McCartney Still Inspires

By Melinda Newman - ReZoom's Music Columnist

Here’s what I believe about music. I believe music can save your soul. At those times when absolutely nothing else can reach you, music can. When it feels like all hope is lost, a note, a voice, a melody can bring you back to safety. Brian Wilson called “Smile,” his legendary unfinished album (until 2004, at least) “a teenage symphony to God.” I believe the reverse: that through artists like Wilson and Springsteen and, of course, some of the world’s greatest classical composers, God is writing symphonies to us as a way to comfort us, soothe us and make his presence known. Everything I believe about music I felt on June 27 when Paul McCartney played at Amoeba Records in Hollywood. Incredibly, it was his first time ever playing at a record store.After the announcement of the surprise free show 48 hours in advance, folks began camping out in front of Amoeba for the 400 or so wristbands that would allow entry. Online reports claimed that at times 3,000 people were in line. The crowd was made up of ages from three to 70. A number of dads brought their little sons in what will surely be a bonding moment, even if the tots don't actually remember the concert.Among the 350 or so VIPs, who were lined up between the record store's CD bins like cattle in a chute, were Ringo Starr (who, sadly, did not join McCartney on stage), Olivia Harrison (George Harrison’s widow), the Eagles’ Joe Walsh, Alanis Morissette, Cybil Shepherd, former Disney head honcho Michael Eisner, Twiggy, Woody Harrelson and producer Rick Rubin. A little after 8 p.m., the star of the show appeared on stage and launched into the peppy “Drive My Car.” McCartney was effortlessly engaging and charming throughout the 75-minute performance whether rocking out with his touring band or playing “Blackbird” solo. There was a tacit, unspoken agreement between McCartney and the audience: He was going to play songs from his new CD, “Memory Almost Full.” All of these were well received -- the woman beside me sang along to every tune -- but he was also going to play what he knew we were all there to hear, the classic Beatles songs that make up the soundtrack to our lives. Given the hyper-ecstasy displayed by the crowd at this opportunity to see their musical hero in such an intimate setting, it pushes credulity to say McCartney was enjoying the evening as much as the audience, but he clearly was. Unlike so many acts who are mere shells of their former selves and who perform their hits by rote, McCartney delivered 40-year-old songs with the gusto of someone performing them for the 10th time instead of the 1,000th and managed never to seem like an oldies act. He innately seems to understand what these songs mean to people and has enough respect for his audience to not toss off a tune that may, in all likelihood, be someone’s favorite of all time.“Hey Jude,” written for Julian Lennon, is one of those songs for me. As first recorded for the 1968 album of the same name, it is a masterpiece. But it is as the world’s most famous sing-along that it has earned its place as something much more: an expression of our collective consciousness coming together through its hypnotically repeating “na-na-na” ending. It is as uplifting as any hymn. Speaking of hymns, McCartney also performed “Let It Be,” as a beautiful benediction for the evening. McCartney turned 65 in June, but he remains eternally youthful in a boundlessly energetic way that can only be brought about by following one’s passion. None of his new songs, as good as they may be, will ever have the iconic appeal of his Beatles classics, but that’s OK. No one, not even McCartney, should be forced to compete with that past.

Ecce Cor Meum DVD Release!

ECCE COR MEUM DVD RELEASE!

PM.com is delighted to confirm that the 'Ecce Cor Meum' DVD is to be released through EMI Classics on 22nd October 2007! Details are to be confirmed very shortly, but the DVD is set include last year's complete Ecce performance from the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Click here for the Ecce Cor Meum promo video.

McCartney 'will pay £70 million to silence Heather'

McCartney 'will pay £70 million to silence Heather'
by RICHARD SIMPSON



It is believed Heather Mills will receive almost £70 million in her divorce deal with Sir Paul McCartney
Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills are understood to have thrashed out a divorce deal in which she will receive almost £70 million.

Miss Mills, who split from the former Beatle in May last year after four years of marriage, is believed to be in line for a lump sum of £15 million.

If the deal goes through she will get another £3.5million every year until their daughter Beatrice, who will be four in October, reaches her 18th birthday.

The divorce settlement - which would be the largest in British legal history - will include a clause ensuring that neither party ever speaks publicly about what led to the breakdown of their marriage, the Daily Mail has learned.

Commentators believe that the plan to stagger the bulk of the payment reflects Sir Paul's concern that Miss Mills, who has courted the media as a reality TV star in the U.S. since the split, should maintain a dignified silence.

In divorce papers leaked last October, Miss Mills accused Sir Paul of assaulting her at least four times, once slashing her arm with a broken wine glass.

She also said he was drunk regularly and smoked cannabis during their marriage and that he prevented her from breastfeeding Beatrice.

Miss Mills will not, it is understood, get any property in the agreement. She already has a seaside home in Hove, East Sussex, and recently bought a £400,000 house in Slovenia as well as a large property in the Home Counties. She will not, as has been suggested, get Sir Paul's £10 million London home in St John's Wood, which he has had since the 1970s.

Sir Paul, 65, will also pay for all of Beatrice's living expenses including her schooling, travel, nannies and security. He and Miss Mills will continue to share joint access to their daughter.

In recent months there has been frenzied to-ing and fro-ing between lawyers for both sides.

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Miss Mills, 39, is understood to have been pushing for a larger interim payment equivalent to £15 million after tax. The annual payment has also wavered in that time between £3.75 million and £3.5 million.

The agreement is being seen as a happy outcome, financially at least, for both parties. Sir Paul is paying a smaller lump sum than Miss Mills feels she deserves. But she will still end up with a very large total for someone whose marriage broke up after only four years.

By staggering the amount over the next 15 years - by which time Sir Paul will be 80 - he will get his wish that Miss Mills should not speak about the marriage publicly.

Sir Paul, who has never spoken about the break-up, is understood to feel that for Beatrice's sake as much as anything, intimate details of their family life should not be for public consumption.



Sir Paul: Said to be worth £825 million
Spokesmen for Sir Paul and Miss Mills said last night that they would not comment on the progress of the divorce. But sources on both sides have confirmed to the Mail that the financial details of the settlement have been agreed.

The legal process before the divorce is fully finalised may, however, stretch out until next year.

In recent months there has been a thawing of relations between the pair who immediately after the split went through a long period of communicating only through lawyers. They now speak regularly, and if one recent report is to believed, even plan a family holiday.

Lawyers are, however, still on standby in case the agreement between Sir Paul and the unpredictable and passionate Miss Mills disintegrates at the 11th hour. To that end the case remains listed for a five-day hearing next February, before Mr Justice Bennett, a family High Court judge.

One source close to Miss Mills said last night: "We're extremely close to a resolution. The figures have been agreed."

Speaking about the reasons why negotiations have been so drawn out, the source said: "Heather wants her story told - she sees herself as the victim. She wants to have what she calls 'a voice'.

"She feels she should have that platform to turn around media perceptions about her. McCartney's lawyers are saying she can't talk about the marriage at all - a total blackout.

"But Heather's argument is that that's a very grey area. If she wants to update her biography, for example, she says she can't just pretend the marriage never happened.

"But she will not be able to hint at any foul play that may or not have taken place, or anything like drug taking or drinking or how either of them have, and do, interact with Beatrice. It's a very complex agreement.

"Heather is very aware that five years down the road, she'll just be a Beatle's ex-wife. To capitalise on the split, she would need to bring out a book now. She wants to have this voice. But she wants to get as much money as she can get too."

The source added: "It's true to say Paul and Heather are getting on better now than ever since the split, but she's a hard woman and is still angry about the way she feels she and Beatrice were left vulnerable after the split."

In recent months there has been much speculation as to the nature of the deal, with estimates varying wildly.

Some reports suggested the rather unlikely situation in which Miss Mills would get nothing - since Sir Paul apparently increased his wealth by very little during their marriage. Other reports claimed she would receive £200million of his reported £825 million fortune.

At £70 million, the settlement would still overshadow the £48 million insurance broker John Charman, 53, was ordered to give his former wife Beverley in May in Britain's biggest contested divorce settlement.

Paul Mccartney Hailed For Boycotting Animal-testing Charities

Sir Paul McCartney has been praised by animal rights group Peta after announcing plans to boycott cancer charities who test on animals.

The multi-millionaire former Beatle has supported cancer charities since his first wife Linda died of the disease in 1998.

But on Monday (16Jul07) he revealed plans to refuse funding to organisations that practice vivisection, after discovering a number of charities close to his heart advocate the practice.

