Customer Reviews

Listen to What the Man Said: Popular Artists Tribute to Paul McCartney

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I've heard millions of covers of Beatles songs (okay, maybe a hundred or so), but I think this is the first time I've heard covers of Paul songs (aside from Nicole Kidman and Ewan MacGregor singing parts of "Silly Love Songs" in 'Moulin Rouge').

I wasn't actually going to buy this album, but I saw that the JudyBats had a song on it, thus I had to have it.

The two things that make this album so good are the quality of the songs themselves, and the way that the artists put themselves into the songs. Some songs, like 'Band On The Run' by Owlsy stay true to the original, while other songs, like 'Coming up' by John Faye Power Trip take on another harder feeling. While it's pointless to get into the John V. Paul debate, it's quite clear that Paul had the edge when it came to pop songs.

Many of the artists I'd never heard before, but I was pleased by nearly all of them. 'Warm And Beautiful' by Linus of Hollywood sounded a wee like a Boy Band singing acapella, but it grows on you. The JudyBats do an awesome 'Love In Song,' and Semisonic's "Jet" sounds fresh. Some of the songs I actually like better than the originals, but don't tell Paul.

When I first heard about this project, my first thought was, well, I like the Beatles, but Wings who? As a music lover, I'm embarrased that I don't know most of these songs. Since I knew most of the bands on the cd, I gave it a shot.

This cd is amazing. Check out The John Faye Power Trip's "Coming Up" and Owsley's "Band On The Run" and Sloan's "Waterfalls" to name just a few of the 16 great cuts on this cd. From start to finish, this cd really puts the tribute back in tribute cds.

Aside from the music, the packaging/liner notes are very cool...comments from the band, etc. This cd definitely sets a new standard for tribute cds. I can't wait for the indy one (independent artists offer their takes on Paul McCartney's songs).

Forget what you think you know about tribute cds, and get this cd.

From Creative Loafing
by Tony Ware

While the value of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output often depends on which side of the '70s divide you were weaned on, the value of breast cancer research is something everyone can appreciate. Proceeds from Listen to What the Man Said: A Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney and its more indie companion piece, Coming Up, are earmarked to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of Linda McCartney.

The idea was actually hatched in Atlanta in 1999 and first executed in 2000. Inspired by earlier participation in local label Demagogue's Love in Song: An Atlanta Tribute to Sir Paul McCartney, Kirk Waldrop -- along with Kelli Richards and James Flaherty -- solicited national contributions for Listen and Coming Up, both released during Breast Cancer Awareness Month through Oglio on its Tribute LLC imprint.

And the songs themselves? Well, for as many people who love Wings and early solo McCartney, there are just as many who consider the Cute One's post-'70s songbook sentimental, self-indulgent pap. And these collections aren't likely to change that. Still, artists like Owsley ("Band on the Run"), Matthew Sweet ("Every Night") and World Party ("Man We Was Lonely") play it faithful, while SR-71 and Semisonic glam up "My Brave Face" and "Jet," respectively. The Minus 5 put in an eerie performance of "Dear Friend," and Canadians Sloan, already masters of power pop, nail their jangly reclamation of "Waterfalls."

Featuring deeper album cuts and B-sides performed by independent artists, Coming Up has a more upbeat and modernized feel. But maybe that's simply because this compilation steers away from hits, so the songs -- like the bands -- are not only less familiar but more fresh.

Although its taken this long to come out with a solid tribute to one of the best lyricists of our time-I think everyone would agree-its been well worth the wait. While no one can do a McCartney hit like McCartney, to hear modern artists do "Junk" (Barenaked Ladies) and "Every Night" (Matthew Sweet), to name a couple from the record, proves that these hits stand the test of time very well--what better compliment to their creator.

The purpose of this Album is twofold; firstly a long overdue tribute to McCartney's post-Beatles work and as a fundraiser for cancer charities in memory of his wife Linda.

Of the 16 tracks it's easy to divide them into two categories, there are those who stay faithful to the originals and those who try to make the songs their own.

Its easy to see why Owsley and Semisonic should play things fairly straight with Band On The Run and Jet respectively, two of McCartney's most adventurous arrangements, but more successful are Robyn Hitchcock's `Let Me Roll It' and Matthew Street's `Every Night', who do a sterling effort of repeating a winning formula.

The album gets really interesting though when the performers make there own interpretations of the material.

