Bob_Ward's Blog

Original Beatles Drummer Pete Best & Me
Fox25 Studios 11.21.08

"Woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head."
--A Day In The Life (Lennon/McCartney

That line from the middle of the epic Beatles track A Day In The Life, is exactly what happened to me Friday, and it's exactly what put me on the path to meet a Beatle.

When I rolled out of bed at 6AM Friday to help the kids get to school, it dawned on me that I forgot to record my voice for Saturday's New England's Unsolved, which was set to edit Friday morning. Since I wasn't due in to Fox25 until 3pm, that meant one thing: jump in the car and get moving.

Ordinarily, this would be a real chore, especially with little or no coffee in my system. And at first, it was.

But when I was finished recording my track, I wandered into our lunchroom. And who should be sitting there, nonchalantly drinking a coffee (or was it tea?), but AN HONEST TO GOODNESS BEATLE!!!

Pete Best missed not only super-stardom, but being part of a cultural revolution, by about a month. Pete Best actually drummed on the first recorded version of Love Me Do, the Beatles first single, but the song was re-recorded a month after the firing of Pete Best. And it's the Ringo version we know best today (actually there's yet another version with a session drummer that might be even more familiar, but that's another story).

The fact is that Pete Best is an ex-Beatle. And right now, there are only three of them left: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and Pete Best.

It's tempting to write off Pete Best as a footnote to Beatles history, to lump him in with Lennon's best friend and original bass player, the late Stu Sutcliffe, and call it a day. If you did that, you'd miss something huge.

Think about this. The early Beatles story from the very beginning, centered on finding a drummer. And drummers were few and far between in Liverpool in those days. Before the Beatles went to Hamburg, Germany, they begged Pete to join them. They knew, without a drummer, there was no beat in Beatles.

So, Pete Best was there. If Pete Best didn't go to Hamburg, and the Beatles couldn't find a drummer there, it is likely John Paul and George would have given up and gone home. Ringo at the time was playing for another band. And if the pre-Fab 3 called it a day, it's highly likely there would have been no British Invasion, no Ed Sullivan Show appearance, and no rock revolution that we still feel today.

There's an old saying that there are two kinds of rock musicians: those influenced by the Beatles, and liars. I'd have to agree. Modern music would be vastly different if the Beatles never made it to America.

It's true that the Beatles may not have been the Beatles without Ringo Starr, but if there was no Pete Best, the story might never have even gotten that far.

So, this is the guy I encountered at the Fox 25 lunchroom. I knew Pete was booked for the Morning Show, but I didn't think our paths would cross. Just in case, I brought my baby Nikon with me, and I'm glad I did. Pete was in the lunchroom with his half brother Roag, and a publicist. The three of them could not have been nicer. Pete, especially, was gracious and wanted to know more about my line of work. When I asked for a picture, he simply said, "Of course!"

I've always wondered if Pete Best was bitter about what happened with the Beatles. After all, John, Paul, and George were his mates, and they completely stabbed him in the back. Not only did they never pay him (not until the 1995 Anthology project anway) they never again spoke to Pete Best. Even when the Beatles shared a bill with Pete Best's band, they never said a word to him. How sad is that?

Instead of finding an embittered man, I saw a warm, engaging guy who realizes, even with that simple twist of fate, he's had a fulfilling life. In other words, he is OK with it.

And the other cool thing? Unlike the guy who replaced him, Pete Best was happy to not only share a picture with me, he gave me an autograph, too!

And here it is, on a copy of an old Beatles handbill:




So Pete Best: Thanks!

Fate may not have smiled on you back in 1962, but it may have actually done you a favor!

Bob Ward

Greatest Album of All Time?

I Get The Biggest Kick Out Of This!

During my AM commute to the FOX25 Mothership in Dedham this week, I was channel surfing on the car radio. When I'm left to my own devices, I'm a talk radio, classic rock kind of guy with some NPR and classical sprinkled across the top (if that makes me old, I guess, guilty as charged!).

Anyway, I stumbled onto not one, but TWO radio stations already playing nothing but Christmas music. And it's only the first week of November.

I'm not going to write about how it's too early, or whether the songs are overplayed. Or whether this is just further evidence of how our society is slipping away. That's too obvious.

Instead, I want to comment on the unique experience of listening to Christmas music any time of year.

