McCartney 3,2,1

It is nerdy in the best possible way. ... This is a programme for fans who simply want to enjoy the Beatles’ music, and the biggest one turns out to be McCartney himself.

“McCartney 3,2,1” is the closest thing to mandatory viewing for every fan of McCartney’s music.

Insert your favorite Beatles or McCartney title here — the point is, 3, 2, 1 will have you enthralled. ... McCartney 3, 2, 1 is imbued with a loose, parlor conversation vibe that belies the gravity of the memories and recording studio insights that McCartney peppers into the conversation. 3, 2, 1 is fascinating.

The charm of these six amiable half-hour rambles through the Beatle’s songbook (Disney +) arose from the lavishly bearded producer and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings looking like an indulgent patriarch listening to his prodigal son’s improbable adventures.

Relatively small in scale, "McCartney 3,2,1" might not top that list, but for anyone who knows that it was Lennon who added "It can't get no worse" to McCartney's more upbeat lyrics on "Getting Better," as times for musical nostalgia go, it doesn't get much better than this.

It’s not for everyone, but for those with a passion for songcraft, or a love of McCartney’s music, McCartney 3, 2, 1 is a source of wonder, compelling and compassionate.

The general air of “McCartney 3,2,1” is intriguing, especially when its camerawork gets cozier, and certain songs are demystified with tales you did not know. ... But from its beginning, the series has an inconsequential energy to it, starting with how it simply introduces Rubin and McCartney talking about different songs as if this chat were just happening and we're lucky someone was recording it. “McCartney 3,2,1” could be six hours longer. It could be 30 minutes total. It would likely be most helpful to musicians as a podcast.