Gordon Lightfoot Book, Music and More!

Time has been kind to Ram. When the McCartneys first released the album in 1971, critics savaged it as lightweight and inconsequential. It certainly offered no big artistic statement of the Sgt. Pepper’s variety. Instead, it reflected Paul’s embrace of a simpler life away from the Beatles. Written during his and Linda’s extended holiday in Scotland’s Mull of Kintyre, while the band was in the midst of a bitter legal break up, the songs offer a sense of unbridled joy. Now available in several formats, including a Deluxe Edition Box Set featuring bonus CDs, a DVD and a 112-page book, the reissued Ram is a revelation. Along with hits like “Another Day” and “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey,” the son...

The most commercially successful songwriter in popular music, Paul McCartney could be forgiven if he chose to rest on his laurels. He has sold an astonishing 100 million solo singles and 700 million albums worldwide. But McCartney, who got engaged to Nancy Shevell on May 6 and turns 69 on June 18, shows no signs of letting up. He has two new albums planned for this year: a rock record and a collection of pop standards. Meanwhile, McCartney has been busy reissuing his past catalogue, including his last year’s re-release of Band on the Run. The latest installments in the Paul McCartney Archive Collection are McCartney and McCartney II, his first and third solo albums respectively. Both come in...

Sir Paul’s most celebrated post-Beatles work is the latest album to get the lavish reissue treatment. Available now as a single, remastered CD, featuring fan favorites like the soaring “Jet,” the slow-burning “Let Me Roll It” and the sweeping epic title track, or special and deluxe edition formats that include audio and DVD bonus material, the reissue reminds us how much the landmark album, recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, was a triumph over adversity—including the knifepoint mugging of Paul and wife Linda.

The former Beatle has long been inspired by the music of his parents’ generation—think of songs like “When I’m Sixty-Four” and “Your Mother Should Know.” An homage to songs of the 1930s and ’40s, McCartney’s 15th solo album includes his loving covers of classics like “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive,” both featuring piano solos by Diana Krall. Two of McCartney’s originals are steeped in that era: “Only Our Hearts,” with guest Stevie Wonder, and the fine “My Valentine,” featuring Eric Clapton.

Beatles fans are spoiled for choice these days, with the release of the Remastered box set and Rock Band video game. This CD-DVD set, recorded in July, provides yet another tempting option. Featuring 33 songs spanning Beatles classics, Wings favorites and solo tracks, it captures Macca at his best—whether rocking out with guest Billy Joel on “I Saw Her Standing There” or crooning “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude.” When he pays tribute to John on “Here Today” and George on “Something,” there are few dry eyes in the house. December 2009