Remember the good times of Paul McCartney's past albums -- order from his back catalog on Rhapsody |
Check out the detailed interview about "Memory Almost Full" with producer David Kahne by Claudio Dirani. |
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the U.S. Deluxe Limited Edition from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk. Or order the Memory Almost Full (Special Starbucks Edition) from Amazon.com. You can also order Paul McCartney tracks from
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Update (5/7/08)
Update (12/31/07)
Update (12/24/07)
Update (10/5/07)
Hi, Steve-- Here's a link to my article in the new October 2007 issue of Mix Magazine, about the recording of Paul's "Memory Almost Full." http://mixonline.com/recording/tracking/audio_paul_mccartney/ For those who keep track of such things, I interviewed producer David Kahne at his Hollywood Hills home on May 3rd, where he played me the full album and bonus tracks. We also took some pictures, one of which is featured in the article (and on the web page). As articles do sometimes, this one got trimmed a little bit on its way to the press. Some additional info is below, which fans might enjoy, giving some background and chronology of the recordings. There's also three more track-by-tracks, for the three bonus songs found on the Special Edition: After touring in 2002 in support of Driving Rain, McCartney began preparations for new recording work, tracking demos of about nine songs at his Sussex, England-based Hog Hill Mill (or “The Mill,” as it is more commonly known) Studio with his touring band in September 2003. The recordings, however, resulted in two albums – 2005’s Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, produced by Nigel Godrich (Radiohead), and Memory Almost Full with Kahne. The two albums began concurrently, though Memory was eventually put on hold for completion of and promotion for Chaos. McCartney, Kahne and the band (guitarist Rusty Anderson, guitarist/bassist Brian Ray, drummer Abe Laboriel, Jr., and keyboardist Paul “Wix” Wickens) began recording in earnest at Paul’s “old home,” EMI’s Abbey Road Studios No. 2. The group recorded three songs during the last 10 days of October 2003, stopping for the birth of McCartney’s daughter, Beatrice, and returning in mid-February the following year for another month’s work, adding another six tracks for contention. While Macca has, of course, recorded on and off at Abbey Road for decades, it was Kahne’s first experience working with him there. “He talked about what it was like the first time [The Beatles] recorded there, doing ‘Love Me Do,’ and then we just started recording,” recalls the producer. Martin, in fact, was working at the facility at the time, with his son, Giles, on The Beatles’ Love album, occasionally popping in for a visit. Production was put on hold after that second get together, while McCartney focused on Chaos with Godrich through the rest of 2004 and 2005. Work picked up again in late March 2006, thru April 21, and all of July, at The Mill and at Henson Studios in Los Angeles, Kahne’s former home turf, as well as the producer’s own New York studio, See Squared. “I realized I had this album to go back to and finish off,” McCartney said. “So I got it out to listen to it again, wondering if I would enjoy it, but, actually, I really loved it.” He and Kahne began going through the recordings, track by track, deciding what to keep, what needed work, and recording new material. One song, “Feet in the Clouds,” originally recorded with the band, was recut almost in its entirety. “I’d think, ‘Okay, I like that track – now, what is wrong with it?’ And it might be something like a drum sound, so then I would re-drum and see where we would get to. I took it from there and built it up.” By the end of July 2006, about 18 tracks were started – including the album’s first U.S. single, “Ever Present Past,” as well as four (“Mr. Bellamy,” “Gratitude,” “Nod Your Head” and “In Private”) recorded in a single day at The Mill. An orchestral date took place at Abbey Road in late July, followed by another at AIR Lyndhust two months later. In the Fall, Kahne began work on Kelly Clarkson’s My December, also released in June. Paul and Kahne joined up again in for two more weeks in January of this year, completing recording and starting at least one new track, the album opener, “Dance Tonight.” BONUS TRACKSIn Private: A “Special Edition” release of Memory Almost Full features three additional tracks, starting with “In Private,” part of the four-song day recording at The Mill in March 2006. The instrumental features loads of great acoustic guitars playing the melody, drums, bass and fuzz guitar (the Epiphone Casino). Why So Blue: One of the first songs recorded with the band at Abbey Road, McCartney recut the track at The Mill. The song begins with acoustic guitar and vocal, and features strings, piano and drums, as well as some interesting background vocals by McCartney. 222: The last track, essentially a jazzy instrumental with scat vocals, was recorded early this year at The Mill, and features piano, along with drums, celeste, a processed flugelhorn (by McCartney) and clarinet, played by one of the orchestra members (who also played on “Mr. Bellamy” as well as added a baritone sax line on “Nod Your Head”). The album was mixed mostly by Kahne, save for four tracks, which were mixed by Andy Wallace (particularly on the complicated drums on “House of Wax”). Mixing took place mostly at The Mill, with some work done at See Squared. Mastering was completed by Bob Ludwig.
The album’s title, Memory Almost Full, came from a response McCartney’s cell phone gave him while texting between himself and daughter Stella one day, and he suggested it to Kahne, who thought it was a perfect fit. “The album is a very present look at the past and the future,” Kahne says. “It’s Paul saying, ‘I’m here. I’m still doing what I’m doing, and stuff happened. I’m still doing the same thing, although everything’s completely different than it was.’ He’s not doing standards from the 40s, or ‘Duets.’ There’s an emotional journey to the whole record. He’s made an amazing album, as good as anything he’s ever done. Listen to it over and over again.”
