McCartney/Starbucks release

[seattlesteve]

If I understand it correctly, Starbucks previously worked with indie label Concord, most notably putting out Ray Charles "Genius loves Company" that went on to sell 5.5 mil, and 8 Grammys. I guess Starbucks wants to be more involved than just a distribution channel, as the 2 have now formed Hear Music, of which McCartneys new album is their first release.

They initially are going to loop it and play it in the stores constantly, everywhere.

Kind of makes sense. A lot more people go through Starbucks than a record store, they all have to wait at least 10 minutes, and music gets heard that most would never find.

I've always said that so many people love Eric's music when they hear it, but they don't look for it or stumble across it.

Eric always said it's not worth the effort of putting out a cd that won't have any ears by it, in todays music culture.

Isn't this a pretty good end around strategy for older pop stars that still have it? Maybe Eric should have his people talk to Starbucks. (Anything to get Eric in Seattle ;-) )

[GP]

The McCartney/Starbucks release may be the way for veteran established artists. More exposure to the music and a company excited about the artist vs tired & lost Capitol Records who frankly didn't know what to do with McCartney. It'll be very interesting to see how it all pans out. We'll all know soon.

[angelina]

It's a great idea....heck I bought the Ray Charles CD "Genius Loves Company".

I could see Starbucks serving a raspberry-tinged frappuccino while EC's song play in the background.

[Lew Bundles]

I officially went to Starbucks for the 1st time today and told them that I was there because of their affiliation with the Mac...

[Billy K.]

Angelina, actually, some of the smaller coffee houses in Seattle(there are many) do have Raspberry flavored coffee drinks. In fact, for quite some time.

[Billy K.]

Steve, Starbucks also had some other interesting items(musically)in their stores, in the past. They were promoting some new unknown artist that they really liked. Also had the "inspiration" albums, by well-known artists........as in Joni Mitchell and others picking their favorites. Plus they had a Stones b-sides/outtakes CD sold at their stores as well....

[hbecstacy]

Had an interesting Starbucks/Macca experience yesterday I thought I'd share.

Yesterday, at the Starbucks in Center City Philly (and at others around the country), there was a "happening" to promote the release of the CD (and Paul's 65th birthday).

The newspaper ad promoting the event promised copies of the CD would be given away.

Soooo...I snuck out of my office at 10:30 a.m. (the event ran from 11 am to 1 pm)...to the Philly subway (not pretty, but fast)...to the vicinity (around Philly's City Hall) of the Starbucks.

Got there, and walked into a full-blown media event. DJ Andre Gardner, who hosts a great show called "Breakfast with the Beatles" on classic rock station WMGK. Camera crews taping birthday greetings to Paul. Free Starbucks coffee to all in attendance.

But enough of all that. I don't drink coffee. I had one mission: wanted to score me one of them free CDs!

Gardner told the crowd that every 15 minutes or so, he'd pick a few contestants, throw a Paul-oriented trivia question at them, and whoever got theirs right would win a CD.

One of the first questions: When Paul formed his own band, what were some of the names he considered before he decided to use Wings?

A guy standing next to me was practically panting: "I know that one! It's Lumpy Trousers."

Well, beats me. I never knew he considered any names besides Wings.

So the person whose turn it was had no idea. Panting guy was next, and gave his answer.

Know what? It was wrong, at least according to Andre, who cited "Turpentine" as one of the rejected names (I didn't catch the other) and said he'd play PM interview soon on his show to prove it.

Other questions were pretty easy: Name two songs off "Ram." Name three producers, besides Paul himself, who worked on McCartney solo albums.

Then, somehow, it was my turn. Geez, I didn't want to blow it. I knew I'd kick myself later if I made the effort to get there and get in line and blew my big moment.

My question: "Name the country where Paul recorded most of the Band on the Run album."

My nervous response: "Uh...Africa?"

Duh.

Nice guy he is, Andre corrected/prompted me: "No, name the COUNTRY."

Now, I'd read about the recording of BOTR, and somehow the first country that came to mind as the location of the recording came out of my lips: "Uh...Nigeria?"

Andre: "YOU GOT IT!"

And he handed me a CD. Ahhhhh...triumph. A lunch hour not wasted.

As I bolted for the door, some professor-looking chap snickered at me: "Heh...Africa."

