Wingspan - Hits And History

Wingspan - Front Cover	Wingspan - Rear Cover

Label	Parlophone
Catalogue No.'s	532 8501 (Vinyl) 532 8502 (Double C.D.)
Release date	7th May 2001
Total time	C.D. 1 - 75:37 C.D. 2 - 77:28
U.K. Album Chart Detail :	Entry Date : 13th May 2001 Highest Position : 5 Weeks in Chart : 7
Detail :	"This Hits and History collection includes many of my favourite Paul McCartney and Wings tracks. Whether you're hearing them for the first time, or you were around in the 1970's and have memories of the songs, I hope you enjoy checking out what I think was some of our best work." Paul. First we had "Wings Greatest" on vinyl in 1978, then we had "All The Best" in 1987 (which I only have on a 7" single boxset !) and now in 2001 we have "Wingspan" which although available on Vinyl is aimed squarely at the C.D. audience. The collection is split over two C.D.'s, one called "Hits", and the other "History" ... and of course they both feature hits AND history ! ... although, some notable exceptions are clearly evident. Why no "Give Ireland Back To The Irish" ? ... and what about the big number 1 "Ebony And Ivory" ... in fact no collaboration singles are included, although many non-Wings tracks are. And where are the classic tracks, "We All Stand Together", "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and "Letting Go" ? ... and of course the list goes on, but I guess we have to leave room for the forthcoming "Wings Anthology". The C.D. is enclosed in an outer cardboard wrap-around sleeve with a terrific hologram on the front. Inside there is a superb 24 page booklet with some great photographs of the various Wings line-ups, a foreward by Mark Lewisohn, and full track information. The outer wrap-around has a different catalogue number of 532 8762. Incidentally, because the official release date of 7th May was a bank holiday here in England, the shops actually received delivery of this release on Friday 4th May, but were "threatened" with selling them before Monday 7th. Of course, if one knew a friendly store who would "sell" it to you beforehand and then scan it through the till on Monday, one would have been very lucky to get it a couple of days before anyone else ! First chart after release, "Wingspan" entered at number 5. May 20th 2001 - 2nd week in chart, down from number 5 to number 13 (looks like No.5 is going to be the peak !) May 27th 2001 - 3rd week in chart, non-mover staying at number 13. June 3rd 2001 - 4th week in chart, down from number 13 to number 24. June 10th 2001 - 5th week in chart, down from number 24 to number 34. June 17th 2001 - 6th week in chart, back UP into the Top 30, from number 34 to number 29. June 24th 2001 - 7th week in chart, down from number 29 to number 55.

C.D. 1 - Hits

C.D. 2 - History