Off the Ground

by

Paul McCartney

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I'll be the first to admit it: I'm a Maccamaniac. I have McCartney, Ram, all the Wings albums, Tug of War, Flowers in the Dirt, Flaming Pie, Driving Rain, two live double-albums, and assorted classical and instrumental projects. I've got more Paul than I do John, George, and Ringo combined and doubled. So when I made my latest purchase, 1993's Off the Ground, I figured I had reached the lower echelon of the man's catalogue and was simply rounding out my collection. Suffice to say I was pleasantly surprised.

Flowers in the Dirt from 1989 and the monstrously successful world tour that accompanied it were viewed as a comeback for Paul after his mid-80s slump. Off the Ground might be considered "Flowers in the Dirt, Part II". Again collaborating with Elvis Costello on a handful of tracks and playing with his touring band, the albums have a similar feel to them; and yet not so similar. For one thing this disc is less produced than its predecessor, while still maintaining a crisp, clean sound comparable to Steely Dan - a few cuts even sound a bit like the Dan (Peace in the Neighbourhood, for instance). It has fewer highs (and lows) as well, but it compensates in overall consistency.

Off the Ground may be Paul's most socially conscious outing to date. Several songs are pleas for peace and animal rights, including the epic closer C'mon People/Cosmically Conscious (orchestrated by the one and only George Martin, no less). Two more McCartney-Costello collaborations grace the record, - Mistress & Maid and The Lovers that Never Were - both of which would have felt quite at home on Flowers in the Dirt. Toss in a few love ballads and one of Paul's punchiest rockers (Get Out of My Way) and you get more than the usual McCartney fare - you get one of Paul's most impressive, balanced offerings. The only downer is Biker like an Icon, a bland bit of the character-sketching Paul is usually so good at, and Winedark Open Sea may be just a minute too long. But apart from that, it's great.

For being such a fine album Off the Ground sold pretty miserably - it is, to the best of my knowledge, Paul's least successful outing commercially at any rate. It deserves better. After being woefully overlooked for years I'd say it earns the dubious distinction of "Most Underrated McCartney Record", and if that means anything to you Off the Ground is well worth a listen.

This album by Paul McCartney has been forgotten apparently .You cant even buy it in stores anymore. "Off The Ground", "Hope of Deliverance", "I Owe It All To You", "Peace In The Neighbourhood", "Winedark Open Sea" and "C'Mon People" are all EXCELLENT songs. The others are just mediocre filler songs. Not too good, not too bad. Its unfortuante more people are buying rap music than a lost gem like this from one of the greatest musicians to ever live. If your a BIG fan of Paul, you should have this CD. If your a casual fan dont buy this because you will be disappointed. For a casual listener get the 2001 release "Wingspan: Hits and History" which is a two disc "greatest hits" collection of Wings 1970's music. It has the hits from 1970 to about 1984's "No More Lonely Nights". It will really get you interested in Pauls music.