Paul McCartney: Standing Stone |  | Creators: Sir Paul McCartney, Lawrence Foster, London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
Label: EMI
Category: Music
List Price: £15.99
Buy Used: £1.74
as of 21/11/2009 20:03 GMT details
You Save: £14.25 (89%)
New (21) Used (18) Collectible (5) from £1.74
Seller: ope0fet2
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 40857
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Running Time: 75 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 56484
UPC: 724355648426
EAN: 0724355648426
ASIN: B000002RZ7
Release Date: September 29, 1997
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
| |
| Tracks:
| • | After Heavy Light Years | | • | Cell Growth | | • | Human Theme | | • | He Awoke Startled | | • | Crystal Ship | | • | Sea Voyage | | • | Lost At Sea | | • | Release | | • | Subtle Colours Merged Soft Contours | | • | Safe Haven | | • | Standing Stone | | • | Peaceful Movement | | • | Messenger | | • | Lament | | • | Trance | | • | Eclipse | | • | Strings Pluck | | • | Horns Blow | | • | Drums Beat | | • | Glory Tales | | • | Fuga | | • | Celebration | | • | Rustic Dance | | • | Love Duet |
|
| Similar Items:
| |
| Customer Reviews:
 Journey to a state of wisdom March 3, 2000
C. Cleveland (Dryden, NY United States)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
Standing Stone is a tremendously focused piece of work, and what it's focused on is the story it has to tell. That story is told in another form in the Standing Stone Poem, an original epic tale marked by a very distinctive tone that combines narrative compression with verbal gusto. One can almost see McCartney up to his elbows in adjectives, throwing them into a bubbling pot on the stove with glee in his eye, and serving the resulting dish to his guests with several flourishes. And this image captures, for me, something of the experience of listening to the music as well. But it is not necessary to read the poem first-- I had been listening to the music in fascination for at least six months before I read the poem. The music itself is action packed and adventure filled, and communicates itself with no wasted gestures. Every note, theme, tempo change, and instrumental color has a purpose, and conveys emotional images which progress from chaos through a magical journey which ends in a resolution which has nothing to do with rest, but with traveling onward in a transformed state. It is a journey through high adventure to a state of wisdom. The theme of the work is how the human capacities for wonder, curiosity, and perseverance can win triumph from the forces of darkness. It is about how victory can be achieved by wits, and courage, and good timing, rather than swords and gore. It is also about what the prize for victory is--about love in peace. McCartney has always been naive in the best sense of the word--neither ignorant nor cynical, but open to experience, willing to be affected. That naivete, combined with his considerable musical ingenuity and exuberance, have produced a series of musical scenes painted with equal delicacy and power, and united by haunting melodies and a strong narrative drive. I have really never heard anything quite like it before, and recommend it to your attention.
Standing Stone Stands Alone July 17, 2001
j (willisk@sympatico.ca) (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
Perhaps I shouldn't admit that the CD cover photography caught my eye first, but there you are. However, listening to Sir Paul's opus is a massive experience of thoughts and images. I, too, have not yet read the poem because the music itself tells the story. Not being the least bit musical myself, I am overwhelmed by the fact that a work as expressive as this was produced by someone who doesn't read or write music, even after all these years. Sir Paul is truly a gift.
 Paul McCartney does Classical March 10, 2009
K. Taylor (Wales)
I found this album mixed, in parts truly inspired. But Sir Paul is not a trained composer so I forgive him, but he obviously composes from his heart and soul.
 Overambitious exercise October 11, 2001
P. Tucker (Edinburgh Scotland)
6 out of 14 found this review helpful
Standing Stone is to be commended as a learning exercise for Sir Paul, albeit an indulgent and extravagant one, but as a listening experience, it disappoints. The recording has some moments of power where the arrangement works and the piece hangs together, but mostly this is a dull and leaden work put together by someone who is feeling his way and lacks competence in orchestral works of this scope. It rambles, frequently, resorts to cliche and is best avoided. Don't waste your money: buy Abbey Road and Revolver instead to see what Paul can really do in an area that he really understands like no other.
|
|
|