The vegan rocker said, "When Linda died I said I would support cancer charities. Animal rights groups wrote to me pointing out that many were heavily into vivisection - and it's true. A doctor we knew out in America just admitted it as a matter of fact, innocently, like 'Well, sure we do.' "What he doesn't realise is that he won't get a donation out of me for that very fact. There are better alternatives but you're not allowed to challenge the status quo."

His decision has been applauded by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Alistair Currie - Senior Research and Campaigns Co-ordinator - says, "Animal testing charities don't just miss out on big money; they miss out on medical progress. Animals are not furry little humans and their bodies cannot reliably predict results for human conditions. While we know a great deal about cancer in mice, we don't know anywhere near enough about cancer in humans.

Thankfully, there are plenty of charities that go for the triple win: they don't cause animal suffering; they do support modern non-animal research that increases the chance of finding cures for humans; and they get the money of smart, compassionate donors."

Paul McCartney plays 'party' show in London
Beatles legend also pays tribute to former crew member

Paul McCartney continued the iTunes Festival season tonight (July 5) with a hit laden set made up of Beatles and Wings classics.

The legendary singer performed a moving show before a small crowd of 300 people at the ICA in London.

Bounding onstage, the former Beatle was greeted with massive cheers when he shouted: "Good evening. Alright?" before launching into 1980 hit 'Coming Up'.

Like his recent shows, McCartney, who was dressed casually in a white and black sweater, ran through five tracks off his latest solo album 'Memory Almost Full' before treating the crowd to the likes of Beatles classics 'Hey Jude' and 'Get Back' along with Wings hit 'Jet'.

McCartney was on jovial form throughout the gig, engaging in plenty of banter with the crowd as he constantly referred to the show as a "party".

Leading into The Beatles track 'Blackbird' he joked: "It is like a party you can get a conversation going. I watched that film 'Munich' by Steven Spielberg last night. It was pretty good."

As previously reported on NME.COM, the singer became emotional during his recent LA show at Amoeba Records when a member of the audience shed tears during the song 'Here Today' which McCartney penned as a tribute to John Lennon in 1982.

Referring to the performance, he told the crowd tonight: "We just did a gig in a record shop in LA and I was singing that song and I was just about holding it together emotionally and then I saw this woman weeping and I just lost it man."

As ever the highlight of the gig, was The Beatles classic 'Hey Jude' which sparked a mass sing-a-long amongst the arm waving audience.

Conducting the song's catchy refrain McCartney invited both the "boys" and "girls" in the crowd to sing along before he shouted: "Now everyone all together."

Rounding off the show, the former Beatle dedicated 'Let It Be' to a long term monitor engineer who recently died before adding: "This next song I want to dedicate to a crew member John Roden, who just passed away last week. This is for you Johnny."

He wrapped up the gig with 'Lady Madonna' and 'I Saw Her Standing There'.

Paul McCartney played:

'Coming Up'
'Drive My Car'
'Only Mama Knows'
'Dance Tonight'
'C Moon'
'The Long And Winding Road'
'I'll Follow The Sun'
'Midnight Special'
'Calico Skies'
'That Was Me'
'Blackbird'
'Here Today'
'Back In The USSR'
'Nod Your Head'
'Jet'
'House Of Wax'
'I've Got A Feeling'
'Matchbox'
'Let Me Roll It'
'Get Back'
'Baby Face'
'Hey Jude'
'Let It Be'
'Lady Madonna'
'I Saw Her Standing There'

The festival now continues with the likes of Kasabian and Editors and The Coral among those playing intimate shows across July. See NME.COM for full live reports.

The bands' sets are being recorded and will be released as a live album via iTunes in the future. For more information go to iTunesfestival.com.

Paul McCartney rocks Hollywood record store

By Dean Goodman

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Paul McCartney's informal world tour of small venues brought him to Hollywood on Wednesday when he played a free concert at a record store for an audience that included fellow Beatle Ringo Starr.

"No shoplifting please," McCartney jokingly told the 900-strong crowd, who had come from as far afield as Canada, Japan and Australia for the historic 85-minute event.

Any illegal activity would have been difficult. Fans were herded into rows behind the display racks, hemmed in by yellow tape as fire marshals and security guards patrolled the aisles making sure no one left their designated areas. Visibility for those at the back and sides was severely limited.

Hundreds of fans started lining up at Amoeba Records on Monday when the concert was announced. The lucky ones were given blue wristbands on a first-come, first-served basis.

Earlier this month, McCartney played clubs in London and New York, all part of an unorthodox promotional blitz for his well-received new album, "Memory Almost Full."

The set list was largely the same each time, heavy on late-era Beatle tunes such as "Get Back," "Hey Jude," "The Long and Winding Road" and "I've Got A Feeling."

He dropped in a few cuts from his new album, including the single "Dance Tonight" and the nostalgic "That Was Me."

Wearing a red sweater that he later took off to reveal a white "Von Dutch"-branded t-shirt, McCartney was in a playful mood, at one time asking the audience to repeat various silly sounds, and then to nod their heads in unison.

He got serious once when he played "Here Today," his 1982 tribute to fallen Beatle John Lennon.
Others at the venue included Olivia Harrison, the widow of George Harrison, English rocker Jeff Lynne, and actress Jennifer Love Hewitt.

PM to play itunes Fest

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY PLAYS LIVE AT THE ICA AS PART OF iTUNES FESTIVAL: LONDON, 5 July 2007The ICA is delighted to announce that Sir Paul McCartney is to make a very special guest appearance at the first ever iTunes Festival: London held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA).
He will perform exclusively on 5 July and joins over 60 of the world's leading acts playing at the historically prestigious 350 capacity venue every night in July. ***PM.COM HAS 50 PAIRS OF TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY to fans for this very special show. CLICK HERE to enter our draw!***ICA Artistic Director, Ekow Eshun comments: "This is more than a music festival, this is a unique series of performances from some of Britain's most exciting and talented musicians that's set to make July at the ICA hotter than ever. The sheer pace and standard of the line-up is exhilarating.
We have an amazing history of musical firsts and landmark gigs at the ICA so to present this roster of more than 60 acts over 31 nights in our 60th anniversary year seems absolutely fitting. It's also a chance for us to say thank you to our members - and welcome new ones - as a set number of free tickets will be reserved exclusively for them each evening.
Being able to announce this very special guest, Sir Paul ensures that this month stakes a unique place in musical history."---Kasabian will close the Festival with a headline slot on July 31.
Other new acts added to the already spectacular line-up include The Go! Team and Aqualung.More than 60 acts will play at the ICA throughout July. Pop sensation Mika will open the festival on July 1 paving the way for other scorching acts including Mutya, Amy Winehouse and Wir Sind Helden.
Other headline acts are: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club; Editors; Travis; Groove Armada; Ash; Imogen Heap; Athlete; The Rakes; Stereophonics; The Coral and many many more. Crowded House will also be playing one of their first London gigs after more than a decade apart.
The latest programme can be viewed NOW at: www.ica.org.uk/itunesEntry is free of charge for festival competition-winners-only via select media partners and the official iTunes Festival website http://www.itunesfestival.comTickets can also be won via a lottery open to ICA Members only.
Closing date Mon 25 June, 2007ICA Membership is quick and easy to join and costs £35 Contact:ICA Box Office020 7930 3647 http://www.ica.org.uk/membershipTickets are not guaranteed for every lottery entrant but everyone entering will automatically receive a voucher for five free songs from iTunesAll performances will be recorded for sale exclusively on the iTunes store - www.itunes.com/uk

Ever Present Past VIDEO (Version 2)

Someone gave me the idea that Paul MAY have seen this video. Also as part of the reviews, ppl didn't like that I had pictures of Heather in it. So out of respect for Paul and Heather and anyone else, this is a NEW version with a couple added parts replacing the others. Enjoy. www.maccaspan.com

'Beatles' Reunite On Larry King Live

For the first time since the 'Beatles' split Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison will be interviewed together on Larry King Live next Tuesday.

Cirque du Soleil founder and CEO Guy Laliberte, whose Love show at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas is celebrating its one-year anniversary, will also join them on the sets. Laliberte show is known for featuring digitally remixed recordings of the Beatles' music.


Since the interview will bring McCartney and Ono together, television columnists believe that it will be a must-watch telecast.

"McCartney and Ono together? That's a must-see, isn't it?" Contactmusic quoted Orlando Sentinel TV columnist Hal Boedeker as commenting about the interview.

