RAM is my favorite McCartney solo album – I’ve played my beloved vinyl copy countless times over the years, so I was really looking forward to its re-release, which is set to drop in the US on May 22nd. This new edition is a charming reproduction of the original, with the CDs even designed to look like records. I received an advance copy to check out, and I was really eager to listen to the remasters and check out the bonus material.
McCartney has personally overseen all aspects of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection ongoing series of re-releases, ensuring that they have all been thoughtfully done. Much care has been put into making them sound as they should and doing justice to the original recordings, rather than doing the “Brand new and remastered for CD with alternate mixes!” gimmick found on many other re-releases, which are usually inferior to the originals. Although I’ve said many times before that I’m a vinyl purist and prefer to enjoy records in their original format, this version of RAM does fantastic justice to the original release and does not sound “Artificial”. When I’ve listened to an album on vinyl countless times, like RAM, I usually find it jarring to hear the CD version, but that’s absolutely not the case here. I was blown away by how this release captures the same warm sound of the original vinyl. I had the same immediate emotional connection to the material, without it sounding “Weird” in the way that so many remasters for modern formats do. For a sneak peek at these remasters, you can stream both Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey and Too Many People on SoundCloud.
As for the music itself, there’s nothing I can say other than that this album has no flaws. The end! 😉
The special edition also includes a second CD of bonus audio, featuring remastered versions of “Another Day”, “Oh Woman, Oh Why”, and “Little Woman Love”, songs which were recorded during the RAM sessions and later released as singles. The disc also includes 4 other previously unreleased songs recorded during these sessions, “Hey Diddle”, “Great Cock And Seagull Race”, “Rode All Night”, and “Sunshine Sometime”. The inclusion of these formerly unheard songs is a real treat for fans and gives you an interesting picture of everything that was worked on during these sessions. And if you’re more of a casual listener, you’ll still enjoy this disc because the songs are so good!
I also received a copy of a bonus DVD, which is available in the Deluxe Edition of RAM. It includes the documentary “Ramming”, a fascinating look back by McCartney of his experiences and influences recording RAM, as well as original music videos for “Heart Of The Country” and “3 Legs”, a video of Paul & Linda performing an acoustic rendition of “Hey Diddle” in their garden, and tour footage of Wings.
This re-release of RAM will be available in a number of formats, from a Special 2-CD Edition
This looks like a great set… my dad is a big Sir Paul fan… I will have to add this to his father’s day gift!
This would be a good Father’s Day gift.
My hubby would love this!
Wow, what a set! Is this pre-Wings?
I love Paul but the REAL fan is my dad- looks like I know what I’m getting him for Father’s Day!
I am not a big Paul McCartney fan but I know a few people who are so thanks for sharing this because now I know what to get them 🙂
I have to agree with the other commenters that this would make a GREAT Father’s Day present! Classic!
Sir Paul for Father’s day!
I agree with the above..great for Father’s Day!
Thanks for stopping by, everyone!
Tee, you are correct – this was before Wings, and in fact Wings drummer Denny Seiwell was recruited for this album.
Wow this is a great set, my husband would love it.
That looks very cool! So retro!!!