McCartney's Memory Due in June
Paul McCartney's forthcoming solo album reportedly will be called Memory Almost Full, and will be issued June 5. The disc, which will be the first release on Starbucks' Hear Music label, will include a 15-minute song cycle reminiscent of the finale of the Beatles' Abbey Road. Meanwhile, Neil Aspinall, the longtime CEO of the Beatles' Apple Corps label, has left the company. Aspinall's professional relationship with the Fab Four has spanned more than 40 years.

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12438


from Undercover.com.au--

Paul McCartney Memory Almost Full

by Paul Cashmere - April 10 2007


Paul McCartney has christened his upcoming studio album 'Memory Almost Full'.

The album, his first since 'Chaos and Creation In The Backyard' was produced by David Kahne (The Strokes).

McCartney is investigating new business models to promote the album. For starters, it will be initially released through Starbucks in the US and generally through Concord Music and distributed through Universal.

The album is said to reflect his Beatles and Wings period and will include a 15 minute suite, similar in style to side 2 of 'Abbey Road'.

'Memory Almost Full' will be released on June 5th.

from therockradio.com--

Paul McCartney to release "Memory Almost Full" in June

Paul McCartney's new album, titled Memory Almost Full, will be released on June 5th. The album, which is being produced by David Kahne, who helmed McCartney's 2001 Driving Rain set, follows the framework of most of McCartney's work over the past 25 years, including full band tracks mixed with songs featuring McCartney on all instruments.

Memory Almost Full features a "15-minute Abbey Road-style musical suite," and will be Macca's first for the Starbucks/Concord Music Group's offshoot label Hear Music.

The new set is McCartney's 21st mainstream solo studio album, and his followup to 2005's Grammy-nominated Chaos And Creation In The Backyard.

McCartney's Memory Almost Full is available for pre-order through aol.music.com.

The collection, Macca's first album away from longtime record label EMI, will coincidentally be released on the eve of the 45th anniversary of Beatles' audition for the record label. The album also marks the first time in 23 years that he's released a studio set within two years of its predecessor.

June 1st marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the Beatles' landmark album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Paul McCartney will turn 65 on June 18th.


In other Beatles-related news:

The soundtrack to Ringo Starr's 2005 Soundstage concert which aired on PBS and was announced for a May release, has been pushed back until September according to the Beatles' fan website Abbey Road Best (abbeyrd.best.vwh.net).

The concert, which was taped near Chicago, featured Starr and his former band the Roundheads tackling such Beatles and solo classics as "With A Little Help From My Friends," "Octopus' Garden," "Yellow Submarine," "Photograph," "It Don't Come Easy," "Back Off Boogaloo," and others.

According to Starr's longtime producer Mark Hudson, Starr's upcoming studio album Liverpool 8 is due out in June.

This from maccacentral.com, and this track list is not official... yet...


Track List of 'Memory Almost Full' leaked: Updated (lyrics)
Apr 10

Updated: Apr.10,2007 23:59

The tracklist was posted on the Starbucks Gossip blog by poster AppleWorm (Thanks to jgkojak). It claims to be the "Advance Tracklisting" from the upcoming Paul McCartney release " MEMORY ALMOST FULL". As you can tell by the brief descriptions, this person seems to have had a quick listen to the album. This has not be verified from any of my sources as yet, hence the advance tracklist so it is expected some tracks may vary slightly. Or this entire list of songs may be bogus, either way I felt obligated to post this news with a warning that this has not been verified to my satisfaction to-date.

http://starbucksgossip.typepad.com/_/20 ... to_la.html


The Rolling Stone article posted here in the news on April 7th (click here) has a quote from Glen Barros, CEO of Starbucks partner Concord Music Group. He of course has heard the album and he said, "It's him being reflective". McCartney played most of the instruments on this collage-style disc, which includes a fifteen-minute Abbey Road-style suite. "You can hear real elements of the Wings and Beatles eras." So this part of the album we know is there.

The lyrics for "To Be Said" and "Pictures in Song Suite" have been found and added at the bottom of this article. These were poems in Paul's "Blackbird Singing".

DISCLAIMER: Though the information provided below is for informational purposes only, MACCA-Central makes no claim that this list is official.