Paul McCartney Writes Song For Heather Mills

Paul McCartney has revealed that one of the song’s on his latest album, ‘Memory Almost Full,’ is about his estranged wife Heather Mills.

The former Beatle has confessed that, ‘See Your Sunshine,’ was written when the couple were experiencing happier times.

"That is pretty much an out-and-out love song for Heather. A lot of the album was done before, during and after our separation. I didn't go back and take out any songs to do with her.”

He added: "That one was written during a good time with Heather. I’m not a great grudge-holder. It's just unfortunate it didn't work out,” reports dotmusic.

McCartney’s solo album became the most successful of his career when it was released earlier this month in the US and worldwide via Starbucks’, Hear Music record label.

As we reported yesterday, McCartney is already planning to release a follow-up album on the Coffee chain's new label.

McCartney Eyes Second Deal With Starbucks

SIR PAUL McCARTNEY is reportedly planning to sign a second record deal with coffee chain Starbucks, because he is thrilled with the sales of his latest album Memory Almost Full. McCartney caused controversy among his liberal fans when he signed a one-album deal with Starbucks' Hear Music label after 43 years with music giant EMI. Music industry insiders claim McCartney refused to sign more than a one-album deal with Hear Music because he was concerned the venture might not work, but after the disc went to number three in the U.S. album charts earlier this month (Jun07), the former Beatle is delighted.

An insider tells British newspaper Daily Express, "Paul always had the business brain in The Beatles. Now that the new album is selling well, Paul has finally been convinced to sign a long-term deal with Starbucks and is expected to put pen to papers in the coming weeks. This means Starbucks will be responsible for Paul's albums for many years to come."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL MCCARTNEY!!!

iTunes ad featuring ex-Beatle gets US TV play, but online version oddly absent

by Jonny Evans


Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney stars in the latest iTunes ad to appear on US network television.

'Macca' appears in the ad to sing Dance Tonight, the title track from his latest album. Memory Almost Full.

The advertisement features pastel backgrounds with a non-silhouetted McCartney singing and dancing along a traditional English street.

Apple posted the ad briefly online, though the ad itself is no longer functional as of this morning.

Visitors to the webpage will see the song and artist named, but appear unable to access the video.

The move to feature the Sir Paul in an iTunes ad is bound to set tongues wagging in hope of an imminent online debut for Beatles catalogue music.

Olivia Harrison, the widow of the late George Harrison, recently warned Beatles fans that the online release of Beatles catalogue may not now take place until next year.

McCartney's iTunes link is an odd one. The singer recently slated the rise of the MP3 player. Speaking to Contact Music, he berated such devices for cutting listeners off from nature.

"The thing is, you get sealed off from the world, and that's fine when you're making a record. But, when you're actually just walking around, you're gonna miss birdsong, and that's so special," he said.

Paul McCartney's 'Memory Almost Full' Debuts at No 3 on Billboard Top 200

SOURCE: LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Starbucks Entertainment)

Widely hailed by critics as one of the best albums in Paul McCartney's solo career, 'Memory Almost Full' sold 160, 541 copies across all retail outlets in the U.S. in its debut week, landing the record at No 3 on Billboard Top 200 chart. The inaugural release from Hear Music brought McCartney his highest chart debut in ten years as a solo artist (1997's 'Flaming Pie' debuted at No 2 on the Billboard Top 200 chart). This week's sales saw a significant increase over McCartney's 2005 release, 'Chaos and Creation in the Backyard,' which peaked at No 6 on the Billboard chart with first week sales totaling more than 90,000 copies. In addition, 'Memory Almost Full' is the first McCartney album to be made available digitally, selling 15,598 digital albums in its first week.
'We are delighted ¡Memory Almost Full' is receiving such a warm and enthusiastic reception from fans,' said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment who also oversees Hear Music. 'The success of Paul's new album illustrates our unique ability to connect artists with audiences across a broad retail spectrum.'
The renowned musician is experiencing a career renaissance with 'Memory Almost Full' earning critical praise and strong support from radio with the first U.S. single, 'Ever Present Past.' The single continues to gain momentum across multiple radio formats including the No 1 new and active single at AC, No 3 at Classic Rock, and No 10 on the AAA Tracks Chart. The video single, 'Dance Tonight' has been added in medium rotation at VH1 and part two of McCartney's exclusive interview with ABC's Good Morning America airs Thursday, June 14.
On June 5, Starbucks launched the album by hosting a Global Listening Event in which more than 10,000 locations in 29 countries played the record all day long. The unprecedented event introduced an estimated six million customers to the new album and resulted in Starbucks most successful single day of album sales of any title in the Company's history. More than 23,000 copies of 'Memory Almost Full' were sold at Starbucks on the album's first day of release.
On June 18, Hear Music will release a one-a-kind video tribute filmed at the Global Listening Event in honor of McCartney's 65th Birthday and distributed via a host of viral video portals.
The video features well-wishes from celebrities, music lovers and McCartney fans from London, New York, Berlin, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Miami.
'Memory Almost Full,' reunites McCartney with longtime producer and friend David Kahne and provides a very personal retrospective drawing upon childhood memories from Liverpool, summers long gone, and the times spent writing music with John Lennon.

Paul McCartney Says Oasis Has No Chance In Achieving Beatles Fame

SOURCE: Jordan Casey - AHN News Writer

Los Angeles, CA (BANG) - Sir Paul McCartney laughed off Oasis' claims they would be "bigger than The Beatles". The Fab Four legend pities musicians who try to compete with The Beatles' success.

Paul told Newsweek magazine: "When they started out, Oasis boasted that they were going to be bigger than The Beatles. And I felt sorry for them. It's a prediction that just doesn't come true. It's a fatal prediction. I sort of sit back and go, 'Good luck, son.'"

The 64-year-old recently released "Memory Almost Full," his first album with Starbucks' Hear Music label.

The Beatles, who also comprised John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, became one of the most famous bands of all time after shooting to fame in the '60s.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, the group, who hail from Liverpool, are the biggest selling musical act ever in the U.S. Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher constantly name The Beatles as one of their big musical influences.

Noel said: "If you're not in it to be bigger than The Beatles, it's just a hobby."

Maccaspan Presents Memory Almost Full

A twenty six minute promo video made up of videos and photos from the first announcement of Memory Almost Full to now. Maccaspan toolbar users will have FIRST ACCESS to this video today! Keep checking that bar!

Wristbands Available for Secret Lodon Show TODAY!

Wristbands for Paul show tonight are now available!To celebrate the release of his new album 'Memory Almost Full', Paul McCartney is playing a secret show on Thursday night (June 7th) at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London.A limited number of free wristbands will be available from 12.30pm on the show day (TODAY!) at the venue box office on a first come, first served basis.

Source: memoryalmostfull.com

Star Bucks for Starbucks

"Hello, Amazon customers, Paul McCartney here," begins the legendary rock singer.
He then starts strumming a mandolin and singing the first few bars of his next single. The video clip feels awkward at first. Is that a hotel room? Did he botch a chord? When did Sir Paul start channeling Christopher Walken? Is the ex-Beatle really here, promoting his new record on Amazon.com with a personalized pitch?
It then feels all too real by the time he advises viewers to "click the button. Buy the record. Buy. Buy millions of them."

Memory Almost Full hit by Sales Snag

Hundreds of copies Sir Paul McCartney's latest album will not be eligible for the UK charts, the BBC has learned.
The music legend has just released his 21st solo album, Memory Almost Full, on a label run by coffee chain Starbucks.

But Starbucks' 533 UK stores are not registered with the Official Chart Company - which means CDs bought there will not count towards the top 40.

The company said it had no immediate plans to contribute sales data to the chart compilers.

Memory Almost Full is still likely to make the Top 40 this weekend, however, as it is also being sold through traditional high-street retailers and download services like iTunes.


It is currently number seven in Amazon's top-sellers list - but it is being outsold by The Beatles' Sergeant Pepper album.

STARBUCKS VIDEO TRIBUTE

Starbucks Video Tribute to Paul McCartneyIn addition to the Global Listening Event taking place at more than 10,000 Starbucks locations around the world, Starbucks invites McCartney fans to make music history by participating in a unique video tribute honoring McCartney's 65th birthday.On June 5, film crews will disperse to 11 key Starbucks locations in cities around the globe, including London, New York, Berlin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Miami.