Update (7/21/07)
Update (7/18/07)
Update (7/5/07)
Update (7/2/07)
FYI... Dance Tonight Debuts at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nice Chart Beat article: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/chart_beat/bonus.jsp
I thought you might like to know that the new issue of Rolling Stone - the 40th anniversary salute to the "Summer of Love" - has a full page ad for "Memory Almost Full" that contains a card with a code for a free download of an acoustic version of Paul McCartney's "Dance Tonight". Very nice version with just the mandolin and Paul. It was very easy to do - just type in the code under redeem on iTunes.
Update (6/29/07)
Update (6/24/07)
Update (6/22/07)
Update (6/21/07)
Update (6/18/07)
Live interview with paul tomorrow morning at 7am on Jim kerr's morning show. Don't know if in studio, but probably phone in. Also Ken Dashow is doing Breakfast with Beatles live next week from The Cutting Room NYC. 8am June 24th. Totally free includes free breakfast, but you still need to call to make a reservation if you want to go. 212-691-1900 19 W. 24th Street between 5th and 6th avenues
Paul McCartney, Memory Almost Full entered the Canadian Top 100 at no. 6.
Several people have posted clips of Paul on “Later with Jools Holland” on You Tube. They are broken up into 5 different posts (the 4 songs plus the interview). Nothing amazing in the interview but it was great to see Paul sing “I’ve Got A Feeling” plus the other 3.
Paul McCartney was on "Later with Jools Holland" last Friday (June 8th). He played four songs: "Dance Tonight", "I've Got a Feeling", "Only Mama Knows" and "Lady Madonna". He was also interviewed by Jools Holland. Two weeks earlier Olivia Harrison was on the show to promote the reissue of the Traveling Wilburys albums.
Hi, Paul's Album debuted at # 3, not number 5. He just missed # 1 by 10,000 copies. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003598112
Update (6/13/07)
Several more Nod Your Head Videos have been added to the NYH Group on You Tube. We have been showing these to Paul and he is loving them, so please do keep them coming in! The idea is that we will edit these together for an 'Nod Your Head' online video. We will soon be adding NYH footage from the Electric Ballroom.
Hearmusic / Universal have just confirmed that 'Dance Tonight' has been added on medium rotation on VH1. 'Dance Tonight' is released in the UK as a single on June 18th.
Update (6/11/07)
Update (6/9/07)
through Amazon.com.
Hi Steve, Yesterday afternoon (June 5th), I went to a local Starbucks store to get a cup of tea and (hopefully) listen to "Memory Almost Full". When I got there, I saw they had some copies of the album - single-disc Mexican edition copies - but the album was not playing on the store's sound system. In fact, there wasn't any music playing at all!! I asked kids behind the counter if they were going to play the album. They said if I wanted to they could play "the song by Paul McCartney". I replied, "A song or the entire album"? and asked if they could put the whole album on. They said they would. However, at first they put on music by some female singer I am not familiar with. I went back to the counter to point this out to them and one of the kids said he would look into it. Two minutes later a woman who seemed to be the manager came to my table and explained that they would play Paul's album shortly. It seems the songs were in a CD with many other songs and they had a bit of trouble finding them. Finally, I heard the first few notes of "Dance Tonight" and sat down to enjoy my tea and listen to the album. However, after "Ever Present Past" came on, they went back to the female singer. Maybe the songs were not in sequence on the CD. I don't know. It was then that I left. When I first heard about the "World Listening Event", I was hopeful that the non-stop playing of the album would include the Mexico stores. I had seen a small poster announcing the "World Listening Event" at a very small Starbucks in Laredo, TX (on the US-Mexico border) but I did not see anything like that in any of the Monterrey stores I visited before yesterday. I was a bit afraid that such a corporate mandate might "not reach" the Mexico Starbucks, since many Mexican franchises don't always follow their U.S. counterparts (for example, when "Wendy's" first opened in the early 90's down here, they did not sell the "Frosty" and you could not order the hamburgers "your way"). I am disappointed to report that my fears were not unfounded. I had to ASK the Starbucks people to play the album. It seems they had no idea they were supposed to play it non-stop, all day. I don't think many of them even knew who Paul McCartney is before they saw the album! Sad but true. Unfortunately, this sort of thing seems typical of Mexican franchises. Still, I am confident that at least the fact that some (not all) Starbucks stores in Monterrey have copies of the album will help M.A.F. become the hit it deserves to be, even if the Starbucks price in Mexico is higher than the leading brick and mortar record store (about $18 at Starbucks versus $14 at the leading record store chain for the Mexican single-disc edition; the Special Edition is going for about $20 and these are European copies imported directly by Universal Music Mexico). I am going to buy my copy in Boston this weekend, where I will be going for my brother's graduation. I'm sure the U.S. Starbucks are doing a better job at stocking and promoting the album than the Mexico stores. Hope all is well. Keep up the great work! Best Regards,
Diego Sada Jr.
Monterrey, Mexico
Someone pointed out to me yesterday that he'd seen some copies of "Memory Almost Full" with a portion of the front cover of the booklet folded, while most others don't seem to come this way. It turns out the fold was something done on purpose, it's simply that the complete run couldn't be done that way and won't be. So if you find one sealed with the fold, buy it and keep it that way.
