Tag Archives: Band on the Run

Label Variations – Part Five “Band on the Run”

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I have to thank the very wonderful Chained and Perfumed blogsite for this one. Every now and then this site features photos of interesting record labels from their own collection. One recent post highlights a whole raft of great images – different versions of “Band on the Run” (on vinyl) from around the world.

Chained and Perfumed got these from Ebay from a seller who has on offer a large number of versions of Paul McCartney’s classic album, itself recently re-issued on vinyl.

Like Chained and Perfumed we like seeing different global variations – so here are few from the Ebay collection, followed by a couple from my own collection. First off a couple of different Korean pressings:

Then Greece and Italy:

And France (on nice yellow vinyl):

India and Sweden both used the traditional Apple:

While for some strange reason New Zealand used the same Apple colour as those used on George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” original vinyl:

The Japanese pressings used the original custom labels. Here are two versions, one with the Apple logo, the other with the Capital and MPL logos:

And now for Argentina and Mexico:

Here’s an interesting version on Odeon Records in Germany:

There are a couple of Russian versions on Ebay. Firstly one on Santa Records and then the more common Melodiya:

Next come a couple of UK versions. The first is a pretty standard issue, but without the Apple logo appearing:

The next is a special limited edition of the disc from 1997, released to celebrate the EMI Records Centenary – 100 Years of recording:

Here are some labels that are from my own collection which are not represented  above which you might also find interesting if you are into this sort of thing. First is a Canadian pressing – which I think is actually exactly the same as the US:

We had a strange example from New Zealand above. The re-issue of “Band on the Run” in that country came out on Parlophone Records:

Of course there is always the standard, original UK pressing with the Apple logo:

In Australia the original release also looked very much like the UK:

The re-issues in Australia though came out on the Capital label. Here are two variations, one on purple Capital the other on blue Capital:

Finally, in 1999 for the 25th anniversary of the release of “Band on the Run” there came a two-disc, limited edition, remastered version. This is the UK pressing of disc 1:

And here’s the second disc, which contained previously unreleased material featuring alternate versions and special interviews on the making of “Band on the Run”:

If you’d like to see some more Beatles and Beatles related record label variations you can go to:

Label Variations – Part One “Sgt Pepper”

Label Variations – Part Two “Let It Be”

Label Variations – Part Three – McCartney’s “Choba B CCCP”

Label Variations – Part Four  “Shaved Fish”

“All Things Must Pass” – Variations and Collectors Items

and

The Beatles “Love” collectable variations

Band on the Run – Deluxe CD and Vinyl

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Finally, my copies of “Band On The Run” –  in both the 2 disc vinyl edition and the deluxe 4 CD bound-book special edition – have arrived from the United States.

They both came together, packaged in the same big cardboard box – and I have to say it was pretty beaten up by the time it got here to Australia.

As I opened it up I was really worried about what I might find inside. It’s not the first time I’ve had vinyl records in particular arrive in a less than optimum state. For example, when I ordered The Fireman “Electronic Arguments” LP (direct from the official McCartney website back in 2008).  It was, to put it mildly, pathetically packaged up for such a long journey in the post. It’s a fragile vinyl double record that needed to travel from the United Kingdom half-way ’round the world to Australia. And how had they prepared it for such an epic journey? Simply plonked it in a loose-fitting cardboard box and put two of those large bubble “fillers” inside tho make up the volume. These didn’t stop the record moving around, being tossed from side to side when being dropped and bounced and placed at the bottom of piles of other packages along the way. Consequently the cover was bent and torn in places by the time it got here….I’d have expected more from the company charged with dispatching orders to collectors direct from the McCartney site….

Anyway, the box of “Band On The Run” goodies which arrived this week from Amazon was, I have to say, similarly packaged  – only this time for some reason both the LP and the CD set had survived unscathed! They were both enveloped in a tight shrink-wrap that really helped keep everything together. I’m very pleased with the results actually, though it could have been an entirely different story as again, the box they came in was bashed around considerably.

