Tug Of War

Amazon.com
Jolted by John Lennon's murder in 1980, McCartney mostly kept mum on the subject until 1982's Tug of War, which contained "Here Today," a belated admission of love for his old chum, who McCartney says would have probably laughed it off were he still alive. George Martin's production makes this McCartney's most unabashedly Beatlesque effort. Rockabilly legend Carl Perkins stops by for a cameo, while Stevie Wonder appears on two songs, the funky "What's That You're Doing" and the simplistic (but massively successful) hit single "Ebony and Ivory." --Daniel Durchholz

Tug Of War,Paul McCartney,Capitol,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Tug Of War

Average customer rating: A silver classic! Welcome back, Paulie Enjoyable, creative, multifaceted effort So good it brings tears to one's eyes. Possibly Paul's Worst

Tug Of War Paul McCartney Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Pipes Of Peace London Town Flowers in the Dirt Back To The Egg Off the Ground ASIN: B00000DQSE Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Tug Of War
2. Take It Away
3. Somebody Who Cares
4. What's That You're Doing
5. Here Today
6. Ballroom Dancing
7. The Pound Is Sinking
8. Wanderlust
9. Get It
10. Be What You See (Link)
11. Dress Me Up As A Robber
12. Ebony And Ivory

Amazon.com

Jolted by John Lennon's murder in 1980, McCartney mostly kept mum on the subject until 1982's Tug of War, which contained "Here Today," a belated admission of love for his old chum, who McCartney says would have probably laughed it off were he still alive. George Martin's production makes this McCartney's most unabashedly Beatlesque effort. Rockabilly legend Carl Perkins stops by for a cameo, while Stevie Wonder appears on two songs, the funky "What's That You're Doing" and the simplistic (but massively successful) hit single "Ebony and Ivory." --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews:

A silver classic!.......2007-04-05

This silver classic,reportedly released in March 1982,spawned three Top 20 hits,the title track,TAKE IT AWAY and EBONY AND IVORY,the latter featuring moral support from Motown great Stevie Wonder. There is one track which serves as a tribute to Sir Paul McCartney's fellow ex-Beatle John Lennon. This album is McCartney's first since Lennon's December 1980 murder. Also,this is McCartney's third on the Columbia label,originally. His Columbia predecessors are 1979's BACK TO THE EGG and 1980's McCARTNEY II. According to Norm N. Nite's Rock On Almanac,this album was one of 1982's top albums. McCartney,whose first major label was Capitol,returned to that label in 1986. His Columbia releases were later re-released on Capitol.

Welcome back, Paulie.......2006-12-21

McCartney's seven-year slump ends here, with a strong song cycle including What's That You're Doing, a dance club R-and-B number that holds up even now.

WTYD is one of two duets with Steve Wonder, the other the syrupy classic Ebony and Ivory. Addtionally, there are the excellent Take It Away, Here Today, Wanderlust, Dress Me Up Like a Robber(a favorite obscurity), and the majestic title cut.

Enjoyable, creative, multifaceted effort.......2006-11-05

Paul McCartney's post-Beatles work has ranged from brilliant to mediocre. I have been a fan of the Beatles since I saw them on the Ed Sullivan Show one memorable night when I was five, and have enjoyed every stage of McCartney's career since--as a Beatle, a Wing and a solo artist. Some albums have gotten constant time on my stereo--almost all the Beatles, Band on the Run, Wings Over America, Flaming Pie, Chaos and Creation. Others have been listened to a few times and then gathered dust, only to be enjoyed occasionally.

I have always kind of steered clear of this album. I find "Ebony and Ivory" to be one of the all-time worst songs, despite its optimistic message. However, when I picked up an LP copy used a few weeks ago and put it on the turntable, I was pleasantly suprised by the diversity and musicality on the album. The music ranges from rocker numbers to ballads, has a catchy dance number or two, has a hard-funk number with Stevie Wonder, a duet with Carl Perkins, features the talents of Sir George Martin, and has a whole clutch of good songs on it. McCartney's tribute to John is short and tender, but not sappy. The instrumentation is lush on some numbers in late-Beatles style, but never Phil Spector 'over-the-top' lush. Lots of goods strings and horns throughout. The first number that McCartney and Stevie Wonder do together is absolutely worth the price of admission. Funk meets the Beatles.

This is a great, eclectic album that will give you many hours of listening pleasure. It's a fun album. You can tell McCartney had fun making it. It's not a classic, and it's not deep. It's just good solid music.

Just make sure you skip 'Ebony and Ivory'. This is easy on the LP, because it's the last song on the B-side. Unless you like it---then crank that puppy.

So good it brings tears to one's eyes........2006-09-26

This is the second of his three solo masterpieces. First being BAND ON THE RUN and the third being CHAOS AND CREATION IN THE BACKYARD. TUG OF WAR was produced by none other than the one and only Sir George Martin. Ringo also plays drums on a few tracks as well. Therefore, this record is sort of a Beatles reunion, and it shows. The only flaw is McCartney's second and inferior collaboration with Stevie Wonder. But,I can ignore the bad album closer that is 'Ebony and Ivory'enough to give it five stars. This CD is also very emotional considering it was MACCA's first release since John Lennon's murder. The one song he dedicates to John on TUG OF WAR 'Here Today' is worth the price alone.

