Even Paul's critics can't help but acknowledge this is a landmark album among the multitude of solo Beatle recordings. Most of the songs appear on one greatest hits package or another and even the ones that typically don't are quite good.
As usual, a lot of the lyrics are nonsense (seriously, look up "Jet" for starters) but the music, which is almost entirely Paul (no matter how many people you see on the cover), is top flight. It is fitting to put this album right up against John's Imagine to see who won the lyrics war (John) and who won the music war (Paul).
Geoff Emerick, legendary engineer for the Beatles, makes no secret for his preference for Paul's approach and this album marked a reunion of sorts for the two of them. He chronicles the challenges of attempting to record an album in Nigeria with gripping intensity in his book Here, There and Everywhere, including a very diplomatic handling of the always-volatile Ginger Baker.
Outside of the greatest-hits arena, this is the only Wings-era McCartney album I have. I know the quality is a little hit and miss when it comes to Wings. However, his two solo albums that ushered in Wings are among the finest post-Beatles efforts, understated yet brilliant.
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