Fans can deliver a birthday message directly to McCartney at a designated store location in these markets. These messages may be included in the video tribute which will premiere on June 18, Paul McCartney's birthday, via a host of online outlets.

Participants in the video are encouraged to bring memorabilia, make homemade signs, and dance along to the sounds of "Memory Almost Full" as it plays overhead.

Video Crews will be on hand to film at the following Starbucks locations:

AtlantaStarbucks 7th & Peachtree867 Peachtree StreetAtlanta, GATuesday, June 5, 20073:00 PM - 5:00 PM

BerlinStarbucks Coffee House Hackesche Hoefe Rosenthalerstrasse 40-4110178 BerlinNoon - 2:00 PM

Hong KongStarbucks CoffeeShop No 1082 on Level 1 of The IFC Mall8 Finance Street, Central, Hong KongNoon - 2:00 PM

LondonStarbucks Coffee 425 Oxford StreetLondonNoon - 2:00 PM

Los AngelesStarbucks Ventura & Alcott13535 Ventura BlvdSherman Oaks, CATuesday, June 5, 2007Noon - 2:00 PM

MiamiStarbucks Hear Music™ Coffeehouse605 Lincoln RoadMiami Beach, FLTuesday, June 5, 200711:00 AM - 1:00 PM

New York (two locations)Starbucks 67th & Columbus156 - 158 Columbus AvenueNew York, NYNoon - 2:00 PM

Starbucks Long Beach 101 West Park AveLong Beach, NYTuesday, June 5, 2007Noon - 2:00 PM

PhiladelphiaStarbucks 16th & Arch 1600 Arch StreetPhiladelphia, PATuesday, June 5, 200711:00 AM - 1:00 PM

SeattleStarbucks Hear Music™ CoffeehouseBellevue Square545 Bellevue WayBellevue, WATuesday, June 5, 20075:00 PM - 7:00 PM

TokyoStarbucks Tokyo Midtown Plaza 1F 9-7-3 Akasaka Minato-ku Noon - 2:00 PM

Recording Guidelines:The following applies to any individual or group wishing to record a birthday greeting to Sir Paul McCartney ("Birthday Greeting")

By coming to the Starbucks location, you agree to be videotaped and recorded for possible broadcast and distribution in any medium throughout the world and in perpetuity and you release Starbucks, its affiliates, licensees, subsidiaries and agents from any liability, remuneration or other compensation with regard to the Birthday Greeting.If you wish to record a Birthday Greeting, you must appear at the specific Starbucks locations during the designated time and sign a release form provided by Starbucks. Do not sign the release form if you are unable to read and fully understand the contents of the release. If you are under the age of 18, then your parent or guardian must sign the release form on your behalf. Starbucks does not make any guarantee or representation that any recording of you or by you will be in the final edit of the Birthday Video. Starbucks shall have sole discretion as to the content and exploitation of Birthday Video. All recording and filming shall be deemed a work-for-hire and is the sole and exclusive property of Starbucks throughout the universe and perpetuity.

No birthday greeting may contain (1) music; (2) the copyrighted or proprietary materials of any other party; (3) any offensive or derogatory language.Starbucks may alter, edit, modify and exploit the Birthday Greeting in any manner.

Global Listening Event

On June 5, Starbucks will make history by hosting an unprecedented Global Listening Event to celebrate the release of Paul McCartney’s Memory Almost Full, the first album ever released by Hear Music. More than 10,000 Starbucks stores in 29 countries and territories worldwide will participate in the event by playing the album in stores, all day, across all time zones. Beginning with New Zealand’s 47 stores, the Global Listening Event will roll-out in every Company-operated Starbucks in the world allowing an estimated six million people to discover the new album in a single day.

Be sure to go into your Starbucks location that day and celebrate the release of this amazing album.

On that same day, 20 stores will be hosting in-store radio promotions that will include Limited Edition Starbucks Card giveaways and album giveaways. If you live in one of the following areas, be sure to stop in during the time specified.

Atlanta
7th & Peachtree
867 Peachtree Street,
Atlanta, GA 30308
3pm – 5pm

Atlanta
Web Gin House
1245 Scenic Highway,
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
3pm – 5pm

Boston
Newton Train Station
70 Union Street,
Newton, MA 02159
3pm – 5pm

Chicago
Piper’s Alley
210 W North Ave,
Chicago, IL 60610
6pm – 8pm

Dallas
Spring Creek & 75
1121 E. Spring Creek Pwkwy #100
Plano, TX 75074
7am – 9am

Denver
Wadsworth and Bowles
8246-C West Bowles Ave
Littleton, CO
5pm – 7pm

Detroit
12/Mound
29215 Mound Rd.
Warren, MI 48092
TBD

Houston
Buffalo Speedway and West Park
5115 Buffalo Speedway, Ste 100
Houston, Texas 77005
Noon – 2pm

Las Vegas
Durango and Charleston
950 S. Durango Drive
Las Vegas, NV
11am – 1pm

Los Angeles
Ventura & Allott
13535 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Noon – 2pm

Los Angeles
Huntington Beach – Main Street
221 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Noon – 2pm

Los Angeles
Katella & Main
1627 W. Katella Avenue
Orange, CA 92867
4pm – 6 pm

Miami
Hear Music Coffeehouse
601 Lincoln Rd.
Miami Beach, FL 33139
11am – 1pm

New York
Long Beach
101 West Park Ave.
Long Beach, NY 11561
Noon – 2pm

New York
Chappaqua
2 South Greeley Avenue,
Chappaqua, NY 10514
11am – 1pm

Philadelphia
16th & Arch
1600 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
11am – 1pm

Phoenix
Greenfield & Inverness
Mesa, Arizona
6am – 9am

Portland
Pioneer Courthouse Square
720 SW Roadway
Portland, OR 97205
Noon – 2pm

Sacramento
9th and I
980 9th Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814
3:30pm – 5:30pm

San Diego
Carlsbad Company Stores
5620 Paseo Del Norte, suite 124
Carlsbad, CA 92008
4:00 PM

San Francisco
Third & Market store
Third and Market
7 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
11am – 1pm

Seattle
Hear Music Coffeehouse
545 Bellevue Way
Bellevue, WA 98004
5pm – 7pm

Tampa
Howard and Moody
711 South Howard St.
Tampa, FL 33606
10am – Noon

Washington D.C.
Pike 7
8381-8383 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182
7am – 9am

The Big Issue / NME

As part of the UK promo of Memory Almost Full you can find Paul on the front cover of The Big Issue this week and he is also featured in NME tomorrow (Wednesday 30th May).

30-Min TV Special in Honor of Release of Memory Almost Full

Multichannel Retailer HSN Teams With Hear Music to Create 30-Minute Television Special in Honor of New Paul McCartney Release of Memory Almost Full
Limited Edition DVD/CD Set Available For Pre-Order During Special Paul McCartney Listening Party May 30 Leading Up to June 5 Official Release
By PR Newswire
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Multichannel retailing powerhouse HSN today announced that it is teaming with Hear Music to produce a Paul McCartney Listening Party television special to celebrate the upcoming release of Paul McCartney's latest album, Memory Almost Full. Scheduled to air May 30 at 8 p.m. and May 31 at 1:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., the special 30-minute program will feature cuts from the new CD, lively discussions with McCartney fans and video segments from Paul McCartney as he shares the inspiration behind his latest work.

The first new studio album from McCartney in nearly two years, Memory Almost Full is also the inaugural CD release from Hear Music, the record label formed between Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group. Memory Almost Full will be available for order during the listening party on HSN and HSN.com as part of a limited edition DVD/CD set ($24,98) that includes three bonus tracks, behind-the-scenes footage of McCartney in the recording studio and a special audio commentary.

For more information about the Paul McCartney Listening Party on HSN, or to purchase the Paul McCartney Memory Almost Full Limited Edition DVD/CD set, log on to http://www.hsn.com as of May 30.

McCartney paternity claim dismissed

German prosecutors said Friday they dropped an investigation into a woman's claim that ex-Beatle Paul McCartney is her father.
Berlin's state prosecutor's office ended Bettina Huebers' latest attempt to prove McCartney was her father, after determining the statute of limitations on her claim expired, E! News reported.

Huebers has claimed for years that she was the result of an affair McCartney allegedly had with her mother in Hamburg, Germany, from 1959 to 1962. Her first paternity suit, filed in the 1980s, was dismissed after the singer submitted to a blood test that came back negative.

