HUGH amount of slack!! I think he wanted to out do that John & Yoko thing, you know we're Paul & Linda, there!! Great video!! ✌🏼😎✌🏼
Thank you, Jazzy! I appreciated the comment.
Very interesting comments, and i agree with quite a bit of that.
ha, re: Monkberry, it's funny how we can agree something is a little trashy, but we can still like it. (or even love it!) Same goes for ObLaDi.
@@shadshowadradna That's his long-standing reputation with musicians he's worked with in and outside of the Beatles. You'll have to take that up with those musicians.
I was on the school bus in high school when I heard Another Day for the first time, and thought, wow! there is live after the Beatles. But then I heard Ram, and new then Paul was never going to give the magic the Beatles did. But that was ok. Paul was Paul and John was John . Paul was going to be bubblegum sometimes, rockin sometimes, grungy sometimes, and garbage sometimes. As most bands can be. I was just happy to hear anything the Fab Four did. Even Wild Live. I play at a winery once a month and I recently added Another Day to my song list. I was pleasantly surprised how well it was received. But then again anything I play from them is.
Great video! I think Lindas vocals are what helps makes wings wings. It gives his songs a whole different vibe. Thanks, Matt!
Thank you, Keanu!
I love the lush arrangements of Dear Boy and Back Seat Of My Car. Agree with John about the vocal arrangement, and love what George Martin did on BSOMC.
I’m surprised you’re not a fan of Dear Boy. Musically it’s brilliant
Some people just seem to focus on lyrics way too much while reviewing MUSIC. If you want to dig into lyrics, go and read a poetry book I always say. Not that I personally think the words on Dear Boy are bad, I think they mesh really well with the music, they sound good with the vocal melody and that's what's important to me - that's why I'm a fan of prog rock like Yes as well, the lyrics are an integral part of the actual music and not meant to stand on their own. Then there are songs where the lyrics do matter a great deal, like In My Life, for example, but I love plenty of songs where the lyrics are just there to provide the vocalist with something to sing and that doesn't bother me at all either.
Greetings Matt,!Greetings Sir John Heaton! WOW What a surprise and a treat to see both of you👍✌-So Cool!!! Great discussion about Ram, although for me this album is a mixed bag, it has its moments and has a musical corkiness to it unlike some of Paul's other albums, but in my opinion its gotten nowadays a bit too overated, I seem to find more interesting Venus and Mars and Back to the Egg. I think what puzzled people at the time when Ram was released is that Paul had a reputation of being a natural songsmith, on the heels of Abbey Road and songs like Get Back and Let it Be,and then to hear Ram at that time must had some people scratching their heads.But in retropect this album is just Paul trying to get back up again musically (With a little help from Linda) after the break up of The Beatles that really affected Paul deeply.
Thanks for chiming in, Ernie - Alway good to hear from you.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Please more of these solo album reviews! So many podcasts treat these records over-reverentially so this was a breath of fresh air. I would compare 'Ram' to 'Mind Games' - it contains the seeds of great songs never fully realized. Interesting how unlike Paul, the other Beatles' output suffered in quality in the mid to late seventies as their marriages broke down and substance abuse took hold. Would love an edition to look at what went wrong.
Excellent collaboration guys! Definitely should do more. Very much on point which your observations on Ram for the most part. I do like the wildness of the album , and endings on Too Many People and Backseat, musically they are very interesting and they give the song a demo quality .
Thank you for the comment, Dan!
I love Ram. The best he made IMHO. Love Linda’s voice on this album.
This was really great Matt seeing you and John. I've known John for quite a while and I do love 'em even though I leave him comments and he never replies he's still a good guy. I wanted to pick up on something that John said about being 14 and being devastated having the Beatles break up, well that would be me. I was 14 in 1970 and when they broke up it was brutal, you know remembering seeing them on Ed Sullivan in 64 so I was with them the whole trip. I remember my mom taking me to the record store to pick up Let it be and I just kept staring at that red apple and just staring at the album cover thinking wow this is really it. I have a bad habit of going on too long so I'm going to do the best I can not to do that but it's going to be tough. Moving to 1971 I'm 15 ram comes out and I absolutely love it and still love it to this day. Even back then being 15 I always thought that another day and oh woman oh why should have been on the album. Also John already knows this but I don't know if I've told you Matt I did see Wings in 1976 and it was the best concert I've ever been to. Linda did an absolutely great job on that tour in my opinion. So I quickly want to wrap this up cuz I'm going to go on way too long as I said you guys kind of brought this up I hated when the Beatles were going at it back and forth and I remember the very first time hearing God from the plastic on the band album and I hated John Lennon for saying I don't believe in Beatles. Took me a while to get over that one. I was already upset that they broke up and that's the last thing I needed to hear. Even being as young as I was I did pick up on what McCartney was saying to Lennon on too many people and three legs. I didn't like that either and I really hated John again for doing how do you sleep but Paul deserved that. I also knew when I first heard dear friend who that was for. And I know people are going to disagree but in my mind and in my heart I'll always know that John wrote I know I know for Paul from the Mind games album. So anyway yes I'm older than both of you put together LOL. I'll tell you both it's been a hell of a ride from when me and my two brothers went to the local record store to buy meet the Beatles till today. Anyway Matt looking forward to seeing you and John again talking about some time in New York City. I apologize to the both you for going on so long.