Hi Steve, I just found out that the cardboard photo on the back of the CD (that I mentioned in my previous e-mail to you) is actually removable and was only held on the back by two beads of glue. I took it off and the “real” back of the CD is the chair photo with a list of the songs.
Hey Steve, Towards the end of this article in today's USA TODAY Paul claims he is still interested in seeing if more work can be done on the incompleted song "Now & Then" that he, George, and Ringo worked on back in the mid-90's during the Anthology period. He thinks technology today may be able to clean up John's vocal track and plans to discuss it further with Ringo, Yoko, and Olivia to see if it can be polished off and we may yet get one more "new" Beatles song. Hope springs eternal...
Hey, Steve, Starbucks has a limited number (50 per store, I understand) of Paul McCartney Starbucks gift cards available at the front counter.
Paul will appear on the (very wonderful) Later With Jools Holland on BBC2 this Friday June 10th No other details at this time – it might just be an interview. BBC usually send out an email newsletter on Thursday after the show has been recorded confirming who’s on and what they’re doing.
Update (6/5/07)
Update (6/4/07)
Hi Steve,I managed to pick up a copy of the standard Memory Almost Full on CD this afternoon in Australia. I love reading sleevenotes and picking up on all of the little details, so here goes: The CD is packaged in a 'super jewel box' . There is a sticker on the cover with a photograph of Paul (see attached)- probably a good idea as it was the sticker that grabbed my attention as the cover sort of blended in. The cd insert is quite strange with perforations on some of the pages- the front cover has a 'dog ear' which folds down over right hand side of the chair. The dog ear completes Paul's signature and album title, which is what Amazon.com had as one of their pictures. Dance Tonight, Gratitude have full lyrics printed, Ever Present Past and Vintage Clothes have part lyrics which fade out- it says "for all the words go to paulmccartney.com"
On the outside of the CD inlay card- the first few lines of The End of The End are printed so they are visible when the CD box is closed. The credits have some strange names: 'His Royal Highness the King of Cosmania and Surrounding Regions' deigns to give his thanks to the following people Wix, Rusty etc. The 'Kingdom of Starbucks' also gets thanked. No credit for Heather as such, but the last credit is: "not forgetting my beautiful family."
The copyright is owned by MPL Communications Ltd. under exclusive licence to Starcon, LLC. The hearmusic logo is on the back and on the CD along with the Universal logo and the familiar MPL juggler. Seems very strange not seeing EMI or Capitol mentioned!! The CD is distributed in Australia by Universal Classics & Jazz, a division of The Universal Music Group.
Hello, I'm an avid reader of your website and wanted to alert you to the upcoming McCartney related programming on XM Satellite radio: http://www.xmradio.com/onxm/features/paul-mccartney.xmc
Update (6/1/07)
Update (5/30/07)
Update (5/28/07)
Hi Steve - Love your site! When I need a fix, I go to Abbey Road for all the news! Just wanted to let folks know that there will be a "Memory Almost Full" Listening Party at the Fine Line in Minneapolis, on Wednesday June 30 at 6:00PM. Some giveaways and drink tickets are promised to the first 100 attendees. Also, my band THE LANES will be performing a free Birthday Tribute to Paul concert on Monday, June 18 at Minnehaha Falls Park bandshell in Minneapolis ! We'll be playing 90 minutes of solo Paul/Wings/Beatles tunes...including rarities like Girl's School, Ram On, Uncle Albert, Single Pigeon, and Your Mother Should Know...as well as many big hits spanning 40-some years! Rain or shine, music starts at 7:00 PM. FREE! Thank you very much!
Mike Lane (http://www.myspace.com/mikelanepresents)
Here is a link to a broadcasting held yesterday May 28th with Paul McCartney on the Dutch radio. The interview was transmitted by the programme: "Tijd voor twee" (Time for two) by Radio 2 And this is the link: http://www.beatlesfanclub.nl/KRO%20Tijd%20Voor%20Twee%20-%20Paul%20McCartney(280507).mp3 Warm Greetings and keep up the good work. Bertus Elzenaar
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Two "Memory Almost Full" listening parties (see pics above) are scheduled for 6 p.m. May 31 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Boston and at 11 a.m. June 2 at B.B. King's Club in New York. Free lithographs will be given to the first 250 in attendance at each. For more information, contact the venues.