In her recent suit, Huebers accused McCartney of fraud, alleging he sent a double to the blood test to ensure the results would be negative. As proof, she claimed the signature on the documents was signed by a right-handed person, while McCartney is left-handed.

"An examination of the complaint filed and an evaluation of the civil action to determine paternity in 1984 found any criminal act alleged by the woman filing the complaint -- even if it happened -- has passed the statute of limitations," prosecutor's office spokesman Michael Grunwald said in a statement.

New "Dance Tonight" Video

The official video for Paul McCartney's UK single 'Dance Tonight', taken from the album 'Memory Almost Full'.

McCartney won't mark 'Sgt. Pepper' anniversary

Paul McCartney has reportedly decided not to mark the fortieth anniversary of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band with any particular significance.A source close to the singer believes the former Beatle is just too busy to contemplate an event to celebrate the occasion, which sees what is arguably the Beatles' most famous record ever hit a landmark date. Most of his McCarteny's time in the foreseeable future will be taken up promoting his new album Memory Almost Full.A host of bands, including Oasis and the Kaiser Chiefs, have entered the studio recently to record their own versions of songs from the album."While it would have been nice to see Paul and Ringo Starr do something to mark the occasion this time around, Sir Paul is simply going to be too busy promoting his new album to make a big deal out of it,” the source told the Daily Express. "While he is obviously extremely proud of Sgt Pepper's, it's more rewarding for him to be concentrating on making sure his new album's a commercial success."

Starbucks to heavily promote new Paul McCartney album

Global coffee conglomerate Starbucks is organising a special global listening event on June 5 for Sir Paul McCartney's new album Memory Almost Full. More than 10,000 locations in 29 countries around the world will play the album in full throughout the day.
Starbucks has estimated that globally, more than six million people will hear at least part of the album on that day.
Memory Almost Full will also be positioned prominently in its stores at the point of sale and other areas.
A limited edition Paul McCartney Starbucks card will also be offered. The first time Starbucks has done anything like this was for the late Ray Cahrles album Genius Loves Company.
The album will also be supported with in-store signage and satellite radio play via Starbucks' XM channel and a special dedicated McCartney channel. Special tie-ins with in-store Wi-Fi partner T-Mobile will also be held.
Memory Almost Full will also be available for digital download via online retailers, with Starbucks planning to provide prime positioning to the album via its area in Apple's iTunes store.
Elsewhere, the album will be marketed by hand-picked teams within Universal Music Group International companies.

Ecce Cor Meum wins Album of the Year

EMI Classics artists enjoyed a highly successful evening at the Classical Brit Awards on Thursday 3rd May at the Royal Albert Hall winning a whole host of prestigious awards.The Winners:NS&I Album of the Year was awarded to Sir Paul McCartney for his powerful work for orchestra and voices, Ecce Cor Meum.Classical Recording of the Year award went to Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for their spellbinding account of Holst's The Planets.Instrumentalist of the Year was awarded for the second year running to Leif Ove Andsnes for his album Horizons.Soundtrack of the Year was awarded to composer George Fenton for BBC TV's Planet EarthDr Vernon Handley CBE was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement award.The audience was also treated to live performances by the stunning soprano Natasha Marsh, tenor Alfie Boe and cellist Natalie Clein who performed a movement from the Elgar Cello Concerto conducted by Lifetime Achievement winner Vernon Handley. Myleene Klass, the newest addition to the EMI Classics roster joined Natasha, Alfie and Natalie at the star-studded event, showing her support to new label-mates.Many congratulations to all of our artists - performers nominations and winners - for a wonderful evening!The Classical Brit Awards 2007 will be televised on ITV1 at 11pm, Sunday 13th May and also 20th May on ITV3. Don't miss it!

McCartney's music goes mobile in Japan

Japan is set to be the first territory in which Paul McCartney`s music will be available via mobile phone, says Universal Music Japan.
UMJ will release a master ringtone version of the single "Dance Tonight" on May 10. All the other tracks from McCartney`s new album, 'Memory Almost Full,' will be released as master ringtones and mobile-based full-song downloads (including "Dance Tonight") on June 6, the same day as the physical CD`s release.
The album will be available as PC-based digital downloads on June 4.
'Memory Almost Full' is the first album to be released by the former Beatle under his recently-signed deal with the Hear Music label set up by Starbucks Entertainment and the Concord Music Group. Universal Music Group International has a distribution deal with Hear Music.

Memory Almost Full Title

Paul mentions during a streaming audio interview on http://www.bbc.co.uk

that the title for his 21st album came from a message he got on his cell phone telling him he needed to delete some stuff off the phone, because, "MEMORY ALMOST FULL"

The mp3 can be heard by downloading this link: http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=328217

A special thanks to Evie for posting the link on the Maccaspan forum!

Paul McCartney's new album in deluxe edition

The deluxe limited edition of Paul McCartney's upcoming album, Memory Almost Full, will feature three bonus tracks. The expanded version of the album is available for presale through amazon.com. According to unofficial reports posted on the McCartney fan website maccareport.com, the three tracks are called "Why So Blue," "222," and "In Private." The album will also be released without the bonus tracks, at both Starbucks chains and other regular outlets, and will be McCartney's first album to be released digitally.McCartney band member Brian Ray told maccareport.com that during the early part of the album's sessions, McCartney and the group recorded at London's legendary Abbey Road studio where the Beatles recorded the majority of their work together, with the "Fabs'" longtime engineer Geoff Emerick. Ray, who began working with McCartney in 2002, recalled McCartney taking him aside during the sessions and telling him, "Brian, I want you to play bass on the tracking sessions but I'm sorry to say, I will probably end up overdubbing my own bass on the songs... I feel bad, because you play great!'" Ray went on to tell him, "Paul, if I went out to buy the new Paul McCartney CD and someone else was playing bass, I'd be angry! I completely understand."A homemade videoclip to the song "Mr. Bellamy" from the new album can be accessed through McCartney's website myeyesight.com. Memory Almost Full will be released on June 5th.

Paul McCartney Gives Starbucks a Hit

By Roger Friedman
Paul McCartney. You know, he's 64 years old. On June 1, he celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Beatles' landmark album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Four days later he will release his newest album "Memory Almost Full." This is a landmark of sorts, too. It's his first album release on Starbucks' Hear Music label. McCartney, the most successful pop performer/singer/writer in history, has left the mainstream music business.
The good news is that "Memory Almost Full" is excellent, just as good as his Grammy-nominated "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard."
But McCartney, sources say, felt that Capitol Records did nothing to promote "Chaos" despite its four nominations. The album, like most of Capitol's releases, went nowhere. So the pop star is gone, and his departure is a blow to a record company on the ropes.McCartney took his entire back catalogue with him when he left, too. This includes all his solo albums, and Wings releases, everything from McCartney to "Ram" to "Band on the Run" and "Chaos."
It's not like CDs still really sell or that many people are busy looking for "Red Rose Speedway" or "Flowers in the Dirt," but still: McCartney as a solo artist is one of the great success stories in the now nearly dead music business.
Whether taking "Memory Almost Full" to Starbucks is a smart move remains to be seen. The coffee chain has had a lot of hits with other company's releases, but also some duds. Can you say Antigone Rising?
And, of course, Starbucks also sells CDs at high prices. I have personally resisted James Morrison's album while waiting for cappuccino because it's $14.99. I could download it for $5 less.
On the other hand, outside of Amazon.com, Starbucks is one of the few places people my age will buy a CD at all. The remaining "record" stores are multitask disasters with thunderous hip-hop music making the visit very unpleasant.
Like most everything else in the music business, the era of contemplative record hunting through bins is over.
Even so, buying "Memory Almost Over" in Starbucks should prove to be a rewarding experience. McCartney is true to form on this CD, offering lush ballads and jangling rockers with as much gusto and unembarrassed gushing as ever. From the opening track, a mandolin-powered ebullient "Dance Tonight," to the closing power surge of "Nod Your Head," he's still got it.
Of course, nowadays, you listen to a Paul McCartney record more closely than ever for the lyrics. Is "Dance Tonight" some kind of comment on his gold-digging ex-wife's stint on "Dancing with the Stars"? Is the beautifully wistful "You Tell Me" sung to his late, beloved wife, Linda? What about "Ever Present Past" and "Vintage Clothes"? Aren't they nostalgic reminisces of that first, now much-missed marriage? It would seem so.
My favorite track, "That Was Me," a rockabilly shuffle, is disarmingly reflective for McCartney. For years, until his excellent "Flaming Pie" album, he eschewed real emotion for a veneer of flashed peace signs.
"That Was Me," as it is, inaugurates a five-song medley that finishes off "Memory." "Feet in the Clouds," "House of Wax" and "The End of the End" comprise the bulk of the medley. Some of the publicity compares this to the suite on "Abbey Road." Not really.
The medley really reminded me of a similar one on "Red Rose Speedway" and on some of the other solo albums. Paul McCartney loves a medley, you know. He loves stringing together short bits with different melodies.
Luckily, he's good at it. His medleys usually contain at least one gem. Back on "Red Rose," it was "Hands of Love." On this album, it's "Feet in the Clouds," a tour de force where McCartney — who has absolutely improved 100 percent as a lyricist — insists he has his "head on the ground" in a Beatle-esque counterpoint that even John Lennon would admire.
What will happen when "Memory" joins the ventis and the grandes and the chocolate-covered graham crackers on the Starbucks shelves?
Already, McCartney says he has made a video for "Dance Tonight" with director Michel Gondry. Natalie Portman is featured in it. But neither MTV nor VH1 plays many videos, and none by rock stars who will turn 65 three weeks after his album is released.
But no one writes or sings like Paul McCartney. After a roller coaster career of tremendous highs and curious lows, he has acquitted himself brilliantly on "Memory Almost Full."