Possibly Paul's Worst.......2006-06-21

I love Sir Paul. I am not a Wings basher or even a Linda basher. I do not think he did nothing post-Beatles that matched his efforts before. In fact, I think some of both McCartney II and Flaming Pie surpass anything he personally did with his mates.

Not Tug of War, however. This is a CD That Tries Too Hard. This is Paul reading the polls like a politician and summoning up a political hack to tell him what to do. Ringo and George and Elton John and probably the band practicing in the garage down the block had all written a song about John, and had a hit, so he figured it was time he forced himself to write a song about John. And forced it seems, the melody going every which way but, well, in any kind of a melody.

And is it bad enough that he goes around bragging about how he can't read music (but wants to be taken seriously as a classical musician), but then he writes a song about "ebony and ivory" "liv[ing] together in perfect harmony" on his keyboard? Well maybe on your keyboard, sweetheart, but on mine if I play the black and white keys that are next to each other, it sounds pretty tense until I play a chord that separates them. Not the kind of analogy I think he was looking for. Which means, guess what, somebody was slapping songs together and not thinking. Or smoking a little too much ganja.

Not that big a deal. He's allowed some down time in a stellar career--nobody hits the jackpot every time. Just caveat emptor...if you want a fine effort by Sir Paul McCartney, this Rock & Roller...and major Beatles fan...would not recommend Tug of War.

Average customer rating: one of Macca's best Great CD Bad packaging McCartney Masterpiece Go Ahead On And Get It McCartney's songcraft at an all time high

Tug of War Paul McCartney Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Flowers In The Dirt London Town McCartney II Back To The Egg At The Speed Of Sound ASIN: B000005RT9 Release Date: 1993-08-16

Tracks:

1. Tug Of War
2. Take It Away
3. Somebody Who Cares
4. What's That You're Doing?
5. Here Today
6. Ballroom Dancing
7. The Pound Is Sinking
8. Wanderlust
9. Get It
10. Be What You See (Link)
11. Dress Me Up As A Robber
12. Ebony And Ivory - Paul McCartney/Stevie Wonder

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of his hit 1982 album, which spent three weeks in a row at #1 & was produced by George Martin. Features his #1 smash duet with Stevie Wonder, 'Ebony And Ivory', the top 10 'Take It Away' and the title cut. 1993 Parlophone release.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Version of the Album with Ebony and Ivory / Ballroom Dancing / Here Today / Wanderlust and More.

Customer Reviews:

one of Macca's best.......2007-03-05

This is an exceptional album. The first track is a beautiful orchestrated ballad that has hit single written all over it. Why this song 'tug of war' did not make the charts to number 1 is a mystery, it is a beautiful song and a gorgeous melody. 'Take it away' is another winner, with a good melody and a nice brass section. There are three other amazing ballads. 'Someone who cares' has some incredible spanish guitar and panpipes. I wish Macca would do more like this. 'Here today' is a fitting tribute to John, and just as beautiful as 'Yesterday'. Musically, it is nothing like the classic masterpiece, but does feature the same instrumentation. 'Wanderlust' is a piano ballad, also with a horn section, and contains one of the best Macca vocals, with Macca reaching really high notes, particularly at the end of the song, which just resolves beautifully. I also adore 'ebony and ivory' it has excellent synth parts and the duet really works.
There are few upbeat tracks on the album. 'The pound is sinking' is a cross between an acoustic rhythm guitar track and something a bit more experimental, and it works. 'Dress me up as a robber' has some spanish guitar parts and electric and a memorable melody. 'Ballroom dancing' is a fun rock song, with pounding piano.
'Get it' is a very mimimalistic composition, but I think it works, particularly, as everything here is multi layered.
The only track which is a huge let down, is the awful funk rock dirge with Wonder, 'What you're doing' it just meanders and tunelessly goes on, completely out of place on the album.
The excellent b-side 'I'll give you a ring' would have fit perfectly in place of 'what you're doing'. It is another bouncy fun number with recorders. Also 'Rainclouds' is a nice b-side from around the era, not released on this album. There is also the solo version of 'ebony and ivory', featuring just Paul, which could have easily been a bonus track. The last rarity, is 'ode to a loa;a bear' a nice pop song, which was the b-side to 'say say say', on the 'pipes of peace' album, but also remains unreleased on CD, as of yet.

Great CD Bad packaging.......2006-02-24

The CD was great of course it is McCartney. However, The CD case was cracked and scratched. It looked like it was returned and re-wrapped and sent out. It's not worth buying CDs on line if you are a serious collector that likes your CDs in good shape.

