Pure McCartney is the fourth compilation album by Paul McCartney, released on 10 June 2016. It features mostly solo material but also includes tracks recorded with Wings and the Fireman.

Background The album was first teased in late March 2016 by cryptic video posts placed on McCartney's Facebook and Twitter pages. He also says: There are no cover versions, which may be in line with the "pure" concept.

When the album was announced by McCartney on 31 March 2016, he downplayed the use of "career" in describing the collection, rather referring to it as representative of a "musical adventure". He also noted he and his team compiled the tracks for the alternate track listings "with nothing else in mind other than having something fun to listen to" in different settings.

The album features tracks from all of his official pre-2016 vocal studio albums (solo, or with Wings) with the exception of Снова в СССР, Flowers in the Dirt, Run Devil Run and Driving Rain. It does not include material from any of his instrumental albums, such as his classical albums or his ambient/trance work with the Fireman.

Critical reception Pablo Gorondi from ABC News says: "Pure McCartney is a substantial, honest and gratifying introduction to the long and winding career of a pop music giant, a tasting menu whetting the appetite for more". AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the compilation 4.5 out of 5 stars, saying: "Pure McCartney gets closer to capturing the full range of his career than any of his previous compilations, but it's still only an introduction to one of the richest bodies of work in pop music." Chris Gerard of PopMatters also praised the collection, giving it an 8/10. Reviewing the deluxe edition, he stated: "Despite its flaws, Pure McCartney is an excellent introduction to the legend's solo work for the newly initiated and a fantastic opportunity for old fans to rediscover many of the key tracks in his catalog in a new and different light. It's a collection rich with terrific songwriting and performances, a monumental testament to Paul McCartney's legacy that extends far beyond the Beatles." Erlewine, Gerard and Goldmine John Borack primarily criticised the "overrepresentation" of some albums, such as Band on the Run and Flaming Pie, the exclusion of several of McCartney's studio albums, particularly Flowers in the Dirt, and some of the song choices. Classic Rock magazine's David Quantick praised the compilation, giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars, but believed it "only scratches the surface" of McCartney's catalogue.

Track listing Three versions of the album have been released, a two-disc CD of 39 tracks, a four-disc LP of 41 tracks (adding tracks "New" and "Too Many People") and a four-disc CD (and deluxe digital edition) of 67 tracks. All songs are written by Paul McCartney, except where noted.

Standard edition Disc 1

Disc 2

Vinyl edition

Deluxe edition Disc 1

Disc 2

Disc 3

Disc 4

Charts

Weekly charts +Weekly chart performance for Pure McCartney Chart (2016) Peak position

Year-end charts +Year-end chart performance for Pure McCartney Chart (2016) Position Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) 74 Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia) 90US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)"Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2016" . Billboard. Retrieved 16 August 2018. 73

Certifications

See also Wings Greatest (1978), a compilation of hits by McCartney from 1971 to 1978, mostly done by Wings. All the Best! (1987), a compilation of McCartney's hits as a solo artist and with Wings between 1970 and 1987. Wingspan: Hits and History (2001), a compilation of McCartney's solo and Wings material from 1970's McCartney to 1984's Give My Regards to Broad Street.

References