Here’s what was in the box. Firstly, the 2010 double LP – which is a gatefold cover. It is still sealed I’m afraid. I can’t bring myself to open it!:

Front cover "Band on the Run" 2010 vinyl LP - still sealed!

Here’s the rear cover, and its the same photo layout as the original UK version:

Rear cover "Band on the Run" 2010 vinyl LP

There is a sticker on the bottom left-hand side of the LP’s front cover:

Now onto the Deluxe, 4 disc edition – which comes as a large format, thick hardback book. This one I have opened up so you can see some of what is inside. Here’s how it presents when you first get it in its plastic seal:

Sealed front cover "Band on the Run" deluxe

Here’s a close-up of the sticker on the front right-hand side:

On the rear when the book is still sealed is a card insert:

Rear when sealed. This is a card that can be removed when the plastic comes off.

On the card you can see the MPL, Hear Music and Concord Records labels. Once you have the plastic off here’s what you have:

Deluxe edition "Band on the Run" book - front

It is a cloth-bound, hardback book. Really thick and solid and beautifully done. The photo is recessed and the printing of “Paul McCartney Archive Collection” and the signature are embossed into the cloth. On the rear there is a Limited Edition stamped number:

Inside, the 121 page book is richly illustrated with photographs and text. The chapter headings are: Introduction; The Songs; A Trip to Lagos; Return to London; The Photo-shoot; Release; Press; Film and Video; and Lyrics.

A page from the chapter "A Trip to Lagos"

A page from the chapter "The Photo-shoot:

A page from the chapter "Release"

Inside there is also a business card sized card which says: “This card offers you free access to the 24bit 96kHz High Resolution audio download of the remastered album….”, and gives you a code number to use:

One side of the free download card

Finally, right at the very back of the book are two thick cardboard pages that hold the four discs you get. Three CDs and one DVD:

As you can see, each of these discs has individual artwork to differentiate between them.

All-in-all its a very nicely put together item. It’s not cheap – but you can see the work that has gone into it and it will probably become a very collectable item in my view.

To close then, that rear, removable card says: “Look for future re-issues in the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, including “McCartney”, “McCartney II”, “Ram” and more, coming soon”. It makes you wonder if that’s the planned release order by Paul McCartney and Concorde Records, and if so just how soon the “McCartney” re-issue will be available. How long will it be between this one and the next? You can imagine your bookshelf beginning to fill up with a line of these beautifully finished books….if you can afford them that is.

See also the very limited edition vinyl 45 released as part of the promotion for “Band on the Run” 2010.

If you like John Lennon see the “Signature Box” and the “Gimme Some Truth” collections.

Band on the Run (2010) – Vodcast Episodes

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In the lead-up to the release of the newly remastered “Band on the Run” reissues, Paul McCartney is publishing via his official “Band on the Run” website a series of vodcasts.

The first episode is “Making Band on the Run”:

The second episode is “Wings in Lagos”:

The third episode is “Band on the Run Deluxe”:

Episode Four is “Wings The Band”:

Will post more as they become available. Thanks to TVpiotrek and pmc27 for putting these up on YouTube.

Band on the Run – Limited Edition 45 Single

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Just secured (via Ebay) a copy of the very limited, re-released 7″ vinyl single “Band on the Run”.

It’s a 45rpm single that is apparently only being distributed in the US to some of the Record Store Day shops. Its part of the build up to the forthcoming re-issue of the album “Band on the Run”, which will be available in a number of formats.

Haven’t got the single in the post yet – but here are some photos:

Band on the Run (2010) - front cover

Taken from the forthcoming Paul McCartney Archive Collection reissue, the paper sleeve front cover replicates the original U.S. and European single releases which came out in 1973 (1974 in the UK).

The rear though gives away the fact its a 2010 release with its bar code and references to Concord Music and Hear Music – Paul McCartney’s new record label since he left EMI.

