Welcome the the Beatles Rarity of the Week. This week, the BROW takes a look at a vintage Wings single from 1974, pulled from the Band On The Run album.

Jet was the first single released to promote the album (although the earlier Helen Wheels single appears on the North American version of the album only). The first pressings of the original Apple single, released in the U.S. on January 28th, 1974, contained the b-side track Mamunia, but this pressing was recalled and replaced with the more common one, released just a few weeks later on February 18, 1974. The new pressing had the b-side Let Me Roll It instead. Both Mamunia and Let Me Roll It hailed from the Band On The Run album. Most of the songs on Band On The Run were recorded in Lagos Nigeria, but Jet was recorded entirely at EMI studios in London after Wings returned from Africa. Paul owned a Labrador Retriever named Jet and had once owned a pony with the same name. It isn’t really clear which, but either the dog or the pony were likely the inspiration for the song’s title.

The version of Jet featured this week is from an unknown origin. It was a rehearsal performance that was featured on Paul’s radio serial Oobu Joobu on July 16, 1995, and includes Dee Jay Paul’s original intro to the song. It was likely recorded in preparation for the 1989/90 Paul McCartney World Tour or the 1993 New World Tour. To my ears, the song has a quicker pace than the original release, which adds a nice dash of new excitement to the delivery. More information about Oobu Joobu is available here along with more music from the program.

1974 Promotion Sticker for Jet single

Want to make a suggestion for a future Beatles Rarity of the Week? If so, I will do my best to deliver, so let me hear from you. To browse for ideas, check out this search-able listing of thousands of Beatle-related recordings to choose from. Then let me hear from you here.

Here are some Amazon links to read more on, or purchase, some music related to this post:

1) Band on the Run – 1999 remaster of original Band On The Run album on CD, including original version of Jet.

2) Band On The Run [Deluxe Edition - 3CD+1DVD Combo] – 2010 3 CD/1 DVD deluxe expanded version of original 1973 Band On The Run LP. Includes 1 CD of original album, second CD of bonus material, third CD of audio commentary and DVD of music videos and additional footage. Also includes very attractive 120 page hardbound book with lots of photos and info. Includes original plus alternate version of Jet.

3) Good Evening New York City [2 CD + 1 DVD Combo] – 2 CD/1 DVD account of Paul McCartney’s historical July 2009 Citi Field concert, including a great live performance of Jet.

4) Wingspan (Hits & History) [Special Limited Edition] – 2001 2-CD remaster collection of Wings Hits and Historical recordings, including original released version of Jet.

5) Additional Amazon links for your favorite Beatles-related music: The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

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