McCartney Masterpiece.......2005-06-26

Tug Of War was the best album that Paul McCartney released in the 80's and one of the best he's ever released. This was his first release after the death of John Lennon and by the album's sound, you can tell he was thinking of the old times. He re-teamed with Beatles producer George Martin and Ringo Starr plays drums on a couple of tracks. The album has the spirit of teamwork as he duets with Stevie Wonder and one of his idols, Carl Perkins. The two tracks with Stevie Wonder are exceptional, "What's That Your Doing" and the number one smash hit "Ebony & Ivory". The former song is basically a Stevie Wonder song with him singing lead and it is easily the funkiest song ever to appear on a McCartney album, while the latter is an unabashed call for racial understanding that contains some marvelous vocal interplay. The album's opening song is the title track and it is a beautiful song with a soaring string section that has George Martin written all over it. That song merges right into one of McCartney's all time best efforts, "Take It Away, which features Ringo on drums. Mr. McCartney must of be feeling the spirit of John Lennon as with "Ebony & Ivory", "The Pound Is Sinking" is another socio-political commentary song and is quite good. "Get It" is his duet with Mr. Perkins and it is a rockabilly number. "Here Today" is his tribute to John Lennon and although the song is not one of his best, the love and feeling he puts into it outweighs any of its deficiencies. The album doesn't always hit as with the silly "Ballroom Dancing" and the typically sappy "Wanderlust", but the overall sound and production is crisp and vibrant and it shows why Paul McCartney is one of the most versatile and great artists in music history.

Go Ahead On And Get It.......2005-01-06

Now if you ask me, and plenty of Stevie Wonder fans do now and again, this here album by Paul McCartney features one of the best Stevie Wonder duos of all time, namely "Ebony and Ivory." This Tug Of War Album gave us a grand total of five singles and remained on the charts for a whopping 29 weeks, and at the #1 spot for three. This isn't the best showing for a McCartney album, but then again any McCartney album usually sells a whole passel more than then next best performer. The other singles lifted off this here album are "Take It Away," and "Get It," as well as "Dress me Up As a Robber." Not bad for a man many were writing off at the time as past his prime.

A lot of folks here about were writing me off as past my prime here a while back, and then I went ahead on and won me the Tri-County Hog Callin' Contest, the Chesterfield County Yodeling Championship, the Cow Pie Toss at the County Fair, and the much coveted Road Kill Recipe Sweepstakes. We don't actually cook up road kill, it's just a traditional contest whereby folk around Chesterfield County make up outlandish recipes for road kill and post them in the Chesterfield County Gazette every April 1st. It's a traditional around these parts, but we don't actually cook up the stuff and we certainly don't go in for eatin' none of them dead critters. Anyway, I won all these things in quick succession and felt like I had kind of made me a comeback like Sir Paul... who just keep going strong even after shedding the Beatles AND Wings and also after getting roughed up in them business arrangements with Michael Jackson. They way I see it, if he can keep coming back strong then he ought to be a shining example to all of us as a model of perseverance and creative integrity.

Even if you don't particularly care for Mr.McCartney's music, I'd go ahead on and get this here album because it is so enjoyable to listen to. Plus that, it is mighty fine background noise when you are needing to think up some cockamamie recipe for road kill...which we don't actually cook and eat. Wouldn't want to get rumors started about folk in Chesterfield County. We may be rural, but we ain't hicks.

McCartney's songcraft at an all time high.......2001-12-28

Although John Lennon's death may have had an impact on Tug of War's themes, there's little doubt that McCartney was on an upward swing. His first album recorded with George Martin since the demise of the Beatles, Tug of War is filled to the brim with strong well thought out melodies and a set of strong lyrics for most of the songs.

Surprisingly, the production is considerably slicker than the McCartney-Lynne collaboration Flaming Pie. The production touches and use of orchestration are imaginative and always tasteful. If anything Tug of War is reminiscent of Abbey Road in terms of its "sound". The title track, Take it Away, Somebody Who Cares, Here Today, Ballroom Dancing, The Pound is Sinking and Wanderlust are the strongest songs on the album. What's That You're Doing is a pretty good funk jam written and performed with Stevie Wonder and is far superior to the McCartney penned Ebony & Ivory.

The album does have its weak spots--Get It (recorded with the late Carl Perkins) is fun but fairly insubstanial. Dress Me Up As A Robber, despite an intricate and interesting melody, is a bit over the top. Be What You See is little more than a song fragment simliar to Ram On from the album Ram. Overall, though, the songwriting is outstanding and, if the album fails to rock, it does manage to capture your interest with the imaginative melodies and well thought out lyrics.

Tug of War doesn't suffer from the mawkish lyrics found on Pipes of Peace the immediate follow up. McCartney focuses on songcraft and was in the process of trying to restore his long bashed critical reputation with this fine album. Although not as interesting as Flowers in the Dirt (or Flaming Pie), Tug of War is a bit more consistent than other McCartney albums from the same time frame. Wanderlust and The Pound is Sinking (along with the title track) prove that McCartney's abilities as a songwriter hadn't left him; his lyrical and musical muse was just on vacation while he tried to rack up sales with Wings. Tug of War is a stronger album than Band on the Run but, again, lacks the rock 'n' roll moments that highlight that album.

Thelimited edition Japanese version is only different from the European copy only in its packaging; the Japanese edition is an exact duplicate of the original album packaging. This European import has most of the artwork refashioned for its CD bootlet.