It dawned on me last Friday that this is the only time of year some of these once omnipresent artists are ever played on the radio. Think of it: Bing Crosby was the first superstar of recorded music, yet outside of his Holiday Classics, when is the last time you heard Bing on the radio? Ditto Johnny Mathis, Perry Como, the Beach Boys, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, John Denver. Hey, even Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers who released hit after hit when I was growing up are complete strangers to radio in the new century. Yet just as surely as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, they come back into our lives sometime around Halloween. And they are gone at the stroke of midnight on December 26th. Banished for another year.

Think about this:

Every single style of music that we enjoyed when we were younger is gone now. All of it replaced by rap, hip hop, teen pop, or some hybrid of the above. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but it's a fact. The music we long ago loved is now as dead as Jacob Marley.

Yet the Christmas songs that endure are mostly orchestral based pop from the 40s to the 60s. Yes, there are a few rock era classics that have stood the test of time from people like John Lennon, Paul McCartney, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and U2, but none of those songs sound remotely like anything that's being recorded today. It's all a throwback.

For me, Christmas music represents a special place in my life, back to when I was a boy and the music was the official roll out of an exciting season of endless possibilities and hope. A truly magic time.

My kids are growing up in an entirely different culture. Yet they love the same Christmas music that I've enjoyed. If anything, it's almost the one music we can play in the car for any length of time without getting on each other's nerves.

For example, you don't want to see the look on my face when the kids go to blast "Womanizer" for the fifteenth time in ten minutes. On the other hand, you can probably sense their reaction when I say, "Listen to these incredible lyrics" just as I'm loading Bob Dylan's brilliant new Tell Tale Signs into the CD player. 

You get the picture. And it ain't pretty.

But if suddenly, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops version of Sleigh Ride bursts through the speakers, all is well with the world. For about 3:07.

So yes, I agree, it's early to hear any rendition of Rudolph, or Frosty, or Silent Night. And I agree I'll be tired of them all by, say, December 1st.

But there is something to be said about music that bridges generations.

Music can bring peace to my car!

I know I'm not alone, as these Christmas songs are never going away.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Bob Ward
November 8, 2008

PS. The guy on the album cover is not related to me in any way. No. Really!

It was one of my favorite places, and now it is gone.

Tom's Tracks, an independent record store on the East Side of Providence, RI is out of business.

Truth be told, I haven't been to Tom's in years, as I sadly don't get to visit Providence very often. Last weekend though, I walked down Thayer Street and it bothered me to see this local landmark erased from its storefront, almost like it never existed.

I can't say I was surprised, as I know how the internet and download services like iTunes have ravaged independent music sellers. I just hoped that somehow Tom's, close to Brown University, and not far from the Rhode Island School of Design, would find a way to stem the powerful economic tides against it.

Tom's Tracks was not a very big store. But I could spend hours browsing through cabinets of vinyl, used and new, domestic and imported. And since I was usually there after work, I stood out in my suits and ties. It's funny isn't it? The people with the multi colored mohawks and tattoos fit right in, but I was the odd ball at Tom's.

Tom's Tracks was a lot like the record store in Nick Hornby's great book (and film) High Fidelity. Tom's had attitude plus. But that's OK, so can I sometimes. Tom himself could be cantankerous and blunt. But you know what? He was also extremely knowledgeable and helpful. And he would chase down anything I might be looking for. It didn't matter how rare or off the wall something might be, Tom would always find it for me. And the people he hired were exactly the same way.

That's why I always enjoyed visiting this record store. It was a colorful and always memorable event. Add a dose of great music, and how could  you go wrong?

I know time marches on, and nothing lasts forever. But I wish time could have left this little slice of life alone. Shopping for music on the internet, or downloading a file, is simply not the same. And when I ask a teenager about the Traveling Wilburys (you should have seen what I went through to get that sold out boxed set), only to be asked. "Who's that?" you know something in our fabric has been lost forever.

I have way too many 45's, 12" singles, and imported CD's at home. But far too few of them still have the "Tom's Tracks" sticker still on them. And I will treasure them always.

For those of you who have lost a favorite shop, I know how you feel. And for those of you too young to know what I'm talking about, all I can say is, you missed something very special.

Bob Ward

It seems the Beatles are never far from the headlines. And this is amazing when you consider a) the band broke up nearly 40 years ago and b) two of the Beatles are dead.

I believe this is a testament to the staying power of the music that the Beatles are still discussed today. There's no question that Beatles music is not only alive, it is thriving, as witnessed by the success of the Beatles Love show in Vegas (the soundtrack won two Grammys this year), last night's American Idol showcase, and talks that the Fabs may soon be available on i-tunes.