In addition, Bull Moose Music in Maine will host its own listening party May 29. Here's a press release with information on that event:
BULL MOOSE TO HOST INTIMATE PRE-RELEASE LISTENING PARTY FOR PAUL MCCARTNEY’S NEWEST “ MEMORY ALMOST FULL” ON TUESDAY, MAY 29 PORTLAND, Maine -- Maine is a great place to be for Beatles fans -- in 2006 Bull Moose coordinated a listening party for the advance release of LOVE and now, on May 29, Bull Moose will host a listening party for the advance release of Paul McCartney’s “Memory Almost Full” at The Studio in Portland. Scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 5, this is McCartney’s first solo venture on Hear Music, the new label formed by Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group. Beginning on Tuesday May 22 and running until May 27 at 11:59 p.m., contestants interested in attending the private listening party can participate in a trivia contest at www.bullmoose.com. The winners will be drawn from a pool of correct (or nearly correct) entries and will receive special prizes in addition to the opportunity to attend the listening party.-- This listening event is one of only a handful in the nation and is made possible through the support of The Studio and Bull Moose. Bull Moose’s Chris Brown said, “I can think of nothing cooler than spending an evening listening to a Paul McCartney album before it is out surrounded by fellow fans.” Brown added, “Doing this in The Studio makes it all the more special.” -- Steve Drown, freelance engineer/producer and a serious Beatles fan, will introduce the CD to the audience. Drown has worked with many national and legendary blues artists, including producing more than 20 CDs for Telarc Records; six of them were nominated for Grammy awards. The Studio has been his home base for production for the past 13 years. -- “Memory Almost Full” was recorded with producer David Kahne at Hog Hill Mill Studios, Abbey Road Studios, Henson Recording Studios, AIR Studios and RAK Studios. McCartney plays a mandolin, a new instrument for him, on the first song “Dance Tonight.” Work on the CD began back in 2003, prior to McCartney’s 2005 release “Chaos and Creation in the Backyard.” This is his 21st solo album.
-- “Memory Almost Full” track listing:
1. Dance Tonight
2. Ever Present Past
3. See Your Sunshine
4. Only Mama Knows
5. You Tell Me
6. Mister Bellamy
7. Gratitude
8. Vintage Clothes
9. That Was Me
10. Feet In The Clouds
11. House of Wax
12. End of the End
13. Nod Your HeadAbout The Studio: The Studio, located on Portland’s Casco St., is one of Maine’s premier audio recording facilities. Services include audio recording, mixing, and mastering, radio/television production and CD duplication. Over the years, The Studio has played a role in some epic sessions, with national and local artists of every genre.
About Bull Moose Music: Bull Moose Music was started in 1989 in Brunswick, Maine by Bowdoin College junior Brett Wickard. What began as a makeshift store carrying only a few records is now the largest music retailer in Maine and Seacoast New Hampshire. Today the company has ten stores and employs more than 100 people. Its product line includes new and used records, CDs, DVDs and new and used video games. The stores also carry accessories ranging from CD cases to Magic Cards and incense. To allow its customers the ability to purchase new releases at the earliest possible time, Bull Moose Music stores in Brunswick, Bangor, Scarborough, Portsmouth and Salem are open until midnight every Monday.
Update II (5/23/07)
And one an outtake from "Dance Tonight":
Update (5/21/07)
For the very first time, McCartney and Wings albums will be made available across all digital platforms on 22nd May on Parlophone. This amazing catalogue stretches from Paul’s first solo album ‘McCartney’ through his releases with Wings to his latest critically-acclaimed studio album ‘Chaos And Creation In The Backyard’. Within these albums lies a breathtaking list of singles including ‘Band On The Run’, ‘My Love’, ‘Let ‘Em In’, and ‘Jet’.
Paul McCartney recently received the Album of the Year award at the Classical Brit Awards for his classical album ‘Ecce Cor Meum’ and releases his next studio album “Memory Almost Full” on 4th June 2007. www.meyesight.com
Pre-Order Memory Almost Full Now!
Paul's forthcoming new album Memory Almost Full has just debuted on
Update (5/18/07) Two pieces of news. First, from Starbucks.com:
Update II (5/16/07 4:20 P.M. ET)
Update (5/15/07)
Update (5/7/07)
Update (5/5/07) Bill King of Beatlefan has his own comments on his initial listening of the McCartney album on his blog.
Update (5/4/07)
The following letter from Paul McCartney is being released Monday relating to his new album "Memory Almost Full," due June 5 on Hear Music, the first release by the Starbucks and Concord Music Group-owned label.
When I was just finishing up everything concerned with Chaos and had just got the Grammy nominations (2006) I realised I had this album to go back to and finish off. So I got it out to listen to it again, wondering if I would enjoy it, but actually I really loved it. All I did at first was just listen to a couple of things and then I began to think, ‘OK, I like that track - now, what is wrong with it?’ And it might be something like a drum sound, so then I would re-drum and see where we would get to.
I took it from there and built it up. I went through, track by track, making changes as I went along. I fixed things I wasn’t too keen on and it just evolved from there. Without me knowing, or really trying, it started to get its own theme, a sort of thread that holds it all together. So I suppose it’s about half new stuff and half old stuff from 2003.
In places it’s a very personal record and a lot of it is retrospective, drawing from memory, like memories from being a kid, from Liverpool and from summers gone. The album is evocative, emotional, rocking, but I can’t really sum it up in one sentence.
There is a medley of 5 songs towards the end and that was purposefully retrospective. I thought this might be because I’m at this point in my life, but then I think about the times I was writing with John and a lot of that was also looking back. It’s like me with ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Eleanor Rigby’ - I’m still up to the same tricks!
I know people are going to look at some of the songs and interpret them in different ways but this has always been the case. The thing is that I love writing songs, so I just write and write. I never really get to a point where I start thinking I’m going to write about specific subjects. Inevitably though, what I am thinking is going to find its way into what I’m doing
The opening track of the album is ‘Dance Tonight’. I recently got myself a mandolin and I was just playing about with it and came up with the basis of this track. A couple of weeks ago we made the video, which was great fun. It’s directed by Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind") and stars Natalie Portman and Mackenzie Crook. I’m not going to give the plot away. You’ll have to go and watch it for yourself, but we had a good time doing it.