This version of TOW sounds warmer and has greater detail than the domestic version. Are there any other differences? Frankly not really although the booklet is a bit more detailed. There aren't any bonus tracks here and, really, this album doesn't need any. Unlike, say Press to Play, this album stands up well on its own.

Average customer rating: Enchant - These Guys Are Certainly Consistant The best unknown band around More you listen the more you get it! Solid effort from a great band Enchant : "Tug Of War" Falls Short.....

Tug of War Enchant Manufacturer: Inside Out U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Blink of an Eye Break Juggling 9 or Dropping 10 A Blueprint of the World Enchant - Live at Last ASIN: B0000A1LTR Release Date: 2004-09-13

Tracks:

1. Sinking Sand
2. Tug of War
3. Holding the Wind
4. Beautiful
5. Queen of the Informed
6. Living in a Movie
7. Long Way Down
8. See No Evil
9. Progtology
10. Comatose

Album Description

2003 album for the San Francisco based progressive metal act features 10 tracks. Inside Out.

Customer Reviews:

Enchant - These Guys Are Certainly Consistant.......2007-02-20

Enchant take several years off between new studio albums prior to releasing the album previous to this one. In that time some major personnel changes take place in the band. I don't own the previous disc "Blink Of An Eye" so for me this was the first album with the new members. The keyboard duties are now filled by Bill Jenkins, and probably the biggest impact comes in the change in the drum seat as Paul Craddick is replaced by Sean Flanegan. Craddick's Neal Peart like drumming style was such a huge element of the Enchant sound that his loss would be expected to have a rather significant effect on the band's sound. So is this album a new direction for Enchant? Not really, the album continues down a familiar road for fans of the band. 5 to 8 minute songs with lots of very nice melodic progressive hard rock (not quite metal in my opinion), thought provoking lyrics and Ted Leonard's towering vocals. The change in drummers is noticeable as Flanegan has a different style from his predecessor, but for the most part his percussion work fits that band well and Craddick is not missed as much as one might think. As in previous albums they do what they do very well, but the individual songs don't really stand out from one another for me. The band does include a cool instrumental on this one called "Progtology" that further shows of their chops, and the finale "Comatose" is a nice way to end things. Overall this is another strong album from Enchant that fans of the band should eat up.

The best unknown band around.......2006-01-05

I was given a copy of ToW by Mr. Doug Ott himself. I am a huge Rush fan, and was a little apprehensive of this band I had never heard of. I popped it in the cd player on the way home from a late night gig. The first guitar chords woke me up like a jolt of strong coffee. Wow...these guys are absolutley amazing. Doug's guitar work is incredible. Ed's bass work rivals Geddy Lee imho. When I first heard Ted sing, I thought it was Kansas. My personal favorite is the title track. The opening guitar riffs are reminiscent of alot of 90's grunge bands..raw and full of emotion. It builds into a full blown rampage of power. The message of the song is driven home. The rest of the album is pure Prog, with the exception of Beautiful, which pays homage to Doug's beautiful wife. I am a huge Enchant fan now, and I will soon own the entire catalog! A no risk purchase for sure

More you listen the more you get it!.......2004-10-31

I have been a fan of Enchant since the first Album which I came across while buying some Dream Theater. Like ones before me here said the first three are excellent, they seem to have lost touch and tried to go the commercial route, but I think they are (or I hope) coming back to their roots. One thing I will say is (in regards to the negative guy here) if Dream Theater isn't considered Prog Rock, I don't know what is. I mention Dream Theater only to let you know that Enchant is influenced by Dream Theater and Rush. (Rush, talking about a band that faded) but anyway this album grows on you. Going back one album the song In the blink of an eye was great the first 20 times I listened to it, but this album takes time. There won't be that gut wrenching emotional high right away, it is subtle and it is emotional. I guess what I like so much about this album is how the lead guitar moves away from the themes of the song's almost into his own little world, and then comes back at the end. You even get to hear the keyboards more almost sharing in the idea of drifting away from the songs theme than coming back, all the while the drummer and bassist set the tone for the harmony. The vocals are in my opinion pretty weak in comparison to the overall musical talent of this band, but he has some moments. I give it a 4 because I like the music, and I am not real partial to what you would call it. It's good, buy it. Just expect to spend a little time with it.

Solid effort from a great band.......2004-09-28

This is a solid release from a great neo-prog band. Enchant has never quite been able to recapture the magic or consistency of their first three albums, but Tug of War is still a very good entry in the Enchant catalog. The first and last tracks, Sinking Sand and Comatose, are both awesome, and the tracks in between are consistently good. Ted Leonard still has one of the best voices around (in my opinion), and Doug Ott's guitar work is great as usual. If you are already a fan of Enchant, I would say that this CD is worth getting. If you aren't familiar with Enchant, I would recommend starting instead with one of their first three releases (A Blueprint of the World, Wounded, and Time Lost), or perhaps with their recent double-disc live release "Live at Last."

