RAM

CD 1 -  REMASTERED ALBUM

RAM : I bought this album when it first came out in 1971 and it was a pirated record. It was a top rated album showing Paul McCartney in all his splendour. and the genius that we all knew him to be. Pop have never sounded so good before or since and it was all on one album. I've always maintain that this was a rock master giving his popish best. Ironically, it was panned universally by the critics when it first came out. The critics were out for blood and actually blamed Paul for the demise of The Beatles and they just refused to listen to the music. A lesser artist would have been killed off but Paul proves that he have the talents and charms to outdo these critics. The years have finally given this album it's due. Critics have finally begin to appreciate this fine album. This was also the first solo Beatle CD that I've bought which started off my whole solo Beatles CD collection. I got the first CD in Singapore and when the Paul McCartney Archive Collection came out in 2012, again I have to sell off my original to get this version. The maker of this CD again applied the same tactics, adding a bonus CD with addition tracks which could easily have fitted onto the whole CD. Still, this was the first truly great Paul McCartney album although it was credited to Paul & Linda McCartney.

Too Many People ( McCartney ) : A great opener. Only recently Paul have started singing this song at his concert. Perhaps the harsh treatment of this album from the critics initially really got to him. This was also the song that started his feud with his former band mate, John Lennon.

3 Legs ( McCartney ) : A fine second track with daft lyric. Well, you don't really go deep in the lyrics on any Paul McCartney's songs. The melody is sufficient.

Ram On ( McCartney ) : Paul using the ukulele on this one. Not terribly great thought it was the title song but still good enough to listen on.

Dear Boy ( McCartney / McCartney ) : I used to dislike this track due to my impatience to listen to the next track. Over the years, I've learnt to include this as one of the great one here.In those days, you can't just click on the skip button like we do nowadays.

Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey ( McCartney / McCartney ) : Paul's smash hit in America and a firm favourite on this album. The melody is so infectious that it stays in your mind for days. Paul of course was a master of melody and he have so many melodies up his sleeves that he can effortlessly string any songs into a medley as he was so fond of doing and this was his first.Of course, we have the Abbey Road medleys but then, that was in another band..

Smile Away ( McCartney ) : The only track here that I tended to skip when I was playing this album. Not a bad melody by any means but a wee bit too noisy for my tender ears in those days.

Heart Of The Country ( McCartney / McCartney ) : Another favourite. This is country territory and Paul shows he is a master in this genre as well.

Monkberry Moon Delight ( McCartney / McCartney ) : A fine rocking number with nonsensical verses. John Lennon he is not but the music is top notched.

Eat At Home ( McCartney / McCartney ) : The single that should have made it but didn't. The riff is awsome. If this have been released under The Beatles banal, it would have leaped straight to No.1 but since it wasn't, well.....

Long Hairy Lady ( McCartney / McCartney ) : The longest track on the album. This one apart from 'Monkberry Moon Delight' have Linda's backing vocal at it's most prominence. A good and enjoyable track nevertheless.

Ram On ( McCartney ) : A short reprise of the original track. This one ends with a snippet of 'Big Barn Bed' which starts off his "Red Rose Speedway" album.

The Back Seat Of My Car ( McCartney ) : The supposed centrepiece of the album but since there are so many goodies on the album, this does not sounds like it. I find this a bit too long. Still. a worthwhile track and a good way to close a brilliance album.

CD 2 - BONUS AUDIO.

Another Day ( McCartney / McCartney ) : Paul's first No.1 single. I remember going to the music store almost everyday looking for this single but somehow it was never available. I only got to owe this track when I bought the "Wings Greatest" album years later. This was Paul still having The Beatles feel in him.  Loved this song.

Oh, Woman, Oh Why ( McCartney / McCartney ) : The flip side of 'Another Day'. Not a total wash out but as with everything Paul McCartney during this time, it was quite listenable.

Little Woman Love ( McCartney ) : A simple little ditty that appears on one of his many singles.

A Love For You [ Jon Kelly Mix ] ( McCartney ) : A nice little discovery for me when I got this CD. Nice but not terrible memorable. Usually I don't care much for all those various mixes. I like my music in their original form.

Hey Diddle [ Dixon Van Winkle Mix ] ( McCartney / McCartney ) :  This is another gem that have never seen the light of day until this release. It was feature as a medley with ' Bip Bop' on the "Hits And History" CD.

Great Cock And Seagull Race [ Dixon Van Winkle Mix ] ( McCartney ) : This one sounds like a jam seasons. Another of those instrument piece that he seems so delighted in churning out.

Rode All Night ( McCartney ) : If the above sounds like a jam session, this one is definitely it. At almost 9 minutes long, this is definitely way too long but still it is much better than 'Revolution 9.'

Sunshine Sometime ( McCartney ) :  Yet another instrumental. I used to made an instrumental CD featuring all The Ex Beatles and Paul, not surprisingly have the most track. I could have made a whole CD of just his instrumental recordings.

DOP : 12th August 2012.