DT, A word of advice. Nobody will read your 'chapter' here. Keep it to 3 or 4 lines if you want reactions?
I appreciate the comment, no matter how long! This review was a trial balloon as I am very critical of the Beatles solo material. Some fans have a hard time taking it.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Thank you Matt, and to Neil, you can't possibly know who's going to read this and who is not going to read this.
Side note about what you said about I don’t believe in Beatles. When Paul went to court to be released from Beatles (none of the other three ever showed up) in his argument he sited that line in Johns song to the Judge.
Day tripper; side note to your comment about the line I don’t believe in Beatles. When Paul went to court to dissolve The Beatles he sited that line by John to the judge. None of the other Beatles show up at the proceedings.
Apart from Uncle Albert and Monkberry Moon Delight the rest is rather throwaway? It's a shame Another Day wasn't on the album as it's one of Paul's better solo singles with it's Eleanor Rigby style narrative. In so many ways this album is proof that Paul needed John as his barometer if nothing else. (and visa versa to a degree?)
@@juanfelipemv Yeah but Paul needed John to keep him in line. Look what happened in Paul's patchy solo carrier in fact all of them had patchy solo carriers. They needed each other. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
@@juanfelipemv That is obvious when you compare their solo works. I maintain that even in Beatles later years John couldnt FINISH a song. Everything sounds like an idea.
‘Ramone’ was Paul’s stage name for the Jonny Gentle Scottish Moondog’s tour. Phil Ramone can be heard saying ‘take one.’ The song was spontaneously inspired by a conversation about their mutual last names. Phil’s childhood friends called him ‘Ram On.’
I'm one of those people who benefited from having an older sister (in the 60's) suffering from Beatlemania. My early childhood (born in '59) corresponded with her purchace of and playing of every one of the Beatles' albums as they came out. Interestingly, she only bought McCartney albums after the breakup. Since that was the case i became a McCartney fan by default. Ram is my favourite album from Paul, and not knowing the "politics" of the time, i just liked the songs, unaware of anything behind them. To me, there are no weak songs, although Uncle Albert, Ram On, In The Backseat of My Car, Dear Boy, Heart of the Country, and Monkberry Moon Delight, are my favorite tracks. Finally, I'm brand new to your channel. Having my Beatles flame reignited by Jackson, ive begun rewatching old Beatles content, and discovering new stuff. Have you by any chance watched any of the "Understanding Lennon/McCartney" "Understanding McCartney " videos by Breathless345, on UA-cam? If so, whats your take?
I've watched some of those episodes and I thought they were well done. I may eventually watch them all but they are long! Thanks for the comment.
RAM is a masterpiece. Period. :-)
If it " is a masterpiece. Period." why did you end with a colon, a dash and an end parenthesis?
Can't agree with you. The shame is that it COULD have been a masterpiece.
John Heaton and Matt were right -- he needed someone, whether John or someone else, to tell him when, as John was apt to, 'it was garbage.'
Yeah, John, who said that about Birthday, could be really harsh,
but Paul just has melodies popping out of his head all the time
and he doesn't have an inner critic, so he needed an outer critic
and no one was in position to tell him.
There are so many good things, but there are all the cringe inducing parts,
like the skat singing (not Paul's strength) or the lyrices to Back Seat of my Car . . .
Btw, I had this album in 8th grade and listened to it all the time, but in my heart I was waiting for the Beatles to get back together.
@@trumpsupporter1016 People have often accused Paul of not having an inner critic and of being a perfectionist. These things can't co-exist. So that is one of the reasons why I argue that he is not a perfectionist. Cuz he definitely has no inner critic.
The "goofiness" in this album is idiocyncratic. You can't understand Ram without it and you have to embrace it in order to fully enjoy the album.
A great pairing, insightful and personable throughout - follow you both so a treat that you give us a good breakdown with lots of anecdotes - fingers crossed for more
Thanks Clifton. I ruffled a lot of feathers with this one! More to come.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Cool look forward to them. Feathers need to be ruffled or creativity and debate is stifled. Thanks for taking the time to respond...one of my claims to fame is being born in the same hospital as Paul McCartney...small I know.
