(The album’s Chaos and Creation in the Backyard, by the way. That might have been useful info in the original post…)

Chaos and Creation in the Backyard cover by Paul McCartney

2005 and Macca teams up with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich to bicker and create one of the finest albums of his solo career. 5⭐️ A true later-career high. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Excellent haul! The very collection I’d have grabbed had I been able to make it this year.

Driving Rain album cover by Paul McCartney

Macca enters the 21st century with Driving Rain (2001), his worst-charting album. Some great tracks on here, but it’s a good 3 or 4 songs too long, and the less said about Freedom the better… ironically, Heather is the one of the best tracks on the album! #paulmccartney #nowplaying

A montage of Paul McCartney’s album covers from the 80s and 90s

So, that’s the studio albums of the 80s and 90s revisited. Starts well, ends well, with a few bumps in the middle. There’s something to appreciate on every one of these albums; all are worth a spin, and several of them are long overdue a reevaluation. Next stop, Driving Rain… #paulmccartney

The Macca solo journey reaches the end of the 20th century with Run Devil Run, a collection of rock and roll classics (and a couple of originals in the same vein) recorded in the wake of the loss of Linda. Macca’s in fine voice. Well worth a revisit. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Flaming Pie album cover

I’m double-billing Macca today with 1997’s Flaming Pie. Revitalised by the Beatles Anthology project, Flaming Pie saw Macca knock out some of his best work in years with a little help from Ringo, Jeff Lynne and George Martin. An essential Macca album! #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Off The Ground album cover by Paul McCartney.

1993 brought us Off the Ground, Macca’s first album of the decade. Mostly recorded ‘as live’ with his touring band, it spawned a global hit with Hope of Deliverance, but many of the better tracks from the sessions ended up as b and c sides on the singles from the album. #paulmccartbey #nowplaying

Flowers in the Dirt album cover by Paul McCartney

Was 1989’s Flowers in the Dirt the first Macca album to get the ‘return to form’ reviews in the music press? Whatever, it’s an album bursting with confidence and some cracking songs. The energetic opening track - My Brave Face - is one of my favourite Macca tracks ever! #paulmccartney #nowplaying

There’s a lot to like.

Press to Play by Paul McCartney

The journey reaches 1986 and Macca’s least-loved album, Press to Play. Whenever I revisit this album, I enjoy it more. The Padgham production wasn’t a good fit for Macca, but I admire the experimentation and there are some great, neglected tracks on here. Bring on a remix! #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Give My Regards To Broad Street cover by Paul McCartney

1984 brought the soundtrack album Give My Regards to Broad Street. This one seems to be hated by many, but this was my first Macca album and I didn’t know the Beatle originals well enough to be offended by the cover versions! No More Lonely Nights remains a solo highlight. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Definitely not his finest era, though I have a lot of time for Press to Play these days, even if some of it doesn’t land too well.

80s Macca reaches Pipes of Peace (1983) - a somewhat disappointing follow-up to Tug of War. There’s a handful of great tracks on here, including Macca’s final UK solo number one, but much of the second side of the album is skippable. Probably the weakest LP yet. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Tug of War album cover by Paul McCartney

The follow-up to McCartney, 1982’s Tug of War, couldn’t be more different. Out goes the homespun experimentation of M2, in comes George Martin and one of the most polished albums of Macca’s career. GM’s string arrangement on Here Today always bring a tear to the eye. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

McCartney II cover

And, with McCartney II (1980), the journey through Macca’s solo albums hits the 80s. Such a big departure from the Wings output - and pretty much the rest of his back-catalogue. Temporary Secretary will always be a banger - and still remains a live highlight for me! #paulmccartney #nowplaying

The covers of Paul McCartney’s 1970s studio albums.

So, that’s all of Macca’s 70s studio albums revisited this week. Not a bad decade’s work… Time has been kind to most of these albums, and rightly so. Some missteps, a lot of hits, and never less than entertaining. Next stop, McCartney II... #paulmccartney #wings

Back to the Egg cover by Wings

I’ve reached Wings’ final flight and the end of the 70s in the Macca-thon with 1979’s Back to the Egg. It’s good to hear this album getting a lot of love from Macca fans of late - the man himself might not rate it, but it’s an album that entertains throughout. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

London Town cover by Wings

It’s probably a couple of songs too long, but there’s some great tracks on the penultimate Wings outing, London Town (1978). I’m Carrying is a classic, understated Macca ballad that’s largely fallen below the radar and deserves a wider audience. #paulmccartney #nowplaying #wings

Thrillington album cover - of a ram playing a violin - by Paul McCartney.

It’s now 1977, and rather than embrace punk, Paul puts out the orchestral version of Ram, Thrillington. An act of audacious eccentricity that makes for a highly enjoyable - if bizarre - listen today. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Nice! Good parenting at work there!

Wings at the Speed of Sound cover

It’s 1976 and Wings are at the Speed of Sound. Big hitters aside, there’s some great tracks on here: Beware My Love is a cracking rocker, and Warm and Beautiful is a superb ballad. Great vocal turn from Joe English on Must Do Something About It. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Venus and Mars by Wings

Venus and Mars - probably my least-favourite Wings album. Not that it’s bad - it’s definitely not - but this one feels a bit by numbers compared with what went before. Still plenty to enjoy. Love in Song and Letting Go are my highlights. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings

Next up: Macca’s biggest post-Fabs album, Band on the Run. Hard to argue against this being - objectively - the best Wings album. The closer, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, would make my top five McCartney songs. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Red Rose Speedway by Paul McCartney and Wings

Straight onto Red Rose Speedway. Another slightly eccentric release, but so much to enjoy: Little Lamb Dragonfly’s up there with the greatest Macca melodies, and I’m a big fan of the closing medley. #paulmccartney #nowplaying

The cover of Wild Life by Wings

Another day, more Macca. 1971’s Wings debut, Wild Life. It may be inconsistent, but any album with Tomorrow, Some People Never Know, Wild Life, Dear Friend and the vocal madness of Mumbo on it deserves a spin! #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Yes - I think the ‘Paul broke up the Beatles’ narrative negatively informed a lot of the reviews. Glad it’s been reappraised.

Ram by Paul and Linda McCartney

Continuing the vibe with Ram (1971). An album that’s definitely had a second life over the last decade or so - and deservedly so. Not sure what the critics were carping about back in 1971, but this is an out and out cracker of an album. #paulmccartney #nowlistening

McCartney I album cover

Sometimes you need a Macca lift. Starting at the start with McCartney (1970). This album has taken the best part of 40 years to grow on me, but I can really appreciate it now. Ageing like a fine wine… #paulmccartney #nowplaying

Penny Lane