CLUB SANDWICH 81

GO CATS, GO!

Three new CDs feature Paul in musical mode

            As the pie goes into the oven, almost ready for flaming, here are three CDs we prepared earlier.
            Poet extraordinaire Allen Ginsberg is not only one of the most famous, prolific and profound exponents of his art, carving his name into the pantheon of the century's best, he's also a friend of Paul McCartney. Readers may recall seeing in a previous Club Sandwich (issue 76) a photograph of Allen and Paul together, on stage at the Royal Albert Hall. Allen read a riveting new piece, The Ballad Of The Skeletons, while Paul - his surprise guest, whose unexpected appearance drew gasps, even from the "cool" crowd - vamped on electric guitar. During that same visit to England, Allen and Paul also worked together in Paul's studio, cutting the definitive version of the piece that, at its fullest and in all its finery, extends to almost eight minutes. Paul contributed not only guitar but also drums, maracas and a Hammond organ passage. (Later still, other musicians Philip Glass, Lenny Kaye, Marc Ribot and David Mansfield also contributed.) The result is a four-track CD EP, issued shortly before Christmas in USA by Mercury Records, comprising this full piece, an edited version, a "clean" version and, finally, a new rendition of 'Amazing Grace' that has no McCartney connection.
            Second on the blocks is the soundtrack album to the hit comedy movie Jerry Maguire, the romantic drama that charts the life of a sports agent (played by Tom Cruise) who is saved from himself by a young single-mother accountant and a fading American footballer. Danny Bramson, who supervised the film's music, is a major Paul McCartney fan and chose a couple of cuts for the soundtrack that, to say the least, are among Paul's less well known pieces: 'Momma Miss America' and 'Singalong Junk', both from the 1970 debut solo album McCartney. As a consequence, both appear on the Jerry Maguire soundtrack album (released by Epic) which, as we write, has cracked the Billboard Top 100 chart. Paul's in good company too: Neil Young, The Who, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Presley all appear on the CD, also with less-obvious song material.
            Third, but by no means least, is a fabulous new album from our old friend Carl Perkins, a true rock and roll legend if ever there was one. Away back in 1981, as many of you will know, Paul invited Carl to the island of Montserrat, where he was recording the album Tug Of War. The duet 'Get It' was the immediate fruit of their collaboration, but not the only one. CS33 revealed the existence of a further track like this:
            “The night before he was due to leave, Carl decided to set down his feelings of appreciation in a little song. The result was 'My Old Friend', meant as a simple statement of thanks from him to Paul, which he sang to Paul the following morning. Paul really liked it and got Carl to play it again for Linda and George Martin. Although Carl felt it was just a statement, Paul persuaded him to go into the studio there and then to put it down. Carl sang and played two guitar parts, Paul played organ, rhythm guitar, drums and bass, whilst adding "backing vocals. It was cut within the hour.
            Paul's interest in the song was so strong that he asked Carl if he could take it back to England to work on an arrangement. Carl feels that Paul's treatment is a masterpiece, which heightens the feelings expressed in the song. He says that 'My Old Friend' means more to him than any song he's ever written, including 'Blue Suede Shoes', as it's both his personal feeling for Paul whilst managing to hit a universal note with which many people can associate."

            Well, it certainly took a while, but 'My Old Friend' is finally available, issued on Carl's new album Go Cat Go! in which the Tennesseean troubadour is joined by a veritable galaxy of superstars, not only Paul but also Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Paul Simon, John Fogerty, Tom Petty, Bono, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, with posthumous contributions from John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix. Released in the USA shortly before Christmas by BMG Records, Go Cat Go! is a very special album that merits the glowing reviews it has already received.
            And yes, 'My Old Friend' really is every bit as beautiful as Paul, Linda and George Martin said it was when they first heard it on Montserrat. For sure, 16 years is a long time, but it sounds no less fine for the wait.