The Blogs: One Hand Clapping-Wings documentary is music heaven

I would rather play in a band than have a Rolls Royce

Paul McCartney is a rare breed – his killer tunes, from Beatles-day to the present, stand uncannily resonant, even decades after first hitting the airwaves.

With lyrics and sounds that transcend time and place, he is listened to by young and old alike the world over – the sight of Gen Zers singing along to one McCartney tune after another at Glastonbury two years ago, is testimony to that. It could safely be argued that there isn’t a musician alive who has given so much pleasure to so many people.

One Hand Clapping is the former Beatle’s latest music documentary filmed in 1974 in Abbey Road Studios. It is an intimate account of the Wings’ studio sessions as they hone the band’s distinctive post-Beatles sound.

The film opens with a bright Sir McCartney talking straight to camera, reflecting briefly on the enjoyable but somewhat emotionally trying process of sifting through the five decade old footage. A bigger than life ‘Jet’ fills the cinema, followed by one sweeping tune after another – an hour of music heaven that could have easily been twice as long.

Between songs we hear band members briefly reflecting on the music, personal journey and more. McCartney speaks about his life long love of music but more importantly, about his resounding preference to playing in a band rather than ‘going solo. This brings to mind a quote that is widely attributed to the man himself stating “I would rather play in a band than have a rolls Royce.”

He speaks of the uncertain days after the Beatles parted ways – Wings was McCartney’s way of getting back on the horse and getting the songs out there. A sentiment aired in a 1984 interview where he was asked what made form Wings. His reply was “just time, healing things – the shock of losing the Beatles as a band..we just started off thinking, we’ll take any job; we’ll do anything just to get going, to do something”. Interestingly, in the same 1984 interview Paul predicted that “a lot of that Wings stuff” will be “sort of rediscovered in years to come.”

Paul McCartney during the One Hand Clapping sessions. EMI<br />
Studios, London. August 1974.

McCartney was spot on. Jet, My Love, Band On The Run, Live And Let Die, Let Me Roll It and Maybe I’m Amazed have all gone on to become classics.

Alongside the great Wings hits, there are reworked extracts of Beatles’ classics Let It Be, The Long and Winding Road. Also Lady Madonna, the Moody Blues’ Go Now sung by Denny Laine, Junior’s Farm and a Paul solo piano version of the Harry Akst/Benny Davis classic Baby Face.

With McCartney in the studio are Linda McCartney, Denny Laine, guitarist Jimmy McCulloch and drummer Geoff Britton. Also joining the band are orchestral arranger Del Newman and saxophonist Howie Casey, who later joined the Wings touring band.

Director David Litchfield has captured the sessions’ focused but relaxed vibe well, with the spoken reflections between songs adding great richness and nuance – Lane reflects on McCartney’s music-filled upbringing while Linda speaks of her musical journey, and how she mastered her Wings parts and more.

We hear Paul speak of himself as a 14 year old, his post Beatles thoughts, the song-writing process and more. We learn that he loved Peggy Lee, and that he once thought that he would play until he’s 65, but now believes he will play ‘until he drops’.

The film ends with a chipper McCartney telling us to stay in our seats as he presents a candid, busker-like 1974 session, shot at the Abbey Road studios back garden. It is just McCartney strumming on his acoustic guitar playing a mix of familiar tunes.

One Hand Clapping is a celebration of Wings’ music, and the unparalleled legacy of Paul McCartney. Originally filmed in 1970s videotape, it has now been restored at 4K, and it looks fabulous.

This film is a pleasure to watch and listen to – a gripping musical journey that could easily have lasted twice as long.