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Off the Ground
Off the Ground is the ninth solo studio album by Paul McCartney. It was released on 1 February 1993, through Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Capitol Records in the United States. The record was produced by McCartney with Julian Mendelsohn. As his first studio album of the 1990s, it is also the follow-up to the well-received Flowers in the Dirt (1989).
In contrast with the extensive list of personnel showcased on McCartney's previous albums, Off the Ground saw McCartney utilize a live-in-the-studio recording approach using only his touring band. Lyrically, the album sees McCartney delve deeper into social issues on songs such as "C'Mon People" and the animal rights anthem "Looking for Changes". Additionally, the record includes two tracks co-written with Elvis Costello, whom McCartney had previously worked with on Flowers in the Dirt.
Off the Ground was released to varying critical and commercial success. While the album reached number 5 in the UK and gained a top 20 hit with lead single "Hope of Deliverance", it only reached number 17 in the US, with the single stalling at number 83. The record was much more successful in Japan, where it sold better than its predecessor, and in mainland Europe, especially Germany, where it has become McCartney's most successful album.
After planning another world tour, the New World Tour, in 1993, to promote the album, McCartney chose to record Off the Ground with his touring band. Blair Cunningham joined on drums to replace Chris Whitten, who left to join Dire Straits.
McCartney decided to record the album "live in the studio", meaning that the band would rehearse an entire song then record it in one take, instead of recording each vocal track and instrumental track separately. This approach gave a raw, direct feel to the work.
The compositions, some of which were outtakes from Flowers in the Dirt, seemed less complex than those on the earlier album. "Mistress and Maid" and "The Lovers That Never Were", which emerged from McCartney's songwriting collaboration with Elvis Costello, made their appearance on this album. Costello, who had performed on Flowers in the Dirt, did not appear on Off the Ground.
McCartney chose co-producer Julian Mendelsohn to co-produce the album. He later told author Luca Perasi that McCartney "wanted spontaneity". The first two songs taped were "Biker like an Icon" and "Peace in the Neighbourhood", both derived from some album rehearsals in November 1991. Hamish Stuart played the bass on both tracks, using his Music Man Stingray 5-string.
Recording resumed in December 1991 and continued until at least July 1992, including overdubs. On 30 June 1992 George Martin arranged a large orchestra for "C'Mon People" , while a trio of Latin percussion was overdubbed onto "Hope of Deliverance" on 17 July 1992.
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Off the Ground
Off the Ground is the ninth solo studio album by Paul McCartney. It was released on 1 February 1993, through Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Capitol Records in the United States. The record was produced by McCartney with Julian Mendelsohn. As his first studio album of the 1990s, it is also the follow-up to the well-received Flowers in the Dirt (1989).
In contrast with the extensive list of personnel showcased on McCartney's previous albums, Off the Ground saw McCartney utilize a live-in-the-studio recording approach using only his touring band. Lyrically, the album sees McCartney delve deeper into social issues on songs such as "C'Mon People" and the animal rights anthem "Looking for Changes". Additionally, the record includes two tracks co-written with Elvis Costello, whom McCartney had previously worked with on Flowers in the Dirt.
Off the Ground was released to varying critical and commercial success. While the album reached number 5 in the UK and gained a top 20 hit with lead single "Hope of Deliverance", it only reached number 17 in the US, with the single stalling at number 83. The record was much more successful in Japan, where it sold better than its predecessor, and in mainland Europe, especially Germany, where it has become McCartney's most successful album.
After planning another world tour, the New World Tour, in 1993, to promote the album, McCartney chose to record Off the Ground with his touring band. Blair Cunningham joined on drums to replace Chris Whitten, who left to join Dire Straits.
McCartney decided to record the album "live in the studio", meaning that the band would rehearse an entire song then record it in one take, instead of recording each vocal track and instrumental track separately. This approach gave a raw, direct feel to the work.
The compositions, some of which were outtakes from Flowers in the Dirt, seemed less complex than those on the earlier album. "Mistress and Maid" and "The Lovers That Never Were", which emerged from McCartney's songwriting collaboration with Elvis Costello, made their appearance on this album. Costello, who had performed on Flowers in the Dirt, did not appear on Off the Ground.
McCartney chose co-producer Julian Mendelsohn to co-produce the album. He later told author Luca Perasi that McCartney "wanted spontaneity". The first two songs taped were "Biker like an Icon" and "Peace in the Neighbourhood", both derived from some album rehearsals in November 1991. Hamish Stuart played the bass on both tracks, using his Music Man Stingray 5-string.
Recording resumed in December 1991 and continued until at least July 1992, including overdubs. On 30 June 1992 George Martin arranged a large orchestra for "C'Mon People" , while a trio of Latin percussion was overdubbed onto "Hope of Deliverance" on 17 July 1992.