This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
The punny title is meant to remind us that even though he used to be one of The Beatles — and remains a zillionaire and a knight — Paul McCartney is still a blue-collar bloke at heart.
But the music on Working Classical also reminds us of something else Paul will always be at heart: A pop songwriter. Unlike his other recent forays into contemporary orchestral music, Working Classical is a more light-hearted affair, balancing new symphonic pieces with chamber-music versions of pop chestnuts like Maybe I’m Amazed, My Love and Lovely Linda. Predictably, the more recent stuff is somewhat serious, although still hummably melodic. The cover tunes, unfortunately, come off as kitschy as 101 Strings Plays The Beatles. It’s hardly the work of a serious composer — but acceptable for a blue-collar bloke.
