Run Devil Run

Paul McCartney

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B00001QGPH
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (301 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,446 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Whenever Paul McCartney's storied life has hit personal or professional hard times, he's wisely returned--figuratively and literally--to his musical foundations. In the Beatles' final, troubled days, it was Get Back, the aborted return-to-roots project salvaged as Let It Be, and during his late-'80s solo doldrums it was the '50s rave-up CHOBA B CCCP (a.k.a. the "Russian Album"). In the wake of Linda's passing, McCartney "gets back" to a motley dozen '50s hits, B-sides, and obscurities, and pens three surprising originals that neatly fit their mold. Using a band of seasoned British vets (including Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour and Mick Green from Johnny Kidd & the Pirates on guitars, and Deep Purple's Ian Paice on drums) whose own unbridled affection for this music radiates from every track, McCartney tackles the familiar (Gene Vincent's "Blue Jean Bop," Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up") and unfamiliar (the Vipers' UK skiffle hit "No Other Baby," Carl Perkins's "Movie Magg") alike with enthusiasm, if not slavish devotion, as witnessed by his nifty zydeco revamp of Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man." The Mac originals "Try Not to Cry" and "What It Is" (and the choice of Ricky Nelson's "Lonesome Town") seem to deal not-so-obliquely with his love and loss, yet are delivered with an upbeat confidence that seem to belie his mourning. In the end, Run Devil Run may be as much personal exorcism as it is loving musical recapitulation, and McCartney is in peak vocal form throughout. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take the artist on his own grounds, November 22, 1999

By	Derek P. Royal (Commerce, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The writer Henry James once said (and I'm paraphrasing here) that one must approach an artist according to his metier. In other words, judge them by the artistic goals and intentions they set for themselves. Judging McCartney's _Run Devil Run_ in terms of his previous work (i.e., wanting another _Band on the Run_ or _Flaming Pie_), then, would be a false expectation. Yet some in this review list (the "One Star Trio": Kirk, Mark, and the mysterioso [e-mail]) want to do just that. Apparently, they want Paul to do the same thing he had been doing. But Paul's intentions, if these "critics" had taken the time to read his liner notes, was not to reproduce well-worn ground, but to try to bring new life to '50s classics and obscure pieces. That was his intentions, and he came through with more than flying colors. Another comment for the One Star Trio: what the devil is wrong with 1950s music? Please keep in mind, had it not been for the likes of Paul's '50s heroes, there wouldn't be a Paul McCartney, there wouldn't be a Beatles...hell, I don't know what there'd be without those wonderful pioneers.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where Lennon & McCartney Merge-Run Devil Run, January 9, 2000

By	Rob Lincoln (East Coast USA) - See all my reviews

More than anything, what made Lennon so special to me was his ability to communicate his feelings through song and have you know that he meant what he sung- that it was real. Despite his very uneven solo career, I remained a loyal Lennon fan. Not so with McCartney, whose immense talent I felt was channelled into well crafted songs that make people feel good. Now there's nothing wrong with silly love songs and few have ever done them better, but its not my cup of tea. McCartney had not moved me since Let It Be-that was 30 years ago. There is a reason why this album has over 200 reviews posted. It is a masterpiece. It is so bold, so pure and in your face that some long time McCartney lovers are dismissing it with two stars as "Not Paul." What it is- is another part of Paul, a part that has been held in restraint until the tragic emotional upheavel that disrupted his life forced him to turn to his art again, not as a craft but as survival, an expression of his deepest feelings. It is a deeply moving experience to those who are listening. Paul's mask in Run Devil Run is that for the most part he hides behind the covers, but his grief is evident. He is using the covers he and John first cut their teeth with and he is using technically the best male voice in Rock (Paul's)but finally singing like the best male singer in Rock (as recently voted in a widely publicized international poll-none other than John Lennon). Now why would anyone ever vote John's thin voice the best in Rock? -Because he sang from his heart and soul, which is what McCartney does here. He takes no prisoners. John would be proud,(is he channelling him on Honey Hush?) and any true Lennon fan will be moved by Paul's honesty. McCartney's singing and his three superb originals are an inspiration not only to the healing power of Rock and Roll but to anyone who thinks they're too over the hill to play it. He is 56 and sounds as good or better than he ever has. It's been worth a 30 year wait. In my mind this is the truest art he has ever done. Long live Paul McCartney-and you better run devil run. Rock and roll still has the power to chase even the most evil of demons away. This album is medicine for the wounded soul. It is a timeless treasure. Bravo!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whole Lotta Fun Goin' On!, January 26, 2002

By	Lee Armstrong (Winterville, NC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

With over 200 reviews listed, this is a favorite of many folks. Paul opens hard with "Blue Jean Bop" putting the 50s rock right out there. He keeps up the pace with "She Said Yeah" and the Elvis classic "All Shook Up" with David Gilmour's buring lead guitar. The title tune sounds most like Wings with the backing vocals, "angels having fun." "No Other Baby" slows the pace; and I always expect to hear Chris Isaak! We remain in low gear for "Lonesome Town" "where the broken hearts stay." "Try Not to Cry" is one of my favorites, a great rocker with a full-band sound and Paul's breathing punctuating the vocals. Carl Perkins' "Movie Mag" seems a bit trite, but is a good bit of fun. The simple but catchy "Brown-Eyed Handsome Man" has a bit of the cajun thrown in. "What It Is" has a driving bass line underscoring just what a great bass player Paul is. "Coquette" is a nice homage to that era. The band blasts on the 50s "I Got Stung." Did Elvis sing that? "Honey Hush" keeps the throttle turned up; and Paul makes "Shake a Hand" shine. CD wraps with the call to arms of the era, let's have a "Party"! If part of you is still a kid who likes the beat of rock & roll, you'll flip over this CD!