Paul & Linda McCartney: RAM (SHM-CD Limited Edition)

"Ladies and gentlemen, this album comes from a time when the world looked different. It's part of my history - made in the hills of Scotland - and it's called RAM. It reminds me of my hippie days and the sense of freedom that shaped it. I hope you like it, because I like it a lot!" Paul McCartney, 2012 Following the success of the McCartney and McCartney II reissues and the Grammy for "Best Historical Album" for Band On The Run, RAM is another album from Paul McCartney's legendary back catalog. Originally released in May 1971, RAM is Paul's second album after The Beatles and the only one credited to Paul and Linda McCartney. The album was overshadowed at the time by the drama and worldwide media frenzy surrounding the Beatles break-up. It reached #1 in the UK and #2 in the US charts. Upon its release, the album divided critics, but fans and critics alike have since come to appreciate it. Rolling Stone, for example, revised its original rating upwards to four stars. More recently, RAM has been re-evaluated many times and has finally been recognized. Several tribute albums have even been released. RAM was written by Paul and Linda; mainly on their farm on the headland of Kintyre in Scotland. In the fall of 1970, they flew to New York to record it. As they didn't have a band, they auditioned a few musicians and chose, among others, the later Wings drummer Denny Seiwell and the guitarists David Spinozza and Hugh McCracken. The band completed the album in early 1971; also the songs 'Another Day' and 'Oh Woman, Oh Why', which were released together as Paul's first own single after the Beatles before the release of RAM and became a worldwide Top 5 hit. On the reissue versions, which contain several CDs, the songs can each be found as bonus tracks. The album also brought Paul his first #1 hit in the USA with 'Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey'; and also a Grammy for "Best Arrangement with Vocal Accompaniment". On its first release, RAM was also available as a mono version with alternative mixes, which were only made available to radio stations at the time. This version has since become one of Paul McCartney's most sought-after collector's items. Now, for the first time, it will also be commercially available. thrillington, an instrumental version of RAM, was released in 1977. It was created in 1971 at Abbey Road Studios in London, arranged by Richard Hewson. It was originally released under the pseudonym Percy 'Thrills' Thrillington - an unknown, eccentric celebrity who kept popping up in mysterious classified ads. In reality, the character Percy was created by Paul and Linda. They were primarily interested in having fun and Paul had wanted to record an orchestral album for a long time. The additional footage consists of previously unreleased and exclusive images, such as the brand new documentary "Ramming", narrated by Paul, and the original videos for "Heart Of The Country" and "3 Legs". The remastering took place at Abbey Road Studios with the same team that recently remastered the entire Beatles catalog. Japanese SHM CD exports with paper sleeve The unique new packaging includes a 1CD with SHM CD and paper sleeve. In addition, the new editions include replica original LP sleeves with original finish and artwork as well as a miniature of a Japanese Obi tape. Reviews "... the masterpiece of the married couple Paul and Linda McCartney from 1971." (musikexpress, June 2012)br> "Nonsense and inanities, art and kitsch, folk and rock united here to create brilliant songs." (Audio, August 2012)