Flaming Pie (studio album) by Paul McCartney

From indieshins 07/04/2023 00:08

This is a big improvement from the last few records, but I don't think it's as good as its reputation. Given the way people talk about the context of the album - Paul having come off doing the Beatles Anthology - I expected it to be a more Beatle-y album. It's not, really, except in a few moments, such as Beautiful Night, which has a gorgeous melody and a classic George Martin orchestral arrangement. The difference for me is that for all the middling tracks like Used to Be Bad and If You Wanna, there's also some of Paul's finest tracks here: Calico Skies nearly brings me to tears every time; Somedays is a lovely melancholy track; Little Willow is a beautiful tribute to Ringo's ex-wife Maureen who passed away from cancer in 1994; and the aforementioned Beautiful Night is a rousing piece of music that Macca had been tinkering with since 1987. Great Day is also a nice, low-key way to end the album, and features Linda for the last time - she, too, would pass away from cancer the following year, lending this album's best moments a real poignancy that is unlike any other Paul record.

I'd say this should have been trimmed down to take out the middling tracks and just left the best material - I'd also say "The Song We Were Singing" and possibly "Young Boy" merit inclusion. But this is a definite step in the right direction and I can see why a lot of people love it.

From pedro1976 05/05/2023 16:37

Too much of a good thing?? Few too many 3* songs that are pleasant enough but don't really go anywhere -- also some strong stuff here too - would have made a superb little 38-40 minute LP with some judicious editing..

Posiblemente, el mejor trabajo de McCartney desde la primera mitad de los 70.

From dihansse 02/28/2021 21:32

One of those albums I already own for a bit but which got a bit snowed under and undeservedly so. After listening to it again this is to me Paul McCartney's last great album in which he turns simple songs like Young Boy and Beautiful Night into irresistable little gems.

From llibnanoon 08/28/2020 16:36

Loved this! Rating (80.36)

Such an organic feeling record. it's incredible when you realize that his record 'Press to Play' was made just over ten years before.

From UofTBlues 01/07/2020 19:10

Paul's best studio release since Tug of War in '82. There isn't a bad song on the album. Paul recruited his friends Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller & Ringo on some of the tracks. Later this year a box set remaster is planned for release.

From Sandrof1969 02/18/2018 18:58

"Flaming pie" è un disco che reclama rispetto già a partire dalle circostanze dalle quali è nato ( la morte della moglie Linda ) e quel rispetto dimostra poi di meritarlo. E' un disco serio ma non serioso, composto ma non triste. Ed è un raro caso in cui McCartney non abbonda con la dose di zucchero; merito anche della produzione di Jeff Lynne, che dopo avere rivitalizzato la carriera di un ex Beatle ( George) ci prova con ottimi risultati con un altro ( "Young boy" sa tanto di Travelling Wilburys ). Fossero stati sempre di questo tenore i dischi di McCartney !

From junodog4 07/01/2016 02:16

More than just a nostalgia piece. This is actually quality - even better than most of his 70s and 80s work.

This is one of my favourite McCartney albums. It feels and sounds like the white album in so much as it a mix of rockers and acoustic dittys. Best track for me is the beautiful calico skies, which is possibly my all time favourite McCartney solo track. Other high points are some days, a lovely acoustic and orchestral ballad, the soul sounding souvenir, and opener, the song we were singing. Other standouts are beautiful night and the world tonight. The only disappointments are couple of dull twelve bar rockers, but they do suit the albums feel. An excellent record, all in all.