The album title came after I had finished everything. For me, that’s when they normally come, with the exception of maybe Sgt. Peppers, otherwise I don’t think I have ever made an album with The Beatles, Wings or solo where I have thought of a title and a concept. I was thinking about what would sum the whole thing up and ‘Memory Almost Full’ sprung to mind. It’s a phrase that seemed to embrace modern life; in modern life our brains can get a bit overloaded. I realised I had also seen it come up on my phone a few times. When I started bouncing the idea round with some friends they nearly all got different meanings out of it, but they all said they loved it. So the feedback helped solidify the title.
After completing the album I then started thinking about the album artwork and how I’d want it to look. I really wanted to make the CD a desirable object. Something that I know I’d want to pick up from the shelf, something that would make people curious. I hope our final concept has done that. The album sleeve itself includes an etching by a friend of mine, Humphrey Ocean. As with the album lyrics, I’m looking forward to seeing how people might interpret the artwork.
Currently I’m just starting out on the promo trail and beginning to get the first bits of feedback about the album and so far so good! It’s interesting now as I’m getting to hear what other people are making of the songs and what their feelings are. I’m also talking about the album myself and I’m really enjoying the discovery process.
I really enjoyed making this album with David Kahne and I’m proud of all the songs. We had a great time. I hope that the fun we had will communicate itself to the people who are going to listen to it.
All the best,
Update (4/28/07)
Update (4/27/07)
Update (4/25/07)
Street Date - June 5th, 2007
Memory Almost Full is performed entirely by Paul McCartney (excluding
strings) and was produced by Grammy Award winner-David Kahne (The Strokes,
Sublime, Bruce Springsteen, and more)
First Single - Ever Present Past.
Source: promo sheet sent to radios
Update (4/23/07)
And the track listing on Steve Hoffman's bulletin board MUST BE authentic! The reviewer of the album nailed this song:
>>>2. "My Everpresent Past" (title?) - Musically quirky (McCartney II fans will love this one), hooky and clever with great lyrics, addictive robotic rhythm, nifty distorted guitar riffs and terrific double-tracked vocals. Fully realized top-drawer Macca Pop in every respect. Opening line: "I've got too much on my plate - I've got no time to be a decent lover". A+
Update (4/12/07) According to a source close to the album, the album track list we posted yesterday is, as we thought, a fake, "pretty funny, too," the source says. It's highly probable that any others you see posted on blogs or bulletin boards are also fake. In other words, don't bet the farm on them being real.
Update (4/11/07) Now that the title's out, can the tracklist be far behind? We've seen a couple of tracklists already, but here's one that was posted on the Starbucks blogsite. Most of the time these early advance tracklists turn out to be dead wrong, so don't say we didn't warn you. This was posted by Appleworm on Monday:
Update (4/7/07) An exclusive report on Paul's album written for us by Claudio Dirani:
(This may not be copied or used elsewhere without our permission.)
Here's the official announcement:
Paul has put other clips on YouTube, too. Here's one for "Nod Your Head":
A PAUL McCARTNEY WORLD PREMIERE
NEW VIDEO ‘DANCE TONIGHT’ TO AIR ON MAY 23rd
EXCLUSIVELY ON YouTube
Paul McCartney’s new music video ‘Dance Tonight’, from his soon to be released 21st studio recording ‘Memory Almost Full’, will be internationally premiered on YouTube on Wednesday, May 23rd. This will be the first screening of the video anywhere in the world. Filmed in London last March, the video stars Paul McCartney, Natalie Portman and Mackenzie Crook. It was directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind). It will be available to watch on YouTube from 5 P.M EST on Wednesday, May 23rd.
Paul explained, “I had seen 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind' that Michel had directed and had really liked it. I thought it had a good sense of humour and was a very well-made film. His work is really simple, witty and just good fun. The connection with Natalie came from my daughter Stella, who makes non-leather shoes that Natalie buys, so I just thought, "Well, I'll ring her up and just see if she'll do it". So I rang her up and said "Hey I'm Stella's dad!" She had a bit of time off as she was between films so it was great. I mentioned that I wanted to work with Michel Gondry and it turned out that Natalie was a fan of his.”
With its community of millions of worldwide users, YouTube is the leader in online video, and the premier destination to watch and share original videos through a Web experience. The video for ‘Dance Tonight’ will be featured and promoted through the ‘Director Videos’ slots, which sit at the top of the homepage.
‘Dance Tonight’ is built around a mandolin part. The mandolin also plays an important part in the video. Natalie Portman appears as a futurist electronic ghost that reacts to the sound of the mandolin. As the video develops more ghosts appear. All the ghost effects are done in camera: the ghosts are actually evolving in front of a glass separation that reflects their image into the shot. This technique is based on smoke and mirror effects of magic tricks (known as the Pepper’s Ghost effect) and other early cinema effects. The results are stunning and give the effect of realism that can’t be obtained with post-production effects.
