OF THE COPIOUS COLUMN INCHES DEDICATED TO THE BEATLES, LITTLE OR NOTHING HAS BEEN LEFT TO FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS UNEXAMINED. BUT, REGARDLESS OF THAT OFTEN EXCESSIVE SCRUTINY, THERE REMAINS A NAGGING FEELING THAT SOMETHING’S MISSING… WE KNOW THE BAND INSIDE OUT, BUT DO WE REALLY KNOW THE SUM OF ITS PARTS? A KIND OF MARTYRDOM WAS IMPOSED UPON JOHN LENNON, BUT MCCARTNEY’S REPUTATION IS MORE COMPLEX. WHO IS THE MAN BEHIND THOSE AFFABLE, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY “TWO THUMBS ALOFT” GESTURES?

In fact, simply as Paul McCartney, here’s a man who’s accomplished a great deal more than most, even with the head-start. The breadth of his work alone is worthy of admiration. Who else has as bold a catalogue as Paul? One that spreads out eloquently across pop, rock, folk, electronic and classical music? One that includes something as forward-looking as Temporary Secretary, as joyous as Maybe I’m Amazed or Band On The Run, as exploratory as The Fireman?