Paul McCartney 'Ram: Archive Collection Edition' preview

Ram was Paul McCartney's second solo album and, for years, was criticized as being too "cute" and "tossed off." Containing only one hit, the rather bizarre Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, it's only in recent years that the LP has started to gain critical fans. The new version will be out May 22 via Hear Music.

Like the previously released archive releases of Band on the Run and McCartney, Ram will include rarities and long forgotten tracks on four-CDs and one-DVD. All music has been remastered and the package will included a 128-page linen-bound book.

Disc 1 contains the original album while Disc 2 has eight outtakes, non-album tracks and B-sides including the rarity A Love For You which was only previously available on the soundtrack from the 2003 movie The In Laws).

Disc 3 is the never released mono version of the album which was only serviced to radio stations.

Finally, Disc 4 is the rare Thrillington LP which McCartney recorded in 1971 but didn't release until 1977. It is the entire Ram album as played with an orchestra (there are no vocals).

The DVD has a number of short pieces including tracks from the albums over home and studio movies.

The album is being released in six different configurations:

Standard Edition: 1 CD digipak Single disc, digitally remastered 12- track standard edition
Special Edition: 2 CD digipak Remastered album and 8-track bonus audio CD including rarities, b-sides and the hit single, Another Day.
Deluxe Edition Box Set: 4 CD/1 DVD box set & download Remastered album, bonus audio CD, remastered Mono album, Thrillington CD, bonus film DVD, 112 page book, 5 prints in vintage style photographic wallet, 8 full size facsimiles of Paul's original handwritten lyric sheets and mini photographic book of outtakes from the original album cover photo shoot. Hi-Res 24bit 96kHz files of the remastered and bonus audio CD, accessed via a download code inserted on a card within the deluxe edition package
Vinyl: 2LP 180gm, gatefold vinyl with download Remastered album, bonus audio disc plus digital download of all 20 tracks
Limited Edition Mono Vinyl: 1LP, Remastered mono album
Digital: RAM will be available for download across a variation of digital configurations including Mastered for iTunes and High Resolution

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an album from a long, long time ago, when the world was different. This is an album that is part of my history - it goes back to the wee hills of Scotland where it was formed. It's an album called RAM. It reminds me of my hippie days and the free attitude with which was created. I hope you're going to like it, because I do!" Paul McCartney, 2012

Track List:

CD Disc 1 (Ram - Stereo)

Too Many People
3 Legs
Ram On
Dear Boy
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
Smile Away
Heart of the Country
Monkberry Moon Delight
Eat at Home
Long Haired Lady
Ram On
The Back Seat of My Car

CD Disc 2 (Rarities)

Another Day
Oh Woman, Oh Why
Little Woman Love
A Love For You (Jon Kelly remix)
Hey Diddle (Dixon Van Winkle mix)
Great Cock And Seagull Race (Dixon Van Winkle mix)
Rode All Night
Sunshine Sometime (earliest mix)

CD Disc 3 (Ram - Mono)

Same track list as Disc 1

CD Disc 4 (Thrillington)

Too Many People
3 Legs
Ram On
Dear Boy
Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
Smile Away
Heart of the Country
Monkberry Moon Delight
Eat at Home
Long Haired Lady
The Back Seat of My Car

DVD

Ramming
Heart Of The Country
3 Legs
Hey Diddle
Eat At Home On Tour
a selection of Now Hear This jingles