The Beatles Bible - Topic: Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Mrs.McCarrison on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:54:45 +0000

I hate to interrupt your actually meaningful, on topic conversation, but I have I say the only reason I clicked on this thread was because I thought it was going to be about Paul's score (as in points) on a ballet routine he did called oceans kingdom. Now don't tell me that wouldent be interesting! I am litteraly laughin out loud just imaging a 69 year old man doing ballet.
After reading though the topc though, I am sad that my choir is going on a trip to NYC in march. Why not augest?!

Into the Sky with Diamonds on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:50:20 +0000

Actually went to the ballet last night - a pleasant surprise.

The music sounds better when it's the background to a ballet - not a surprise there, I suppose.

Prior to the start of the ballet, the conductor explained the music. He would make a point, and the orchestra would play a portion of the score to illustrate that point. (I felt I should be taking notes for the exam that would come at the end.)

That was rather original.

I had no problems with the costumes (Stella McC got slammed in the papers).

As Joe says, here and there were neat little mini-tunes.

And the ...

Into the Sky with Diamonds on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:19:52 +0100

Joe,

Sight unseen, I'm sure you're right. That's how i felt about his previous ventures into "unchartered waters" (pardon the pun).

[Kedame, if you have U.S. med school questions, you can email me separately at ron@intotheskywithdiamonds.com]

meanmistermustard on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:21:16 +0100

Im not into ballet or classical music, never have been, and Macca's move into that area with the ballet isnt going to chance that. However i wasnt expecting anything too incredulous simply because he is new to the ballet scene. Im also not at all suprised that the critics have been out because for Paul they always have been. He could have created a wonderful piece of music and it would still have generated a response along the lines of 'what does he know about ballet' from the so-called experts

Up until the beatles anthology in 1995/6 Paul had been criticised for ...

Joe on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:52:41 +0100

Hmm. Looking back on that post, I think the criticism might seem unfair: that I'm asking for him to follow conventions and simultaneously step away from them. I guess what I'd like more is for exciting music, however it's constructed. Playing it safe shouldn't really please anyone, least of all McCartney.

mr. Sun king coming together on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:45:57 +0100

Joe said:

Oh well, what do I know?

Hell of a lot more then I we ever will.

Joe on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 15:41:09 +0100

Having listened to the album three times now (unlike a pop/rock album, you can't really dip in and out of a 56-minute classical recording with four movements) I think part of the problem – if you see it as such – is McCartney's lack of familiarity with writing classical music, so he adapts what he knows to fit. So you get little musical motifs that come and go, that in another guise he might have turned into a verse or a chorus of a pop song, but they don't really get expanded upon or turned into a recurring motif.

The whole thing ...

mithveaen on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 05:41:21 +0100

The thing is that Broadaway theatre is though. They don't respect "outsiders" and they're quite harsh on them. Many Hollywood actors find it hard to succeed in Broadway, unless they have a theatre background, like Al Pacino or Sir Ian McKellen (in England).

kedame on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:48:29 +0100

That's a good point, mith. I guess the only thing that should matter to me is whether or not I'll like it when I see it. I don't know why I wanted it to get good reviews, like it has any bearing on me. I should have known better. (punintended)

mithveaen on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:32:16 +0100

Well one thing is for sure, Ballet critics are not going to embrace Paul's ballet that easily. So, they're not going to give rave reviews to Ocean's Kingdom even if it's this century's Nutcracker version. Look at U2's Spiderman, I have heard the album, it's not like wow but it's not the s**t the critics claim it is.

kedame on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:09:40 +0100

Truce. Sorry for ranting at you. Maybe I am a little touchy lately because I am under a lot of stress. I have a biochem test and vascular plant test on the same day next week, and I have to finish my med school application and worry over whether I'll get it done in time...whether I'll get in and whether I really want to or not. It's a strange time for me, and I have felt like shit all day.

I need to go memorize some amino acid structures, now.

mr. Sun king coming together on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:02:15 +0100

I don't want you to stop posting. And I think people who expected him to revolutionise ballet are far out of line. Why would I want to piss someone off? You are wrong there. I haven't a clue if it's a good show, but if it is good, then great. And frankly, I'd love to have huge expectations. He has the high expectations because he has done great things. I really don't want you mad at me, but honestly, I really feel I try to avoid confrontation. I don't want it. I don't. Please, just, accept my apology.

kedame on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:51:13 +0100

I didn't attack you, but I wanted to. Oh, how I wanted to. All I did was clarify my points. The problem with the criticism of McCartney is that he is not treated like anyone else. If he makes a ballet, suddenly he should revolutionize the whole art? Umm…no. All he wanted was to put on a good show, and from what I can see, it looks like a pretty good show.

For God's sake, sometimes I don't even know why I post here. You are so rude most of the time that I just angrier every time I come on ...

mr. Sun king coming together on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:41:22 +0100

And all I said was that there was no "middle ground" with Paul. Look, I get it, you love Paul. But stop diluting my words. He has every right to do what he wants, but critics should use the same standard for Paul as they use for Blooby McBlooberson. So, I'd really rather not having you attack me for making a point. It doesn't make your point more right, but it sure pisses me of me.

Into the Sky with Diamonds on Ocean's Kingdom - Paul McCartney's ballet score

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:40:35 +0100

"I guess those days are just over for him because people seem to have written him off as a no-talent hack after the 70s (or when John died)"

Kedame, it's worse than that: people wrote him off as soon as the Beatles broke up. Some of his hits were seen as saccharine and a sign of him gone lame (or missing John's influence)....