Artist

Paul McCartney

Label

Hear Music

Release date

4th June 2007

Genre

Rock

When a true living legend can’t quite believe the life he’s had, it’s time to listen

Any release by an ex-Beatle is an event in itself but the timing of Memory Almost Full’s release is especially poignant with the recent 40th birthday of Sgt. Pepper’s and, particularly, Sir Paul’s high-profile divorce from Heather Mills.

However, this is no Dylan-esque Blood On The Tracks-style marital breakdown chronicle. The album’s sessions began back in 2003 and this first release on Starbucks’ Hear Music label is largely perky, upbeat and contentedly reflective.

Jauntily poppy and as tuneful as ever, Memory... evokes memories of the better moments of McCartney’s Wings and bands like ELO – most notably via the multi-layered vocals technique seen on Vintage Clothes and Mr Bellamy. Lyrically, it’s fascinating to hear a living legend look back amazed upon his own life (That Was Me) or stare calmly forward to the afterlife (End Of The End), while that lovable voice can still holler Helter Skelter-like on the rocking Nod Your Head.

With memories like these, McCartney's shown us we still need him - even now he’s 64.

More to try: Wings: Band On The Run ELO: Out Of The Blue The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band