Wings – Venus And Mars

Wings – Venus And Mars

Venus And Mars is the fourth studio album from "Wings", originally released in 1975 during one of the most successful periods of Paul McCartney's post-Beatles career. Following the enormous success of Band On The Run, the album continued the band's move towards polished, melodic rock while retaining the warmth, humour and eclectic songwriting that characterised McCartney's work with Wings. Released in May 1975, Venus And Mars reached No. 1 in the UK, as well as topping the US album chart.

The album opens with the atmospheric title track before flowing directly into "Rock Show", one of Wings' great live-oriented rock songs. Elsewhere, "Magneto And Titanium Man", "Letting Go", "Call Me Back Again" and "Spirits Of Ancient Egypt" demonstrate the range of the album, moving between straight-ahead rock, melodic pop, orchestral touches and more experimental arrangements.

One of the album's best-known songs is "Listen To What The Man Said", which became a major international hit and reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart. The recording features saxophone from Tom Scott and guitar from Dave Mason, adding a distinctive soulful and jazz-influenced colour to McCartney's melodic pop writing.

The 1975 Wings line-up featured Paul and Linda McCartney alongside Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English, with Geoff Britton also playing drums on several recordings. The album was recorded in New Orleans, Los Angeles and London, and its New Orleans sessions contributed to the album's distinctive blend of rock, pop, soul and American musical influences.

This 16-track remastered CD is from The Paul McCartney Collection series and includes the original 13-track album followed by three bonus recordings. "Zoo Gang" is the theme from the British television series of the same name, while "Lunch Box/Odd Sox" originated from the Venus And Mars sessions and "My Carnival" was recorded in New Orleans with a strong Mardi Gras influence. These three tracks were added to the CD reissue as bonus material and are an important feature of this particular edition.

For collectors of Paul McCartney, Wings, The Beatles, 1970s rock and classic pop, this edition offers the complete original Venus And Mars album alongside three sought-after bonus tracks, making it an appealing addition to any Wings or McCartney CD collection.

Tracklist

1. Venus And Mars – 1:18
2. Rock Show – 5:30
3. Love In Song – 3:04
4. You Gave Me The Answer – 2:14
5. Magneto And Titanium Man – 3:16
6. Letting Go – 4:32
7. Venus And Mars - Reprise – 2:05
8. Spirits Of Ancient Egypt – 3:03
9. Medicine Jar – 3:36
10. Call Me Back Again – 4:58
11. Listen To What The Man Said – 4:01
12. Treat Her Gently - Lonely Old People – 4:20
13. Crossroads – 0:59

Bonus Tracks

14. Zoo Gang – 1:59
15. Lunch Box/Odd Sox – 3:48
16. My Carnival – 3:56