Enchant : "Tug Of War" Falls Short............2004-05-08

This is a "Tug Of War" release from Enchant for me. I'm having a very hard time enjoying this as much as their previous efforts. As someone posted before, it sounds hurried IMO. It's still a very solid effort as far as musicianship is concerned....

"Tug Of War" isn't bad, it's just not excellent. Everything else, from their debut on have been masterpieces. This unfortunately, is a step back IMO...

Average customer rating: Enchant - These Guys Are Certainly Consistant The best unknown band around More you listen the more you get it! Solid effort from a great band Enchant : "Tug Of War" Falls Short.....

Tug of War Enchant Manufacturer: Inside Out U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Blink of an Eye Break Juggling 9 or Dropping 10 A Blueprint of the World Enchant - Live at Last ASIN: B0000A1LTQ Release Date: 2004-09-13

Tracks:

1. Sinking Sand
2. Tug of War
3. Hold the Wind
4. Beautiful
5. Queen of the Informed
6. Living in a Movie
7. Long Way Down
8. See No Evil
9. Progtology [Instrumental]
10. Comatose
11. Below Zero [*]

Album Description

HDCD limited edition of the San Francisco-based progressive metal act's 2003 album features 11 tracks including one bonus track, 'Below Zero'. Slipcase. Inside Out.

Customer Reviews:

Enchant - These Guys Are Certainly Consistant.......2007-02-20

Enchant take several years off between new studio albums prior to releasing the album previous to this one. In that time some major personnel changes take place in the band. I don't own the previous disc "Blink Of An Eye" so for me this was the first album with the new members. The keyboard duties are now filled by Bill Jenkins, and probably the biggest impact comes in the change in the drum seat as Paul Craddick is replaced by Sean Flanegan. Craddick's Neal Peart like drumming style was such a huge element of the Enchant sound that his loss would be expected to have a rather significant effect on the band's sound. So is this album a new direction for Enchant? Not really, the album continues down a familiar road for fans of the band. 5 to 8 minute songs with lots of very nice melodic progressive hard rock (not quite metal in my opinion), thought provoking lyrics and Ted Leonard's towering vocals. The change in drummers is noticeable as Flanegan has a different style from his predecessor, but for the most part his percussion work fits that band well and Craddick is not missed as much as one might think. As in previous albums they do what they do very well, but the individual songs don't really stand out from one another for me. The band does include a cool instrumental on this one called "Progtology" that further shows of their chops, and the finale "Comatose" is a nice way to end things. Overall this is another strong album from Enchant that fans of the band should eat up.

The best unknown band around.......2006-01-05

I was given a copy of ToW by Mr. Doug Ott himself. I am a huge Rush fan, and was a little apprehensive of this band I had never heard of. I popped it in the cd player on the way home from a late night gig. The first guitar chords woke me up like a jolt of strong coffee. Wow...these guys are absolutley amazing. Doug's guitar work is incredible. Ed's bass work rivals Geddy Lee imho. When I first heard Ted sing, I thought it was Kansas. My personal favorite is the title track. The opening guitar riffs are reminiscent of alot of 90's grunge bands..raw and full of emotion. It builds into a full blown rampage of power. The message of the song is driven home. The rest of the album is pure Prog, with the exception of Beautiful, which pays homage to Doug's beautiful wife. I am a huge Enchant fan now, and I will soon own the entire catalog! A no risk purchase for sure

More you listen the more you get it!.......2004-10-31

I have been a fan of Enchant since the first Album which I came across while buying some Dream Theater. Like ones before me here said the first three are excellent, they seem to have lost touch and tried to go the commercial route, but I think they are (or I hope) coming back to their roots. One thing I will say is (in regards to the negative guy here) if Dream Theater isn't considered Prog Rock, I don't know what is. I mention Dream Theater only to let you know that Enchant is influenced by Dream Theater and Rush. (Rush, talking about a band that faded) but anyway this album grows on you. Going back one album the song In the blink of an eye was great the first 20 times I listened to it, but this album takes time. There won't be that gut wrenching emotional high right away, it is subtle and it is emotional. I guess what I like so much about this album is how the lead guitar moves away from the themes of the song's almost into his own little world, and then comes back at the end. You even get to hear the keyboards more almost sharing in the idea of drifting away from the songs theme than coming back, all the while the drummer and bassist set the tone for the harmony. The vocals are in my opinion pretty weak in comparison to the overall musical talent of this band, but he has some moments. I give it a 4 because I like the music, and I am not real partial to what you would call it. It's good, buy it. Just expect to spend a little time with it.

Solid effort from a great band.......2004-09-28

This is a solid release from a great neo-prog band. Enchant has never quite been able to recapture the magic or consistency of their first three albums, but Tug of War is still a very good entry in the Enchant catalog. The first and last tracks, Sinking Sand and Comatose, are both awesome, and the tracks in between are consistently good. Ted Leonard still has one of the best voices around (in my opinion), and Doug Ott's guitar work is great as usual. If you are already a fan of Enchant, I would say that this CD is worth getting. If you aren't familiar with Enchant, I would recommend starting instead with one of their first three releases (A Blueprint of the World, Wounded, and Time Lost), or perhaps with their recent double-disc live release "Live at Last."