Band on the Run (2010) - rear cover

Originally this would have been released on the Apple label, but this time around its a plain black and white label from Concord Music:

Back in 1974 in the UK the B-side was a song called “Zoo Gang”, but everywhere else it was another track from the “Band on the Run” LP – “Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Four”:

Much thanks to Wogblog – who once again was the first with the info that this special and limited Paul McCartney and Wings vinyl single was going to be released.

See also the full 2 LP vinyl re-issue, and the 4 disc Deluxe re-issue.

Two Apple Box Sets Coming

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Steve Marinucci in his excellent Beatles Examiner column reports that both the Beatles “Red” and “Blue” plus the extensive Apple Records artists reissues will be available as box sets.

Called “The Beatles 1962 – 1970”, the box set containing the Red “1962-1966” and the Blue “1967-1970” will look like this:

Red and Blue Box Set front cover

Of course inside will be these two double disc sets:

The Red "1962-1966"

The Blue "1966-1970"

The initial information on these releases remains the same – they will be available as individual discs on October 18 (in the UK) and October 19 (in the US). The box set however is listed by Amazon UK for a November 29 release.

Meanwhile, the big Apple artists reissues also planned for October are to be gathered together in box set for those who would like to buy the complete set. The big news here is that the box will contain not only the “Come and Get It – Best Of” disc with its rarities, but also two additional discs featuring the additional and rare tracks that would have only been available as digital downloads – so, 17 CD’s in all. For collectors like me this makes this release a lot more interesting because I still like to have the physical disc in my hands, complete with the liners notes, photographs and artwork rather than the nebulous digitally downloaded audio….

The box set cover will look like this:

Steve Marinucci has a nice slide show of the box and all the discs it will contain.

The one problem I have with all this is that the Beatles and Apple have allowed such a large amount of collectable product to pile up all at the same time. Between now and November we’ll have George Harrrison’s “Collaborations”; John Lennon’s multiple “Gimme Some Truth” releases; Paul McCartney’s “Band on the Run” in multiple versions; The Beatles “Red” and “Blue”; and all the Apple re-issues. This makes it incredibly difficult if not impossible for most avid collectors to afford all at once.

Thanks to Beatles Examiner for this information.

Band On The Run – Dates Confirmed + Free Download

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I got an email today from paulmccartney.com confirming the info in my previous post that the “Band on the Run” remastered release will definitely come out on November 1 in the UK and November 2 in the US.  

The website’s News section has all the info – it pretty much says what we already knew about the different formats that will be available (1 CD; 2 CD + DVD; 3 CD + DVD deluxe; and vinyl 2 LP), but goes into more detail about the deluxe version – which comes with a lavish book:

Collectors will be especially thrilled by the 4 disc (3CD, 1 DVD) deluxe edition which adds an extraordinary 120-page hard bound book containing many unseen and unpublished photos by Linda McCartney and Clive Arrowsmith, album and single artwork, downloadable hi-res audio versions of the remastered album and bonus audio tracks, a full history of the album complete with a new interview with Paul and expanded track by track information for all four discs. The deluxe edition also includes a special Band on the Run audio documentary (originally produced for the 25th Anniversary edition.)

The email sent to me also has a link to download an HD version of the one of the videos that will be on the DVD disc that comes with the Special and Deluxe editions. Its a big file but if you’d like to see it click on the image below:

Download "A Trip to Lagos"

Its a short little film with a very home-made feel – but worth it for the soundtrack which is a trance-like version of “Band on the Run” from Paul that I’d not heard before….

Band on the Run (Remastered) – Release Date Pushed Back

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The newly remastered version of Paul McCartney’s “Band On The Run”, initially expected this month and then put back to September 28th, is now looking like having a November 2nd release. It will be released through Concord Records. For further information on the deal see my post from May 2010, plus an additional page at the Concord Records “News” site here.