Over the weekend, the Beatles on i-Tunes story went international (again) with news that a deal was imminent. I've heard for years that all of the Beatles CD's have been remastered, and things are gearing up for a major relaunch. The current CD's were released in the 80's and desperately need updating.

But like the old Beatle reunion rumors (when John was alive), these i-Tunes stories quickly fall apart. The most recent story had Paul McCartney giving his blessing to the new releases to help him pay for his divorce from Heather Mills.

Of course, this was false. I haven't peaked at Paul's financials, but I highly doubt he needs to sell anything to get out of his ill fated marriage to Mills. I think Macca's doing all right for himself.

I can't understand the hold out. Every day that slips by, the further the Beatles, and everything they did, slips into the past for younger listeners. No question that American Idol was a nice showcase, and I'm sure an eyeopener for young people who thought the Fabs were just 'dad's music.' But the Beatles (or Apple Corps, their company), need to do much more to protect the legacy. And that means making the music MORE accessible, not less.

And downloads would be a nice start. Before this decade is out.

If you are interested in following all things Beatles, here's a link to the best website you'll find:

http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/fabnews.htm

There's also a good blog here:

http://abbeyrd.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-were-not-gettin
g-all-excited-about.html

Hope all is well, and I'll soon be back to my regular programming on the news side of things!

Bob Ward

Hannah Montana Bus. Worcester, MA 12.22.07.

Sometime after I got out of college, just as New Wave was turning into dance pop, I realized that popular music was no longer being written for me. It was an epiphany. And it spared me years of complaining about how 'they don't write them like they used to.' Although I still do complain about that. Quite a lot actually.

So on Saturday, imagine seeing me at the Worcester DCU Center for the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour. What is this world coming to?

Now imagine this: I had a great time!

If you don't have kids in your life, you may not know that Hannah Montana is an incredibly popular Disney Channel TV show, starring 15 year old Miley Cyrus, daughter of Billy Ray Cyrus of 'Achy Breaky Heart' fame. The sitcom's premise is standard Golden Era TV fare: Miley is a high school student by day, pop queen Hannah Montana at night. But it's a secret only her best friends know. That way she can still go to high school and be a 'normal' kid. Thus, the best of the both worlds.

Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus has released two CDs. Both are not only widely popular on the charts, they are in non stop rotation in the Ward house/car/wherever there is a CD player.

Add to all this that the Jonas Brothers (SOS, Year 3000) were opening for Hannah/Miley and there was absolutely no way that this father could disappoint his daughter. Not three days before Christmas!

Truth be told: to get these tickets came at a great sacrifice: I had to join the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus Fan Club! Yes, I am a card carrying member. Lucky for me, the card actually bears my daughter's name. But rest assured somewhere in Disney's giant database, under Hannah Montana, you'll eventually find my name.

So, to the concert.

To be honest, I've never seen anything like it. Three hours before the show even started, there was a HUGE buzz outside DCU when the Hannah Montana tour bus (pictured above) pulled right in front of the front door of the DCU. And it was nearly immediately swarmed by dozens of girls hoping, wishing, praying, that Miley herself would step off and into the DCU.

It was not to be.

The bus is actually a Fan Club bus. And Miley's picture is larger than life on the side of the bus, pearly whites gleaming. Which is a good thing as the bus is sponsored by a toothpaste company.

Instead of Miley or Billy Ray bouncing out of the bus, it was Team Hannah. They set up a karaoke machine, staged raffles, even set up a photo booth where fans could have their picture taken with a cardboard Miley AND Miley's real life grandmother. It was all in good fun, and most importantly, it was all free.

Inside the DCU, once the Jonas Brothers were done, and the lights went down for Hannah Montana, the place went completely bonkers.
Miley took the stage dressed as Hannah Montana, and just completely took over. The first song was 'Rock Star,' and Miley was every bit of that and more.

The audience went nuts.

That high pitched sound I heard through most of the show bouncing from one wall of the DCU to the next was not a jet engine, it was the sound of pure, unadulterated pre-teen joy.

And this is why I liked the concert so much. The songs were all upbeat, positive and FUN. If there was a message it was: be yourself and never give up. The whole concert felt like a celebration, a party for Miley's 10,000 nearest and dearest.

And parents here's the most refreshing thing of all: no belly buttons, no simulated adult scenes, no sensual moans and groans. Just kids having fun. Thanks Miley, for giving my kids something better.

