The Companion Series

All fast easy reads and available instantly, worldwide.

The Old School Principles. A re-boot. A back to basics. Boost your career, beat AI. How to be a StoryTeller. Everybody loves a story. For writers and keynoters and brand leaders. Do Less to Achieve More. Possible the most powerful productivity principle. Daily MEDS: the breakthrough strategy for wellness. The Tools of Excellence. How to be Brilliant through choice of device or concept or strategy. How to Beat ChatGPT. Or How Not to Say, AI took My Job.

The next new companion will be available in September.

The Way to Beat AI

is to never be artificial. Is to be the best version of you. Is to be the human which has become hidden by screens, interrupts and coffee shops.

Go be human.

McCartney Rock ‘n Roll in Three Phases.

  1. Beatles: “I’m Down” (1965) This is McCartney at his most primal. Recorded the same day as “Yesterday” - the range is staggering - it’s a flat-out rock and roll scream, inspired by Little Richard, and arguably the most ferociously energetic thing the Beatles ever put to tape. “Helter Skelter” is the obvious rival, but “I’m Down” has a raw, almost reckless abandon that even Helter can’t quite match.

  2. Wings: “Jet” (1973) No contest, really. From the opening blast, “Jet” is one of the great rock openings of the 1970s - relentless, euphoric, mysterious (nobody is quite sure what it’s actually about). It showcases McCartney’s gift for momentum: the song never lets up, yet never feels like it’s working hard.

  3. Solo: “Maybe I’m Amazed” (1970) A love letter to Linda wrapped in one of the most powerful rock vocal performances of his career. The guitar solo is ragged and perfect. In its live version (Wings Over America), it became something transcendent. For later-period solo, “Coming Up” deserves a mention: strange, funky, and irresistibly propulsive.

What’s striking is that Paul McCartney’s rock and roll is always joyful, even when it’s ferocious. That’s his particular genius in the genre.