Tug Of War

The Paul McCartney Archive Collection continues in 2015 with the reissues of 1982’s Tug of War and 1983’s Pipes of Peace. These two albums have been newly remastered and as with the previous entries in the collection, a second disc of bonus tracks comes along with the original album. Personally, I feel this is an overlooked time in Paul’s career and it’s nice to see it get some love with these reissues. Released in 1982, Tug of War is an interesting album from Paul McCartney. Not only is it the first album he released after the break-up of Wings but it sees McCartney working with Beatles producer George Martin again- for the first time since Abbey Road in 1969 (with the exception of Martin producing "Live at Let Die" in 1973). Now almost two decades after the release of Please Please Me, this was the final product the two came up with. Tug of War is considered by many to be one of Paul’s best and I would agree. Hit singles came out of “Ebony and Ivory” and “Take It Away.” The former is a duet with Stevie Wonder while the latter is a catchy, fun ska-flavored track. There are some wonderful album tracks on this album such as the 1950’s rock n roll of “Ballroom Dancing,” the funky “What’s That You’re Doing” and the powerful “Wanderlust.” Aside from “Take It Away,” my personal favorite song on the album is “Here Today,” a song Paul had written as a tribute to his former bandmate John Lennon, who was tragically murdered in late 1980. Paul was in the studio recording material for the album when he first heard of Lennon’s death. The lyrics are heartfelt, as McCartney expresses his admiration and love for his late songwriting partner. Unlike the other albums in the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, Tug of War has received a new remix. From what’s been written online, Tug of War was recorded when digital recording was new. In short, Paul wanted to remix the album. As much as I hate to say it, I’m not crazy about the remix of Tug of War. I did do some sound comparisons with the original mix (the 1993 remaster, which Amazon gave me a free MP3 version of after pre-ordered the reissue) and the remix. Comparing the two in Audacity, Paul’s vocals are just too loud for the most part. The changes made in the remix aren’t anything too special. Still, the remastering is top notch. I just prefer the original mix. If you don’t care about which version you’re listening to, then you can go ahead and get this. The original mix is included with the super deluxe edition but the retail price for that is expensive. If you’re looking for the original mix, you can try finding the 1993 remaster or just get an older copy on vinyl.I did take some notes while listening to the remix. Here’s my track-by-track analysis of the remix:1. Tug of War- vocals sound more up front, the orchestra might be a little over-the-top or loud2. Take It Away- Paul's vocals aren't double tracked or echo in the second verse. You also get to hear George Martin's piano playing in the bridges/instrumental bits. I feel the vocals and backing vocals bury the other instruments. I miss the ska feel.3. Somebody Who Cares- Paul's vocals are air-y, sounds a little more stripped down with the bass and drums there in the background4. What's That You're Doing?- The "Good morning" bits are less robotic. I thought there were less sound effects on here but in Audacity, it sounds funkier.5. Here Today- sounded more acoustic and had more echo. Paul sounds like he's the only one in the studio aside from the strings.6. Ballroom Dancing- Bass is strong but Paul's vocals are too loud and the piano is almost out of the mix.7. Pound is Sinking- eh more guitars?8. Wanderlust- Paul's vocals are too loud, the music does sound nice though9. Get It- a little stripped down, Paul and Carl Perkins' vocals sound balanced10. Be What You See- N/A11. Dress Me Up As a Robber- eh hard to tell. Guitars sounded good on remix.12. Ebony and Ivory- Less reverb and/or electronic sounds, Paul and Stevie's vocals are up front and clearer.The bonus disc doesn’t offer too much, with a run time of 32 minutes. Demos of the album’s tracks can be found on here. The demos are all fair but there isn’t anything special on there, although I will say the demo for “Take It Away” sounds slightly different from the album version (I think some of these demos will be familiar to avid bootleggers, so it might not be anything new for them). Along with the demos are some tracks that haven’t seen an official CD release before. There’s an alternate version of “Ebony and Ivory” with Paul singing the whole song and then two B side songs- “Rainclouds” and “I’ll Give You A Ring.”This ends the first part of my review of the Tug of War and Pipes of Peace reissues. For the second part, please find my review on the  Pipes Of Peace [2 CD][Special Edition ] page.

