Wings Over America [Import]

Paul McCartney, Wings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 7, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Import
• ASIN: B000007638
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,334 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Venus And Mars/Rock Show/Jet

2. Let Me Roll It

3. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt

4. Medicine Jar

5. Maybe I'm Amazed

6. Call Me Back Again

7. Lady Madonna

8. The Long And Winding Road

9. Live And Let Die

10. Picasso's Last Words

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. You Gave Me The Answer

2. Magneto And Titanium Man

3. Go Now

4. My Love

5. Listen To What The Man Said

6. Let 'Em In

7. Time To Hide

8. Silly Love Songs

9. Beware My Love

10. Letting Go

See all 13 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Out of print in the U.S.! Wings Over America, the double live album (two CD set) that reached #1 on the Billboard albums chart, chronicled the American portion of Macca and Wings' 1976 world tour. Paul had surprised fans by including Beatles songs among his live set for the first time since the fab four broke up six years earlier. Those performances of Beatles' songs, including 'Yesterday', 'Lady Madonna' and 'Long and Winding Road', are included here alongside great versions of Paul's solo gems and Wings favorites including the Top 10 version of 'Maybe I'm Amazed'. 28 tracks total including a cover version of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Richard Cory' and the Macca-penned 'Soily', neither of which are available anywhere else. EMI.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Wings Over America - Remastered At Last June 12, 2000

By "tjsbeatles"

Format:Audio CD

The mid 1980's were not a particularly good time for CD hungry Beatlefans. The actual Beatle recordings would not appear on CD until 1987, and the solo Beatle product avaivalbe was limited, at best. Paul McCartney, who was under contract with Columbia Records at the time, was fortunate enough to see much of his solo catalog released on CD before most Lennon, Harrison, & Starr material was remastered for the "new" digital medium. One of the first Macca CD's Columbia released was a 2 disc version of "Wings Over America." Beatlefans were initially overjoyed to have 2 CD's of McCartney's best "live" solo and Beatles material. Many, however, were disappointed to find that the sound quality left something to be desired.

When Paul took his catalog back to Capitol several years later, the hope was that new remastering would improve the muddy, hissy sound quality of Columbia's releases. Unfortunately, on Capitol's new "Wings Over America," there was little to no improvement. By the early 1990's, Parlophone/EMI in Europe again remastered Paul's solo catalog, and for the first time, there was finally dramatic improvement over the earlier 2 sets of reissues. However, a new "Wings Over America" was inexplicably left out of the "Paul McCartney Collection" catalog.

That's all been remedied by the title's entry into EMI Japan's recent "deluxe" McCartney remasters, which present his catalog in replica LP sleeves and remarkable sound. "Wings Over America" has returned to its' album format, and is now spread out over 3 CD's. The sound is clear, bright, and a major improvement over the earlier CD incarnations. The original album graphics (including a great mini-poster) are included, making this the definitive CD edition of his greatest "officially released" live work. If only Capitol would catch on here in the states and give Paul McCartney's underrated solo catalog the respect it deserves, perhaps one wouldn't have to spend nearly $80 on the third pressing of this title. Since it looks like that may never happen, this Japanese import is more than worth the investment. All of the new Japanese remasters are worth checking out, but this one is essential for McCartney and Beatles fans.

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Live McCartney Recording March 11, 2005

By Steve S.

Format:Audio CD

A little bit of history first...I was lucky enough to see Wings Over America at Madison Square Garden in May 1976. I still have my ticket stub...a $10 seat in the second section up from the floor, which my cousin got from a broker for the exorbitant price of $30! How quaint that seems now.

Needless to say, everyone was jazzed up, being that it was Paul's first live appearance in the States in 10 years. I cannot begin to describe the roar within the Garden when the band started with Venus and Mars/Rock Show, and of course at the line "...long hair at the Madison Square."

And the absolute silence when Paul sang Yesterday.

Tripping the Live Fantastic, Paul Is Live and Back in the U.S. -- NONE of them compare to Wings Over America as live recordings. Maybe it's that anticipation that was in the air after 10 years...maybe it was Paul knowing he had to score a knockout back on this side of the Atlantic. Who knows? All I know is that it's a superior live recording to the others in every way.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Look at Live McCartney in the '70s February 11, 2005

By Julie A Ross

Format:Audio CD

Being a big Beatles/Paul McCartney fan, I've bought several live Macca albums from the '90s to present day. This includes "Paul is Live," "Tripping the Live Fantastic," and "Back in the US." Though they are all good CDs, nothing can compare to the 1976 tour, when Paul was just starting to get back on his feet. The music is great, and the band rocks hard. Wings broke up just a few years after this was recorded, but thank goodness they were together to give us this electrifying performance. The opening medley of "Venus and Mars," "Rock Show," and "Jet" is killer, and other highlights are "Medicine Jar," "Hi Hi Hi," "Band on the Run" and "Let Me Roll It." This album rocks, start to finish.