And I have to say that Miley Cyrus impressed me. She is just 15 years old, and not only is she blessed with a great expressive voice, the girl has charisma plus. I mean, she simply commanded the stage. It's hard to think that this is her first national tour, or that she's not even old enough to have a driver's license. She really is that good.

All of the songs were fun, but for parents I'm guessing the best song was the last song of the night. It's a traditional  country song called 'Miss You' and it's a song about Miley's departed grandfather. For this song, Miley sat at center stage on a stool, and played an acoustic guitar. And she just poured herself into her lyrics. No dancing,  no special costumes, just the music.

Years from now, when Hannah Montana has run its course, it wouldn't surprise me at all if this is how Miley Cyrus will be performing. And yes, I'm holding my breath that Miley doesn't turn out like Brittany, Jamie-Lynn, or Lindsay Lohan. I have a feeling that Miley may avoid all that, but we'll see.

So, yes, I had a great time. Even this old cynical music fan found much to like about this concert. And that's saying something.

Plus, the look on the faces of my kids during the show was absolutely priceless.

So, if the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus tour makes its way back to Boston, and you're able to score some seats, I say go for it. I wouldn't pay scalper prices, but I will say you'll have a great time with your kids.

 Bob Ward

John Lennon 1980 NYC

Music fans, just a little time out today to remember one John Lennon who was murdered in New York City on this date twenty seven years ago.

I was in college when Lennon was killed, and it was one of those "where-were-you-when" moments for me, like the Challenger disaster and 9/11.

Twenty seven years is a long time. The entire face of pop music has changed about a dozen times since December 8, 1980. I work with people who have no idea how important John Lennon was, or that there was a man behind the icon. They tell me Lennon was 'before my time.'

I can safely say there has been no one like Lennon since.

The thing I miss most about John Lennon, in addition to his immense songwriting talent, was his sense of humor and humility. This is a guy who helped revolutionize popular culture, who was feared by the Nixon Administration, but who still wasn't too big to do the weather at a Philadelphia TV station in 1975. Don't believe me? Go to You Tube and check it out.

I have too many favorite John Lennon songs to say any one is my favorite of all. But on this day, I'd like to single out an over looked gem: Mind Games. This song was released in 1973, and it contains some great lyrical imagery that had been missing from his music ever since the Beatles broke up three years earlier.

The line I'm drawn to is a simple sentiment: "Faith in the Future, Outta the Now."

It doesn't get any more important than that. Especially on a day in history like this one.

Bob Ward

Well, it's over now.

The Starbucks free music-a-day promotion ended this week.

And I miss it already.

To bring you up to speed, everyday from October 2nd to November 7th, Starbucks was giving away one free song download. So, along with a cup of coffee, you got a little baseball card with a code that you could use to download a specific song from I-tunes.

The series was bookended with two heavy weights: Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney. In between the music couldn't possibly be more diverse: Annie Lennox, Band of Horses, Rogue Wave, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, John Mayer, Joss Stone, just to name a few.

I think I missed nine songs out of the 30 plus that were offered, but I'm sure I'll find them if I look hard enough. I have to admit, too, that I liked the little baseball cards that Starbucks handed out. Guess it's just the collector in me.

To sum it all up, I enjoyed all the free music. Some of it was great, some of it, not so much. But it was really fun to feel like I was discovering something new.

And in this day and age of segmented radio formats, it is nice to hear unexpected music I would otherwise never hear.

I don't have an Ipod, and all the music is on my Mac, which is in the shop again, but going from memory, my faves were: Joss Stone "Tell Me 'Bout It," Sonya Kitchell "I'm In Love With You," Rogue Wave "Lake Michigan," and Rissi Palmer, "Country Girl."

I already owned Bob Dylan's "Jokerman," and Paul McCartney's "Only Mama Knows," on cd otherwise those would make the list too.

Anyone else follow this series? Any thoughts?

Bob Ward

“Only a fool in here would think he’s got anything to prove.”
-Bob Dylan, Things Have Changed

When Bob Dylan took the stage at URI’s Ryan Center Saturday night, electric guitar in hand, and launched into a rollicking Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat from Blonde On Blonde, it was clear this concert was going to be on Bob Dylan’s terms; he’s no fool, and there is nothing left to prove.

The song selection, while heavy on his latest album, Modern Times, spanned Bob’s entire illustrious career. We heard The Ballad of Hollis Brown and the Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll from 1964, which sat nicely next to Rollin’ and Tumblin’ and Ain’t Talkin’ from the new album.

