Driving Rain

Description

Paul McCartney- Driving RainAmazon.com Paul McCartney's ability to rise to a challenge has been one of the least appreciated aspects of his artistically speckled post-Beatles career. Having exorcized a few personal demons and historic rock & roll ghosts on his previous, mostly obscure covers collection, Run, Devil Run, this marks Mac's first full album of new songs since the passing of his wife, Linda. Gratifyingly, it's also by turns mature, musically restless, and personally reflective--and ultimately an album that stands alongside Tug of War and Flowers in the Dirt as one of his best solo efforts. Informed by David Kahne's warmly low-key yet gritty production and McCartney's still formidable pipes, there are few traces of the candy-ass pop and precious sentiment that have long vexed fans and detractors alike. Even the jaunty title track (with its "1-2-3-4-5" chorus recalling the Fabs' "All Together Now") seems infused with a welcome edge. There's a renewed sense of emotional connection throughout, reflected in efforts that seem to address his own personal tragedy (the unsettled "Lonely Road," melancholy "From a Lover to a Friend," and plaintive "I Do"). And then there's the quietly haunting "She's Given Up Talking" and the bluesy irony of "Back in the Sunshine Again" and "Rinse the Raindrops." It all revolves around a bittersweet, hard-won sense of hope; the bright, neoclassical "Heather" pays tribute to his new love with an elegant, "Abbey Road"-worthy instrumental prologue that builds to a single brief verse of playfully heartfelt prose. That track and the seductive Eastern motifs of "Riding into Jaipur" (with its even more succinct verbiage) also underscore a feeling that Mac's best musical instincts and artistic curiosity are far from dormant. The CD includes the bonus live track "Freedom," his simple anthem to the events of September 11, 2001, and their historic aftermath. The man who once sang "All You Need Is Love" is now ready to "fight for the right to freedom"; the times have indeed been a- changin'. --Jerry McCulley Product description All our books are brand new. We ship worldwide Review A satisfying, and often very moving, body of work. [Dec 2001, p.100] -- MOJOIf this collection has a coherent theme, it's the cautious joy of a man making his emotional recovery. [#4, p.119] -- BlenderMcCartney has embraced the small-combo spirit that made Run Devil Run, his 1999 album of rock & roll covers, such a triumph. -- Rolling StoneThis set may not satisfy every fan, but it should please those who have hoped that McCartney would branch out from a safe sound. -- BillboardWhile [Linda's] death hangs over much of Driving Rain, Macca's knack for taking a sad song and making it better means tracks like "Lonely Road," "It Must Have Been Magic," "Your Way" and "Back in the Sunshine" are redemption songs, not exercises in self-pity. -- E! Online

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UPC Number: 72435355102

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