Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (Freddie Hubbard’s version)

Freddie Hubbard (trumpet, flugelhorn), Hubert Laws (flute), George Benson (guitar), Herbie Hancock (Fender Rhodes), Richard Wyands (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Jack DeJohnette (drums), Airto Moreira (percussion) and Don Sebesky (string arrangements). From the album First Light (1971).

This song was written by Paul and Linda McCartney and was the fifth on the Ram album published in 1971. The first part of the title refers to Albert Kendall, who married Paul’s aunt Milly, his father’s sister, and became “Uncle Albert”. He worked as a clerk in Paul’s father’s company and drank a lot of alcohol while reading the bible. The second part is composed in honor of Admiral William Frederick Halsey Jr., a fleet officer who participated in World War II.

The melody is a combination of pieces from several unfinished songs, similar to the mixes from the Beatles Abbey Road album. It is also divided into two parts, as the title itself indicates, and contains 12 different sections. Its production is remarkable for its sound effects, such as a storm with rain, a vocal approach of a telephone tone, and the singing of sea birds along with the sound of the wind on the seashore.

Hubbard makes a short introduction with Carter and then the orchestral ensemble joins in for Hubbard to expose the theme. Next he plays some relaxed phrases and the music suddenly stops. Immediately the group enters and Hubbard presents a melody followed by a more energetic and animated speech including his characteristic special effects. After that, Benson stays with the group alone making an ingenious and interesting solo while the ensemble comes in again. Unexpectedly everything stops and Carter remains playing on his own introducing the group and Hubert Laws makes a flute solo. Lastly, Hubbard re-exposes the theme in an exquisite way and the orchestral ensemble is in charge of ending.