In this “rockumentary”, we are given the behind the scenes opportunity to witness Paul McCartney and Wings record tracks off of the formerly lost One Hand Clapping album. The film wastes no time with filler, and indulges the viewer with patched footage of takes where the creative dynamic of McCartney and Wings can be fully appreciated. Off screen, one can listen as the members of Wings: Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch, Geoff Britton, and Howie Casey recount their own experiences as a new band. They share their sentiments of supporting McCartney as he forges a new path after the success of The Beatles.
Fans will appreciate the many infamous McCartney habits that are captured in this film. One humorous example of this stands out during a take of Live and Let Die. We see McCartney hum each note that he wants the saxophonist Howie Casey to play. As McCartney explains his love for being a part of a functioning band, it is impossible to overlook his commitment and true love of performing and crafting music.
The raw grainy footage creates authenticity, and as the first part of the documentary ends, we are gifted with bonus footage of the “backyard” tapes where Paul McCartney is free to perform songs from his youth. Even though the footage was filmed in the backyard of the infamous Abbey Road Studios, the laughter, mistakes, and casualness of this recording bring out McCartney’s inner busker.
This movie is an experience, and while not necessarily visually striking, it succeeds in taking the audience into the recording studio. We are given the chance to hear about the insecurities the legend feels as he explains his ways of navigating the pressure surrounding his continued success. For anyone who wants to see a band on the run as they record an assortment of hits and lesser-known classics, this “rockumentary” will surely leave you amazed.
“Paul McCartney with Linda McCartney – Wings – 1976 (cropped)” by Jim Summaria is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.