Enchant : "Tug Of War" Falls Short............2004-05-08

This is a "Tug Of War" release from Enchant for me. I'm having a very hard time enjoying this as much as their previous efforts. As someone posted before, it sounds hurried IMO. It's still a very solid effort as far as musicianship is concerned....

"Tug Of War" isn't bad, it's just not excellent. Everything else, from their debut on have been masterpieces. This unfortunately, is a step back IMO...

Average customer rating: Great Session... Amazing Talent

Tug of War John Swana Quintet Manufacturer: Criss Cross ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: In the Moment Power Source The Dream On Target Philly-New York Junction ASIN: B00000IGLR Release Date: 1999-05-11

Tracks:

1. Freddie
2. Tug Of War
3. Vic Arpeggio
4. Innocence
5. Pure Bliss
6. Smile
7. Puss N' Boots
8. Pure Imagination
9. Quick Fix

Customer Reviews:

Great Session..........2003-01-22

...and no wonder. Chris Potter and John Swana burn every tune on this album to cinders. Rarely do you hear a trumpeter improvising as fluidly as this cat. This is one of my two favorite (recent) trumpet-led recording sessions, along with Alexander Sipiagin's Steppin' Zone.

This album will make you wince, the playing is so good. Just when you think no trumpet player could follow Chris Potter's performance, John steps in and delivers.

A must-have for any jazz/trumpet fan.

Amazing Talent.......2000-07-09

John Swana is truly a remarkable trumpet player. Tug of War became one of my favorite recordings after maybe 2 listens. Swana's playing is so fluid and his eigth notes sound remaniscent of Tom Harrell. I would definitely recommend this cd to anybody that wants to hear a great jazz trumpeter who doesn't get the recognition he deserves. Oh, and one more thing: Chris Potter! This guy burns. The chemistry between Swana and Potter is explosive!

Average customer rating: one of Macca's best Great CD Bad packaging McCartney Masterpiece Go Ahead On And Get It McCartney's songcraft at an all time high

Tug of War Paul McCartney Manufacturer: Indent Series ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: Flowers In The Dirt London Town McCartney II Back To The Egg At The Speed Of Sound ASIN: B000005JHD Release Date: 1996-07-23

Tracks:

1. Tug of War
2. Take It Away
3. Somebody Who Cares
4. What's That You're Doing?
5. Here Today
6. Ballroom Dancing
7. Pound Is Sinking
8. Wanderlust
9. Get It
10. Be What You See [Link]
11. Dress Me up as a Robber
12. Ebony and Ivory

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of his hit 1982 album, which spent three weeks in a row at #1 & was produced by George Martin. Features his #1 smash duet with Stevie Wonder, 'Ebony And Ivory', the top 10 'Take It Away' and the title cut. 1993 Parlophone release.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Version of the Album with Ebony and Ivory / Ballroom Dancing / Here Today / Wanderlust and More.

Customer Reviews:

one of Macca's best.......2007-03-05

This is an exceptional album. The first track is a beautiful orchestrated ballad that has hit single written all over it. Why this song 'tug of war' did not make the charts to number 1 is a mystery, it is a beautiful song and a gorgeous melody. 'Take it away' is another winner, with a good melody and a nice brass section. There are three other amazing ballads. 'Someone who cares' has some incredible spanish guitar and panpipes. I wish Macca would do more like this. 'Here today' is a fitting tribute to John, and just as beautiful as 'Yesterday'. Musically, it is nothing like the classic masterpiece, but does feature the same instrumentation. 'Wanderlust' is a piano ballad, also with a horn section, and contains one of the best Macca vocals, with Macca reaching really high notes, particularly at the end of the song, which just resolves beautifully. I also adore 'ebony and ivory' it has excellent synth parts and the duet really works.
There are few upbeat tracks on the album. 'The pound is sinking' is a cross between an acoustic rhythm guitar track and something a bit more experimental, and it works. 'Dress me up as a robber' has some spanish guitar parts and electric and a memorable melody. 'Ballroom dancing' is a fun rock song, with pounding piano.
'Get it' is a very mimimalistic composition, but I think it works, particularly, as everything here is multi layered.
The only track which is a huge let down, is the awful funk rock dirge with Wonder, 'What you're doing' it just meanders and tunelessly goes on, completely out of place on the album.
The excellent b-side 'I'll give you a ring' would have fit perfectly in place of 'what you're doing'. It is another bouncy fun number with recorders. Also 'Rainclouds' is a nice b-side from around the era, not released on this album. There is also the solo version of 'ebony and ivory', featuring just Paul, which could have easily been a bonus track. The last rarity, is 'ode to a loa;a bear' a nice pop song, which was the b-side to 'say say say', on the 'pipes of peace' album, but also remains unreleased on CD, as of yet.

Great CD Bad packaging.......2006-02-24

The CD was great of course it is McCartney. However, The CD case was cracked and scratched. It looked like it was returned and re-wrapped and sent out. It's not worth buying CDs on line if you are a serious collector that likes your CDs in good shape.