"Oh yeah?" I thought. "Screw you, buddy. I GOT ONE!"

...and headed right back to the subway.

The CD? I like it. Free is always better, but some nice tunes there...there are better tracks than the ones I'd already heard online. And geez, kudos to Paul for still trying. We all know he doesn't need the bucks. He does it because it's what he does. More power to him.

And I probably would've bought it anyway. But I didn't have to--thanks to Nigeria.

Cheers,

Howard

[chris hess]

going after work tomorrow to get it..can't stand it anymore...must get new paul.....lol,chris

[ira]

Paul at $9.99 at Amazon.com...AND...if you can couple it with something else you want for a $25 total order...there is no shipping...and of course no tax.

I just piggybacked Paul with a forthcoming book on Phil Spector...Something like $28.88 for both.

Think about it.-Ira.

[ira]

BUT ...Ya do gotta wait a little bit to get it.-Ira.

[Lew Bundles]

If you buy the Double Cd set, there are three additional tracks along with an interview...For the life of me, I cant figure out how that 2nd track didnt make the line-up for the 1st CD...

[popdude]

Had an interesting Starbucks/Macca experience yesterday I thought I'd share.

Yesterday, at the Starbucks in Center City Philly (and at others around the country), there was a "happening" to promote the release of the CD (and Paul's 65th birthday).

The newspaper ad promoting the event promised copies of the CD would be given away.

Soooo...I snuck out of my office at 10:30 a.m. (the event ran from 11 am to 1 pm)...to the Philly subway (not pretty, but fast)...to the vicinity (around Philly's City Hall) of the Starbucks.

Got there, and walked into a full-blown media event. DJ Andre Gardner, who hosts a great show called "Breakfast with the Beatles" on classic rock station WMGK. Camera crews taping birthday greetings to Paul. Free Starbucks coffee to all in attendance.

But enough of all that. I don't drink coffee. I had one mission: wanted to score me one of them free CDs!

Gardner told the crowd that every 15 minutes or so, he'd pick a few contestants, throw a Paul-oriented trivia question at them, and whoever got theirs right would win a CD.

One of the first questions: When Paul formed his own band, what were some of the names he considered before he decided to use Wings?

A guy standing next to me was practically panting: "I know that one! It's Lumpy Trousers."

Well, beats me. I never knew he considered any names besides Wings.

So the person whose turn it was had no idea. Panting guy was next, and gave his answer.

Know what? It was wrong, at least according to Andre, who cited "Turpentine" as one of the rejected names (I didn't catch the other) and said he'd play PM interview soon on his show to prove it.

Other questions were pretty easy: Name two songs off "Ram." Name three producers, besides Paul himself, who worked on McCartney solo albums.

Then, somehow, it was my turn. Geez, I didn't want to blow it. I knew I'd kick myself later if I made the effort to get there and get in line and blew my big moment.

My question: "Name the country where Paul recorded most of the Band on the Run album."

My nervous response: "Uh...Africa?"

Duh.

Nice guy he is, Andre corrected/prompted me: "No, name the COUNTRY."

Now, I'd read about the recording of BOTR, and somehow the first country that came to mind as the location of the recording came out of my lips: "Uh...Nigeria?"

Andre: "YOU GOT IT!"

And he handed me a CD. Ahhhhh...triumph. A lunch hour not wasted.

As I bolted for the door, some professor-looking chap snickered at me: "Heh...Africa."

"Oh yeah?" I thought. "Screw you, buddy. I GOT ONE!"

...and headed right back to the subway.

The CD? I like it. Free is always better, but some nice tunes there...there are better tracks than the ones I'd already heard online. And geez, kudos to Paul for still trying. We all know he doesn't need the bucks. He does it because it's what he does. More power to him.

And I probably would've bought it anyway. But I didn't have to--thanks to Nigeria.

Cheers,

Howard

Good story, Howard. Here in Southern California, Starbucks also had events, including one close to my house with Chris Carter (formerly of the band Dramarama - Pierson, he says hi), the LA-area host of "Breakfast With the Beatles." Since I was off work Tuesday, I went down to check it out.

Chris is a cool guy and has some great stories(including a funny one about Eric Carmen that discretion prevents me from recounting here). Anyway, I already had a copy of the new McCartney record, but I was able to win three Starbucks gift cards by answering Macca trivia. Very cool...