All the Best
Truth-in-packaging regulations are strained to the breaking point--some previous work with a former band was pretty darn "best" too--but if we're talking about Macca the Singles Artist, this compilation does highlight the many sides of a celebrated melodist, bandleader, and hitmaker--from the banalities of "My Love" to the electrifying buzz of "Jet." It won't win any stylistic cohesion awards, and followers will miss album tracks like "Picasso's Last Words" and "That Would Be Something." But All the Best collects the more popular Wings hits and throws in some necessary rarities ("C-Moon," one of many great B-sides that McCartney has thrown away), star duets (former friend, now-Fabs copyright-holder Michael Jackson on "Say Say Say"; Stevie Wonder on the inevitable "Ebony and Ivory"), live cuts (an un-Chipmunked "Coming Up"), and soundtrack odds and ends, like the freaky Bond theme "Live and Let Die." --Don Harrison
2009-06-11 -- 5/5:: best of macca
With such an enormous reservoir of Paul McCartney material to pick from, it's virtually impossible to compile a 'hits' disc that pleases everyone-yet All the Best does an admirable job of providing the listener with a solid overview of McCartney's post-Beatles career from 1971-84. Included here are a couple of gems that had never appeared on an album prior to this 1987 release- the latin tinged Goodnight Tonight and the rollicking 'live in Glasgow' version of Coming Up. Unfortunately, Capitol Records chose not to make room for either of Paul's newly recorded tunes, Once Upon a Long Ago and Back On My Feet. The inclusion of either of these two new songs (or both) probably would have been a smart marketing move on Capitol's part, but more importantly,would have provided some added interest to fans of McCartney's music. 'Long Ago' did, however, show up on the UK issue of All The Best. Nevertheless, this CD clocks in at close to 75 minutes and definitely gives you your money's worth of Macca.
2009-05-29 -- 2/5:: Let it be, to juniors farm?
These songs cannot compare to his work with the Beatles, none of them! Its like a college grad goes back to 8th grade, catchy tunes? sure, pure fluff to say the least!
2009-02-02 -- 4/5:: more like a really large appetizer than the main course
Predictably, All The Best isn't able to give us all of Paul McCartney's "best" on a single CD. However, the tunes here are pretty awesome; and it's also a great place to start for people who want to know just how great Paul really is. The artwork is great and the quality of the sound is excellent.
"Band On The Run" has always been one of my most favorite Paul McCartney hits when he worked with his band branded as Paul McCartney and Wings. The melody has that Beatles flavor to it and you really can't ask for better from Paul than numbers like "Band On The Run." "Band On The Run" is easily a major highlight of this CD. "Jet" rocks harder and this number is true rock and roll at its very best. Paul never sounded better and the band never plays a superfluous note! Great! "Ebony And Ivory" features Paul doing an outstanding duet with a musical giant named Stevie Wonder; and they complement each other's vocals wonderfully.
"Listen To What The Man Said" boasts some great horn work in the musical arrangement and Paul aces this as easily as if it were just like breathing. Of course, we know it really isn't that easy; but Paul's talents always carry him through. "Silly Love Songs" was a huge hit when I was in junior high school; I remember how the girls on our school bus would sing along with Paul when this tune got some air time on the school bus radio!
"Let 'Em In" has a great beat; and "Say Say Say" is a pretty strong, enjoyable duet with Paul and Michael Jackson singing their hearts out. The beat has a distinctive `80s feel but it's still quite good to hear "Say Say Say" even in our times. The album then takes a very sharp turn into the darkness with a hard rockin' song, "Live And Let Die" from the James Bond movie of the same name. "Live And Let Die" is an awesome number that rocks so hard you'd better hang onto your seat when you hear this! "Live And Let Die" is definitely one of Paul McCartney's best hits ever.
"C Moon" is a somewhat lesser known Wings tune that I always enjoy; it's very well performed. "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" also has a distinct Beatles flavor to it but Paul's signature stamp is clearly on this number; "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" is also another one of Paul's most successful hits ever. Listen also for "Goodnight Tonight" by Wings; Wings does this one up right and I'm very impressed. "With A Little Luck" has an excellent melody and the electric guitars work really well for "With A Little Luck." The album even ends strong with Paul McCartney And Wings performing "My Love;" this tender and sensitive love song was an instant classic; it sounds every bit as good today as it did when it was first released years ago.
Overall, this isn't a bad "best of" Paul McCartney hits CD; but there's so much more for his fans to enjoy that a single CD just couldn't be complete and truly thorough. If you like this album I suggest you try other Paul McCartney CDs and CD sets available for sale on this website.
2007-11-19 -- 5/5:: all the best paul mccartney
Of courseI enjoy anything (well almost anything) by Paul McCartney. The Amazon prices are great and delivered right to my door!
2007-09-30 -- 5/5:: excellent
this is an excellent CD of Paul's music. I really enjoy it, and it arrived in excellent condition and on time