I didn't appreciate this album at the time. I was burned by Off The Ground. I heard the Young Boy single and in my mind I considered it just more toothless middle of the road fluff. I guess I went through a similar experience to you guys that bolted the gate in the 80s when Pipes of Peace and his duets with Jacko came out. When I finally got the cd, I still didn't give it its dues. Skipped so many of the songs. It wasn't til a couple of years ago I decided to go back and re-evaluate. I still think it's far from his strongest, but at least I can listen to those ballads like Little Willow and somedays and not cringe thinking "oh dear this old fogey should be put out to pasture". Instead I think of it as an addition to the likes of One Of These Days or Mother Nature's Son. I used to cringe listening to Used To Be Bad, Really Love you and even The World Tonight and think they weren't even good enough to be Off The Ground outtakes, let alone fit on what is supposed to be Paul's grand 'comeback' album. I still don't think they would be anywhere good enough to be considered for a Wings album, but I'm not so harsh. I can live with them!
Overall, I think it's an average album, but there are some ok tracks sprinkled here and there. Beautiful Night with ringo is an awesome song. Souvenir grew on me, as has Heaven On A Sunday. Flaming Pie (the title track) was and still is the only track I thrash on repeat over and over - it's a top quality rocker. By far, the title track is my fave on the album. I still remember when he played it on Oprah... I was like "go Macca!" Just like these days, we go "go Tom Cruise" ...hehe!