‘Dance Tonight’ is the opening track on Paul’s new studio album ‘Memory Almost Full’, (UK release June 4th/US Release June 5th). ‘Memory Almost Full’ is Paul McCartney’s 21st solo album. It will be the first release on Hear Music (the label formed between Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group).
Check out www.paulmccartney.com for the latest new and information.
. Here's the text: PAUL MCCARTNEY RELEASES HIS ENTIRE CATALOGUE DIGITALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON PARLOPHONE
.You can now pre-order the deluxe version which includes three bonus tracks, a bonus video, a digital booklet, and an audio commentary track. If you are lucky enough to be in the US you can also download Paul's new single 'Ever Present Past' right now. Click here for the US
store.
Hi Steve,
Last night (Friday. 5/18) the news journal "HEUTE JOURNAL" of German TV Channel ZDF had run a Paul McCartney interview w//acoustic Dance Tonight w/madolin (video 2:50). The streaming of the intrview portion is here:
http://www.zdf.de/ZDFmediathek/inhalt/17/0,4070,5514545-5,00.html
or direct: high: http://wstreaming.zdf.de/zdf/300/070518_cartney_hjo.asx
or very high http://wstreaming.zdf.de/zdf/veryhigh/070518_cartney_hjo.asx
SEATTLE; May 17, 2007
Starbucks Connects Music Fans Worldwide to McCartney’s New Album Through Unprecedented ''Global Listening Event''
Six Million People in 29 Countries Set To Experience
“Memory Almost Full” Released by Hear Music on June 5
Fans Invited to Participate in One-of-a-Kind McCartney Video Tribute
On June 5, Starbucks (Nasdaq:SBUX) will make history by hosting an unprecedented Global Listening Event to celebrate the release of Paul McCartney’s “Memory Almost Full,” the first album ever released by Hear Music. More than 10,000 Starbucks stores in 29 countries and territories worldwide will participate in the event by playing the album in stores, all day, across all time zones. Beginning with New Zealand’s 47 stores, the Global Listening Event will roll-out in every Company-operated Starbucks in the world allowing an estimated six million people to discover the new album in a single day.
“Customers from Taipei to Topeka have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary album all within a span of 24 hours,” said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment who oversees the day-to-day operations of Hear Music. “The Global Listening Event is one example of how we are bringing back the sense of event surrounding new releases, allowing fans to discover new music in a very personal way.”
In addition to the Global Listening Event, McCartney fans are also invited to make history by participating in a unique video tribute honoring McCartney’s 65th birthday. On June 5, Film crews will disperse to 10 key Starbucks locations in cities and territories spanning the globe including London, New York, Berlin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Miami. Fans can deliver a birthday message directly to McCartney at a designated store location in these markets. The video tribute will premiere on June 18, McCartney’s birthday, via a host of online outlets. More information, including store locations and recording guidelines, is available online at www.hearmusic.com.
In addition, Starbucks Hear Music™ XM Channel 75 will offer special McCartney programming to air the week of release. On June 5, XM Radio will dedicate channel 120 exclusively to the music of McCartney and will put “Memory Almost Full” into heavy rotation.
The album will be available at Starbucks locations and traditional music retail outlets internationally. It will be released in the U.S. and Canada on June 5 and in all other countries and territories the week of June 4. “Memory Almost Full,” reunites McCartney with longtime producer and friend David Kahne and provides a very personal retrospective drawing upon childhood memories from Liverpool, summers long gone, and the times spent writing music with John Lennon.
UK DANCE TONIGHT TV PREMIERE - 17.05.2007
The video for Paul's UK single 'Dance Tonight' is to be premiered in the UK on Channel 4. The video stars Paul, Natalie Portman and Mackenzie Crook and was directed by Michel Gondry.
Date and Time: Wednesday 30th May at 11.50pm
Look out for news of the worldwide online exclusive very soon!
Update (5/17/07)
. (We've provided a link to the McCartney section for your convenience in ordering.)
(You can order the tracks through the iTunes icon links):
Offers Exclusive Pre-Order of New Paul McCartney Album “Memory Almost
Full”
Complete Catalog of 25 Solo Albums Coming to iTunes This Month
CUPERTINO, California —May 15, 2007—Apple® today announced that thirteen-time
Grammy award winner Paul McCartney’s new album, "Memory Almost Full" is
available for digital pre-order beginning today exclusively on the
store.
customers
pre-ordering the 13 track album in the US will receive the "Dance Tonight"
music video when the album is delivered and the single “Ever Present Past”,
immediately upon pre-ordering the new album. Additionally, Paul McCartney's
full catalog of 25 solo albums will be available for the first time
digitally on iTunes later this month.
“Paul McCartney is one of the greatest musicians of all time, and we're
extremely excited to offer his first digitally distributed album on iTunes,”
said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.
“’Memory Almost Full’ is a very personal album for me, and I'm thrilled to
let fans experience it in a whole new way,” said Paul McCartney. “There’s no
better time to make this music available through iTunes.”
“Memory Almost Full”, McCartney's latest solo album, will be publicly
available for purchase on June 5th, 2007 and represents the first global
release by Hear Music, the newly formed record label from Starbucks
Entertainment and Concord Music Group. iTunes customers in the US
participating in the pre-sale will receive a free download of the music
video for the album's opening track "Dance Tonight" which stars Natalie
Portman and was directed by acclaimed director Michel Gondry. Outside North
America, iTunes customers who pre-order the album will get an exclusive
acoustic version of the single “Dance Tonight”.