ADVANCE TRACKLISTING

1. To Be Said - Based on the poem. A short string quartet piece. Delicate.

2. Bring the Dawn - Huge production number, mellatrons to brass, booming drum.

3. Memory Almost Full - Nice pop song (see Driving Rain), likely first single. Some electronica.

4. Love Hear My Thunder - Stones-like rocker. Peak Wings.

5. Robber of Soul - Funky jazz/brass number, unlike anything in catalog so far.

6. Cracks in the Earth - Elec piano ballad, sounds like a chaos track.

7. Buy the Farm - Solid rocker, Steve Miller-ish.

8. It Happens Every Time - Tight tight rocker, best song here.

9. Silent Water - Piano/organ/electronica song- nice lyrics.

10. God Damn Rock 'n Roll - Sounds like a BTTE outtake- almost punk.

11. Pizza and Fairytales - Most Beatle-esue- reminds of Return to Pepperland.

12. Pictures in Song Suite - Almost 15 minutes- a true song suite, divided into four movements- most people won't get how good this is.


http://www.macca-central.com/macca-news ... hp?id=2506

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Upcoming Paul McCartney album to feature new and old material
Mar 27

Source: therockradio.com

Updated: Mar.27,2007 22:04

Insiders say that Paul McCartney's upcoming debut for the Hear Music label will feature both new songs and outtakes from his last two albums. According the fan run website themaccareport.com, McCartney previewed the album a few weeks ago in New York City for the new label. Among the songs included in the set are songs that Nigel Godrich, McCartney's producer for his last album, Chaos And Creation In The Backyard, rejected for the project.

The album is said to feature his touring band on about half of the songs, with other studio musicians including a string section on other tracks, and some songs that only feature McCartney. The fact that David Kahne is being listed as a producer suggests that some of the material might date back to the 2001 sessions for his Driving Rain album. There's an unconfirmed rumor that the album might be released on June 18th to mark Macca's 65th birthday.

Another rumor is that the set might be titled "McCartney III". McCartney released two completely solo sets, with minimal help from his late wife Linda McCartney, in 1970 and 1980, respectively. Seeing as how the new set features about a dozen supplemental musicians, it seems unlikely that McCartney would break tradition for a non-solo set.

Backstage at the recent Fest For Beatles Fans in New Jersey, Ringo Starr's longtime producer Mark Hudson said that McCartney switching labels enables him to focus on the music first: "I think that Paul McCartney is about his art. And I think that what ended up happening to all the Beatles is that they fell victim to the industry and I think that he's probably very, very happy to be back into the art again."

McCartney's upcoming album marks the end of his 45 year relationship with EMI Records, which first signed the Beatles in June 1962.

http://www.macca-central.com/macca-news ... hp?ID=2463

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Paul McCartney eyeing fall tour to promote new album
Mar 27

Source: therockradio.com

Updated: Mar.27,2007 22:04

Paul McCartney will hit the road sometime in the fall to promote his upcoming album, which is expected out in June. McCartney's lead guitarist Rusty Anderson posted an update on his myspace.com blog (myspace.com/rustyandersonmusic) saying that, "On the Paul McCartney scene, last I heard the tour is postponed 'til the fall. I'm not quite sure where yet. The record that we started and got over half done with Paul at Abbey Road (Studios) a while back should be finished by now. It sounds amazing. Very dynamic and colorful."

from beatle.wordpress.com--



New McCartney album tracklisting rumors - TAKE 2
It seems like we may have a rumor war on our hands surrounding the upcoming Paul McCartney LP. We have come across two suposed tracklistings. I don’t know which one is gospel. I’m not sure that either one is completely factual, but it sure is fun to speculate now. It looks like the tracklist that we posted yesterday may be a work of fiction. Or is this new one a work of fiction? I didn’t write them, but we were sent them. So we are going to post them for you all.

One of our dear readers found this at the awesome Steve Hoffman forums. If you are a music fan worth your salt, then you already know about the Steve Hoffman forums. If you don’t then the board may be eye-opening. Anyway, it looks like one of the members there has had a little listen to the new album, and has given us a second tracklisting, contrary to yesterday’s post.

Look on both of these tracklistings as speculation at this point, and take from them what you will. We didn’t write these tracklistings, we are simply messengers. If either are true, however, it looks like Macca may have recorded yet another masterpiece. Feel free to comment away. I have not made up my mind definitively about these tracks personally. I just can’t wait for June 5th to hear the darn thing!

Here’s what we’ve read.

1. “Everybody Gonna Dance Around Tonight” (title?) - Short album opener. Instrumentation includes ukelele (some similarities to Harrison’s “Any Road”), kick drum (lockstep, martial beat) and whistling. Similar to “We’re Open Tonight” in sentiment, the lyric is a trifle but track is brief/fun enough.

