The Family Way [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

by Paul McCartney

Overview

While on a break between Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's in late 1966, and with touring now out of the question and John Lennon off making the film How I Won the War, Paul McCartney tried his hand at a film score -- with a lot of help from Beatles arranger/producer George Martin. The rather pleasing result is one of the most elusive souvenirs of the Beatles' high tide in the '60s, long out of print, and commanding sky-high prices on the collectors' circuit. Only 24 minutes in length, Family Way is a collection of film cues based on a single McCartney tune, "Love in the Open Air," a plaintive melody reminiscent in some ways of "Here, There and Everywhere." (McCartney has since said that Johnny Mercer was planning to write lyrics for the song, but McCartney passed on it because at the time; he had never heard of Mercer.) The resourceful Martin then subjects McCartney's tune to variations and restatements in several kinds of orchestrations -- including, among other combinations, a proper British brass band; Duane Eddy-style guitar with soul organ; a small group with chamber strings, flutes, and classical guitar; and pre-echoes of Sgt. Pepper's-era trumpets. The whole project reflects McCartney's melodic and harmonic bents, as well as Martin's distinct orchestral personality -- along with some commercial touches that definitively date this score as a product of the '60s. It also should have pointed the way toward McCartney's classical collaborations with Martin, which might have produced some masterful work (McCartney, though, chose to work with other, less-simpatico orchestrators way off in the future). A United Artists single issued under the name of the George Martin Orchestra in 1967 offers a completely different, rock-edged treatment of "Love in the Open Air" -- even including some then-fashionable Tijuana Brass-style horns. This, too, will be difficult to locate. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Product Details

Release Date:	07/26/2011
Label:	Concord
UPC:	0030206709520

Tracks

1. The Family Way~Cue 2M1 / 2M4
2. The Family Way~Cue 5M1 / 11M3
3. The Family Way~Cue 6M4 / 7M2
4. The Family Way~Cue 6M2 / 1M2
5. The Family Way~Cue 10M1 / 6M3 / 4M1 / 1M3 / 1M4
6. The Family Way~Love in the Open Air
7. The Family Way~Cue 2M5
8. The Family Way~Cue 1M1
9. The Family Way~Cue 7M1
10. The Family Way~Cue 11M1 / 11M2 / 10M3 / 8M1
11. The Family Way~Cue 12M1
12. The Family Way~Cue 13M1
13. The Family Way~Cue 13M2
14. The Family Way~Theme

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paul McCartney   Primary Artist
Claire Marchand   Primary Artist,Flute
Carl Aubut   Primary Artist,Guitar
Claudel String Quartet   Primary Artist,String Ensemble
George Martin & His Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Andre Moisan   Clarinet
Quatuor La Flute Enchantee   Ensemble
The Tudor Minstrels   Ensemble

Technical Credits

Anthony Rozankovic   Arranger
Paul McCartney   Composer
Robert Lafond   Mastering,Digital Editing,Montage
Martin Duchesne   Production Editing
Claudel String Quartet   Performer
Claire Marchand   Performer
Michel Laverdiere   Producer,Liner Notes,Executive Producer
Carl Aubut   Arranger
Jean-Francois Jarry   Producer
Johanne Goyette   Producer
George Martin   Orchestration,Producer,Arranger