M-Theory Music (827 W Washington St.) in Mission Hills hosts a listening party for Paul McCartney’s new album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane on Saturday, May 30 at 5 p.m.
The Boys of Dungeon Lane is the twenty-first solo studio album by McCartney, co-produced with Andrew Watt, with recording starting in 2001. The album features 14 tracks, including two singles so far: “Days We Left Behind,” and “Home to Us”, the latter being a duet with Ringo Starr, who coincidentally will be performing a sold out show at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay the night before this event.
Attendees at M-Theory Music on May 30 will have the opportunity hear The Boys of Dungeon Lane in its entirety, as well as to purchase a silver vinyl edition of the album exclusive to release parties and acquire a free tote bag with purchase of the new release in any format, while supplies last.
Additonally, “postcard party favors” will be available to attendees, also free while supplies last, and there will also be a contest for a special prize, with no purchase necessary to win (must be present).
“The song “Days We Left Behind” from the new album takes you right back in time, a time well before now,” said singer-songwriter Matthew Phillips. “(McCartney) paints such a beautiful image but also gives the listener permission to let go of what’s no longer there,” he continued. “Things change and that is what makes life beautiful. “Home to Us” with Ringo on the drums, sounds just like what I remember growing up with but newer. That classic sound they do so well but it’s oh so familiar yet modern and mature. I love the harmonies on both of these tracks. I am very excited to hear the rest of the record.”
Indie pop rocker Tamar Berk concurs. “I’m thrilled about the new album!” she said. “From a songwriter’s perspective, it’s incredible to see that writing songs doesn’t have to stop at any point in life. There really is no age limit on creativity. I think it’s inspiring to know that you can build a long-lasting career with a grounded, undramatic attitude toward both the industry and the music itself.” She considers that “just continuing to create and evolve over time means so much to me. I’m a big fan of nostalgic songs — songs that look back at life and reexamine it from a different place and time. The first two tracks that have been released are lovely and definitely carry some deeply felt emotions.”
Brian Witkin of award-winning Island themed band, Slack Key Ohana is also excited about The Boys of Dungeon Lane. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see one of my lifelong heroes still creating at such a high level,” he said. “As a producer, artist, and songwriter myself, I have so much respect for Paul McCartney’s continued passion for making music and pushing forward creatively. Artists like Paul remind all of us that great music has no expiration date. I can’t wait to hear the new album.”
It’s been more than five decades since the first solo Paul McCartney album was released. Producer / musician Sven Erik Seaholm is impressed by his artistic longevity. “Think of all the work Picasso did until the day he died at 91,” he said. “Paul is also a great artist and this is simply what they do.”
Drummer Charles Brownell (The Nephews, Swive, Creepxotica) has been a fan of McCartney’s music for decades. “I am and will always be a Beatles fan!” he said. “I will say though that the Monkees were my jam as a wee lad, but they opened my journey with the Beatles once I was old enough to figure it out. Simplicity and seemingly otherworldliness knowledge of that pop hook is the Beatles strength, along with their songwriting chemistry as a group makes most of their tunes timeless, even my least favorite of their tunes carry some weight to me.”
Does Phillips consider himself a big fan of The Beatles? “Yes! The Beatles have always been prolific writers and story tellers,” he said. “The concepts are timeless and the melodies might be some of the best in history. They do all of these things extremely well and there is a reason they are the biggest band in the world.”
“The Beatles have been one of my favorite bands since my early twenties,” said pianist Danny Green. “I’m sure there are a ton of reasons why their music has endured, but at the heart of it, I think they just wrote such great songs. Anytime I try to think of their top ten songs, I can easily come up with another ten that are equally good. In their short span of existence, they created such a variety of sounds, so at least for me, the music always stays fresh. I think there’s also something communal about The Beatles’ music. So many people grew up with it, and so anytime one of their songs is played, it creates a sense of connection.”
Seaholm considers The Beatle to be a major influence on his music and career. “Yes! (I admire) everything within the Beatles’ legacy: Songs, riffs, talent, humor inspiration, hard work and the determination to get the very best from themselves, for us every single time. Those are the hallmarks of greatness.”