2. “My Everpresent Past” (title?) - Musically quirky (McCartney II fans will love this one), hooky and clever with great lyrics, addictive robotic rhythm, nifty distorted guitar riffs and terrific double-tracked vocals. Fully realized top-drawer Macca Pop in every respect. Opening line: “I’ve got too much on my plate - I’ve got no time to be a decent lover”. A+

3. “Wanna See Your Sunshine” (title?) Creative, commercial pop love song with wonderful bass playing. Echoes of Linda in the background vocal department (as on “Run Devil Run”, the vocal ghost of Linda shows up repeatedly throughout the album, as least to my ears). Middle section features a neat tempo change and fastly sung lyric. Romantic. Accapella ending.

4. “Only Mama Knows” (title?) Orgasmically great Power Pop! Back To The Egg-esque energy! Great vocal! Junior’s Farm-esque gutbucket feel, quirky lyric, lots of Linda/Denny/Wings guitar energy. My early favorite, rocks like a bitch!

5. “You Tell Me” - Stunning, heartfelt, bittersweet non-silly, post-love song, Acoustic based with great confessional lyric (ala “Dear Friend”) and astounding, emotional vocal. Very Wings - echoes of Denny and Linda abound. “When was that summer of a dozen words” (let the Heather/divorce lyric hunting begin).

6. “Mr. Bellamy” (title?) - I can’t believe how great this track is; the odd, glorious musical structure and chord changes will surprise you at every turn. An A Cappella breakdown to die for. VERY early 10CC (think “Sheet Music”), with goofy vocal interjections (if you are familiar with 10CC’s “The Worst Band in The World” you’re halfway there).

7. “Gratitude” - Pop/gospel w/shouty, “Oh, Darling” vocal. Nice tune and interesting arrangement but overemoting vocal ruins it for me. Possible grower.

8. “Vintage Clothes” (title?) - not positive but I think this is the first track of the album-ending Medley, ala RRSpeedway/ARoad. Lyrically a modern-day “Dedicated Follower of Fashion”-a tongue in cheek (I think) sendup/lampooning of modern clothing/fashion trends. Possibly inspired by daughter/clothing designer Stella? Strong lyric, ultrahooky tune and great arrangement, w/Beatlesque swirly backwards mellotrons and highly compressed tack piano (the opening piano riff is almost identical to Fleetwood Mac’s “Say You Love Me”). Perfect pop.

9. “That Was Me” (title?) Backwards drum loop, rockabilly guitar riffs on acoustic, with great dissonant piano stabs, ala “I Want To Tell You”. Autobiographical lyric speaks of/chronicles events in Paul’s childhood, The Cavern Club, success…

10. “Very Hard” (title?) - Top track, features Brian Wilsonesque vocal breakdown section (with vocodor!) and another strong autobiographical lyric.

11. “Hidden In The Yard” - moody, forboding, cinematic - think a darker “Beware My Love”. Great lyric/arrangement, unexpected chord changes from heaven, screaming guitar solos and one of Paul’s best vocals ever.

12. “The End Of The End” - touching, confessional album closer, unlike anything that Paul has recorded. The lyric speaks to how he would like to be remembered/celebrated after he’s gone. A heavy lyric tempered by upbeat, song-closing whistling coda (echoing whistling on opening track).

13. “Nod your Head” (title?) - Silly, brief album closer, ala “Boil Crisis”. Probably (hopefully) a bonus/hidden track. Musically similar to the also-hidden instrumental track that closes Chaos (sounds like the same session).

Source: Steve Hoffman Forum

Reading things like "Back To The Egg", "Junior's Farm", "Dear Friend" and "Beware My Love"(!!!!!!) has gotten my hopes way up! His last album has grown on me, but I'd love a little more rocking mixed in this time.

Steve,

You are most prolific at keeping us up-to-date on new releases. Thanks for the news on Macca.

This is a surprise, considering Chaos And Creation In The Backyard only came out a year-and-a-half-ago. I guess not having the ball and chain (Heather) around has spurred some creativity in Sir Paul.

Hopefully this will be a good one - though I don't relish the thought of having to pay over $15 for a new release. I guess the days of sale priced new McCartney releases are over and done with.

i guess i am in the minority when it comes to "chaos". i thought it was terrible. i hope this is better.

to each their own.

renny

I agree. By far my least favourite McCartney effort. Sounds like a bunch of demos that weren't good enough for a real album.

So maybe now we'll get the real album.

Amazon.co.uk had "Chaos" on sale for I think it was £3, but only for a brief period. I snapped it up and I rather like it.

What I meant is that since the new McCartney will only be available through Starbucks, I won't be able to get it on new release day for a reasonable price at Best Buy or Target, etc.

Perhaps it remains to be seen... but as I understand it... McCartney's new CD will be available both at Starbuck's and the usual stores.

