Anyone who knows me well, knows that I’m a major Paul McCartney fan. Of course I grew up listening to the Beatles, cause my dad played them non-stop. A few years ago I started to investigate the post-Beatles Paul McCartney albums and found that there was some stuff I really liked.
This week’s cover is “Ram On” from the Ram album of 1971. If you don’t have the original you should go and check it out. It features predominantly a ukulele, vocals, whistles, and some primitive drumming. I decided to make it buzz a little more with some distorted bass and crunchy drums. Otherwise I stayed pretty true to the form, except for a little “chopped and screwed” editing toward the end. I had been also listening to Spank Rock’s “YoYoYoYoYo” album a lot during the time I made “Ram On” and there is a song at the end of their album called “Screwville USA” that I was trying to emulate a bit.
My dad will always take a crack at Sir Paul whenever he gets the chance, but I’m here to defend him. If you look at John Lennon’s post-Beatles output a lot of it is total crap. Now, I’ll admit, a lot of Paul’s post-Beatles work is crap too, but if you take the time to listen to Ram, McCartney, McCartney II there’s a lot of music that predates the indie-rock bedroom music of the 90’s and beyond. Respect.
Best,
Peter (ACA)
Peter,
You’re getting some hella-fantastic tones and sounds my brutha’. I am digging the richness.
Bro-va,
The Count
Well I for one, (or is I two?, there is no singularity in the dual universes of ying and yang, up and down, and Live or Memorex?)…am quite glad you, Peter, decided to take a crack at Sir Paul, because the man is more than deserving of a few cracks, nudge nudge wink wink…
I have always held fast to the ever so humble opinion that Ram is one of Paul’s finest vinyls (can we anticipate “Monkberry Moon Delight”? hint-hint) and RAM ON a sweet concotion of ennui and optimism..not to mention urgency..(soon! right away!) Of course, it must also be noted that due to the hurry, this need to “get it done” as it were, would negate any sort of discretion so “somebody” will have to do.
You do a commendable job Mr. A … as has become the norm for all things musical associated wih your name.
Yet if you woud allow me the audacity to be “less than 100 % congratulatory”, please, I hear a missing note in the intro “set-up”..and I wish I had a better musical knowledge to convey this thought… but this is the best I can muster, Mister. And to be completely above board, I have to confess that the original has been carved into MY cerebellum since I was 15 and that was almost 30 years ago.
Love your stuff, Keep up the GREAT work…Ram On.
John, I can’t say I know what note you’re talking about, but I bet if you hear something missing, that it is truly missing. Your knowledge of recorded rock music is intimidating to say the least. I always appreciate a little constructive criticism. Although, a reviewer recently compared my music to those pre-set demos that you can play on Casio keyboards. I think it was intended as a slam because the review was awful, but I kind of took it as a compliment!
Peter- after posting I thought about this:
is it possible to hear a missing note? and if the missing note isn’t there, what does it sound like?
and as for the intended “slam” of that reviewer you refer to, good for you for having the ability and confidence to take it as a Compliment.
You should tackle some classic you think is “untouchable” anyway.
(that’s what I think). Thanks.