“The Art Of McCartney” tribute album announced

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A massive tribute album was announced on this day.

Press release:

September 9, 2014 – New York – The Art Of McCartney is a long awaited and very special project celebrating one of the most universally acclaimed songwriters of all time, Sir Paul McCartney. With backing provided by McCartney’s long time band, classic tracks such as Maybe I’m Amazed, My Love, The Long And Winding Road, When I’m 64, Let It Be, Helter Skelter, Eleanor Rigby, Live And Let Die have been recorded by some of the world’s greatest artists. The Art of McCartney will be released on November 18th.

The caliber of artists showing their respect to Paul’s songwriting genius is truly staggering. Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, The Cure, The Who’s Roger Daltrey, Brian Wilson, Alice Cooper, Def Leppard, Dr John, Yusuf, Barry Gibb, Jamie Cullum, KISS, Chrissie Hynde, ELO legend Jeff Lynne, and many more have recorded McCartney songs exclusively for this album.

The Art Of McCartney is the brainchild of Los Angeles producer, Beatles and McCartney fanatic, Ralph Sall, who has driven this project from conception to delivery. Sall met and worked alongside Paul in 2003 when they revived a song from the 1971 Ram sessions for a movie soundtrack. Ralph then asked Paul and his publishing company if they would support his making this album to honour him. They came back with Paul’s own blessing and thumbs aloft for the project to go ahead.

Ralph became a man on a mission, first recruiting McCartney’s gifted backing guitarists, Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray, keyboard player Paul “Wix” Wickens, plus the larger than life drummer, Abe Laboriel, Jr. They know Paul’s extensive back catalogue intimately and this is the first time they have recorded his songs with anyone else since they first started working together with Paul over 12 years ago.

Ralph then set about approaching the world’s greatest performers to invite them to step forward and make their mark. This has been a labour of love, not only for Ralph but also for the artists who gave their time to be part of it. All have spoken of the importance of McCartney and his songwriting in their own careers and wanted to show their appreciation.

A key strength of The Art Of McCartney is the way these world class artists have got to grips with the sheer range and quality of Paul’s work. From his groundbreaking recordings with The Beatles, through to key moments with Wings and his solo compositions, they are all featured on the album.

Legendary Beach Boy, Brian Wilson, was the first to take up the challenge. Undoubtedly he set the bar very high with his rendition of Wanderlust from the underrated 1982 album Tug Of War.

There are very few artists whose own work rivals The Beatles. So when producer Ralph Sall approached Bob Dylan to take part, he knew it was ambitious. Dylan’s choice was Things We Said Today – a track from The Beatles’ soundtrack A Hard Days Night – and audiences will be captivated as he growls his way through his remarkable version.

There are so many great interpretations here but look out for Willie Nelson’s heartfelt Yesterday, Roger Daltrey’s frenzied version of Helter Skelter, B.B. King’s atmospheric On The Way and The Cure’s Hello Goodbye . Also Smokey Robinson who makes his version of So Bad from Paul’s Pipes of Peace album his own, his tender vocals taking the song in a new direction.

All aspects of Paul ’ s peerless back catalogue have been explored from The Beatles to his experimental early solo work, to Wings and his latter solo output. Lesser-known hidden classics such as Junk and Every Night are given a fresh outing and interpretation.

The lead off track from the album is The Cure’s take on The Beatles classic ‘Hello Goodbye’ which is the band’s first release in 6 years and also features Sir Paul’s son James on keyboards. The track is available for download now for those who pre-order The Art Of McCartney.

Whether it is The Cure’s Robert Smith, Corinne Bailey Rae, Smokey Robinson, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel or KISS, they each bring their own special talent to Paul’s much-loved songs. In so doing, they have created versions that are both new and classic at the same time.

The Art of McCartney is the very definition of the universal appeal and timeless magic of Sir Paul McCartney’s songs and songwriting.

The Art Of McCartney is an audiophile’s dream. It is available in five beautifully packaged formats for the McCartney fan in your life:

Strictly Limited Deluxe Boxset (shown above)

A limited run of 1,000 Deluxe Boxsets will include Alan Aldridge signed artwork exclusively available on The Art of McCartney online store.

2 pieces of specially commissioned artwork by Alan Aldridge
Bespoke Höfner guitar USB with FLAC files of 34 tracks
The Making of The Art Of McCartney – Collectors Edition DVD film containing behind the scenes footage from the recording studios and interviews with the artists
The Making of The Art Of McCartney – Audio documentary about the making of the album narrated by Bill Nighy
Illustrated guide to The Art of McCartney within a 64-page 12” hardback book
4 black and white artcards
42 track triple CD
42 track quadruple 12”, 180 gram coloured vinyl
Certificate of authenticity hand numbered
This deluxe box is a must for any fan of McCartney’s music

Strictly Limited Vinyl Boxset

42 track quadruple 12”, 180 gram coloured vinyl
Illustrated guide to The Art of McCartney within a 12” bound book
Triple Gatefold Vinyl

34 track triple 12”, 180 gram vinyl
CD Casebook

34 track double CD
16-page hardback book
The Making of The Art Of McCartney DVD film containing behind the scenes footage from the recording studios and interviews with the artists
CD Remus

34 track double CD
8-page booklet
Standard Digital Album

34 tracks
iTunes Album (MFiT)

36 tracks and digital booklet
THE ART OF McCARTNEY TRACKLISTING

Maybe I’m Amazed – Billy Joel
Things We Said Today – Bob Dylan
Band On The Run – Heart
Junior’s Farm – Steve Miller
The Long and Winding Road – Yusuf / Cat Stevens
My Love – Harry Connick, Jr.
Wanderlust – Brian Wilson
Bluebird – Corinne Bailey Rae
Yesterday – Willie Nelson
Junk – Jeff Lynne
When I’m 64 – Barry Gibb
Every Night – Jamie Cullum
Venus and Mars/ Rock Show – KISS
Let Me Roll It – Paul Rodgers
Helter Skelter – Roger Daltrey
Helen Wheels – Def Leppard
Hello Goodbye – The Cure ft James McCartney
Live And Let Die – Billy Joel
Let It Be – Chrissie Hynde
Jet – Robin Zander & Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick
Hi Hi Hi – Joe Elliott
Letting Go – Heart
Hey Jude – Steve Miller
Listen To What The Man Said – Owl City
Got To Get You Into My Life – Perry Farrell
Drive My Car – Dion
Lady Madonna – Allen Toussaint
Let ‘Em In – Dr. John
So Bad – Smokey Robinson
No More Lonely Nights – The Airborne Toxic Event
Eleanor Rigby – Alice Cooper
Come And Get It – Toots Hibbert with Sly & Robbie
On The Way – B. B. King
Birthday – Sammy Hagar

The limited edition vinyl boxset and deluxe boxset features the following eight extra tracks;

C Moon – Robert Smith
Can’t Buy Me Love – Booker T. Jones
P.S. I Love You – Ronnie Spector
All My Loving – Darlene Love
For No One – Ian McCulloch
Put It There – Peter, Bjorn & John
Run Devil Run – Wanda Jackson
Smile Away – Alice Cooper

Last updated on November 17, 2023