McCartney Masterpiece.......2005-06-26

Tug Of War was the best album that Paul McCartney released in the 80's and one of the best he's ever released. This was his first release after the death of John Lennon and by the album's sound, you can tell he was thinking of the old times. He re-teamed with Beatles producer George Martin and Ringo Starr plays drums on a couple of tracks. The album has the spirit of teamwork as he duets with Stevie Wonder and one of his idols, Carl Perkins. The two tracks with Stevie Wonder are exceptional, "What's That Your Doing" and the number one smash hit "Ebony & Ivory". The former song is basically a Stevie Wonder song with him singing lead and it is easily the funkiest song ever to appear on a McCartney album, while the latter is an unabashed call for racial understanding that contains some marvelous vocal interplay. The album's opening song is the title track and it is a beautiful song with a soaring string section that has George Martin written all over it. That song merges right into one of McCartney's all time best efforts, "Take It Away, which features Ringo on drums. Mr. McCartney must of be feeling the spirit of John Lennon as with "Ebony & Ivory", "The Pound Is Sinking" is another socio-political commentary song and is quite good. "Get It" is his duet with Mr. Perkins and it is a rockabilly number. "Here Today" is his tribute to John Lennon and although the song is not one of his best, the love and feeling he puts into it outweighs any of its deficiencies. The album doesn't always hit as with the silly "Ballroom Dancing" and the typically sappy "Wanderlust", but the overall sound and production is crisp and vibrant and it shows why Paul McCartney is one of the most versatile and great artists in music history.

Go Ahead On And Get It.......2005-01-06

Now if you ask me, and plenty of Stevie Wonder fans do now and again, this here album by Paul McCartney features one of the best Stevie Wonder duos of all time, namely "Ebony and Ivory." This Tug Of War Album gave us a grand total of five singles and remained on the charts for a whopping 29 weeks, and at the #1 spot for three. This isn't the best showing for a McCartney album, but then again any McCartney album usually sells a whole passel more than then next best performer. The other singles lifted off this here album are "Take It Away," and "Get It," as well as "Dress me Up As a Robber." Not bad for a man many were writing off at the time as past his prime.

A lot of folks here about were writing me off as past my prime here a while back, and then I went ahead on and won me the Tri-County Hog Callin' Contest, the Chesterfield County Yodeling Championship, the Cow Pie Toss at the County Fair, and the much coveted Road Kill Recipe Sweepstakes. We don't actually cook up road kill, it's just a traditional contest whereby folk around Chesterfield County make up outlandish recipes for road kill and post them in the Chesterfield County Gazette every April 1st. It's a traditional around these parts, but we don't actually cook up the stuff and we certainly don't go in for eatin' none of them dead critters. Anyway, I won all these things in quick succession and felt like I had kind of made me a comeback like Sir Paul... who just keep going strong even after shedding the Beatles AND Wings and also after getting roughed up in them business arrangements with Michael Jackson. They way I see it, if he can keep coming back strong then he ought to be a shining example to all of us as a model of perseverance and creative integrity.

Even if you don't particularly care for Mr.McCartney's music, I'd go ahead on and get this here album because it is so enjoyable to listen to. Plus that, it is mighty fine background noise when you are needing to think up some cockamamie recipe for road kill...which we don't actually cook and eat. Wouldn't want to get rumors started about folk in Chesterfield County. We may be rural, but we ain't hicks.

McCartney's songcraft at an all time high.......2001-12-28

Although John Lennon's death may have had an impact on Tug of War's themes, there's little doubt that McCartney was on an upward swing. His first album recorded with George Martin since the demise of the Beatles, Tug of War is filled to the brim with strong well thought out melodies and a set of strong lyrics for most of the songs.

Surprisingly, the production is considerably slicker than the McCartney-Lynne collaboration Flaming Pie. The production touches and use of orchestration are imaginative and always tasteful. If anything Tug of War is reminiscent of Abbey Road in terms of its "sound". The title track, Take it Away, Somebody Who Cares, Here Today, Ballroom Dancing, The Pound is Sinking and Wanderlust are the strongest songs on the album. What's That You're Doing is a pretty good funk jam written and performed with Stevie Wonder and is far superior to the McCartney penned Ebony & Ivory.

The album does have its weak spots--Get It (recorded with the late Carl Perkins) is fun but fairly insubstanial. Dress Me Up As A Robber, despite an intricate and interesting melody, is a bit over the top. Be What You See is little more than a song fragment simliar to Ram On from the album Ram. Overall, though, the songwriting is outstanding and, if the album fails to rock, it does manage to capture your interest with the imaginative melodies and well thought out lyrics.

Tug of War doesn't suffer from the mawkish lyrics found on Pipes of Peace the immediate follow up. McCartney focuses on songcraft and was in the process of trying to restore his long bashed critical reputation with this fine album. Although not as interesting as Flowers in the Dirt (or Flaming Pie), Tug of War is a bit more consistent than other McCartney albums from the same time frame. Wanderlust and The Pound is Sinking (along with the title track) prove that McCartney's abilities as a songwriter hadn't left him; his lyrical and musical muse was just on vacation while he tried to rack up sales with Wings. Tug of War is a stronger album than Band on the Run but, again, lacks the rock 'n' roll moments that highlight that album.

