Paul McCartney

[Magnolia]

Originally Posted by Freypower

I decided I should post something about the two astonishing shows I saw on December 11 & 12. I had held off because I honestly was not sure what to say. They were, in short, the two greatest concerts I have ever seen.

He's 75, for God's sake. He plays & moves like a 20 year old. He's still as trim & fit as he ever was. One sign he read out said 'sign my butt'. He said 'show it to us first' and then he wiggled his own butt.

He told some really great stories both nights. Before Here Today he said it was written as a conversation he never had with John. After he finished it he said 'if you've got something to say, say it' meaning tell them how you feel, in his best down to earth Liverpool accent. The tribute to George before Something was equally moving and then we all screamed the words... 'I DON'T KNOW... I DON'T KNOW'! so loud... while photos of him & George flashed up behind him.

He has the tightest band I think I have ever seen - a five piece, him included. During a scorching Maybe I'm Amazed (which he had to start again the first night - bless him for being human) I made it quite clear to Rusty the guitarist how much I loved his solo.

He CHANGES THE SETLIST. The first night we had Junior's Farm, the second night Nineteen Hundred & Eighty Five. We had I Saw Her Standing There the second night instead of Birthday. There were others, but the fact that he is prepared to do that says volumes about him. He even did the collaboration with Kanye West & two tracks from his last album New.

He can still scream tracks like Helter Skelter & Back In The USSR at the top of his lungs; you do notice weaknesses on slower songs like Blackbird, but who cares? He was singing them. Then there were the singalongs like Ob-la-Di Ob-la-Da and the one that starts 'hey.....'(you know that one...)

He even did a couple of John's songs, OPENING with A Hard Day's Night & later Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite! which was extraordinary. I sometimes forget what an incredible perfecly constructed song Band On The Run is. It has climax moments right through it.

I was in the second row on the left hand side on the second night & even had a glance my way during Sgt Pepper/Helter Skelter! I was in heaven.

AND he had no issue at all with phones, photos or videos. I took a couple of videos, but they're not very good - I don't care. It was mind blowing. I just hope he doesn't leave it 25 years to come back given his age.

If you get a chance to see this genius & legend, DO NOT MISS IT.

I love your review and I'm glad you had a fabulous time! It sounds like you had a magical concert both nights.

[chaim]

That was a great read, Freypower. I know that McCartney's one of the most respected musicians in the pop/rock business, but still I feel that he's underrated in some ways among many people. His inventive bass playing for one thing, is often overlooked by people who are not musicians IMO. People also don't know that it was Paul, not John, who was into tape loops (see Tomorrow Never Knows).

[Freypower]

Originally Posted by chaim

That was a great read, Freypower. I know that McCartney's one of the most respected musicians in the pop/rock business, but still I feel that he's underrated in some ways among many people. His inventive bass playing for one thing, is often overlooked by people who are not musicians IMO. People also don't know that it was Paul, not John, who was into tape loops (see Tomorrow Never Knows).

Thanks. I thought later that I should have said something about the bass playing but I'm not a musician & tend to take it for granted. He can also play decent lead guitar & keyboards, of course.

[LuvTim]

Great review, FP! Your delight is palpable!! So happy you had this experience!!