Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio
Paul McCartney · 1991
97 min · 50 tracks · classical · pop rock · psychedelic rock
A powerful blend of orchestral arrangements and choral harmonies intertwined with McCartney's melodic sensibilities.
Why this album works
'Liverpool Oratorio' was notable for being one of McCartney's first classical compositions, receiving mixed reviews but solidifying his status as a versatile artist. The oratorio premiered at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, illustrating McCartney’s deep connection to his roots and influencing subsequent works that blend popular and classical styles.
- Best for
- dynamic narrative arc experience wave-like pacing with contrasts powerful orchestral and choral blend
- Context
- Released in 1991, 'Liverpool Oratorio' marked Paul McCartney's venture into classical music, showcasing his compositional skills beyond pop. This project followed his successful career with The Beatles and numerous solo albums, representing a significant shift as he explored new artistic territories after years of mainstream success.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Who· Eric Clapton· Ringo Starr· Elton John· Phil Collins· Bee Gees· Bonnie Tyler· Van Morrison
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Liverpool Oratorio: Ia. War: Andante 2:02
- 2 Liverpool Oratorio: Ib. War: “Non nobis solum” (Boy Solo, Boys’ Choir, Chorus) 2:35
- 3 Liverpool Oratorio: Ic. War: “The air raid siren slices through” (Shanty, Chorus) 2:09
- 4 Liverpool Oratorio: Id. War: “Oh will it all end here?” (Shanty) 1:36
- 5 Liverpool Oratorio: Ie. War: “Mother and father holding their child” (Chorus) 1:16
- 6 Liverpool Oratorio: IIa. School: “We’re here in school today to get a perfect education” (Boys, Shanty, Headmaster) 2:10
- 7 Liverpool Oratorio: IIb. School: “Walk in single file” (Headmaster, Boys) 1:02
- 8 Liverpool Oratorio: IIc. School: “Settle down” (Boys) 0:40
- 9 Liverpool Oratorio: IId. School: “Kept in confusion” (Shanty, Men’s Chorus) 2:35
- 10 Liverpool Oratorio: IIe. School: “I’ll always be here” (Mary Dee, Women’s Chorus, Full Chorus, Shanty) 1:35
- 11 Liverpool Oratorio: IIf. School: “Boys, this is your teacher” (Headmaster, Boys, Miss Inkley) 1:23
- 12 Liverpool Oratorio: IIg. School: “Tres conejos” (Miss Inkley, Boys, Headmaster, Shanty) 1:50
- 13 Liverpool Oratorio: IIh. School: “Not for ourselves” (Boys, Chorus, Headmaster, Miss Inkley, Shanty, Women’s Chorus) 0:55
- 14 Liverpool Oratorio: IIIa. Crypt: “And so it was that I had grown” (Shanty) 0:48
- 15 Liverpool Oratorio: IIIb. Crypt: Dance 1:44
- 16 Liverpool Oratorio: IIIc. Crypt: “I used to come here when this place was a crypt” (Shanty, Preacher) 1:58
- 17 Liverpool Oratorio: IIId. Crypt: “Here now” (Shanty) 0:46
- 18 Liverpool Oratorio: IIIe. Crypt: “I’ll always be here” (Mary Dee, Women’s Chorus, Shanty) 2:24
- 19 Liverpool Oratorio: IIIf. Crypt: “Now’s the time to tell him” (Mary Dee, Chorus, Shanty) 2:21
- 20 Liverpool Oratorio: IVa. Father: Andante lamentoso – “Father, Father” (Chorus) 2:59
- 21 Liverpool Oratorio: IVb. Father: “O Father, you have given” (Chief Mourner, Women’s Chorus) 1:05
- 22 Liverpool Oratorio: IVc. Father: “(Ah) O Father, you have given” (Full Chorus, Chief Mourner) 1:13
- 23 Liverpool Oratorio: IVd. Father: “Hey, wait a minute” (Shanty) 1:44
- 24 Liverpool Oratorio: IVe. Father: “Father, Father, Father” (Chorus, Boys, Shanty, Chief Mourner) 4:12
Disc 2
- 1 Liverpool Oratorio: Va. Wedding: Andante amoroso – “I know” (Shanty, Mary Dee, Chorus) 5:42
- 2 Liverpool Oratorio: Vb. Wedding: “Father, hear our humble voices” (Boys, Preacher, Women’s Chorus, Full Chorus, Solo Quartet) 1:13
- 3 Liverpool Oratorio: Vc. Wedding: “Hosanna, Hosanna” (Chorus, Mary Dee, Shanty) 1:40
- 4 Liverpool Oratorio: VIa. Work: Allegro energico 1:20
- 5 Liverpool Oratorio: VIb. Work: “Working women at the top” (Women’s Chorus, Mary Dee) 2:52
- 6 Liverpool Oratorio: VIc. Work: Violin solo 5:05
- 7 Liverpool Oratorio: VId. Work: “Did I sign that letter that you typed up yesterday?” (Mary Dee, Women’s Chorus) 1:34
- 8 Liverpool Oratorio: VIe. Work: Tempo I 0:30
- 9 Liverpool Oratorio: VIf. Work: “When you ask a working man” (Men’s Chorus, Shanty, Mr. Dingle) 1:34
- 10 Liverpool Oratorio: VIg. Work: “Let’s find ourselves a little hostelry” (Mr. Dingle, Mary Dee) 2:04
- 11 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIa. Crises: Allegro molto 0:54
- 12 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIb. Crises: “The world you’re coming into” (Mary Dee, Boy Solo) 2:28
- 13 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIc. Crises: Tempo I 0:45
- 14 Liverpool Oratorio: VIId. Crises: “Where’s my dinner?” (Shanty, Mary Dee) 2:40
- 15 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIe. Crises: “Let’s not argue” (Shanty, Mary Dee) 0:31
- 16 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIf. Crises: “I’m not a slave” (Mary Dee, Shanty) 0:52
- 17 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIg. Crises: “Right! That’s it! I’m off!” (Mary Dee) 0:49
- 18 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIh. Crises: “Stop” (Chorus) 2:03
- 19 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIi. Crises: “Do you know who you are” (Nurse) 3:36
- 20 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIj. Crises: “Ghosts of the past left behind” (Boys, Men’s Chorus, Nurse, Women’s Chorus, Mary Dee, Shanty) 3:08
- 21 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIk. Crises: “Do we live in a world” (Mary Dee, Nurse, Shanty, Chorus) 3:18
- 22 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIIa. Peace: “And so it was that you were born” (Shanty, Boy Solo, Boys’ Choir) 1:22
- 23 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIIb. Peace: “God is good” (Men’s Chorus, Full Chorus) 1:26
- 24 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIIc. Peace: “What people want is a family life” (Preacher, Basses, Altos, Tenors, Boys, Full Chorus) 2:17
- 25 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIId. Peace: “Dad’s in the garden, he won’t speak to Mum” (Nurse, Mary Dee, Shanty, Preacher, Full Chorus, Solo Quartet) 3:13
- 26 Liverpool Oratorio: VIIIe. Peace: “So on and on the story goes” (Shanty, Mary Dee) 1:06
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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