Some thoughts on the upcoming #McCartneyIII album before we know all the details.

Firstly some background, in case you don’t know it:

In 1970 the McCartney album came out, put together when the Beatles were in a state of flux, they were over when it came out...

In 1980 the McCartney II album came out, again there was flux as between the album being recorded and released, Wings were done.

Both albums McCartney & McCartney II, were completely written, played and produced by Paul (with just a smidgen of Linda on backing vox)

Maybe I’m Amazed from McCartney? Written, produced and every instrument played by Paul

Coming Up from McCartney II? Written, produced and every instrument played by Paul.

You get the drill.

For years fans have wondered if there would ever be a McCartney III (McC3 for short). The first two had been loose, unselfconscious affairs, a third one would be welcome.

Fans would discuss subsequent solo albums as if whether they would qualify as McC3. For instance the album Chaos & Creation in the Backyard from 2005 which has a number of OnlyPaul songs like the great Friends To Go

Personally I’d thought 2008’s Electric Arguments, released under the name of The Fireman was closest in spirit to an McC3 album.

When the world locked down in Spring, McCartney had to cancel his tour for the summer. Many fans suggested the usual “hope he keeps himself busy, hope he records some new tunes” which evolved into the realisation that lockdown could lead to an actual McCartney III album

But really, it was all wishful thinking, because McCartney doesn’t do what his fans want. Which is great. And also annoying! So it didn’t seem wise to believe the fantasy that lockdown would begat a McC3, because these things don’t come to pass in McCartneyLand

So when the fantasy became a rumour a few weeks ago, many many people from experience shut it down. It seemed too good to be true. https://twitter.com/doctor_j_/status/1306659173145419787

Could it be? And then last Friday a hand rolling dice showing three appeared on Spotify on McC1&2. #McCartneyIII it is. So, what will it sound like? Will it be true to the totally-solo McCartney aesthetic? Will there be anything weird on it?

My guess is that it will be more straightforward than we think. Closer to Chaos... than to the McC2 album. McC1 & McC2 were recorded on basic gear, Macca seems to have done McC3 in Hog Hill, his professional grade home studio. It’s also a windmill. There’s George in it!

I’m going to guess that he might have a co-producer too. McC1&2 were recorded without a separate producer because of expediency. He actually hasn’t self-produced an album since McC2 in 1980. If he does produce it himself, there might be a big name engineer/mixer (?Godrich)

Because McC3 might be a solo record, but this time it’s a technically proficient studio. Hopefully we’ll hear something from it this week, maybe on Friday. I’m guessing a chugging piano-led tune like Flaming Pie or Fine Line. This is a pure guess.

Overall it’s fun that we still have new albums by Paul from the Beatles to look forward to and speculate about. I wonder how wrong I’ll be.
#McCartneyIII