Minus 5 `s `Dear Friend', McCartney's mature response to Lennon's sniping in the early 70's, chooses to accentuate the world weary air of the original. The John Faye Power Trip turn in a commendably laidback `Slackers' version of `Coming Up'. SR-71 take McCartney's best pop song of the last 20 years, `My Brave Face', and give it a right good seeing to, resulting in a frantic piece of rock bristling with hooks. But the pick of the bunch must be The Judybats's `Love in Song', a sparse, urgent and intense performance of one Macca's lesser known numbers.

This album is must for all McCartney fans as a reminder of many of his best, if not best known compositions. There are many fine songs and performances to be found here and it would also make essential listening for anyone who thinks that McCartney's muse left him with the other Beatles.

From the October 10, Phildelphia Weekly

While these two tributes to Sir Paul are dominated mostly by out-of-towners-some better known (Barenaked Ladies) than others (the Jellybricks)-there are some local ties. First off, that Hofner bass you see adorning the cover of both CDs? It belongs to Erik Evol of Philadelphia's very own Manta Ray. As for the music, Delaware's radio-friendly popsters John Faye Power Trip (featuring former Caulfields frontman John Faye) give "Coming Up" a modern rock roughening up on Listen to What the Man Said. It's a curious choice (akin to covering Mixed Emotions on a Stones tribute) but a workmanlike performance that adds to the original without turning it into parody, as can happen with many a tribute album "re-working." At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Philly's Kyf Brewer (who's the voice behind VH-1's Where Are They Now?, and fronted hard rockers Company of Wolves in the early '90s) delivers a faithful reading of Macca's Scottish folk ballad, "Mull of Kintyre," replete with Highland bagpipes and mandolin on the Coming Up CD. As for the non-Philly highlights, Robyn Hitchcock and his Soft Boys cronies all but steal the show with a stripped-down and snotty "Let Me Roll It," and Sloan makes real pretty on "Waterfalls."

Goldmine
Annual Beatles Issue, November 2 2001, Vol 27, No 22, Issue 555
by Gillian G. Gaar

Both Listen To What the Man Said: Popular Artists Pay Tribute to the Music of Paul McCarntey and Coming Up: Independent Artists Pay Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and feature 31 artists covering McCartney songs, from "Maybe I'm Amazed" from McCartney, to "Somedays" from Flaming Pie, though the majority of artists chose to cover songs from the '70s.

Listen To What the Man Said features more well-known artists, may of whom stick to a song's original arrangement and sound (Owsley's "Band On the Run" and Semisonic's "Jet"). Tellingly, the most interesting songs are those that are not established McCartney classics. Robyn Hitchcock and the Virgos turn in competent renditions of "Let Me Roll It" and "Maybe I'm Amazed," respectively, but neither artist adds anything special. Conversely, Sloan transform "Waterfalls" from a ballad to an up-tempo pop number; The Minus Five (R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and The Young Fresh Fellows' Scott McCaughey) perform a poignant "Dear Friend" with an eerily John Lennon-esque vocal; SR-71's "My Brave Face" is a grittier piece of power pop than the original; and Matthew Sweet's "Every Night" and World Party's "Man We Was Lonely" renditions are both tasteful and enjoyable.

Essentially commendable effort for a good cause.

I always think how great it is when someone like Paul is recognized throughout decades of changing music. My favorite song on this tribute would by all means be " MY BRAVE FACE "
I am a huge fan of SR71 and I would not expect them to perform this song any less artistically than they do their own.
This band is so under rated and deserves the recogintion of music fans all over the world. This new recording by SR71 is just another form of diversity that this awesome group offers consistantly in their melodic, energetic original rock and roll.

A tribute CD to Paul McCartney. Modern artists taking on the classics of one of the best songwriters in the history of rock. Seeing those statements is enough to get any record reviewer excited. At the same time, one has to be sure this is not some silly pop fluff marketed to capitalize on the reemergence of The Beatles in the public's eye. After taking a look at the liner notes and listening to the CD just once, any doubts fade. This is truly a compilation done in the name of love for Paul McCartney and his legacy.

This tribute has been organized for a good cause. Some of the proceeds from the sales of the record will go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in the memory of Paul's wife, Linda. With such a respectable artist featured in the tribute, one can be assured that many top-of-the-line groups tried to get on the compilation. That said, it seems that a lot of care was taken in the choosing of what groups appeared here. The project's producers chose the groups and cuts that were closest to the marrow of McCartney's classics. No posers allowed. All the groups that appear on this disc are true McCartney fans.