A reunion of two musically astute people comes to fruition for a full-length album of varied styles. Here's where Paul McCartney and Beatles producer George Martin become evermore inextricably tied to each other. It's especially clear on the title track. "Tug of War" is engaged with life and world situations as it is and George's orchestration amplifies that. The single, "Take It Away" is so Paul. It's entertaining in the best McCartney way. The horns used here are as powerful as that on Sgt. Pepper's "Good Morning, Good Morning".So why rest content with just one song when you can have two in less than three minutes on "The Pound is Sinking"? This stock market song rocks out like crazy then slows down and shifts into a moody love piece. Paul is one of only a few who can make a song like this work. With "What's That You're Doing?" Paul brings on the funk, with considerable assistance from Stevie Wonder, that he himself would otherwise not tackle. For over six minutes, this duet is a nonstop blast. It's destined to appear nowhere else. Another great duet, a rockabilly number called "Get It" with rock and roll pioneer Carl Perkins, is to be found only here. This is darn great filler, similar to the way that "One After 909" was on the Beatles' "Let It Be" album. The tasteful restraint of Paul's synthesizer and Carl's hearty laughter turn this chill out duet into an obscure classic.Of course, the last song that Paul would have ever wished to be preoccupied with is "Here Today". On what should have been an unintended composition, Paul incorporates his personal experience in eulogizing John Lennon. He's completely in the first person here and it's balladry at its finest and most soul-baring. George's string arrangement is first rate and soul-baring too. What a cartharsis!Though the invincibility fades with "Ebony and Ivory", one can sense with "Tug of War" Paul putting forth more than moderate effort on an album. And, in so doing, the results follow. I find that it's his strongest effort since "Venus and Mars". Paul McCartney and George Martin do each other a huge favor. Get it - mm hmm.

I don't intend on unsealing this 'Archive' Edition of 'Tug of War'. It will remain sealed as long as I have it.

early 1980's

I used to love listening to this album on tape when I was of the ages 12-15. All the songs are great. I recently purchased the album for more than anything a trip to my past when my older brother Barron and I had first moved to the United States from Canada. While both of us were raised to be dedicated Beatles fans by way of our father and aunt, my older brother had continued to be a fan of Paul. While, I, the drummer loved and still believe Ringo is the best looking and the best Beatle of all time. I eventually moved on to Pink Floyd, Hendrix, Sabbath, Ozzy, Metallica and the like. So, in pursuit of memories of fond days past, I grabbed this great album in memory and honour of my late brother.More so with regard to the album itself, I think it’s not as “warm” sounding as it was when I heard it on tape. I'm sure the digital transfer has made it a bit hollow. Still nice to listen to and remember the good times of growing up as a pubescent teen in Pulaksi, Virginia from the Great Lakes region!!! Ugh, what a place to live.

This is of course the first release of new material from McCartney since John Lennon's tragic death in December 1980, in fact McCartney was in the studio beginning work on the album around the time this happened. On it's release in the spring of 1982 it was a huge success and spawned the No1 single "Ebony and Ivory", the collaboration with Stevie Wonder. Fast forward some 33 years to autumn 2015 and "Tug Of War" has beenre-issued, re-mixed and re-mastered, always wary of re-mastered albums I am impressed with this one. There is a sparse clearer sound to the album, the brass sounds sharper and all albums released in the 1980's did to me seem to have a slightly murky sound to the mix. The material is topclass Macca, even gets to duet with one of his teenage heroes Carl Perkins and gets a second bite of the duetting cherry with Stevie Wonder on"What's that you're doing?" (the far superior and funkier of his two songs with stevie on this album in my opinion.) But one song above them all on this album is the most talked about and that is "Here Today" Pauls musical response to the loss of his old bandmate John, written from the heart and performed with much love, this is one of my favourite McCartney songs, a song that Paul includes in his live set and now in 2015 is probably dedicated to George Harrison as well .What we mustn't forget is this album marks the resumption of Paul working with Beatles producer George Martin for the first time since the "Live and let die" single in the mid 70's. What I love about this re-issue is the bonus disc of demos of the album tracks, check out "Ballroom Dancing" that is a killer demo. Have really enjoyed going back the 30 odd years with this release, look forward to hearing the re-mastered "Pipes Of Peace" and coming soon "Flowers In The Dirt". Gotta check that one out for his collaboration with Elvis Costello.

This album was released in 1982. It is spectacular. The recording level is excellent and the repertoire very good. In this version that was made in 2015, the original album was remastered and disc 2 was added with bonus material. By the way, very good! I prefer to say which track is not good: "What's That You're Doing?". The rest can choose and listen at will. In terms of best known tracks, "Tug Of War", "Take It Away" and "Ebony And Ivory". The latter in three versions. The other tracks are very interesting and highlight "Wanderlust", "Somebody Who Cares", "Ballroom Dancing" and "The Pound Is Sinking". Great! Note 9.0.

Used to have this album on vinyl when it first came out in 1982.Delighted to hear it again on CD.One of Paul's finest solo body of work.

One of the best McCartney albums ever..... along with McCartney, Ram, Flowers in the Dirt, Flaming Pie...... a variety of styles the remix here is really works well and adds to the original version - bonus disc very interesting and worthwile. If you are a Beatles/McCartney you probably have at least one version of this album - but worth purchasing again for this version is wonderful. If you are not this is a good entry point as any into the McCartney catalogue ..... unmissable

Perhaps Paul McCartney's best post-Wings solo album. Discounting the classic but decidedly overplayed 'Ebony And Ivory', this wonderfully produced album contains the shockingly underrated follow-up single 'Take It Away' with its sublime brass section, together with the beautiful 'Wanderlust', the rollicking 'Ballroom Dancing' and the heartfelt, poignant tribute to John Lennon 'Here Today'. Great to finally have this on CD.