In the late 1990s, after working on the massive Beatles Anthology box set, Paul McCartney returned to the studio, enlisting help from Ringo Starr, Steve Miller, and ELO’s Jeff Lynne to create Flaming Pie. The album is notably more guitar-driven, shedding much of the heavy studio production that defined McCartney’s recent work. Flaming Pie is classic pop-rock songwriting and craftsmanship at its finest. For fans, the Archive Collection is well worth exploring too, offering home recordings, early demos, and a fascinating six-part “Oobu Joobu” behind-the-scenes interview with Paul himself.
Feeling inspired and creative after spending time with his good friends Ringo and George, McCartney opens the record with The Song We Were Singing. Thankfully, the rest of the album is far superior to this opening track. While the music and instrumentation are commendable, the lyrics and phrasing feel awkward and forced, disrupting the song’s flow. Once you get past that initial misstep, though, Flaming Pie truly shines.
Following that less-than-stellar opener, the album picks up with some great collaborative songs. The World Tonight, If You Wanna, and Young Boy are fantastic 1990s pop-rock tracks with vibrant, guitar-driven energy. The melodies and harmonies prove McCartney hasn’t lost his touch, and they’re hard to shake out of your head.
Then we get songs like Somedays and Calico Skies, which are deeply emotional. These are some of Paul’s greatest compositions, earning a place in any essential McCartney collection. The orchestration of Somedays is breathtaking, and the raw passion of Calico Skies reflects McCartney’s pure and loving nature.
Heaven on a Sunday stands out as an ethereal, smooth, beautiful song. Among these highlights, the record also features solid but less memorable tracks like Flaming Pie, Used to Be Bad, and Souvenir. These blend together without standing out, but they’re still enjoyable and well-crafted.
The album closes with some fantastic tracks. Really Love You is funky and original, offering a refreshing change of pace, and its genre-bending adds much-needed variety. The high-soaring, epic power ballad Beautiful Night is glorious, with an alternate version featuring Ringo on the deluxe release that’s equally exceptional. Finally, the album ends with the pure and lovely Great Day, featuring beautiful accompaniment from Linda McCartney. This closing track leaves you with a warm, heartfelt remembrance of Linda.
Flaming Pie marks a significant return to form for Paul McCartney. The collaboration with Jeff Lynne, Steve Miller, and Ringo Starr injects new energy into his music, resulting in an album that feels both fresh and timeless. The decision to strip back the production and focus on guitar-driven arrangements pays off, playing right to McCartney’s strengths as a songwriter and musician.
The album’s mix of heartfelt ballads, catchy pop-rock tunes, and experimental tracks makes it a diverse, enjoyable listen. While some tracks may not stand out as much, the overall quality stays high. Flaming Pie is evidence of McCartney’s enduring talent and his ability to evolve while staying true to his musical roots.
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Highlight Songs:
The World Tonight
If You Wanna
Somedays
Calico Skies
Really Love You
Beautiful Night
Great Day
Same Love (Archive Collection)
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
The original 14-song release is absolutely worth owning. This album is Paul getting his second, third, and fourth wind all at once, and it has some excellent music on it. Stream if you must, but it’s totally worth owning.
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Overall Rating:
4 Stars