Maccablog is reporting the release date change – as well as what looks to be complete details of the four different editions that will be on offer (a 1 CD standard edition, a 2 CD + 1 DVD special edition, a 3 CD + 1 DVD deluxe edition, and a 2 LP vinyl edition). The website also has an image of the cover:

Clearly they intend using the famous original cover photo – but the change is a white strip down the left-hand side featuring the words “Paul McCartney Archive Collection” along with McCartney’s signature. This would fit with Concord Records’ announced plans for a comprehensive reissue schedule.

The details of the different “Band on the Run” releases are:

1CD digipack – Standard Edition:

1. Band on the Run (2010 Remaster)
2. Jet (2010 Remaster)
3. Bluebird (2010 Remaster)
4. Mrs Vandebilt (2010 Remaster)
5. Let Me Roll It (2010 Remaster)
6. Mamunia (2010 Remaster)
7. No Words (2010 Remaster)
8. Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me) (2010 Remaster)
9. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (2010 Remaster)

2CD+1DVD digipack – Special Edition:

CD1 same as the Standard Edition plus:

CD2

1. Helen Wheels (2010 Remaster)
2. Country Dreamer (2010 Remaster)
3. Bluebird [from One Hand Clapping” (2010 Remaster)
4. Jet [from One Hand Clapping” (2010 Remaster)
5. Let Me Roll It [from One Hand Clapping” (2010 Remaster)
6. Band on the Run [from One Hand Clapping” (2010 Remaster)
7. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five [from One Hand Clapping” (2010 Remaster)
8. Country Dreamer [from One Hand Clapping” (2010 Remaster)
9. Zoo Gang (2010 Remaster)

DVD

Musical Videos:
1. Band on the Run (5:10)
2. Mamunia (4:52)
3. Album Promo (7:42) (Featuring Band on the Run, Mrs Vandebilt, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, Bluebird)
4. Helen Wheels (3:39)
5. Wings In Lagos (3:01) (Edit of mute black and white footage of a day out in Lagos during the recording sessions with a soundbed based on an alternative version of Band on the Run)
6. Osterley Park (15:20) (Edit of behind the scenes footage at the album cover photoshoot featuring all participants)
7. One Hand Clapping (51:49)

“One Hand Clapping” – a documentary programme originally made for TV featuring studio performances
It was filmed & recorded at Abbey Road Studios, London, August 1974
Directed by David Litchfield

7.1. One Hand Clapping Theme
7.2. Jet
7.3. Soily
7.4. C Moon
7.5. Little Woman Love
7.6. Maybe I’m Amazed
7.7. My Love
7.8. Bluebird
7.9. Let’s Love
7.10. All Of You
7.11. I’ll Give You A Ring
7.12. Band on the Run
7.13. Live and Let Die
7.14. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five
7.15. Baby Face

3CD+1DVD case – Deluxe Edition:

CD1 & CD2 same as the Special Edition plus:

CD3 21 tracks remastered from the original documentary produced for the 25th Anniversary Edition.

