Paul McCartney: Tug Of War - 1982

From 1982, this has been one of Paul McCartney's albums I have not paid too much attention to, to be honest (compared to Band On The Run, Red Rose Speedway, Wild Life or Venus And Mars, which I know far better). So, I am giving this new remaster a chance to get myself reacquainted with it. 

As for the music, Tug Of War is an orchestrated opener that ends as a rock ballad. Take It Away is an immensely catchy singalong pop song of the highest quality. The first duet with Stevie Wonder, What's That You're Doing? is six minutes of funky brilliance. Strange to hear McCartney diversifying like this, but enjoyable. 

The second one, Ebony And Ivory, is well-known to everyone, and, despite the cliched lyrics, their hearts were in the right place, so let the criticism go, eh? Here Today, written to the recently-departed John Lennon (this was McCartney's first album since Lennon's murder) is as sad as one would expect. Ballroom Dancing, the start of the old "side two" is a suitably upbeat, fun, mood changer. 

The Pound Is Sinking is a catchy ditty about the world's money markets and gets a bit silly in its pompous vocal delivery at times. Typical McCartney, "mannerisms" indeed. This is one that is spoiled by the tinny, trebly sound. 

Wanderlust, however, is just a beautiful song. Nicely orchestrated and impressively sung. 

The duet with Carl Perkins, Get It, is enjoyable in a 1950s sort of way. Nice bass on this one. Dress Me Up As A Robber sees McCartney in falsetto vocal style, this also has a nice bass sound and an appealing upbeat tune. Some nice Spanish guitar too, as indeed there is on the lovely, laid-back Somebody Who Cares, a typical slow, thoughtful McCartney number.

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