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4.5
This is Paul's most underrated disc. Macca wanted to get back to the basics of rock & this is the product he created. It's his hardest rocking album. Back to the Egg was Sir Paul's ninth studio album & only made it to #8 on the charts. It's likely that the public had a negative reaction to this album because it didn't have most of the normal type of songs he records. That's sad because, though most will disagree, it's one of his best albums; not only that, but the version of Wings put together here was the most talented. Sir Paul even tried, in one sense, to catch lightening in a bottle by titling this album Back to the Egg. It was not only his way of saying he was going to get back to the basics of rock, the title was eerily similar to his most successful album, Band on the Run.Only two singles were released from Back to the Egg, they were "Arrow Through Me" went to #29 & "Getting Closer" managed to get to #20. With the exception of his debut album, McCartney, Back to the Egg was the first album of his not to have a #1 single. The first song is certainly more typical for McCartney; it has a great horn arrangement & was a perfect choice to close side one of the vinyl version. The second song was very UNtypical as a choice for a single by McCartney. Up to this point in his career it was the hardest rocking song released as a single Sir Paul did a grammy for "Rockestra Theme" for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. It wasn't a hit but it's the only song that even gets a little airplay anymore.Back to the Egg is loaded with good songs & good performances. The album opens with the short instrumental "Reception". It has a killer bass riff & has spoken words through out, not all entirely understandable. Deep down inside Sir Paul has had a desire to venture into Pink Floyd territory & this gets somewhat close to that. The aforementioned "Getting Closer" is next followed by the acoustic "We're Open Tonight" which, like "Mrs. Vanderbilt" from Band on the Run, is a recurring theme. "Spin It On" follows & is one of the hardest rocking songs here; it even has elements of the burgeoning punk movement. Lead Player, Laurence Juber, shines on this one. The Denny Laine composition "Again and Again and Again" follows, it's the one song that I would consider dispensable on the entire album. It's probably the worst song that he wrote to appear on a Wings album. "Old Siam, Sir" is next & also rocks very hard. Juber once again does an outstanding lead while Paul gives a very rough & gritty vocal similar to what he did on "Oh! Darling" from Abbey Road. "Arrow Throuh Me" & "Rockestra Theme" are next, then we get "To You" which rocks hard also but not up to the level of "Old Siam, Sir" or "Spin It On". One of my favorite songs on the album comes next, "After the Ball/Million Miles". It's two song fragments that Sir Paul put together (how often has he done that?), both have fragments have a gospel feel which has been one of the formative beginnings of rock music. McCartney gives excellent vocals on this reminding us just how good of a vocalist he can be. The next song "Winter Rose/Love Awake" are much more typical songs of Sir Paul & are average. "The Broadcast" is another short instrumental that has a spoken performance from a play inserted. "So Glad to See You Here" follows & is the second & last appearance of the Rockestra on the album. The Rockestra not only includes Wings (Laurence Juber- guitar, Denny Laine- guitar, Linda McCartney- keyboards & Paul on bass), there are a ton of guest musicians: Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Hank Marvin (The Shadows & Cliff Richard), Pete Townshend (The Who), John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Kenney Jones (The Who), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Ronnie Lane (Faces & Small Faces), Bruce Thomas (Madness & Elvis Costello), Gary Brooker (Procul Harum)& Tony Ashton (Family & Paice, Ashton & Lord). The original album ends with "Baby's Request"; it's one of those 'big band' type songs that Sir Paul typically does one an album. It's not bad & has a killer guitar riff opening it.The reissue has three bonus tracks added: "Daytime Nighttime Suffering" a B-side from a single & two Christmas songs, "Wonderful Christmastime" & "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reggae", both are utterly dispensable.