The
Store features the world’s largest catalog with over five million
songs, 350 television shows and over 500 movies. The iTunes Store has sold
over 2.5 billion songs, 50 million TV shows and over two million movies,
making it the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple
II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh.
Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its
award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional
applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with
its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and will
enter the mobile phone market this year with its revolutionary iPhone.
Update (5/16/07)
"Ever Present Past" and
a video for "Dance Tonight" available only if you pre-order the
album. The deluxe edition adds a commentary track about the
making of the album. (Note: We found Ever Present Past searching by title. We also found Jenny Wren, This Never Happened Before and (I'm Partial To Your) Abracadabra on iTunes.)
Update (5/12/07)
Matt Hurwitz has heard the entire album and the three bonus tracks. Here's his preview:
Steve, I've just come from David Kahne's house in Los Angeles, where he played me the entire "Memory Almost Full" album and the three bonus tracks. Anybody who heard David's name associated with the record and was afraid they were getting "Driving Rain, Vol. 2" has absolutely nothing to worry about. This record is as different from "Driving Rain" as "With the Beatles" is from "Sgt. Pepper." This is a GREAT Paul McCartney album. It's full of well-crafted and very well-produced songs that have all the best qualities of any great Paul McCartney album. At times, I was thinking "Ram," "Tug of War" and "Flaming Pie" all at once -- the immediacy and freshness of those records is what you'll hear on this disc. Paul's songs are honest, up-to-date and extremely creative. You'll be blown away at how this good this is. I really loved it, Steve. It really represents who Paul is today and that he's a hot creative rocker. There are some vocals that blast off the record and are as good as "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" and "Oh Darling." Very intricate harmonies and guitar work that he and David spent a lot of time perfecting. Prepare for a great Paul McCartney experience.
Update (5/3/07)
Letter from Paul
BY PAUL McCARTNEY
I actually started this album, "Memory Almost Full," before my last album, "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard" (released September 2005). The first recording session was back in the autumn of 2003 at Abbey Road with my touring band and producer David Kahne. I was right in the middle of it when I began talking with Nigel Godrich about a brand new project (which became "Chaos And Creation In The Backyard)."
Paul McCartney, April 2007
Full Track Listing:
Hi Steve,
I love the work you've been doing on behalf of fans, so here's my short
review of Paul's "Memory Almost Full".
The first thought I could share with you is that, liking it or not, Paul
McCartney really did some interesting stuff with the follow-up of Chaos And
Creation In The Backyard. He could have rested on his laurels due to the
major approval of his latest CD by fans and critics. Either way, he decided
to make a different album, with tracks that sound much more experimental.
Some of them, are hard to describe, like the superb psychedelic "House Of
Wax", a personal favourite. Introspective lyrics and dark orchestration in
the mood of "Riding To Vanity Fair", but different.
Another highly interesting song recorded for the album is "Mr. Bellamy".
Several fun vocal performances, chord changes, great instrumentation and
some sarcasm on Macca's tone. There's a particular instance where he says
"steady!" with a sinister voice! This song also shines for its harmonies,
just superb.
I also noticed that Paul's taking much more care with production details
than he's done on "Flaming Pie" and "Driving Rain" albums, and that proves
true on "Memory Almost Full", due to the time he and David Kahne took with
the songs. That will be revealed to everyone as soon as the album comes out.
At last, but not least, for those who think the album's songs are similar to
"Ever Present Past" - in a good or bad view - I can affirm that it has
little or nothing of the track's whole fell.
That's all I can say for now. And it's important to mention that I haven't
got the album. I only listened to it!
All the best!
Claudio Dirani
Paul McCartney
Memory Almost Full
Two Versions available - Deluxe/Limited Edition featuring second CD with 3
bonus tracks and an audio commentary by Paul
I received my promo copy of the single Friday . MAJOR ear-worms in this song. Very modern yet - very Macca. I could see a dance remix issued shortly. There are at least two or three "hooks" to this song. VERY enjoyable!
(Thanks to Mike Ray,
Music Director/Afternoons, KEGK-FM,
2720 7th Avenue Southwest.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103 and Andre Gardner, Host, "Breakfast With The Beatles,"
WMGK/Philadelphia, KSLX/Phoenix, and KUFX/San Jose.)
Update (4/13/07)
MEMORY ALMOST FULL
ADVANCE TRACKLISTING
1. To Be Said
Based on the poem. A short string
quartet piece. Delicate.
2. Bring the Dawn
Huge production number, mellatrons
to brass, booming drum.
3. Memory Almost Full
Nice pop song (see Driving Rain),
likely first single. Some electronica.
4. Love Hear My Thunder
Stones-like rocker. Peak Wings.
5. Robber of Soul
Funky jazz/brass number,
unlike anything in catalog so far.
6. Cracks in the Earth.
Elec piano ballad, sounds like a chaos track.
7. Buy the Farm
Solid rocker, Steve Miller-ish.
8. It Happens Every Time
Tight tight rocker, best song here.
9. Silent Water
Piano/organ/electronica song- nice lyrics.