There were some iconic songs too: Don’t Think Twice, Highway 61, and All Along the Watchtower all performed loud and proud.

So why was this concert on Bob’s terms? It’s the big white elephant in the room. Bob’s voice. Let me say up front that I love Bob Dylan’s singing, and I always recoil when I hear someone say that Bob’s songs are best performed by someone else. I find Dylan’s voice a perfect fit for his unique lyrics.

There is no question that Bob Dylan’s voice has changed since 1963, 1974, or 1981. And as it ages, it changes the way we view the songs. The youthful righteous indignation of Masters of War, which closed the set Saturday night, now sounds like wisdom earned by years of observation, for example.

Still, even for me, there were times when I had no idea what song Bob was singing until he hit the chorus, or a few key lyrics. Part of that was the awful acoustics of a basketball gymnasium. The other part is that Bob tends to sing with a deep gravelly voice, and he tends to quickly spit out his lyrics. Sometimes the lyrics, which were difficult to hear at the Ryan Center under the best of circumstances, were tossed so fast I missed them.

Yet there were other times, like the beautiful and soft Ain’t Talkin’ which closes Modern Times, when I could hear every syllable and nuance of the music.

But that’s the thing with Bob Dylan’s music; it’s never easy, nor is it meant to be. Just like the artist himself, the music is mysterious, complicated, and contradictory.

You may think I’m giving Bob Dylan a huge pass here, and you could be right. But after decades of incredible, life changing music and indelible lyrics, I think Bob Dylan has earned that.

He has nothing left to prove.

Bob Dylan played for about an hour and a half. His band was excellent. Loud and electric when it needed to be, soft and contemplative where the songs demanded.

Bob Dylan offered not a single spoken word until he introduced his band at the end of the concert. And after the second song of the encore (a scorching All Along the Watchtower), Bob and his band stood at center stage, soaking up the applause. I got close enough to see Bob Dylan, with a bemused smile, holding up his hands by his shoulders, palms raised, accepting the standing ovation.

It was a strange moment. I’m used to rock stars pumping fists, and telling us how this is the best audience they have ever faced. They also like to tell me to “Rock On!”

Instead, this was Bob Dylan, on his own terms, ending his concert in his own fashion.

Nothing to prove.

I would have it no other way.

Bob Ward

Got an email this week from Ticketmaster that just about made me fall off my chair. This week, tickets go on sale for Bob Dylan, with opening act....wait for it....Elvis Costello.

The next step was to make sure I wasn't being spammed or scammed (by someone here who got a peak at my Fox music questionairre that's soon to be released), I wasn't. This is for real. Today, after going through Dylan's website for a free password code, I got in the pre-sale and got a pair of tickets to see what I think is a bill drawn up in Fan Nirvana.

I'll admit up front, Bob Dylan is one of my favorite artists. And unlike nearly anyone else, Dylan's music truly cuts across the generations. If you don't 'get' Dylan, and I can see where the voice will push people away, I say you owe it to yourself to try. Hey, you probably didn't like coffee when you first tried it, but I bet you're addicted now.

And if you don't believe me about the power of Dylan's lyrics, I urge you to go to Bob's website, look up the lyrics to "Every Grain of Sand" or "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" and tell me you can't identify with what he's writing. Forget all the huge Dylan hits. There is so much more to Dylan's legacy, you will be richly rewarded if you give him a fair shake.

Now, Dylan live is another matter altogether. I last saw him in 2005 at the Orpheum, and, well, it was an adventure. Bob's voice, while fine on CD, isn't holding up well on stage, IMO. Also, in '05, Bob didn't play guitar, he sat at a keyboard all night, which is OK, but different. At least with Dylan, I know I'm not getting a gimmicky prefab pop star, but an artist who has won the test of time and who has the scars to prove it.

As for Elvis Costello. I can't believe he's on the same bill. Another confession: I wasn't into Elvis when he was the darling of the New Wave. But I've come to greatly appreciate his skills and talents. You probably know that the only living artist I'd put in the same league as Bob Dylan is Paul McCartney. Back in the late 80's and early 90's, Elvis and Paul wrote, recorded, and released about a dozen songs together, "Veronica" being the most well known. I recently compiled all these songs, plus a few rarities I got from 'friends' and made a CD for myself, and this is truly the Great Lost McCartney album. Wonderful stuff.

