Set List critique
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SIRMACCA wrote:
Maccaroni1974 wrote:
~lady*madonna~ wrote:
As I feared, according to setlist.fm when checking the set list for the New Orleans concert tonight, "Yesterday" is no longer a part of his concert.
Its been played at every show since the 70's. This idea that so many people at his shows are first timers which is why his show is so Beatle heavy is also nonsense. The man has been touring non stop since 2002, and also 89-90, and 93. Thats a lot of gigs in 30 years. Most shows Ive been to, the people around me have seen him multiple times, or at least once.
Its been the same tributes since 2002, the same stories more or less since 2002, the same closer since 2011, and the same opener since 2016. Nothing Fresh, nothing new, all old. He had 2 months off, and couldnt find the time to reahearse and insert ONE new song from ANY decade into the set. Embarrassing.
I agree with all of you regarding the "newer" songs that would be better suited for him at this point in time. All I want is ONE "old" song fer cryin' out loud. "Yesterday" is an iconic song...his signature song. There are SO many other songs that could have been eliminated except for that.
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Paul better than anyone, knows his current vocal limitations. First sack of the list, The long and winding road and now Yesterday. ¡Your current set list is the right one!. Nobody believes that today can sing songs like: Wanderlust, No More Lonely Nights, Tug Of War, Only Love Remains, Distractions, Here There and Everywhere, My Love, and a long etc ... and we have to thank a man of almost 77 years are still giving us live joys ... we enjoyed what little we have left of Mcca in concert.I totally agree that some more song of his new LP would be fantastic, but I remember how in his last concert in Paris in 2018, the audience did not react when Paul sang the three songs of his new LP and some went to the bar and the restroom..
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serpico71 wrote:
Paul better than anyone, knows his current vocal limitations. First sack of the list, The long and winding road and now Yesterday. ¡Your current set list is the right one!. Nobody believes that today can sing songs like: Wanderlust, No More Lonely Nights, Tug Of War, Only Love Remains, Distractions, Here There and Everywhere, My Love, and a long etc ... and we have to thank a man of almost 77 years are still giving us live joys ... we enjoyed what little we have left of Mcca in concert.I totally agree that some more song of his new LP would be fantastic, but I remember how in his last concert in Paris in 2018, the audience did not react when Paul sang the three songs of his new LP and some went to the bar and the restroom..
I would like new “old” songs. Like Maccaroni said he has a ton of material. I would love something from Off the Ground or Flowers. And as much as I don’t care for Yesterday or the Long and Winding Road, I get how others would like to hear them. But as also said there are a bunch of other songs he could cut instead of some of the classics. And yeah his voice aint what it used to be so some of the vocal ranges are tough but I have been to things like Unplugged and Up Close where he drops the key and basically does another version of a song. I have been going to concerts since 1976 so you can imagine how tired of some of these songs I am. And yes I complain but I will still go. I guess when it comes down to it, whatever Paul’s setlist is it’s still a damn good show!
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~lady*madonna~ wrote:
SIRMACCA wrote:
Maccaroni1974 wrote:
~lady*madonna~ wrote:
As I feared, according to setlist.fm when checking the set list for the New Orleans concert tonight, "Yesterday" is no longer a part of his concert.
Its been played at every show since the 70's. This idea that so many people at his shows are first timers which is why his show is so Beatle heavy is also nonsense. The man has been touring non stop since 2002, and also 89-90, and 93. Thats a lot of gigs in 30 years. Most shows Ive been to, the people around me have seen him multiple times, or at least once.
Its been the same tributes since 2002, the same stories more or less since 2002, the same closer since 2011, and the same opener since 2016. Nothing Fresh, nothing new, all old. He had 2 months off, and couldnt find the time to reahearse and insert ONE new song from ANY decade into the set. Embarrassing.
I agree with all of you regarding the "newer" songs that would be better suited for him at this point in time. All I want is ONE "old" song fer cryin' out loud. "Yesterday" is an iconic song...his signature song. There are SO many other songs that could have been eliminated except for that.
Will not play "Yesterday" which could be his most famous Beatle song put can play "In Spite Of Danger"and "Benefit For Mr. Kite" and people wonder why some of us get frustrated with him. In addition, to play only three songs from "Egypt Station" which hit the charts at #1 and suit his current voice is pathetic.
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Sigh... I keep hoping for more interesting set lists, and serious effort to promote a great album, but Paul just ain't gonna do it. I give up.
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B J Conlee wrote:
Now that we're only 2 days away from the new US leg of the Freshen Up tour, it will certainly be interesting to see if Paul adds any new songs (including additional Egypt Station songs) to the Set.
