Paul McCartney has gone back to his rock roots. Run Devil Run consists of twelve covers and three new tracks. The album was recorded in just five days with a backing band that reads like a who’s who of music: David Gilmour and Mick Green on guitars, Ian Paice on drums, and Pete Wingfield on piano.
“She Said Yeah” is a nicely done cover, as is “All Shook Up”. Then comes the new track, “Run Devil Run”, reminiscient of the earliest Beatles. With its straight-ahead rock sound, it’s a Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry concoction, as raucous as McCartney gets. The other original tracks are “Try Not To Cry” and “What It Is”. Neither are as impressive as “Run Devil Run”, but they aren’t too shabby either. These rock ‘n’ roll gems will get you up out of your seat.
The best track is the remake of Ricky Nelson’s “Lonesome Town”. Paul sings notes higher than I thought he could reach these days. Time doesn’t seem to have taken its toll on his voice. He still has it. Paying homage to Carl Perkins, “Movie Magg” is a whole lot of country bliss.
McCartney also finds time to cover Elvis on “I Got Stung” and “Party” (originally called “Let’s Have A Party”). Not many people could touch them, but McCartney pulls them off without a hitch. This is Paul McCartney as most Beatles’ fans knew him. His voice sounds rejuvenated, as great as it did thirty years ago. He’s brought back the soul of the ’50’s. We’ll never have him back as one of the Beatles, but this is the next best thing.
+ rae gun
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