Beatles To Release New Single?

The surviving members of THE BEATLES are to release a new single compiled from archive recordings.The track, called Now And Then, is based on a John Lennon recording given to McCartney by the late musician's widow Yoko Ono. Archive tracks from George Harrison will also be woven into the new song, along with vocals from Sir Paul McCartney and drumming from Ringo Starr, reports British newspaper the Sunday Express.ELO musician Jeff Lynne, who produced the track's original sessions, says, "The song had a chorus but is almost totally lacking in verses. We did the backing track, a rough go that we really didn't finish."It was sort of a bluesy sort of ballad, I suppose, in A minor. It was a very sweet song; I liked it a lot, and I wish we could have finished it."

Maccaspan Is Under Construction

Just doing a bit of fine tuning of the FLASH part of the site. Some sections may not be available. (Should only be for a day or so)

Paul McCartney in nostalgic mood

A reflective Paul McCartney, currently embroiled in a bitter divorce battle, retreats to a simpler time of childhood games and early Beatles gigs on his new album, "Memory Almost Full."
The album, his first since 2005's Grammy-nominated "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," is due for worldwide release in the week beginning June 4; he turns 65 on June 18.

"In places it's a very personal record, and a lot of it is retrospective, drawing from memory, like memories from being a kid, from Liverpool and from summers gone," McCartney said in a statement. "The album is evocative, emotional, rocking, but I can't really sum it up in one sentence."
McCartney pondered the past in such Beatles tunes as "Penny Lane" and "Eleanor Rigby," and returns to similar territory in such new songs as "That Was Me," in which he recalls "playing conkers at the bus stop" and "Merseybeatin' with the band."
But tunes such as "My Ever Present Past" and "Vintage Clothes" warn against spending too much time looking back.
Fans looking for commentary on McCartney's highly publicised and increasingly nasty divorce from Heather Mills might find a conciliatory line in the song "Gratitude," in which he sings, "I should stop loving you, think what you put me through, but I don't want to lock my heart away."
A spokesman said he did not know if this lyric was directed at Mills, who separated from McCartney last year and has been portrayed in Britain's tabloid newspapers as gold-digger seeking to cash in on the beloved former Beatle's fortune.
In his statement, McCartney noted, "I know people are going to look at some of the songs and interpret them in different ways, but this has always been the case."
"Memory Almost Full" marks his first release for coffee retailer Starbucks Corp.'s nascent Hear Music label, following a career spent mostly at EMI Group Plc.
Reuters/Nielsen

Meyesight is officially open!

Paul McCartney and team have officially launched Paul's new site Meyesight!
Even though it's been on the web for a while now, it was never officially announced.

Although you have to register to access the site.

Right now it's just a bunch of mish mash of Paul and his works. Which is nice cause
that means we might see more goodies from the past!

Visit www.meyesight.com today!

Memory Almost Full has a COVER!

There will be 3 different configurations of "Memory Almost Full".

One will be just the album tracks. The Deluxe Edition will have two CD's: one will be the album tracks and the other will have a Paul interview and 3 bonus tracks. The Limited Edition will have all of the above plus a video DVD.




1. Dance Tonight

2. Ever Present Past (first single US)

3. See Your Sunshine

4. Only Mama Knows

5. You Tell Me

6. Mr. Bellamy

7. Gratitude

8. Vintage Clothes

9. That Was Me

10. Feet In The Clouds

11. House Of Wax

12. End Of The End

13 Nod Your Head (Japanese bonus track)

Thanks for the Donations!

Thanks to the recent donations from:

Jeronen
9091
Mieke
Lil'Roo
Carol

Your names are now included on the donation page at www.maccaspan.com
So far with the extra Maccaspan funds, we've been able to double our
users bandwidth and double the amount of space on the site!!!

Thanks again!

Lyrics section added!

A new lyrics section has been added to page 2 of the links on the Maccaspan main site!

Also a special thanks to those of you who have made donations.
All funds will be used to help build the future of Maccaspan!

Ever Present Past

Well, the forum broke a record. 29 people on the Maccaspan forum at one time. Why?
To hear Paul's new single "Ever Present Past"

Thanks Maccaspanian's couldn't have picked a cooler bunch of people to hear it with!!!

Meyesight

Meyesight... What could it be? Well, it may be a branch off Paul McCartney.com or it may be a new website for Hear Music.
Either way, the site was up for a bit for testing, and it didn't take long for someone to stumble upon it!
It's down now for the moment. They are probably waiting to post the finished product. The
exciting part was that there were videos of Paul on there.

Keep checking out www.meyesight.com for more detail!

Pre-Order Memory Almost Full

Pre-Order Paul McCartney's Memory Almost Full from:

Amazon US
Amazon Canada
Amazon UK
HMV Japan

Interesting, you can't order it from Starbucks yet!

New Paul McCartney album tracklisting leaked?

What appears to be the tracklisting to Paul McCartney's new album, Memory Almost Full, has appeared on the website starbucksgossip.typepad.com. The unconfirmed information features the titles to the album's 12 tracks and a thumbnail description of the songs. The album is McCartney's first for the Starbucks/Concord Music Group's offshoot label Hear Music.

Interestingly, both McCartney's late wife Linda McCartney and Beatles bandmate John Lennon feature in the song titles. The reported opening track, titled "To Be Said," is from a 2001 poem McCartney published about Linda in his poetry book Blackbird Singing. "Pizza And Fairy Tales" was what Lennon accused McCartney of being during a mid-'70s phone argument. According to McCartney, Lennon once spat out at him that, "You're only pizza and fairytales." Since Lennon's death, McCartney has gone on record numerous times saying that it would make a great album title.

The Starbucks Gossip post reads in part:
"To Be Said" - Based on the poem. A short string quartet piece. Delicate.
"Bring The Dawn" - Huge production number, mellotrons to brass, booming drums.
"Memory Almost Full" - Nice pop song (see "Driving Rain"), likely (the)first single. Some electronica.
"Love Hear My Thunder" - (Rolling) Stones-like rocker. (Sounds like) peak Wings.
"Robber Of Soul" - Funky jazz/brass number, unlike anything in (McCartney's) catalog so far. "Cracks In The Earth" - Electric piano ballad, sounds like a Chaos And Creation In The Backyard track.
"Buy The Farm" - Solid rocker, Steve Miller-ish.
"It Happens Every Time" - Tight rocker, best song here.
"Silent Water" - Piano/organ/electronica song -- nice lyrics.
"God Damn Rock 'n Roll" - Sounds like a Back To The Egg outtake- almost punk.
"Pizza And Fairytales" - Most Beatle-esque. Reminds (me) of (McCartney's unreleased 1987 song)
"Return To Pepperland." "Pictures In Song Suite" - Almost 15 minutes. A true song suite, divided into four movements. Most people won't get how good this is.

