A new "anniversary edition" is the perfect excuse to recognize what is likely my favorite post-Beatles album from any of the Fab Four. (Mr. Harrison, your All Things Must Pass probably lands 1B to this 1A). Band on the Run could also be called "How Paul Got His Groove Back." 

Critics were not always so kind to Paul McCartney on his first few efforts following the demise of the Beatles. In some respects, they had a point, but often judged too harshly, or solely through a comparison to the brilliance of his previous band. After lackluster reviews of a handful of deliberately stripped down records, both solo and Wings, Band on the Run was a statement that he could indeed still rock and put out a great collection of tunes top to bottom. It transformed Wings from playing theaters into an arena and stadium act and restored his reputation to those who doubted him. At least half the tracks are still regulars in his live sets today. 

For those doing the math at home, yes, it was first released in November 1973, but last week as a part of a "Limited 50th Anniversary Edition," Macca dropped a new double LP collection in which the second record has "underdubbed" mixes. These "new" versions removed strings, horns, and in one case lead vocals, to give the songs a more "natural" feel. Or to be more accurate, they are rough mixes before the dubs of those strings, horns, and lead vocals were added. A treat for those more intimately familiar with the original, the amount of differences on this anniversary release vary by track. It is, however, fun to hear a version of the album that in some ways is more sonically aligned with his first two solo records.