John Turner (RIP): In His Own Words

My 1st nomination for best Beatles solo album released between 1981 and 2020

 

My 1^st nominee in my 2^nd Beatles Solo Project is Paul’s Tug of War album from 1982. It is regarded by many as one of his best solo albums. I believe it is also the best of a trilogy of albums to come from his reunion with Beatles producer Sir George Martin. Recording began for this album a few days prior to John Lennon’s assassination in 1980. There was a recording session scheduled the day after his death (Dec. 9), and some of the material reflected Paul mourning the loss of his friend and former collaborator. The song “Tug of War” metaphorically depicts the complex relationship between Paul and John. “Here Today” address their musical partnership more directly by way of a fictional conversation between them. “Somebody Who Cares” was a song Paul wrote for John’s sons, Julian and Sean, who were still adjusting to life without their dad. The two biggest hits from the album are “Take it Away” and “Ebony and Ivory,” one of two duets with Stevie Wonder. “Ebony and Ivory,” a song calling for racial harmony, spent seven weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Take it Away” is one song by Paul that he has never performed live (I wish he would). Ringo Starr, Wings guitarist Denny Laine and Carl Perkins are guest musicians on the album (Paul and Carl do a fine duet called “Get It”).

Pipes of Peace (1983), the follow-up to Tug of War, was recorded concurrently and unfortunately is not as strong or as memorable. Paul’s “Say Say Say” duet with Michael Jackson and the title track are the two best cuts. Then George Martin produced the soundtrack to Paul’s box-office and critical flop, Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984).

Week 3 of my 2nd Beatles Solo Project

Week 3 of my 2nd Beatles Solo Project has begun! Today I revisited Paul's Give My Regards to Broad Street, the soundtrack to his almost-forgotten movie from 1984. The soundtrack is the best part of the film, featuring mostly remakes of Beatles and Wings songs. "No More Lonely Nights" is the best of the three originals on the soundtrack.

Paul's Press to Play from 1986 is next. The 1993 reissue includes "Spies Like Us," the title theme to the 1985 comedy movie (and his last top 10 hit to date).

George's Cloud Nine from 1987 is an album I've always loved. After its release, he formed the supergroup the Traveling Wilburys with Jeff Lynne, Bob Dylan, the late Roy Orbison and the late Tom Petty. Both of their albums are included in the project playlist.

The last album this week is the most obscure, an album of rock 'n' roll oldies Paul recorded for the Russian market in 1988. Known as The Russian Album, it became more widely available globally in 1991, just weeks prior to the fall of the Soviet Union.

RIP Dame Diana Rigg

I loved Dame Diana Rigg. Many remember her as Emma Peel on the UK Avengers TV series. I remember her from films On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Great Muppet Caper and the ITV production of King Lear. She was also great on Extras and Game of Thrones. RIP Diana. ❤️

Week 2 of my 2nd Beatles Solo Project

Week 2 of my 2nd Beatles Solo Project has begun! Only four albums are being played this week, one per member. It is unfortunately the only week where all four Beatles are represented equally. John Lennon's one posthumously-released album, Milk and Honey, was released in January 1984, just over three years after he was killed. Milk and Honey is going to be one of the nominees for my final top 10 list.

Another album up for consideration is Paul McCartney's Tug of War. One of Paul's best post-Wings albums, it includes "Here Today," his personal tribute song about John.

To elaborate on this listening project, the format for this second one is much like the first. One difference is that I'll be listening to 34 studio albums instead of 32. The two Traveling Wilburys albums with George are included, even though they aren't officially considered solo albums.

Week 1 of my 2nd Beatles Solo Project

Week 1 of my 2nd Beatles Solo Project began yesterday. Like with the first era of solo albums, this series begins with George Harrison. I listened to his Somewhere in England album from 1981 yesterday afternoon. This is the album that has "All Those Years Ago," his tribute to John.

The other two albums I'm listening to this week are Ringo's Stop and Smell the Roses and Paul's Tug of War.

One of my favourite songs is in French