There is a great variety of songs from throughout McCartney's solo career featured on the CD. Surprisingly, almost every track on the disc is solid. If nothing else, the songs are fun second-hand versions of the originals. None of the tunes are too drastically different from McCartney's, but there are some standout tracks that truly shine through. Owsley brings the CD to a lightning-fast start with a splendid version of one of McCartney's best known solo works, "Band On The Run." The guitars are a bit more distorted and aggressive sounding at times than on the original recording, but it feels right in the mix. SR-71 does a ripping version of "My Brave Face" that adds some punk rock to McCartney's version. The vocals are a bit snottier, and overall the tone is crunchier and more powerful. A couple members of the Barenaked Ladies and Lilac Time come together to deliver an ethereal version of "Junk." The mood they create feels like a some sort of sad carnival. Truly a nice track. Semisonic's rendition of "Jet" sounds surprisingly very close to the original aside from the vocals. "No More Lonely Nights" is given heartfelt treatment by The Merrymakers. They are more than up to the challenge of the classic original and bring an abundance of emotion to their version. Matthew Sweet delivers a head-nodding version of "Every Night" that should instantly put a smile on the face of any McCartney or Sweet fan.

Overall, the CD is a great compilation of a wide variety of artists paying tribute to one of their heroes. One could ask the question whether or not these songs can be duplicated. Many of McCartney's masterpieces are untouchable in the eyes of his fans. Although his solo output is not as universally loved as his work with the Beatles, McCartney still has a huge fan base and rightly so. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest song writers in the history of rock. His legacy speaks for itself. Nothing can match up to McCartney's splendid originals, but that is not the point of this disc.

Breast cancer is a disease that has devastated many. Seeing all of these artists coming together for this cause is very heartwarming. That alone makes the CD worth a listen. Of course, the palette of songs that these artists have to choose from doesn't exactly hurt the eardrums either. Give it a listen and support the cause.

- from Delusions of Adequacy

This tribute to the music of Paul McCartney features bigger names and, for the most part, more polished recordings than last year's "Love In Song" tribute disc featuring mostly unknown Atlanta bands. But it shares with that early release an infectious energy engendered by having younger performers who grew up in the solo McCartney era tackling songs of his that influenced them.

Most of the performers on the disc have chosen to pay homage by sticking fairly closely to the original arrangements, perhaps adding a harder edge in the instrumentation. As Owsley, who opens the album with a straight rendition of "Band On the Run", says in the liner notes, "I initially wavered on the production between making it my own, or paying homage. I went with the latter. It's really hard to mess with perfection."

On the other hand, the Merrymakers said they were looking for a song "which we felt we could contribute something to...because if we weren't going to make it better, or at least different, than what's the point of doing a cover version?" And while their version of "No More Lonely Nights" doesn't stray that far from the original, adding a rockier feel and some nice harmonies, the bottom line on this compilation is that the most interesting (and in a sense, most successful) tracks are the ones where the artists depart noticeably from the McCartney version.

For example, The Minus Five (the sideline band of Pete Buck of REM, featuring Scott McCaughey on vocals) sticks to the basic original vocal line for "Dear Friend", but takes the backing in a completely different, very spacey direction. Likewise: Sloan's expanding "Waterfalls" from the sparse style of the original into a full band arrangement with harmonies; the John Faye Power Trip's riffing hard-rock guitar version of the originally funky "Coming Up"; Virgos' power-chord guitar version of "Maybe I'm Amazed" (with a very McCartneyesque lead vocal by Brett Hestla and keeping the original's distinctive guitar solo); Linus of Hollywood's gorgeous acapella rendition of "Warm and Beautiful" with layers of multitracked harmonies a la Brian Wilson; and They Might Be Giants' offbeat instrumental of "Ram On" featuring accordion and Casio keyboard trading the melody line.

The remainder of the tracks stick closer to the originals, but are still enjoyable: SR-71's raucous "My Brave Face"; Kevin Hearn and Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies and Stephen Duffy of the Lilac Time teaming up on "Junk" with a French feel; Semisonic blasting through "Jet"; Robyn Hitchcock lending a slightly more ominous feel to "Let Me Roll It"; the Finn Brothers of Crowded House fame rocking out on "Too Many People"; power popster Matthew Sweet's acoustic guitar-backed "Every Night"; World Party/Karl Wallinger's country-folk "Man We Was Lonely"; and Judybats' slightly harder "Love In Song".

The booklet, in which these acts rhapsodize about McCartney's music and how it influenced them, is in itself quite a tribute to the underrated place the post-Beatles Macca has in contemporary music history.

And on top of that, a portion of the proceeds from each disc sold goes to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

A definite must for McCartney fans.

- Al Becker (Beatlefan Magazine)