I was surfing around Facebook and this came up on my news feed:
http://www.uncut.co.uk/paul-mccartney-and-wings-wings-over-america-reviewWell, whoever wrote this panders to the populist opinion that Wings were, and still is, uncool. I was so annoyed with the way they just basically swept the album under the carpet whilst focusing on a few highlights to give the impression that they still respect The Beatles legacy somewhat, but I bet if push comes to shove they'd rather review a John Lennon reissue instead, or a Stones album, or something with a bit more 'reviewer cred'. Anyway, here's what I wrote in reply on the Uncut facebook page:
*Dislike* - this review is terrible. How can you say that the WOA is let down by the 'album track dross' that Wings put out, and then go on to say that the album is saved by the sprinkling of Beatle tracks on it - which were in effect only 'album tracks' on Beatle albums (I've Just Seen A Face, Blackbird). I think the review does a severe disservice to Wings' output by saying their hit singles like Jet were great, but the rest of the material on their albums were basically crap. WOA is well-regarded by Wings fans as having the ULTIMATE versions of Beware My Love, Letting Go and Time To Hide. I love Spirits of Ancient Egypt and yet the review paints it as 'pub rock dross'. This reviewer doesn't seem to appreciate 'Venus and Mars' and 'Wings at the Speed Of Sound' - the 2 albums this tour was set up to promote. The lavish box set was wasted on this reviewer, and should've been handled by an actual Wings fan.
I haven't listened to WOA for a wee while now, but I'm looking forward to the re-release and every song has its own charms and strengths. Even 'You Gave Me The Answer' sounds great live in my opinion.. something that you think wouldn't work in a 'rock concert' situation, but it does.
Anyone else looking forward to the remaster? Any thoughts on the Uncut review? Sure, he gave it 7/10 but it may as well be a 3, the way I see it. Really disappointed that the anti-Macca, the anti-schmaltz brigade is still alive and well in reviewing circles in 2013.