10. God Damn Rock 'n Roll
Sounds like a BTTE outtake- almost punk.
11. Pizza and Fairytales
Most Beatle-esue- reminds of Return to Pepperland.
12. Pictures in Song Suite
Almost 15 minutes- a true song suite, divided into four movements-
most people won't get how good this is.
Update (4/10/07) Yes, the title will be "Memory Almost Full." The album's listed on Barnes and Noble and Concord Music Group, but not yet on Amazon.com or www.hearmusic.com. (Thanks to Matt Hurwitz and Evelyn Schwarz.)
Update (4/9/07) Is the title of Paul's new album Memory Almost Full
Dear Steve:
You know it's always a huge pleasure to contribute to your site. Actually, I've got to thank you for keeping it online since I started surfing on the web back in 1996.
Speaking on Paul's new album due June, it seems we're always surrounded by speculation. While sometimes it's a bit tough, on the other hand, it helps promoting the record itself. So, as Rolling Stone magazine already broke the news this April 6th, I can reveal the source who revealed me some bits on the forthcoming McCartney work.
Although it's a pretty normal thing to happen, it's a bit unpleasant to see that it was put in doubt by some folks at the Macca's offical board that the insider who'd talked to me was actually not a firm source. On the contrary: this information comes from Macca's producer himself, David Kahne. Mr. Kahne, I must say, proved being such a kind and down-to-earth person. He's granted me some cool interviews since 2001, and I had the opportunity of including them on my book released in 2005 down south - South being Brazil.
As for now, he has told me that there'll be no Driving Rain outtakes in the album at all. Plus, no rejected Chaos And Creation In The Backyard tracks are to be included on the disc as well. And better: He's told me that everyone who listened to the album got pretty astounded. Needless to say, I can't wait to hear the whole thing. I hope all readers are in this state of anticipation, too.
Furthermore, there's been some rumours on the content of the album, but nothing solid has come up as yet. In spite of all lack of information (there're less than 2 months for the release, according to Hear Music, and just as an example, ten years ago we're already had Flaming Pie's tracklisting reported by EMI Toshiba in February 1997 - 3 months before its release!), the disc is reported to feature a 15 minute-long sort of musical suite, which may takes us back to Abbey Road days and its final medley. This information comes right from Glen Barros, CEO of Concord Music - one of the Starbucks/Hear Music associate, as published on www.rollingstone.com.
The remaining of the tracks, now according to the album's producer, have also an aggresive but emotional content. It's a bit elusive description, but I think it can be a very good teaser, reminding us of the old days where there was no internet. I'm enjoying all the buzz, I can tell.
Thanks for letting me comment on the album, Steve.
Happy Easter for everyone.
Update (3/29/07) On his MySpace blog, Rusty Anderson says about the next Paul album and tour, "On the Paul McCartney scene, last I heard, the tour is postponed til the fall. I'm not quite sure where yet. The record that we started and got over half done with Paul at Abbey Road a while back should be finished by now. It sounds amazing! Very dynamic and colorful."
Update (3/24/07) McCartney Signs With Starbucks for His Next Album (includes pic of Paul during satellite broadcast)
Update (3/22/07) Paul made it official Wednesday: He's signing with Starbucks' new record label. Billboard.com reports the album will be released in June, with David Kahne ("Driving Rain") back behind the controls again. PAUL MCCARTNEY FIRST ARTIST SIGNED TO
NEW HEAR MUSIC LABEL
Newly Formed Record Label from Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group
to Release Paul McCartney’s First New Studio Album in Nearly Two Years
Featuring All New Songs from the Legendary Artist
___________________________________________________
SEATTLE, March 21, 2007 – Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX) and Concord Music Group proudly announced today that Hear Music’s inaugural CD release will be from none other than music legend Paul McCartney. The album is slated for release early this summer and will be available at all traditional music retail outlets and Starbucks locations internationally. The announcement was made at the Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Seattle where McCartney made a surprise appearance via satellite.
“For me the great thing is the commitment and the passion and the love of music, which as an artist is good to see,” said McCartney. “It’s a new world now and people are thinking of new ways to reach the people and for me that’s always been my aim.”
“Having the honor of releasing an album by Paul McCartney as our first project under the Hear Music label is in a word, remarkable,” said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment. “This demonstrates how Hear Music can present even the most successful recording artists of all-time with unique opportunities to reach existing fans, as well as a new audience of listeners.”
“It is such a privilege to be able to present this amazing new album to the world,” said Glen Barros, president and CEO of the Concord Music Group. “I believe that McCartney fans, like myself, will find that this album connects them to everything that they’ve always loved about Paul, yet also delivers a new personal dimension that shows his continued evolution as an artist. It is a truly profound recording.”
With their recent creation of the Hear Music label and the newest offering from McCartney, Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group have taken big first steps in the evolution of their partnership. Hear Music grew from the two companies’ mutual quest for music that demonstrates quality, authenticity, relevance and passion. Hear Music seeks to provide a new platform for reaching music fans and introducing them to both emerging and established artists with inspired vision and a keen sense of purpose. This will result in compelling music selections for consumers.
Update (3/15/07) Reports in the major British papers, including This Is London, say Paul is moving from EMI/Capitol to ensure Heather has no future claim on his income.
(3/13/07)
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