@@cliftonstewart9557 That's one more claim to fame than I have!
Great, great stuff as always. I am the age group John mentioned - I was 14 when the Beatles broke up and it really was a horrible dark day I still remember well. I remember hearing Another Day it seemed very quickly after the news and loved the record and felt a little better. I have always considered RAM as Paul's best solo album, and I am far from alone in my age group that I am aware of. I also liked Red Rose and Venus and Mars a lot as well. Wildlife...no and after listening to Egypt station I finally had to admit that the songwriting magic is gone. But how much more can we ask of this lovely man> Thanks again and always.
Thanks for the comments, William.
Ram is proof that when Paul keeps the production simple, his skills shine through in a very transparent way. There was an early interview with Paul where he revealed that he was essentially broke because Beatle money was tied up in the Allen Klein fiasco. In order for his family to get get money coming in, he co-wrote with Linda because she was free and clear to collect publishing and performance pay.
Some pretty shocking statements in this conversation. "Isn't It A Pity" is too long? That extended ending is the equivalent of the ending of "Hey Jude". But with "Hey Jude" it was a celebration of optimism. With "Isn't It A Pity" it was a realization of sadness & hopelessness. With "Hey Jude" I'm ready to take on the world of challenges. With "Isn't It A Pity" I'm ready to retreat into a place of darkness. For music lovers, both emotions have relevancy at any given time. But I appreciate the therapeutic cry from the ending of"Isn't It A Pity" even more than the positive vibe from the ending to "Hey Jude". So much so that "Isn't It A Pity" is in my list of 100 greatest recordings of all-time.
Isn't It A Pity is indeed too long, for lots of people. 99% of this is personal taste. If I think it's too long, that doesn't mean others are necessarily wrong. I think She's Leaving Home doesn't belong on a rock album, and I'm right about that. Other people disagree, and they're right too. So, IIAP is in your top 100; that's fine, but it's just your list, not anyone else's. Yeah?
@@cajunqueen5125 - "Isn't It A Pity" is a #1 single. It remains one of the longest running #1 singles of all-time. Would have it been more successful had it been shorter? Uh, how can you be more successful than #1? Yeah?
@@shyman99 Maybe if it had been a teensy bit shorter, it would have had an even LONGER run as a #1 single. Who can say? Not me! But regardless, I already covered this: it's personal taste. If you love the length if it, that's fine, you're right: it's perfect.... for you. It doesn't mean someone else can't have a different opinion. Tell me a band you don't like, and I'll find you millions of people that love that same band. Opinions vary, that's all.
@@cajunqueen5125 - So your argument is it could have been a longer #1. That's a ridiculous argument. Perhaps the person crowned Miss America would have had more votes for the crown has she wore less makeup. It's an irrelevant argument because goal was achieved to be #1. Your opinion just tells me you aren't a good judge in music.
@@shyman99 That wasn't my argument at all (i wrapped my comment in a big IF.) I dunno if it would be more successfull, less successful. I did say, "Who can say?"
Anyhoo, that was actually kinda YOUR argument: that because it was a #1 single, it must therefore be perfect. That sounds equally ridiculous to me. Well look, you think i'm "not a good judge of music" because I don;t agree with you. And would seem you think your opinion is a universal truth. But it's not; it;s just your opinion. Everyone's got one. i asked you before: name me a band you don't like. Well then, that's not a universal truth, that's just your opinion. Millions of people will disagree with you (no matter what band you name.) It's the same here with this song: I like IIAP a whole LOT; but because i think it could have been a little shorter (like Matt our host also thinks), then suddenly I'm not a good judge of music. Because I don;t agree with 100% everything YOU think? Come on. that's not reasonable. don't be so thin-skinned. Not everybody is gonna agree with things -- that's why they're called "opinions". Let's say we ask people to list the "top 10 beatle songs"? EVERYONE will have a totally different list, yeah? But is everyone who doesn't have a list exactly like yours suddenly "a poor judge of music"? Nope, it's just that they have opinions, just like you do. no universal truths, just opinions. :)
I was a 14 year Beatle fanatic when Ram was released, Loved the McCartney album, although I knew it was different, but I accepted it, sounded like a natural extension from the Let It Be album, then the "Another Day/Oh Woman Oh Why" single was released and that seemed more like Paul back on track, so the Ram album was highly anticipated to us Beatle fans....I wanted to like it so bad, but was so disappointed like many, but now 50 years later, I've softend up a bit on it, and Love it now, there's so much in it...fun, light, charming...
Agree with Matt on the guitar solo on Too Many People. Be good to hear more of these kinds of discussions as you come at it quite differently. Thanks