In my opinion we have a better chance of Paul "adding" a couple of his classic Beatle songs that he's done before like Penny Lane and A Day in the Life. Both songs are iconic and fit the overall theme of playing signature Beatle songs and the 70's hits.
As far as Egypt Station songs, I think maybe fans will get "I Don't Know" as an addition. He certainly has played "I Don't Know" quite a few times at Soundchecks. My gut feel is that will be it as far as Egypt Station additions. I also think "Back in Brazil" was only an addition for the South American audience.
As we all know, Paul has always loved performing live for the "fun and adoration" from the fans. At almost 77, that is what drives him to still do full tours. I think it could be that simple... having fun and staying in touch with his fans. The other factor is that Paul wants to play his instruments on tour. He can do the overwhelming majority of his current setlist songs (both singing and playing) in his sleep. Relearning a bunch of older non-hit solo or Wings' songs would be way too much work at his age. As long as his health is good and the setlist is "easy" for him I'm not surprised he is still touring. Adding the 3 or 4 new songs from his latest album like he did last year is plenty enough additions for him and staying with the staples he's been doing over the last 3-5 years makes it relatively easy. I don't expect much more than that with this new Freshen Up leg in America.
Nothing new BJ. If he can't add a few more songs from "Egypt Station" which suit his voice now and the band recorded with him, than there really is nothing left to say. Really don't see any more new material coming from him so it is almost senseless to really bother posting here now.
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Bruce M. wrote:
Sigh... I keep hoping for more interesting set lists, and serious effort to promote a great album, but Paul just ain't gonna do it. I give up.
I agree, makes little sense to post here anymore IMO.
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oobu24 wrote:
I don't know why he won't sing more of his songs that he wrote from that last 20-30 years. His current voice may be better suited for them.
I agree with you Maccaroni1974. I am tired of hearing about 1st timers.
Very simple, he does not want to put time and effort into learning songs again and rehearsing them. He is charging hundreds of dollars for putting out the same basic songs and stories and the crowd eats it up. Does not matter to them that is voice is rough, they will just sing along with him. Thank God for Abe's backing vocals -lol.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
Sigh... I keep hoping for more interesting set lists, and serious effort to promote a great album, but Paul just ain't gonna do it. I give up.
I agree, makes little sense to post here anymore IMO.
Yankeefan and Bruce...couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, this show is far more for the first and 2nd timers who are primarily Beatle fans who grew up with the Beatles. These fans and justifiably so want a night of "nostalgia" upon seeing a "real" Beatle who wrote so many of their big hits (alone or with John). Many of the seniors who will be attending Paul's shows this summer and Fall see it as a way of "checking off another Bucket list item" and fortunately in the US they have the money to do it. In some cases they will bring their grandchildren to boot. For them it is a great show where they can sing along to many of the Fab's greatest hits. For those interested, check the Raleigh Review under Rock Show...Raleigh Show. The reviewer is basically saying what I'm saying above.
For me, that is ok and I like hearing some of the classics too but what really perplexes me is Paul himself. All I would have wanted as a huge Paul McCartney fan (not just Beatle Paul fan) is for Paul to play several more of his "best" songs from his latest album...Egypt Station. This is what I was hoping to see.
I would have gone to one of the upcoming shows on the East Coast if he would have come up with a more (as Bruce says) interesting setlist. Yes, Paul's vocals have serliously declined over the last few years so why not do his "best new" songs from the batch he most recently recorded. This would be the part of the show for the "real" fans who have bought (and for the most part really love) Egypt Station. Unfortunately, that is the part of the setlist that really disapoints me. Here are some examples:
*Happy With You - In my opinion, Happy With You is one of Paul's best Solo songs period. It reminds me of some other great acoustic Solo songs like Great Day, Somebody Who Cares, or Every Night. Instead of playing an obscure acoustic Beatle song like In Spite of All the Danger that he has played on past tours, why not give us true fans a great new song. Or instead of playing My Valentine as a song he wrote for Nancy and that he has done countless times on recent tours, Happy With You would be a terrific tribute song to Nancy. Again, the real fans are just looking for changing things up like the "Freshen Up" tour name implies.
*I Don't Know - one of the best new songs from Egypt Station in my opinion. Instead of actually playing one of the inferior new songs Fuh You (especially lyric wise) on Egypt Station, why not choose a far better new song. I can't believe he plays Fuh You right after Eleanor Rigby in his current setlist. This just baffles me. But seriously, why doesn't Paul play "I Don't Know at any point on this tour.
