Tug of war | Fab forum

Here's another review of another classic Macca album, "Tug of war" (1982), considered to be one of his best and critically as well as comercially most successful albums.

After his home-made solo album "McCartney II" Paul returns to grand production standards he hadn't reached since the Beatles, thanks to producer George Martin (who also wisely talked him out of making it a double album; the obviously weaker songs can be found on the following album "Pipes of peace").

But still the album doesn't sound too "slick", it has lot's of Soul and R'n B influences (stronger than on any other Macca album), beautiful ballads, strong up-tempo songs and fantastic guest musicians: Ringo Starr, Steve Gadd, Carl Perkins, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Clarke, Eric Stewart, Denny Laine with his last contributions and others.

Linda, Eric Stewart, Denny Laine and Paul get an extra nod for creating some of the best backing vocal arrangments in Paul's catalogue, and that means something!

1. "Tug of war" – Starting with original noises from a "tug of war" tournament it turns into one of Paul's most bombastic ballads ever, so sometimes I feel it's a bit over the top and annoying, but it still has many great moments in the arrangement.

2. "Take it away" – One of his most successful solo numbers with a fantastic double-drum set intro by Ringo and Steve Gadd and some hot brass stuff. Excellent bass playing on this one. Very uplifting.

3. "Somebody who cares" – Featuring Stanley Clarke (then one of the most famous bass players in the world) Nice ballad, another great arrangement, excellent spanish guitar solo by Paul.

4. "What's that you're doing" – Co-production between Paul and Stevie Wonder, playing all the instruments including Paul on drums and Stevie on the cool synth obviously. Great fun to listen to! Exciting backing vocals as well.

5. "Here today" – No words can describe how heartbreakingly beautiful this hommage to his beloved friend and soulmate John is.

6. "Ballroom dancing" – Making sure to bring everybody out of the sentimental feeling again Paul rocks on with this uptempo song featuring a slightly annoying piano and a breathtaking clarinet solo (you know that one from Gershwin's American in Paris!).

7. "The pound is sinking" – Stanley Clarke plays again, but nothing I couldn't have done as well myself… Still an interesting song. I especially like the middle part with some great backing and lead vocals.

8. "Wanderlust" – One of my two favourite tracks on the album! Beautiful piano, but then there's even a brass ensemble! I LOVE it!!!!!

9. "Get it" – Very funny duet with Carl Perkins, their old Beatles favourite!

10. "Link" – Yeah, it's a link between two songs, with nice vocoder effects.

11. "Dress me up as a robber" – I have NO idea what the lyrics are about, but this is my favourite song on the album, because the arrangement is SOOO funky!! Another great SPanish guitar solo by Paul and funky brass!

12. "Ebony and Ivory" – Yeah, it's partly this song's fault that many people reduce Paul to super-sweet commercial ballads, but it's still a classic duet with Paul and Stevie sharing all instruments and vocals again. And you got to respect Paul's intention of an inter-racial peace message.

So, no weak track on the album, great sound and totally entertaining and touching! Another must have for any Paul and Beatle-fan!

mr. Sun king coming together said:

He doesn't sing it very well. Martin's arrangment is quite beautiful but it doesn't save the song.

Whatever.