The McCartney fansite macca-central.com reported that the domain memoryalmostfull.com was purchased by Concord Music Group on March 13th, and it's a safe bet that that will be the home page for the upcoming album. McCartney's Memory Almost Full will be released on June 5th

Vote for Ecce Cor Meum

2007 Classical Brits - Nomination and Voting News!
Last night, Monday 2nd April was the official launch of the Classical Brits 2007 and it was announced that Paul McCartney's Ecce Cor Meum has been nominated for NS&I Album of the Year. This award is decided by a public vote.
Voting for the NS&I Album of the Year begins on 10 April online at www.classicfm.com/brits
Each voter has the chance to win one of five pairs of tickets to the Awards. You need to be a member of their 'Behind the Music' section before you can vote, but once you have signed up you will be able to cast one vote - so use it wisely!

Memory Almost Full

Paul's new album, Memory Almost Full is set to be released;

06/05/2007

Label: HEAR MUSIC
Catalog No.: 30348
UPC: 888072303485

No album art yet... But you can pre-order the cd from Amazon.UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/026-5490909-8295640?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Memory+almost+full&Go.x=12&Go.y=11

Wings & Beatle Elements Can Be Heard On New McCartney Album

Paul McCartney takes a look back at his life on his new album, which he worked on with Strokes producer David Kahne and which will be the first album released on Starbucks' new Hear Music label. McCartney played most of the instruments on this collage-style disc, which includes a fifteen-minute Abbey Road-style suite. "It's him being reflective," says Glen Barros, CEO of Starbucks partner Concord Music Group. "You can hear real elements of the Wings and Beatles eras."

Podomatic Down

Seems like Podomatic is having some issues at the moment. This effects Maccaspan radio because the first 49 episodes are being hosted on Podomatic.

Even though you can still see the pages and access the database:

http://maccaspan.podomatic.com/

http://maccaspan2.podomatic.com/

http://maccaspan3.podomatic.com/

The site won't allow you to play any multimedia on it. Hopefully it will be back shortly.

This will also effect the Podcast player on the Maccaspan Toolbar.

EDIT: Seems like they're up and running again!

Sir Paul McCartney is going back on tour to get over his bitter split from Heather Mills.

The Beatles legend is desperate to put his divorce battle behind him and has decided to hit the road again.A source told Britain's Daily Express newspaper: 'Paul is itching to get back and play live. He never even got to perform in the UK or Europe so he's keen to rectify that. He has always loved touring and sees it as the perfect way to putting his problems behind him.' Sir Paul, 64, was forced to abandon the European leg of his world tour last year because of his marital problems. The couple - who have a three-year-old daughter Beatrice together - split last May after four years of marriage.According to friends, Sir Paul will use his new stadium tour to promote his forthcoming album, which is to be released this summer on the new Starbucks record label, Hear Music.Sir Paul - who was the first artist to sign to the label - is leaving Capitol Records who he has worked with on and off for 43 years, to join the new Los Angeles-based music venture.

Macca 'just friends with heiress'

Sir Paul McCartney's relationship with heiress Sabrina Guinness is just a friendship, the ex-Beatle's spokesman said today.
The 64-year-old was photographed outside the home of the 52-year-old former love of the Prince of Wales.
The pair are said to have met for a dinner date on Wednesday night, with the socialite comforting the singer over his divorce battle.
But the singer's spokesman Stuart Bell said: "There is no relationship beyond friendship."
The singer, whose estranged wife Heather Mills is starring on US reality TV show Dancing with the Stars, said: "I realise everyone wants to see me with a new bird right now and that's very flattering.
"I have known this lady for a while. We enjoy each other's company. When we get together we talk about stuff like the environment and Al Gore, things like that."
He told the Daily Mail: "I have had a terrible day at the office and as you probably know I'm going through a pretty difficult divorce right now too."
The star added: "It's not really a big thing. We have known each other a long time."
Macca invited Miss Guinness to join him and his daughter Stella and her husband Alasdhair Willis for dinner in an Italian restaurant in Notting Hill, west London.
But his plans were scuppered by the paparazzi, and after picking her up in his chauffeured Lexus, he dropped off the heiress to the Guinness industry at a friend's house before going to the restaurant alone - informing photographers that they had ruined his night.

McCartney Signed to New Starbucks Label

Paul McCartney was introduced as the first artist signed to Starbucks Corp.'s new record label, lending an iconic nameplate to the coffeehouse giant's latest entertainment venture.
The former Beatle, who made an appearance over a video feed from London at the company's annual meeting Wednesday, said he expects to release his next album on Starbucks' new Hear Music label in early June.
McCartney said he was impressed with Hear Music's push to use Starbucks' 13,500 retail outlets as part of its sales plan. He also praised the company's dedication.
'For me, the great thing is the commitment and the passion and the love of music, which as an artist is good to see,' he said.
The company said McCartney was signing a one-album deal with Hear Music, the partnership between Seattle-based Starbucks and Concord Music Group announced last week. Financial terms were not disclosed.
McCartney's rights to his previous song catalog are not part of the deal with Starbucks, said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks' entertainment unit. McCartney most recently released records through EMI Group PLC.
The label plans to sell albums through traditional and digital music outlets, with no advance sales and no additional content for Starbucks stores.
Rather than overshadowing the next artists to join the label, McCartney could serve as an 'anchor' artist who may help sway other musicians to the label, said Geoff Mayfield, a senior analyst for Billboard magazine.
'I can't criticize them for choosing a Beatle to start their enterprise,' Mayfield said.
The McCartney announcement is another big step for Starbucks' attempts to spin part of its consumer appeal into the entertainment business.
The coffeehouse chain already has produced and sold some albums, markets books, and helped develop a feature-length movie. Lombard said Starbucks Entertainment is currently profitable.
Hear Music has been used as a brand on other releases developed for sale in Starbucks stores. The coffee giant also has a branded page on Apple Inc.'s iTunes digital music store, and it has a handful of hybrid music-and-coffee stores that allow customers to burn tracks to CDs.
Concord, which controls several other labels, helped Starbucks sell the Grammy-winning 'Genius Loves Company,' an album of Ray Charles duets.
Lombard said Hear Music has been in talks with other artists and expects to sign two more this year and another eight next year.

New Maccaspan MP3 Player!

There is a NEW MP3 player on the main page at Maccaspan!
Now you can surf Maccaspan and listen to your favorite Paul McCartney rare tracks!

And what does it cost you? Not a darn thing!

Check it out, go to www.maccaspan.com now!

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!

Happy St. Patty's day everyone!
Have a green beer today. But remember not to over do it!

Cheers; Maccaspan!

Paul McCartney Leaving Capitol Records After 40 Years

Paul McCartney is splitting with the record company he’s called home for most of the last 43 years.
Except for a brief break in the early 1980s when he skipped to Columbia Records and then back, McCartney has been with Capitol since the Beatles’ first album in 1964.
But he’s leaving, effective immediately, and taking his entire back catalog of solo albums with him. That’s everything including bestsellers like "Band on the Run," "McCartney," "Ram," "Flowers in the Dirt," "Tug of War" and his critically acclaimed most recent album, "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," nominated for four Grammys, including Album of the Year, in 2006.
That much is news. This much has also been reported: McCartney will be the first artist signed with Starbucks’ new record label. News of the label and McCartney’s potential involvement were first suggested in Sunday’s New York Post.

But I can tell you exclusively: It’s a done deal. It will be announced this week. McCartney will first offer just his new album to Starbucks for a fall release. The rest of the catalog he will sit on for the moment.
Capitol, I can also tell you, is not happy. They are part of the ailing EMI Records empire. EMI, like Warner Music, is suffering and could collapse at any time. This news is a terrible blow to them.
"They knew it was coming," a source says. "They did nothing for the 'Chaos' album, and they were reminded that McCartney’s entire contract was ending. Look, they did nothing for the Beatles’ 'Love' album this winter. It just sold on its own. Everything they do is outdated."
McCartney’s exit from Capitol is interesting in many ways. Every since the Beatles joined Capitol, all their albums and all their solo albums have come from the label.
Capitol’s association with the group since they broke up in 1970 has always been key. McCartney’s Wings albums were with the label, as was John Lennon’s "Imagine," George Harrison’s "All Things Must Pass" and Ringo Starr’s "Ringo!" Even Sean Lennon has released a Capitol album.
But all that may change now that McCartney has flown the coop. Starbucks has proven to be a much more effective seller of CDs and DVDs than record stores, thanks to their amazing retailing and branding.
Starbucks customers have come to regard non-coffee product merchandise as hip and attractive, while record companies have been unable to reach customers at all in recent years.

New Paul McCartney Album???