That's what it took for me to realize just how good a songwriter Elvis Costello is. His lyrics are sarcastic, biting, and thought-provoking. He can be sensitive, too when he needs to be. I'm not an Elvis Costello expert by any stretch. And I'd welcome any and all recommendations. But a couple of my favorite Elvis tunes from Spike: "Baby Plays Around", "Let 'Em Dangle"; from the McCartney sessions: "Shallow Grave", "So Like Candy", and he does a stunning version of "That Day Is Done" on All This Useless Beauty.

Well folks, I don't get to anywhere close to the number of shows you do. But I'm glad I can contribute something here. If you are interested, pick up your tickets soon, cause I'd be surprised if these shows don't sell out. BTW, highest ticket price is $70.00.

Bob Ward

In recent weeks, the UK newspaper, the Daily Mail (immortalized in song in the Beatles' "Paperback Writer"), has been running excerpts from Pattie Boyd's new book, "Wonderful Tonight." It is an incredible story and if you are a fan of the true giants of rock and roll, prepare to be amazed.

In the mid-Sixties, Pattie Boyd was a beautiful model who met the Beatles on the set of their first film, A Hard Day's Night. Pattie eventually married George Harrison, but theirs was not a marriage destined to last.

As you may know, George's best buddy, Eric Clapton, had a serious thing for Pattie. You can hear Eric's anguish in the unforgettable song "Layla."

In the end, Pattie left George for Eric. And Pattie eventually left Eric for some sanity. Along the way, Pattie inspired the songs "Something", "Layla", and "Wonderful Tonight" - not bad.

The excerpt from Pattie's new book read like a tabloid, but the information is fascinating, as it portrays the artists and their times in a completely different light. So, if you like rock and roll drama, it doesn't get any juicier than this. Enjoy!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.ht
ml?in_article_id=473174&in_page_id=1879

BW

I probably should have seen this one coming.

Throughout Paul McCartney's long and rich career, his best music has always been written during times of severe emotional upheaval.

The ups and down  of his relationship with fiance Jane Asher gave us Yesterday, For No One, We Can Work It Out, and Hey Jude.

The Breakup of the Beatles: Let It Be, Long and Winding Road, the entire majestic song suite of Abbey Road.

Death of John Lennon: The magnificent Tug of War album

Illness and death of wife Linda McCartney: Somedays, the cover of No Other Baby, Lonely Road.

And now the high profile break up of his marriage to Heather Mills. That  already gave us 2005's critically acclaimed Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.

But now the follow up, Memory Almost Full, is giving us more than we could ever imagine from a man who has already given us so much. I didn't expect this, but I probably should have seen this one coming.

Memory Almost Full will probably be remembered as the "Starbucks Album" as this is the one off deal with the Hear Music label that's received so much attention.

Memory Almost Full comes out on June 5th, but I've been listening to it for a week, and I can safely tell you this is a remarkable return to form for Paul McCartney.

There are so many different musical styles here, that it's difficult to think this is the work of a soon to be 65 year old man. The album opens with a bouncy down home mandolin number called Dance Tonight. And it finishes with a stately and sobering look at McCartney's own mortality called the End of the End.

In between, McCartney touches on all the styles he does best: impeccable harmonies (See Your Sunshine, Ever Present Past) drivng bass lines (Only Mama Knows, That Was Me) and melodies to die for (Vintage Clothes, Feet in the Clouds).

McCartney performs most of the instruments himself, though his touring band is present on a couple of tracks. I can't wait to find out who plays the screaming, and I mean sceaming lead guitar on House of Wax.

Lyrically, McCartney is turning in some of his best in ages. From Only Mama Knows (which reminds me of the great Wings single Junior's Farm) there is this:

Around my hand was a plastic band                                                   
             With a picture of my face.                                                  
                               I was crying, left to die                                                    
                                 In this godforsaken place.

On the End of the End, there is stunner: 

On the day that I die I'd like bells to be rung
And songs that were sung to be hung out like blankets
That lovers have played on
And laid on while listening to songs that were sung

John Lennon would be proud.

I've always found it had to believe that the man the Guiness Book of Records calls the most successful composer of the 20th century could ever be deemed under-rated. But I believe that's the case; too many people simply take this man's talents for granted.  This one CD will go a long way towards changing that.

If you are a longtime Paul McCartney fan, like me, this album is pure gold. No 64 year old man should ever be allowed to produce such vibrant, playful, melodic , thoughtful and vital music at this stage of his career.

If you gave up on Paul after one too many mega hits or duets with Michael Jackson, I guarantee that Memory Almost Full will win you back.

For my money, this album simply proves what I always felt: there is simply no one in Paul McCartney's league.

Bob Ward