Wings - Venus and Mars

Title: Venus and Mars Artist: Wings Release Date: 5/27/1975 Re-Released On: 11/7/2006 Label: Capitol Records, EMI Music Distribution Duration: 43:04 Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPCs: 077774698429, 4988006773820, 077774698443, 762185176740, 821838443322 Genre: Rock Styles: Soft Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Arena Rock, Album Rock, AM Pop Moods: Amiable/Good-Natured, Cheerful, Earnest, Happy, Playful, Poignant, Sentimental, Whimsical, Bittersweet, Energetic, Exuberant, Gentle, Humorous, Innocent, Intimate, Light, Precious, Rousing, Soothing, Warm, Wistful, Laid-Back/Mellow, Passionate, Quirky, Theatrical, Wry, Calm/Peaceful, Freewheeling, Fun, Irreverent, Rollicking, Romantic, Silly, Raucous, Carefree, Cathartic, Fiery, Organic, Reckless, Reflective, Sweet, Witty Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 11 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Venus and Mars
2. Rock Show
3. Love in Song
4. You Gave Me the Answer
5. Magneto and Titanium Man
6. Letting Go
7. Venus and Mars (Reprise)
8. Spirits of Ancient Egypt
9. Medicine Jar
10. Call Me Back Again
11. Listen to What the Man Said
12. Treat Her Gently/Lonely Old People
13. Crossroads

Year Type Label Catalog # 2006 CD EMI Music Distribution 7892412 1998 CD Capitol Records 469842 1988 CD Capitol Records C2-46984

Venus and Mars [Bonus Tracks] Venus and Mars [DTS]

Band on the Run was a commercial success, but even if it was billed as a Wings effort, it was primarily recorded by Paul, Linda, and Denny Laine. So, it was time to once again turn Wings into a genuine band, adding Joe English and Jimmy McCulloch to the lineup and even letting the latter contribute a song. This faux-democracy isn't what signals that this is a band effort -- it's the attitude, construction, and pacing, which McCartney acknowledges as much, opening with an acoustic title track that's a salute to arena rock, leading to a genuine arena rock anthem, "Rock Show." From that, it's pretty much rocking pop tunes, paced with a couple of ballads and a little whimsy, all graced with a little of the production flair that distinguished Band on the Run. But where that record was clearly a studio creation and consciously elaborate, this is a straightforward affair where the sonic details are simply window dressing. McCartney doesn't really try anything new, but the songs are a little more varied than the uniform, glossy production would suggest; he dips into soft-shoe music hall shuffle on "You Gave Me the Answer," gets a little psychedelic with "Spirits of Ancient Egypt," kicks out a '50s rock & roll groove with "Magento and Titanium Man," and unveils a typically sweet and lovely melody on "Listen to What the Man Said." These are a slight shifts on an album that certainly feels like the overture for the arena rock tour that it was, which makes it one of McCartney's more consistent listens, even though it's possible to scan the song listing after several listens and not recognize any song outside of "Listen to What the Man Said" and the opening medley by title. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Afro Conga, Percussion Alan O'Duffy Engineer Allen Toussaint Keyboards, Piano Dave Mason Guitar Denny Laine Keyboards, Vocals, Guitar, ? Geoff Britton Drums Geoff Emerick Engineer Jimmy McCulloch ?, Guitar Joe English ?, Drums Kenneth "Afro" Williams Percussion Kevin Gray CD Preparation Linda McCartney Keyboards, Vocals, Photography, ? Paul McCartney Keyboards, Vocals, Bass, Producer, Arranger, Guitar Paul McCartney & Wings Performer Roberta Ballard Production Manager Steve Hoffman Remastering Tom Scott Saxophone Tony Dorsey Arranger Wings Group