It’s hard to imagine McCartney as something else - SOUNDS FAMILIAR by Baby A. Gil

Because he was once a Beatle and played a major role in the development of the popular music of the 20th century, it has always been difficult to imagine Paul McCartney as anything else. This should not be the case though. McCartney was a Beatle for less than 10 years, but he has been Paul McCartney, singer, musician, producer, composer, writer and many other things for more than 40 years. Not to forget, he was also frontman for the rock group Wings, which he formed in 1971.

This band also lasted nearly 10 years and while McCartney’s earlier work definitely overshadows whatever it accomplished, there is also no denying that Wings had also done a lot. It had its own share of hits, bravely weathered several pop music trends during its existence and was indeed a brilliant showcase for McCartney’s genius while it lasted. But best of all though, it proved that life could be as successful, as exciting and maybe even happier and more rewarding for a former Beatle.

McCartney formed Wings in 1971, a year after the Beatles officially disbanded. Although he had by that time already established himself as a solo artist with the hit albums McCartney and Ram, he wanted to work with a real recording and touring band. This became Wings led by McCartney and his wife Linda and which over the next few years included guitarists Denny Laine of Moody Blues, Henry McCullough of Grease Band and Jimmy McCullough and drummers Denny Seiwell and Geoff Britton.

Wings hit it big with Live and Let Die, the theme from the James Bond flick of the same title, Band on the Run, Silly Love Songs, Let ‘em In, Mull of Kintyre, My Love, No More Lonely Nights, With a Little Luck, Jet, Maybe I’m Amazed and others. Wings could have gone on and on because despite personnel changes, McCartney could have stayed in complete command of the music output.

Ironically, it was Paul himself who brought about the demise of the band. And more ironically, the end once more came about partly because of John Lennon. Take note that McCartney’s friendship with Lennon came under great strain when he married Linda and when John married Yoko Ono. This brought about the break-up of the Beatles. In the latter case, Paul refused to take Wings on tour because he was so broken up over Lennon’s assassination.

Paul went on to greater fame as a solo artist and remains an important figure in pop music but Wings is no more. The band’s success, what it stood for and some other things are what McCartney celebrates with the release of Wingspan: Paul McCartney Hits & History, a two-disc album set made up of a whopping line-up of 40 cuts! Not only that, Paul himself divided the remastered contents into Hits and History.

The first volume Hits is made up of Wings’ big sellers. The second one History, contains his personal favorites, memorable album cuts, some experiments and those little ditties that did not quite make it in the charts but are now getting a second chance thanks to this superb collection. Before I forget, superb is an understatement in this case because you can have this remarkable piece of pop music compilation for the price of only one regular album!

"This Hits and History collection includes many of my favorite Paul McCartney and Wings tracks," wrote Paul in the liner notes. "Whether you’re hearing them for the first time, or you were around in the 1970s and have memories of the songs, I hope you enjoy checking out what I think was some of our best work." Along with the music, McCartney allowed the inclusion of several photographs of Wings and his family during this period in the booklet that comes with Wingspan.

There are certainly plenty of memories to go with these songs and also lots to admire about them. McCartney’s deeply felt turn of phrase in Tug of War and Let ‘em In and which also comes across even in something as nonsensical as Hi Hi Hi. McCartney‘s flair for unpredictable but as it turns out correct progressions Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey and Maybe I’m Amazed. McCartney’s slightly askewed but endearing kind of rock and roll, Let Me Roll It and Rockestra Theme. And there is still so much more.