Witkin is also a huge Beatles aficionado. “Thanks to my parents,” he said good naturedly. “I grew up listening to their music, and I think what has made it endure is the songwriting,” Witkin noted. “At the core of every great Beatles record is an undeniable song. Whether it’s performed by a solo singer-songwriter with an acoustic guitar or a full band with elaborate production, a truly well-written song connects across generations. As a songwriter and producer, that’s something I really admire about their catalog. Their melodies, arrangements, and emotional honesty still feel timeless today. And honestly, they were also the original boy band — that kind of cultural phenomenon never really goes away.”
Berk agrees. “I’m a huge Beatles fan. I reference their music, songwriting, and production constantly in my own work,” she said. “It honestly feels like they wrote a song for every emotion imaginable. They pushed so far beyond what people thought was possible in the studio, and I genuinely can’t think of a Beatles song I dislike,” Berk commented. “Their music has endured for all of those reasons. It’s honestly hard to imagine the music world without them. Every time I put on Rubber Soul or Abbey Road, it still blows my mind.”
What’s Phillips favorite McCartney penned tune? “Hey Jude,” he said. “I love watching all the live performances and seeing how a section of a song with no words can unite so many. It reminds me of Prince at the Superbowl while he performed “Purple Rain.” It’s an anthem that will live on forever. Musically it’s perfection. It takes you on a journey and might be one of, if not the greatest, songs ever written.”
“Obviously there’s so many choices, but I always seem the most soothed and comforted by “Ram On” from the Ram album,” said Seaholm. “Simple, direct and wistfully cheerful. Perfect pop to urge you on.”
Meanwhile, Witkin chooses one McCartney’s sentimental songs as his favorite. “I’d have to say “Let It Be,” he said. “It’s one of those rare songs that feels universally meaningful no matter where you are in life. The melody, lyrics, and emotion are all so simple yet powerful. It’s iconic for a reason, and I think the message of finding peace and hope during difficult times is something people will always connect with.”
“I really don’t think I could pick a favorite McCartney song without changing my mind two seconds later,” Green remarked, “but one of my favorites is Blackbird. It’s a very complex song in terms of the harmony and time signature changes, but unless you are really trying to figure out what’s going on, it just comes across as a beautiful, simple, and heartfelt song. If you are asking about post-Beatles McCartney songs, one of my favorites is Pipes of Peace. It’s a great song on its own, but I love the production on the recording. There are so many cool sounds in this song, ranging from orchestra, to electronic sounds, and multiple voices.”
With such a great catalog of music to choose from Berk has a hard time picking favorites. “This is way too hard. I absolutely love “She’s Leaving Home,” which is quite frankly a masterpiece, alongside “Eleanor Rigby.” But damn… I also really love Wings, and “Maybe I’m Amazed” destroys me every time.”
When it comes to picking favorites, Brownell also loves McCartney’s early solo work. “Paul’s whimsical and show tune playfulness can’t escape the ear and a foot tap,” he noted. “But, I’d say that for at least the past 30 years, “Monkberry Moon Delight,” off the Ram record is probably my overall favorite of many favorites. I love the bass line and I just generally love how he plays and approaches that instrument. Also, his voice on that song has an almost Don Von Vliet quality to it which I dig. Then there’s that bop melody with a slightly eastern, or Mediterranean musical feel.” Brownell also considers it difficult narrowing down his selection. “I guess another fave on the weird side of his is, “Temporary Secretary”? I like that electro pop sound, perhaps he was listening to Eno earlier, or maybe Devo, but it’s always surprised me coming from, ‘a Beatle’, and it’s forever stuck in my noggin.”
The Boys of Dungeon Lane / Track Listing
1. “As You Lie There”
2. “Lost Horizon”
3. “Days We Left Behind”
4. “Ripples in a Pond”
5. “Mountain Top”
6. “Down South”
7. “We Two”
8. “Come Inside”
9. “Never Know”
10. “Home to Us” (with Ringo Starr)
11. “Life Can Be Hard”
12. “First Star of the Night”
13. “Salesman Saint”
14. “Momma Gets By”