*Hunt You Down/Naked/C-Link - This great multi-part song would be a great closer on his current tour instead of playing the same encore songs he's been playing for years (Birthday, Sgt. Peppers Reprise, Helter Skelter etc.). By this point in the show, the first timers and Beatle crowd have already heard so many of their favorite Beatle songs. Again, give the "real" Paul fans something to leave the show as a thrill with an encoure mix they've never heard before. Can you just imanging Paul and his "Band" really rocking out to this new classic in my opnion.
*Confidante, Dominoes, People Want Peace, Do It Now - anyone of these new songs would be terrific addlitions to the current setlist. All them have terrific lyrics that an older introspective songwriter would write.
I'm not putting Paul down but it just confuses me that he only does 3 songs from Egypt Station (and not his best on ES) on an album that got fantastic reviews. These are songs that he knows and surely remembers since they are so new. On the bright side, Paul did save my wife and I a lot of money. As newly weds and seniors, our mind is on going on trips to places we've never been together and that takes money. Frankly, as a big fan of Paul's entire music career, I would rather use that kind of money on trips for the two of us compared to hearing a Paul concert primarily of songs that I have heard many times before and at times where Paul had a significantly better voice (2002, 2005, 2007, 2010 etc.).
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Now that we're only 2 days away from the new US leg of the Freshen Up tour, it will certainly be interesting to see if Paul adds any new songs (including additional Egypt Station songs) to the Set.
In my opinion we have a better chance of Paul "adding" a couple of his classic Beatle songs that he's done before like Penny Lane and A Day in the Life. Both songs are iconic and fit the overall theme of playing signature Beatle songs and the 70's hits.
As far as Egypt Station songs, I think maybe fans will get "I Don't Know" as an addition. He certainly has played "I Don't Know" quite a few times at Soundchecks. My gut feel is that will be it as far as Egypt Station additions. I also think "Back in Brazil" was only an addition for the South American audience.
As we all know, Paul has always loved performing live for the "fun and adoration" from the fans. At almost 77, that is what drives him to still do full tours. I think it could be that simple... having fun and staying in touch with his fans. The other factor is that Paul wants to play his instruments on tour. He can do the overwhelming majority of his current setlist songs (both singing and playing) in his sleep. Relearning a bunch of older non-hit solo or Wings' songs would be way too much work at his age. As long as his health is good and the setlist is "easy" for him I'm not surprised he is still touring. Adding the 3 or 4 new songs from his latest album like he did last year is plenty enough additions for him and staying with the staples he's been doing over the last 3-5 years makes it relatively easy. I don't expect much more than that with this new Freshen Up leg in America.
Nothing new BJ. If he can't add a few more songs from "Egypt Station" which suit his voice now and the band recorded with him, than there really is nothing left to say. Really don't see any more new material coming from him so it is almost senseless to really bother posting here now.
Yankeefan,
I hear you 100%. It's been fun posting and sharing our favorite Paul songs from his "entire" career (including the rare unreleased ones, Solo Albums etc.) but I don't think I will be posting on Maccaboard in the future either. Would have attended one or more shows over the last few years (including the current US leg) but the Setlist is not for big time Macca Solo fans like us who want "variety" in my opinion. At his age, I also agree that it is unlikely Paul will be releasing too much new material in the future. And If he isn't proud enough of his latest offering (Egypt Station that got universally great reviews) to put the time into rehearsing even the "best" songs from ES, I'm not going to spend all the "money" to attend his shows. I would have been thrilled to hear any number of the 7 songs I listed on my above post (including the "Hunt Me Down 3 song suite"). All of these songs (and a couple of more from ES) deserve to be heard. Why Paul didn't include at least a few of them really baffles me. I know it takes rehearsal time but playing his latest really good "new" songs should have been his greatest priority I would think. All of them are excellent in my opinion.
PS Hand In Hand is another standout on ES in my opinion.
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Next Paul's tour will be "More Fresh than Yesterday" and he will add just 1 new song!
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B J Conlee wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
Bruce M. wrote:
Sigh... I keep hoping for more interesting set lists, and serious effort to promote a great album, but Paul just ain't gonna do it. I give up.
I agree, makes little sense to post here anymore IMO.