1. Paul McCartney (Intro) /Band on the Run (Nicely Toasted Mix)(2010 Digital Remaster)
2. Band on the Run (Original) (Background) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 1)(2010 Digital Remaster)
3. Band on the Run (Barn Rehearsal – 21st July 1989) (2010 Digital Remaster)
4. Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 2) /Mamunia (Original) (Background) /Denny Laine (Dialogue) /Mamunia (Original) (Background) /Linda McCartney (Dialogue) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 3)(2010 Digital Remaster)
5. Bluebird (Live Version – Australia 1975) (2010 Digital Remaster)
6. Bluebird (Original) (Background) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 4)(2010 Digital Remaster)
7. Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 5) /No Words (Original) (Background) /Geoff Emerick (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
8. No Words (Original) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 6) /Tony Visconti (Dialogue) /Band on the Run (Original) (Illustration) /Tony Visconti (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
9. Jet (Original from Picasso’s Last Words) (Background) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 7) /Jet (Original from Picasso’s Last Words) (Background) /Al Coury (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
10. Jet (Berlin Soundcheck – 3rd September 1993) (2010 Digital Remaster)
11. Paul McCartney (Dialogue) /Clive Arrowsmith (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
12. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (Original) (Background) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 9) /James Coburn (Dialogue) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 10) /John Conteh (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
13. Mrs Vandebilt (Original) (Background) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 11) /Kenny Lynch (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
14. Let Me Roll It (Cardington Rehearsal – 5th February 1993) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 12)(2010 Digital Remaster)
15. Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 13) /Mrs Vandebilt (Original) (Background) /Michael Parkinson (Dialogue) /Linda McCartney (Band On The Run Photoshoot) (Dialogue) /Michael Parkinson (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
16. Helen Wheels (Crazed) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 14) /Christopher Lee (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
17. Band On The Run (Strum Bit) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 15) /Clement Freud (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
18. Picasso’s Last Words (Original) (Background) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 16) /Dustin Hoffman (Dialogue)(2010 Digital Remaster)
19. Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me) (Acoustic Version) (2010 Digital Remaster)
20. Band on the Run (Nicely Toasted Mix) /Paul McCartney (Dialogue Link 17) (2010 Digital Remaster)
21. Band on the Run (Northern Comic Version) (2010 Digital Remaster)

DVD same as the Special Edition

2LP:
Disc 1 : same as the CD1 Standard Edition
Disc 2 : same as the CD2 Special Edition

UPDATE: The release dates have been confirmed – plus a FREE download of one of the short films on the DVDs which come with the Special and Deluxe versions has been made available.

SEE ALSO “Band On The Run” 2010 – Deluxe CDs and the 2LP vinyl set.

McCartney to Concord Records

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Paul McCartney has announced he’s to reissue his extensive post-Beatles catalogue through the independent label, Concord Music. It means that the struggling EMI Group, his former label, misses out on a potentially huge revenue spinner, though they still remain in control of the lucrative Beatles material.

Concord, which started life in 1973 primarily as a jazz label, has previously released McCartney material. In 2007 it was the album Memory Almost Full, and last year it was the CD and DVD standard and deluxe editions of the live performance release Good Evening New York City. Both albums were distributed under the Hear Music brand, a partnership between coffee chain Starbucks and Concord. A fact I wasn’t aware of until I started to research the announcement is that there’s now a strong Australian connection to Concord, and hence a direct connection to Paul McCartney. In 2008 the label merged with Australia’s Village Roadshow Pictures Group. Veteran TV producer and writer, Norman Lear (co-owner of Concord from 1999), is still chairman of the label following the merger.

So, McCartney has turned over his substantial catalogue of about two dozen albums to Concord. The deal includes all his releases from 1970 to 2006.

Concord has announced that the first reissue they’ll produce is 1973’s Band on the Run. The CD is scheduled for an August 2010 release and will be remastered, featuring enhanced packaging and rare bonus tracks.

“I’m always looking for new ways and opportunities to get my music to people and Concord share this passion,” McCartney said of the new deal.

According to the label’s website fans “can expect both physical and digital distribution of gems from solo offerings like McCartney, Ram, Pipes of Peace, Give My Regards to Broad Street, and Flaming Pie, as well as Wings landmarks such as Wildlife and Red Rose Speedway. In addition, the re-releases will include stuff done under McCartney’s pseudonyms: Percy ‘Thrills’ Thrillington, The Fireman and Twin Freaks.”

The Los Angeles Times has a really interesting article about the journey of the Concord label to this point, and how they’ve expanded their stable of artists significantly, including the acquisition of the legendary folk and roots label Rounder Records, and deals with artists as diverse as Macy Gray, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, Loudon Wainwright III, Eric Bibb, Stanley Clarke, Carole King and James Taylor.  The company has some well-known record labels in it’s stable, including Milestone Records, Fantasy Records, Pablo, Prestige, Stax and Telarc.

(Sources: Concord Group website; New Music Express; the Gibson website; LA Times; and BBC News)

UPDATE:  New Release Date Announced.