Well, you've got to give Paul McCartney credit for having the courage of his convictions--and the heroism to occasionally fall spectacularly flat on his face pursuing them. The parallel here is Magical Mystery Tour, the half-baked 1967 Beatles TV film that was largely McCartney's conceit. Seventeen years later McCartney figured his solo star power could carry a film vehicle, and so concocted this odd caper tale about the race to find the stolen master tapes to Mac's latest solo album; suffice it to say few critics were assigned to the case. If faint praise is in order, the album is a less painful experience than the film. Still, one has to wonder what drove Mac to re-record a slate of his best Beatles tunes--along with some of his most tepid solo songs--for this misbegotten star turn. Still, ill conceived though they may be, the performances are stellar throughout, featuring an all-star band that includes old mate Ringo and turns by guitarists Dave Edmunds, Dave Gilmour, and Chris Spedding, as well as contributions by George Martin, Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, Eric Stewart, and John Paul Jones. Arguably McCartney's greatest "What was he thinking?!" project. -Jerry McCulley