Paul McCartney and Wings
Band On the Run

THE REVIEW

1973 is a lucky year for McCartney, as he creates the theme for "Live and Let Die" from the 007 series and releases two successful albums, Red Rose Speedway and towards the end of the year, Band On The Run. The album is destined to rightfully join the ranks of the best records made by a Beatle. Paul records it almost entirely by himself, leaving the rhythm guitar to Denny Laine and the keyboards to Linda, thereby rediscovering the poetic and compositional vein lost in previous records.

Recorded in Lagos, Nigeria, at Geoff Backer's studios, it immediately captivates the listener with the beauty of the title track, a song divided into three parts: a slower opening followed by a harder, well-sung connecting section, and then culminating in the explosive final part, a showpiece for Sir Paul. The subsequent Jet, a very rock-oriented track, is destined to become part of Macca's solo history, noteworthy for Linda's keyboard work, which starting from this album, has more space as a musician. However, the most beautiful songs are acoustic ones, like the rightful heir of Blackbird, Bluebird, which immediately stands out for its guitar motif and the evocative and pleasant vocal part in the chorus; Mamunia is also beautiful, with vague African inspirations. No words is a piece written with Laine that doesn't go beyond the pleasant, the most curious thing is Picasso's Last Words, a piece constructed like a cubist painting, an interplay of sounds and very peculiar and curious instrumental parts. The closing piece is 1985, endowed with a rhythmic section that grows until it seems like a galloping horse, then explodes into a keyboard and synth section supported by an orchestra, a delirious finale.
A great album, but the best compliment Paul receives is from Lennon, and the two finally reconcile for good.