It’s been half a century since Sir Paul McCartney followed up his classic Band On The Run album with Venus and Mars. That previous album, mostly performed by Paul, Linda and Denny Laine, needed a band to support it for a tour and subsequent album, so Joe English/dr and Jimmy McCuloch/b-g were added to the lineup. The “band feel” is palpable, with a more co-op atmosphere, ranging to the cozy hit “ Listen To What The Man Said” and the Tin Pan Alley “You Gave Me The Answer”. Some hard rock takes place on “Spirits of Ancient Egypt” and some 50s nostalgia during “Magneto and Titanium Man” as well as the anthematic “Rock Show”. The album displayed all of McCartney’s colors, charms and need of a strong personality foil. Like the best leaders, such as Abe Lincoln, it’s always best to surround yourself with people who challenge you, like a fellow Liverpudlian.