As previously reported, Starbucks will primarily handle A&R for the collaborative initiative, while Concord will head up marketing, promotion and distribution of the label's product outside the coffee shops. The Hear Music name has been used since 1999 for compilations and co-releases at Starbucks; it will now apply exclusively to this partnership.

from Undercover.au--
McCartney is investigating new business models to promote the album. For starters, it will be initially released through Starbucks in the US and generally through Concord Music and distributed through Universal.

I wonder if it'll be like that Sly and the Family Stone tribute (Different Strokes) released at Starbucks initially. It was later released outside of the coffee shops with a couple of extra tracks.

There were a few others like that as well...I kept hoping the Dylan release would fall into that category - since it was missing a few tracks from the performance, it made sense, but not yet...

I read the McCartney issue as being initially just Starbucks, and then other locations via Concord, but probably a tighter time period between the two release dates.

The new Paul McCartney single from the upcoming CD Memory Almost Full is called "Ever Present Past".

It will be available to radio stations via digital download at 12:01am ET this Friday, April 20.

A CD single will be serviced to radio later that day.

4/16/07, 9:03 am EST

McCartney’s Producer Says Leaked Tracklist Is Fake
Remember last week when the tracklist for Paul McCartney’s new record, Memory Almost Full, supposedly leaked online?
Well according to the former Beatle’s producer, David Khane, the leaked list is totally fake. “This is a fake tracklisting. It has nothing to do with the album, pretty funny, though,” Khane said.




from RockRadio.com--

Friday, April 13, 2007

Paul McCartney producer says leaked tracklisting is bogus

Several supposed tracklistings to the upcoming Paul McCartney album, called Memory Almost Full, have made their way onto the Internet. The most notable was posted on the online blog starbucksgossip.typepad.com, which listed 12 song titles, gave a thumbnail description of each song, and even printed the lyrics to the album's opening and closing tracks.

Macca's producer David Kahne told the McCartney fan website maccareport.com that the information is bogus, stating that, "This is a fake tracklisting. It has nothing to do with the album, pretty funny, though."

A new tracklisting has been making the rounds with a 13 song lineup, with notes from a fan who purports to have heard the yet-to-be released album several times. The notes, which seem quite believable due to their detail which cross-references Macca's solo work, could only be written by someone who is familiar with McCartney's catalogue.

Fans are confused as to what to believe. In the past McCartney has been known to release the track listings, along with advance promotional copies of his new work well in advance of its release date. The June 5th release of Memory Almost Full will be his first away from longtime label Capitol/EMI, so no one knows whether the new Hear Music label is actually letting insiders hear the new work or whether the reports are only an online "in-joke."

from Gigwise.com--


Paul McCartney Pays Secret Tribute To Linda On New Album

With coded message in title...


by Chris Taylor on15/04/2007


Sir Paul McCartney pays cryptic tribute to his late wife Linda in the title of his forthcoming album 'Memory Almost Full'.

The title is in fact a perfect anagram of 'For My Soulmate LLM', and Paul's album is said to be dedicated to the memory of Linda, who lost her long running battle with breast cancer in 1998.

A friend tells the Sunday Mirror, "It is a title Paul has had on his mind for a long time - even before Linda died.

"This record is an homage to the woman who remains the true love of his life - and his soulmate."

However, the friend adds that the material has been inspired by the break up last year of his second marriage to Heather Mills.

They explain, "This record is very much the break-up album. He'd never have used the title if things were going well with Heather."

So, is this correct or was it completely made up like Kahne said?

Chaos was excellent. One of his best solo efforts and a welcome to return to a truly strong album. It's hard for me to say that if I prefer this to Flaming Pie, another great later album.

I look forward to this one and that he continues a strong streak, but one of the posts concerns me - that it's the Driving Rain producer. I didn't care for that one too much except for the couple decent singles.

Bogus track lists? Come on people, can't you see this is just further proof (somehow, although I haven't figured it out yet) that "Paul is Dead"?

I couldn't agree more. Driving Rain was one of his worst ever. It sounded like a bucn of unfinished demos thrown together for the 9/11 tribute "Freedom". Chaos is very good, not as much as Flaming though but 10X better than Rain. That is one I will not go back to very often. I hope this new one comes off better. But I am concerned, as a fan.

from maccareport.com--

1. "Dance Tonight"
2. "Ever Present Past"
3. "See Your Sunshine"
4. "Only Mama Knows"
5. "You Tell Me"
6. "Mr. Bellamy"
7. "Gratitude"
8. "Vintage Clothes"
9. "That Was Me"
10. "Feet In The Clouds"
11. "House Of Wax"
12. "The End Of The End"

13. "Nod Your Head" bonus track?

Listen to the new single Ever Present Past in its entirety! Sounds great!