Sir Paul pleads: Get me back to where I once belonged

11/03/07 Exclusive By Chris Goodman

PAUL McCartney is planning to release an album as soon as his divorce is over. Friends say the former Beatle is desperate to be known for his music again “The album is scheduled for seven or eight weeks’ time, it’s imminent,” said a source close to McCartney’s company MPL.

“It’s a rock album. But he knows that just because he might win a court case, it doesn’t necessarily mean fans will buy his album. “It’s almost like starting out again for him. He lost touch with his core fans when he married Heather and he wants to reconnect.” Another McCartney aide said: “We’ve been told to stand by for an album. He has been working on it for some time and it will be the first of two projects, the second being a guitar concerto.”

But he is just as concerned at the damage the marriage has done to his reputation as Britain’s biggest rock star. “Before he met her, he was the chairman of the board of rock’n’roll,” said the source. “Now he’s more like the chairman of Grace Brothers. He’s old Mr Grace. People love

Paul because he’s a national icon but the national icon has been made to look a fool. Colleagues are talking about a series of intimate gigs to relaunch McCartney, or even an impromptu tour in the style of his 1970s band, Wings, who turned up unannounced at universities, asking to play.

Sir Paul has always been keen on intimate gigs as a way of directly reaching fans. After The Beatles gave up live performances in 1966, he suggested they turn up at pubs to play and has repeatedly planned smaller shows over the years. His daughter, fashion designer Stella, 35, has been helping him plan his future and has taken an active role in his business affairs over the past few months. “It’s true, Stella has been running the show,” said the source. “She’s making decisions, backing Paul up on a lot. “She’s his main ally and of all his children, the one most like him. She took the marriage personally, she hated it from day one, everyone who was at the wedding will tell you that, she wasn’t smiling. Stella’s a good girl, she has the same honesty and work ethics as her father. She understands the responsibility of being a McCartney.”

500 Error Message Explained... Hard CRASH!!!

Just to give you an update, the Maccaspan board is hosted on Maccaspan.com, BUT all the account info and posts are kept on a database on phpBB.com. This is the message we got when
we went tho their website.

Ouch! RAID array failure…

We’re sad to announce that during the switch of a failed harddisk to the hot-spare and the planned 2 hours required for the array to re-sync, we’ve been hit by an extremely unexpected double-disk failure which leaves us with a dead array.
As the server needs to be rebuilt with a new set of harddisks and reconfigured, there will be a number of days of downtime whilst this holding page is up on a vserver and that the server failure can be recovered from with the existing phpBB.com website and data from our private CVS repositories restored. In the mean time, please direct yourself to our temporary support forums over at Area51.
Bertie probably shouldn’t have fed the server honey to see if that would make it feel better…
Cheers :(

Where does that leave us? For now the Maccaspan forum will be temporarly be running on its
old home at forumforfree until the main phpBB gets it's database going.

So you may have to re-register just to use the OLD board unless you can remember your old account (see, I told ya to use your old username!) All new accounts will be USER registered, so
you'll be posting in no time!

PS. The old board is just as slow as ever!
http://p2.forumforfree.com/maccaspan.html


EDIT: Ok, the main board seems to be up and running for now!

Paul McCartney gives Heather Mills £2million advance on divorce

Paul McCartney has reportedly given Heather Mills a £2million “down-payment” to keep her financially solvent until the financial aspect of their divorce is settled.

According to a source close to the former Beatles, he gave the money as a “goodwill gesture without prejudice”.

The source told the Sun: “The £2million is all down to the fact Paul is a superbly warm and generous human being.”

“He recognises that there were good times. But the cash he agreed to hand over doesn’t prejudice what the eventual settlement will be. It’s to tide her over.”

In related news, Heather is still videoing her interactions with photographers during the divorce proceedings. She was spotted filming with her camcorder while driving away from Brighton railway station this week.

An onlooker reports: “She pulled out of the station holding the camera and looking out of the window. Then she sped off and ran a red light a bit further down the road. There was no way she was paying full attention to the road. It’s lucky she didn’t have an accident.”

McCartneys Have Their First Court Date

LONDON -- Paul McCartney and his estranged wife, Heather Mills McCartney, appeared in London's High Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing in their divorce case.

Mills McCartney, 38, said nothing as she arrived at the courthouse for the closed door session. The 64-year-old former Beatle arrived at the court's backdoor soon after.

McCartney whistled and snapped his fingers as he left the building after the two-hour hearing, flashing a peace sign to photographers stationed outside the court's parking lot before being driven off in a waiting car.

Mills McCartney left through a backdoor about 30 minutes later.

The couple separated last May after four years of marriage and began divorce proceedings in July. They have a 3-year-old daughter, Beatrice.

British law forbids publishing details of allegations in divorce cases. Mills McCartney began legal action against a number of media outlets after disparaging claims about her husband, alleged to have been contained in divorce court papers drawn up on her behalf, were reported in the press.

Paul and Ringo spotted together!

SIR Paul McCartney hops into a car with daughter Beatrice — after bumping into fellow Beatles legend Ringo Starr.
Macca met the 66-year-old drummer and his actress wife Barbara Bach, 59, as he picked up Beatrice, three, from a party.

But he couldn’t chat for long — so no doubt he’ll give his old pal a ring. Ringo was one of the first to give 64-year-old Paul plenty of support after his split from wife Heather Mills, 39.

Macca — whose grown-up daughters Stella, 35, and Mary, 37, were also at the bash in Westbourne Grove, West London — looked relaxed despite the bitter High Court divorce battle.

With a little help from his friends he’ll pull through...

Outstanding Achievement Award Presented for Contributions to `Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us`

This Year's Outstanding Achievement Award Presented for Contributions to "Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us"

DMN Newswire--2007-3-1--NEW YORK -- PostWorks, New York (www.pwny.com) is proud to announce that re-recording mixer and supervising sound editor Matt Foglia, CAS, has earned this year's Cinema Audio Society Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing Award for his contributions as re-recording mixer on "Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us." The concert film debuted on A&E last October, and an expanded version was released on DVD in November.
Foglia's win in the "Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television for Non-Fiction, Variety or Music Series or Specials" category is his second straight. Last year's honor came for his work on the PBS special, "Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Hammersmith Odeon, London 1975."


The latest winning project combines live performance footage from McCartney's sold-out 2005 U.S. tour with other behind-the-scenes tour footage and interviews. Captured in HD by producer/director Mark Haefeli of New York-based Mark Haefeli Productions (www.mhp3.com), the project features a custom 5.1 surround mix, courtesy of Foglia and co-winner, music producer/mixer David Kahne.

For the project, Haefeli and editors Zoran Jevremov and Mitch Jacobson provided original media footage of the documentary and musical portions of the program to Foglia, who also received music mixes and isolated audience tracks from Kahne. Foglia then reconformed all of the music in stereo and 5.1, along with all of the accompanying audience tracks. Monitoring primarily in 5.1, Foglia mixed the documentary sections – effecting background layers and music provided by Jevremov –created sound design, sweetened the transitions and developed audience blends.

According to Foglia, his biggest challenge came in designing the sound mix prior to the beginning of the first song, "Magical Mystery Tour." "Mark and Zoran wanted the beginning to escalate in level and intensity, similar to a space launch, so that when the first song started, the intensity was at a maximum," Foglia explained. "There were so many clips, layers and internal edits, it took a lot of balancing to achieve that effect sonically, while also abiding by the network's specifications."

Continuing, Foglia added, "Mark produces and directs a lot of amazing projects, and he gives me freedom to ‘do my thing,' so working with him and his company is always a great experience."

"Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us" is the third Paul McCartney TV special produced by MHP which features Foglia's talents. Others include "Paul McCartney: In Red Square," for which Foglia was nominated for an Emmy.

Beatles guitar (Hofner) turns up at Montenegro school

A guitar that Paul McCartney threw into a crowd decades ago during a Beatles concert in Britain has turned up at a school in Montenegro, a report said Friday.

McCartney had tossed the Hofner Violin bass guitar into the audience after its neck broke, said the Vesti newspaper without mentioning the year of the concert.

Milan Dobrilovic, a Montenegrin cameraman, said he had received the guitar from his cousin Dario Persi who was the fan who caught the instrument.

Dobrilovic recently donated the guitar to a music school in Herceg Novi, a tiny town on the country's Adriatic coast.

The violin-shaped Hofner guitar was made famous by McCartney, who adopted it in 1961 and still uses the same model.

Guitars proven to have been owned by former Beatles members including McCartney and John Lennon have sold at auction for up to 330,000 pounds (640,000 dollars) in recent years.