Thelimited edition Japanese version is only different from the European copy only in its packaging; the Japanese edition is an exact duplicate of the original album packaging. This European import has most of the artwork refashioned for its CD bootlet.

This version of TOW sounds warmer and has greater detail than the domestic version. Are there any other differences? Frankly not really although the booklet is a bit more detailed. There aren't any bonus tracks here and, really, this album doesn't need any. Unlike, say Press to Play, this album stands up well on its own.

Average customer rating:

Tug O'War The Love Monkeys ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000K6JZAK

Product Description

The Love Monkeys / Tug O'War Track Title 1. Tug Of War 2. Untitled 3. Lay Me Down 4. Lazy 5. Inherit The Earth 6. Drigs 7. Slip Away 8. Pins & Needles 9. Every Time You Walk Away 10. I Can't Compete

Average customer rating:

Tug of War Manufacturer: Jason Gerard ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000CA43YM Release Date: 2004-07-13

Average customer rating:

Live at Empty Bottle Frontier Manufacturer: Tug O'war Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000002317 Release Date: 1996-11-04

Tracks:

1. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
2. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
3. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
4. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
5. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
6. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
7. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
8. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
9. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
10. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
11. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
12. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96
13. Recorded Live At The Empty Bottle 7.23.96

Average customer rating: Return to pop roots and strong songwriting for McCartney Essential

Tug of War Paul McCartney Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004THI2 Release Date: 2000-05-23

Tracks:

1. Tug Of War
2. Take It Away
3. Somebody Who Cares
4. What's That You're Doing
5. Here Today
6. Ballroom Dancing
7. The Pound Is Sinking
8. Wanderlust
9. Get It
10. Be What You See (Link)
11. Dress Me Up As A Robber
12. Ebony And Ivory

Album Description

Limited edition, Japanese only reissue of 1982 album. Remastered, miniature LP sleeve reproduction of original artwork . 12 tracks including his hit duet with Stevie Wonder 'Ebony And Ivory'. 2000 release. Paper sleeve.

Album Details

Japanese Limited Version featuring an LP Style Slipcase for Initial Pressing.

Customer Reviews:

Return to pop roots and strong songwriting for McCartney.......2001-12-28

Although John Lennon's death may have had an impact on Tug of War's themes, there's little doubt that McCartney was on an upward swing. His first album recorded with George Martin since the demise of the Beatles, Tug of War is filled to the brim with strong well thought out melodies and a set of strong lyrics for most of the songs.

Surprisingly, the production is considerably slicker than the McCartney-Lynne collaboration Flaming Pie. The production touches and use of orchestration are imaginative and always tasteful. If anything Tug of War is reminiscent of Abbey Road in terms of its "sound". The title track, Take it Away, Somebody Who Cares, Here Today, Ballroom Dancing, The Pound is Sinking and Wanderlust are the strongest songs on the album. What's That You're Doing is a pretty good funk jam written and performed with Stevie Wonder and is far superior to the McCartney penned Ebony & Ivory.

The album does have its weak spots--Get It (recorded with the late Carl Perkins) is fun but fairly insubstanial. Dress Me Up As A Robber, despite an intricate and interesting melody, is a bit over the top. Be What You See is little more than a song fragment simliar to Ram On from the album Ram. Overall, though, the songwriting is outstanding and, if the album fails to rock, it does manage to capture your interest with the imaginative melodies and well thought out lyrics.

Tug of War doesn't suffer from the mawkish lyrics found on Pipes of Peace the immediate follow up. McCartney focuses on songcraft and was in the process of trying to restore his long bashed critical reputation with this fine album. Although not as interesting as Flowers in the Dirt (or Flaming Pie), Tug of War is a bit more consistent than other McCartney albums from the same time frame. Wanderlust and The Pound is Sinking (along with the title track) prove that McCartney's abilities as a songwriter hadn't left him; his lyrical and musical muse was just on vacation while he tried to rack up sales with Wings. Tug of War is a stronger album than Band on the Run but, again, lacks the rock 'n' roll moments that highlight that album.

This Japanese edition is only different from the import copy only in its packaging; it's an exact duplicate of the original album package from 1982 but includes a lyric sheet in both Japanese and English. The sound quality is same as the import copy. It's warmer and has better detail than the domestic version. There aren't any bonus tracks nor are there any extras beyond the lyric sheet. I would have expected this reissue to use the K2 system (20bit or 24 bit mastering)and to have the album remastered again. Such isn't the case. Unless you want to pay extra for the collectible packaging, I'd suggest picking up the superior sounding import from Europe. It's about $10.00 less and sounds just as good.

Essential.......2000-06-14

Tug of War is Paul McCartney's best album of the 1980's. This is an essential album for every Beatle fan and McCartney fan. This album offers the timeless treasure "Here Today," the song Paul wrote about John Lennon after his death. Tug of War also includes the famous duet with Stevie Wonder, "Ebony and Ivory."

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