Yankeefan and Bruce...couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, this show is far more for the first and 2nd timers who are primarily Beatle fans who grew up with the Beatles. These fans and justifiably so want a night of "nostalgia" upon seeing a "real" Beatle who wrote so many of their big hits (alone or with John). Many of the seniors who will be attending Paul's shows this summer and Fall see it as a way of "checking off another Bucket list item" and fortunately in the US they have the money to do it. In some cases they will bring their grandchildren to boot. For them it is a great show where they can sing along to many of the Fab's greatest hits. For those interested, check the Raleigh Review under Rock Show...Raleigh Show. The reviewer is basically saying what I'm saying above.
For me, that is ok and I like hearing some of the classics too but what really perplexes me is Paul himself. All I would have wanted as a huge Paul McCartney fan (not just Beatle Paul fan) is for Paul to play several more of his "best" songs from his latest album...Egypt Station. This is what I was hoping to see.
I would have gone to one of the upcoming shows on the East Coast if he would have come up with a more (as Bruce says) interesting setlist. Yes, Paul's vocals have serliously declined over the last few years so why not do his "best new" songs from the batch he most recently recorded. This would be the part of the show for the "real" fans who have bought (and for the most part really love) Egypt Station. Unfortunately, that is the part of the setlist that really disapoints me. Here are some examples:
*Happy With You - In my opinion, Happy With You is one of Paul's best Solo songs period. It reminds me of some other great acoustic Solo songs like Great Day, Somebody Who Cares, or Every Night. Instead of playing an obscure acoustic Beatle song like In Spite of All the Danger that he has played on past tours, why not give us true fans a great new song. Or instead of playing My Valentine as a song he wrote for Nancy and that he has done countless times on recent tours, Happy With You would be a terrific tribute song to Nancy. Again, the real fans are just looking for changing things up like the "Freshen Up" tour name implies.
*I Don't Know - one of the best new songs from Egypt Station in my opinion. Instead of actually playing one of the inferior new songs Fuh You (especially lyric wise) on Egypt Station, why not choose a far better new song. I can't believe he plays Fuh You right after Eleanor Rigby in his current setlist. This just baffles me. But seriously, why doesn't Paul play "I Don't Know at any point on this tour.
*Hunt You Down/Naked/C-Link - This great multi-part song would be a great closer on his current tour instead of playing the same encore songs he's been playing for years (Birthday, Sgt. Peppers Reprise, Helter Skelter etc.). By this point in the show, the first timers and Beatle crowd have already heard so many of their favorite Beatle songs. Again, give the "real" Paul fans something to leave the show as a thrill with an encoure mix they've never heard before. Can you just imanging Paul and his "Band" really rocking out to this new classic in my opnion.
*Confidante, Dominoes, People Want Peace, Do It Now - anyone of these new songs would be terrific addlitions to the current setlist. All them have terrific lyrics that an older introspective songwriter would write.
I'm not putting Paul down but it just confuses me that he only does 3 songs from Egypt Station (and not his best on ES) on an album that got fantastic reviews. These are songs that he knows and surely remembers since they are so new. On the bright side, Paul did save my wife and I a lot of money. As newly weds and seniors, our mind is on going on trips to places we've never been together and that takes money. Frankly, as a big fan of Paul's entire music career, I would rather use that kind of money on trips for the two of us compared to hearing a Paul concert primarily of songs that I have heard many times before and at times where Paul had a significantly better voice (2002, 2005, 2007, 2010 etc.).
Exactly BJ, spend your money on seeing the world with your wife !! My wife and I just got back from short cruise which had stops in Key West and Havana Cuba and we had a blast. I think I have mentioned to you we will be going to Italy and Greece in the fall. Alaska is on bucket list for 2020 !!
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B J Conlee wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
B J Conlee wrote:
Now that we're only 2 days away from the new US leg of the Freshen Up tour, it will certainly be interesting to see if Paul adds any new songs (including additional Egypt Station songs) to the Set.
In my opinion we have a better chance of Paul "adding" a couple of his classic Beatle songs that he's done before like Penny Lane and A Day in the Life. Both songs are iconic and fit the overall theme of playing signature Beatle songs and the 70's hits.
As far as Egypt Station songs, I think maybe fans will get "I Don't Know" as an addition. He certainly has played "I Don't Know" quite a few times at Soundchecks. My gut feel is that will be it as far as Egypt Station additions. I also think "Back in Brazil" was only an addition for the South American audience.
