
Wings came into my life because of “Live And Let Die”.
I knew Paul and Linda McCartney were in the band but had no idea who else was.
A quick Wikipedia search showed that Denny Laine is on vocals, acoustic/electric/bass guitars, piano and harmonica, Jimmy McCulloch is also on vocals and acoustic/electric/bass guitars and Joe English is on vocals, drums and percussion.
Let Em In
A door bell like sound starts off the song before a simple drum groove with a locked in bass line rolls in with piano chords on each start of a new bar.
It’s soul noir in vibe.
The McCartney’s are welcoming you in to their house. Paul is on vocals here.
The Note You Never Wrote
Written by the McCartney’s with vocals from Denny Laine.
I like this.
It is typical of the era, with hints of blues, gospel and soul all wrapped up in a ballad like groove with various 70’s sound effects lightly playing in the background. Subtle and not overpowering.
She’s My Baby
It’s a skip for me. The feel good upbeat feel of the song and the title just don’t resonate.
Beware My Love
The acoustic riff in the intro. Press play to hear it.
And it goes through many musical movements. When you get the 2 minute mark it’s almost unrecognisable. But I like it. The 70’s acts all experimented with structures and different musical movements.
Both the McCartney’s share vocals here.
Wino Junko
Great title, it sounds like a Sammy Hagar owned pub.
Written and vocals by Jimmy McCulloch.
I like the acoustic guitar strummed riff. It rolls along nicely, giving space for the vocal melody to lead.
Silly Love Songs
It is one of the most listened songs from the album at 60.6 million streams. But its soul ballad rock just doesn’t connect.
Vocals are provided by the McCartney’s and Laine.
Cook Of The House
The sound of a frying pan starts it all off. Before a 12 bar blues riff kicks in and Linda McCartney starts singing.
Time To Hide
My second favourite just behind “Beware My Love”.
Written and sung by Laine.
The groove on this song connects immediately. Just listen to McCartney’s bass lines. It rules while the guitar just plays chords.
The lead break that kicks in after the harmonica solo is simple, more or less playing the chords with a single note on the higher strings. Yet it works so well. “Play for the song, not for the glory” comes to mind here.
Must Do Something About It
It’s a skip for me. Vocals are provided by drummer Joe English.
San Ferry Anne
It’s got this traditional sea pub groove happening with vocals from Paul.
But it’s a skip for me.
Warm And Beautiful
A piano riff starts it off, a mixture of “Hey Jude” and “Let It Be”. But it stays in that piano and vocal sound for the full 3 minutes and it does get a boring.
Vocals are provided by Paul.
I’ll finish this off with this Wikipedia entry from the Rolling Stone review which described it as a “Day with the McCartneys” concept album. The introduction, “Let ‘Em In” was perceived as an invitation to join the McCartneys on this fantasy day, with explanation of their philosophy (“Silly Love Songs”), a lunch break (“Cook of the House”), and a chance to get to know McCartney’s friends (Denny Laine in “The Note You Never Wrote”, Jimmy McCulloch in “Wino Junko”, etc.).
I actually have this one in my vinyl collection. Couldn’t tell you the last time I heard, but now I want to and I am in the office, so can’t. Oh well.
Nice pick Pete. Time To Hide is a great track especially the one that is on Wings Over America. Love Wings so good. Glad I caught Macca in concert back in 89 and 93. Great show…