Among the many reasons why Paul McCartney still commands arena-sized crowds whenever he tours is the fact that his early, post-Beatles repertoire reached and remains at such a high level, often inspiring the same kind of excitement as that from his days with the famed Liverpool quartet. McCartney’s Wings era represented on One Hand Clapping– a 50^th anniversary lookback at a 1974 live session at Abbey Road by the Macca-led group- reminds of some really great songs that more than hold up five decades later. It also reminds of how feisty and versatile McCartney was during this moment of rebirth and renewal, charging into every song with vocal range and personality that was equal to and sometimes surpassing what he did with the Fab Four. 

This two-disc set is drawn mostly from Wings’ first batch of albums, leaning on the recently released Band on the Run and nibbling at some Beatles faves such as “Let It Be,” and a blending of “The Long and Winding Road” and “Lady Madonna.” There are also nods to McCartney’s old-time music fascinations, as he sits solo at the piano, and, with the full band, his rock-and-roll roots. And, even though it’s essentially a live album capturing the Wings five in the studio, it’s embellished in spots by horns and lush strings; the latter dressing up a version of “My Love,” that may be one of McCartney’s more impassioned readings on record.

The music here existed initially as source material for a promo video for Wings, for a band that wouldn’t launch full-scale touring for another couple of years, and with the Wings Over America album render this session to the vault. Yet, wonderfully, it’s been resurrected for a 50^th celebration. As such, it recalls not only how impressive a band Wings was, in and of itself, but also McCartney’s inherent proclivity for elevating during performance–in-studio or onstage–that still continues today.