Music review: Paul McCartney – ëƵMcCartney IIIëƵ
They say all good things come in threes. If that holds to be true, then the latest release from Paul McCartney fulfills the promise he started with the acoustic leanings of 1970ëƵs ëƵMcCartney,ëƵ continued with bursts of electronic flavorings on 1980ëƵs ëƵMcCartney IIëƵ and ultimately completes with the cathartic tone of ëƵMcCartney III.ëƵ
Recorded at his home in England during quarantine, McCartney once again serves as a one-man band by crafting 11 tracks that possess hints of his previous work as a Beatle, leader of Wings and as a solo artist.
ëƵLong Tailed Winter BirdëƵ is the acoustic opener that gracefully begins the set before easing into a charming jam with McCartney repeatedly asking if heëƵs been missed. After the social distancing of 2020, it certainly is comforting to hear a familiar voice.
ëƵFind My WayëƵ has McCartney offering words of encouragement and support as he proclaims, ëƵYou never used to be/Afraid of days like these/But now youëƵre overwhelmed/By your anxieties/Let me help you out/Let me be your guide/I can help you reach/The love you feel inside.ëƵ It is during times like these that we should be reminded that love is all we truly need.
McCartney addresses the pressures of celebrity and the constant demands of being in the spotlight with ëƵPretty BoysëƵ and speaks to the importance of being a good example to others on ëƵWomen and WivesëƵ as he declares, ëƵWhat we do with our lives/Seems to matter to others/Some of them may follow/Roads that we run down.ëƵ
The former Beatle temporarily goes electric on ëƵLavatory LilëƵ and ëƵSlidin'ëƵ as heavy guitar riffs anchor these arrangements that would be a perfect fit for inclusion on ëƵAbbey RoadëƵ or ëƵLet It Be.ëƵ
ëƵSeize the DayëƵ encourages making the most out of every opportunity as McCartney sings, ëƵWhen the cold days come/And the old ways fade away/ThereëƵll be no more sun/And weëƵll wish that we had/Held on to the day.ëƵ Indeed, the end will come soon enough. Regrets are to be reserved for viewing in the rearview mirror.
The album comes full circle with ëƵWinter Bird/When Winter ComesëƵ tenderly bringing the set to a simplistic close. The track acts as a farmerëƵs lullaby with McCartney softly singing, ëƵWhen summerëƵs gone/WeëƵll fly away/And find the sun/When winter comes.ëƵ For me, this arrangement evokes memories of ëƵIëƵll Follow the Sun,ëƵ another McCartney fronted ballad from 1964ëƵs ëƵBeatles for Sale.ëƵ
As we look to a new year with hope and optimism, it is only fitting that McCartney extends an open invitation focused on the importance of constantly following love and searching for the good in all things.

