Venus and Mars [IMPORT] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Wings, Paul McCartney

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 1993)
• Original Release Date: 1994
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Import
• ASIN: B00000721O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,481 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #8 in	Music > Imports > Classic Rock
  #38 in	Music > Imports > Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Released in the glow of Wings' biggest and best album, Band on the Run, Venus & Mars found Paul McCartney in his element--a working rock star, being screamed at again, cheerfully riding the last rays of his youth. Adulation always brought the best out of him, and Venus & Mars is nearly the equal of its more lauded predecessor. McCartney never strays from his favorite themes (sex, drugs, rock & roll, and marriage), but his confidence is high as he mixes gorgeous, airy production numbers like "Listen to What the Man Said" and "Letting Go" with the ribald and hilarious. "Rock Show" matches the Who's "Long Live Rock" as the finest and funniest of those self-celebratory '70s stomps. McCartney's effortless marshalling of melody and arrangement hoists the blander material out of trouble, and the best stuff's powered by genuine, rediscovered verve. Facile and frivolous, but not at all bad. And their version of the "Crossroads" theme is wicked. --Taylor Parkes

Product Description

Digitally remastered reissue of their #1 1975 album featuring the #1 smash 'Listen To What The Man Said', plus 'Letting Go', 'Venus And Mars/ Rock Show' and three bonus tracks: 'Zoo Gang', 'Lunch Box/ Odd Sox' & 'My Carnival'. 16tracks total. 1993 Parlophone release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another of McCartney's Masterpieces, November 8, 2005

By	CMoon "CMoon" (UK) - See all my reviews

What a laugh suckerfly's lame "review" of this album gave me. To correct some of his many errors:
1) McCartney DIDN'T break up the Beatles, he was the one who kept them together until John finally decided he didn't want to play anymore.
2) Beats me how you can accuse McCartney of showing only one character trait in his musical career. I doubt any other artist has ever put out such a variety of styles. Certainly no artist of his stature ever took more risks with his music.
3) You Gave Me The Answer is 20's pastiche, not 30's.
4) The line in Letting Go "like a lucifer she'll always shine" does NOT refer to Satan or the Morningstar as you state. In Britain, a lucifer was a match (you know, that sparks into flame and burns brightly), this is what that line means.
5) Possibly the reason McCartney says nothing to you is because you approach him with a closed and biased mind.

Now to the album. I have always regarded V&M as the second of McCartney's 70's triumverate of rock/pop masterpieces, begun with Band On The Run and closed with Speed Of Sound. These are the albums that confirmed Paul McCartney's second dose of megastardom, and possibly made Mr Lennon (who must have regretted singing "pretty soon they'll see what you can do" in his vicious 1971 How Do You Sleep) decide early retirement looked good! A new generation, many only vaguely aware he had been in a 60's band, turned his records into chart-topping multi-platinum discs and his stadium concerts huge sellout events.

Venus & Mars is a wonderful selection of great tunes, though not as cohesive and artistic as Band On The Run - showmanship threatens to replace musicianship. For me the weakest track is the slow "Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People"; sure it's beautiful but somehow spoils the album's "Rock" credentials. In my opinion the album would have been richer had it been left off, perhaps replaced with Juniors Farm, for instance. I do like the song, though, and it would have made a very popular and sought-after B-side.

All the rock songs hit their target: Medicine Jar a fabulous anti-drug song by Wings' own drug addict, Jimmy McCulloch, Magneto & Titanium Man has a wonderful groove and fun lyrics, Rock Show is a statement of intent that Paul was going to reconquer America, Letting Go has sublime vocals and guitar solo, and Call Me Back Again is simply magnificent. The pure pop of Listen To What The Man Said has a jazz flavour and is instantly infectious. Love In Song I always felt was another in the series of Paul to John songs "I can see the places that we used to go to now, happiness in the homeland" bearing in mind that by this time John was firmly ensconced in New York but Paul happily remained in the UK.

Buy this album to hear a rock genius at the top of his game and still enjoying having a band around him!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Planets Shine Bright, June 26, 2005

By	Thomas Magnum (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Paul McCartney always wanted Wings to be more that just his backing band. He wanted them to be a complete band, with himself considered as just another member. Previous releases were credited to Paul McCartney & Wings, but in order to strenghen the group idea, Venus & Mars was the first album to be released as just Wings. It was also the first to have songs sung by other band members. While on subsequent releases this strategy contributed to uneven albums, it works out great on Venus & Mars. Denny Laine contributes the mystical "Spirits Of Ancient Egypt" and Jimmy McCullough plays soothsayer on the excellent "Medicine Jar". The song is about the inability to quit using drugs and McCullough would, himself, fatally overdose just a few years later. Even though Mr. McCartney tried to foster the group atmosphere, he, of course, is the true star of the album. The album opens with the dreamy "Venus & Mars" and seiges right into the roaring "Rock Show". "Listen To What The Man Said" is different from just about anything else in the McCartney catalog as it's very jazzy in nature. It was the album's only number one single. Other standout tracks include the rocking "Letting Go", "Call Me Back Again", the goofy "Magneto & Titanium Man" and "Love In Song". Venus & Mars doesn't get the praise that Band On The Run got, but it is the equal to and in many ways a better and more interesting record. The bonus tracks are all very good, but they don't stand up to the main album.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock on people, wherever you are--because that's basically it., October 29, 2006

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This album by Wings boasts a fine example of Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and their peers working together to produce a timeless album. More than 30 years after its release this album still attracts attention and sells well. The music on the CD proves why.

The album begins with the dreamy, psychedelic and slow paced "Venus And Mars." The album quickly changes gears, however, as the next song is "Rock Show." This song has a strong rock and roll flavor to it and the musical arrangement is very well done. Other great songs include "Love In Song;" "Magneto And Titanium Man;" "Letting Go;" and the touching ballad "Call Me Back Again."

I especially like the song "Medicine Jar." The rock and roll beat combines with great vocals by Jimmy McCulloch to make this a super powerful song. Many people can relate to this song; it directly addresses the dangers of drug abuse and it remains very timely.

"Listen To What The Man Said" is my favorite song on this CD. I agree with the Amazon reviewer who writes that the song has a jazz feel to it. It's a powerful song with catchy lyrics and a melody that sticks in your mind the first time you hear it.

A big plus to this CD is the addition of three bonus tracks: "Zoo Gang;" "Lunch Box/Odd Sox" and "My Carnival." Paul wrote "Zoo Gang" to be the theme for a TV thriller series; and "Lunch Box/Odd Sox" is an instrumental jam session recorded in New Orleans and released several years later as the B-side of "Coming Up." "My Carnival" has a great beat and creates a strong, upbeat mode to end the CD. Awesome!

The quality of the sound is excellent. The liner notes have the picture of Wings in the northern California desert; and there are creative sketches of Wings as well. You get the complete song lyrics and the song credits are there, too.

Overall, this CD is one of the best Wings ever recorded. I highly recommend this for Paul McCartney fans, fans of 1970s rock and roll and people who want an excellent introduction to Wings. Go grab a copy of this CD and crank it up--you won't be disappointed!