As we all know, Paul has always loved performing live for the "fun and adoration" from the fans. At almost 77, that is what drives him to still do full tours. I think it could be that simple... having fun and staying in touch with his fans. The other factor is that Paul wants to play his instruments on tour. He can do the overwhelming majority of his current setlist songs (both singing and playing) in his sleep. Relearning a bunch of older non-hit solo or Wings' songs would be way too much work at his age. As long as his health is good and the setlist is "easy" for him I'm not surprised he is still touring. Adding the 3 or 4 new songs from his latest album like he did last year is plenty enough additions for him and staying with the staples he's been doing over the last 3-5 years makes it relatively easy. I don't expect much more than that with this new Freshen Up leg in America.
Nothing new BJ. If he can't add a few more songs from "Egypt Station" which suit his voice now and the band recorded with him, than there really is nothing left to say. Really don't see any more new material coming from him so it is almost senseless to really bother posting here now.
Yankeefan,
I hear you 100%. It's been fun posting and sharing our favorite Paul songs from his "entire" career (including the rare unreleased ones, Solo Albums etc.) but I don't think I will be posting on Maccaboard in the future either. Would have attended one or more shows over the last few years (including the current US leg) but the Setlist is not for big time Macca Solo fans like us who want "variety" in my opinion. At his age, I also agree that it is unlikely Paul will be releasing too much new material in the future. And If he isn't proud enough of his latest offering (Egypt Station that got universally great reviews) to put the time into rehearsing even the "best" songs from ES, I'm not going to spend all the "money" to attend his shows. I would have been thrilled to hear any number of the 7 songs I listed on my above post (including the "Hunt Me Down 3 song suite"). All of these songs (and a couple of more from ES) deserve to be heard. Why Paul didn't include at least a few of them really baffles me. I know it takes rehearsal time but playing his latest really good "new" songs should have been his greatest priority I would think. All of them are excellent in my opinion.
PS Hand In Hand is another standout on ES in my opinion.
If you want to stay in touch, send me PM and we can exchange email addresses. If not, it has been a pleasure "chatting" with you all these years. Finally, I will leave you with lyrics from my favorite Bob Dylan song.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young -
The last couple tours, I notice, he never does slow songs from whatever new album he's promoting. So we get Fuh You instead of I Don't Know or Do It Now. And last time around we got New, Queenie Eye and Save Us, but not On My Way to Work. It's like he thinks that crowds will only stay awake for new songs that are loud and fast, but those often aren't the best ones. Sigh... Like I said earlier, at this point I really have given up hope.
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Bruce M. wrote:
The last couple tours, I notice, he never does slow songs from whatever new album he's promoting. So we get Fuh You instead of I Don't Know or Do It Now. And last time around we got New, Queenie Eye and Save Us, but not On My Way to Work. It's like he thinks that crowds will only stay awake for new songs that are loud and fast, but those often aren't the best ones. Sigh... Like I said earlier, at this point I really have given up hope.
I think it’s harder for him to sing a slow song/ballad. That’s why he’s had to drop TLAWR and Yesterday. Thankfully, we can always put the pre-2009 (or whenever you think he started to go downhill) music and revel how wonderful his voice used to be. Even his speaking voice makes me sad to hear. He just doesn’t sound like Paul McCartney!
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So Yankeefan and BJ and maybe a couple more are gonna storm off 'cause they don't approve of Paul's set lists at his concerts of the past few years--sounds like childish, crybaby sour grapes, to me. As Nancy R pointed out, just give a listen to all Paul's recorded albums (and the better made boots too I guess) and you can hear the songs you so adore and wish to hear "live" over and over again, 'til your ears fall off, if you desire. And hear him singing perfectly with pristine renditions. Turn out all the lights, sit in a totally dark room and let their sublimity sink in and satiate. It won't be "live" but it will be even better, in some ways. In my opinion.
It's too bad Lennon got shot, scaring Paul off from touring for ten years or so, but he couldn't help that. You could have hustled your hineys in the 90's and in '89 too (?) to hear him in person, and in the early and mid 2000's. He gave many, many live concerts then. With more variety in the setlists...
My Brit friend actually told me she prefers to hear their albums and not shell out so many pounds to hear her favorite singers in concert, when the songs usually sound so much better in the recorded original versions, she maintained. They do to her, and to me as as well. Granted, there's a special thrill in seeing your favorite songs performed live, but if you don't get to, you have the albums, CDs and streams and all that. I would not let this dissuade me from appreciating Paul music.
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Bruce M. wrote:
The last couple tours, I notice, he never does slow songs from whatever new album he's promoting. So we get Fuh You instead of I Don't Know or Do It Now. And last time around we got New, Queenie Eye and Save Us, but not On My Way to Work. It's like he thinks that crowds will only stay awake for new songs that are loud and fast, but those often aren't the best ones. Sigh... Like I said earlier, at this point I really have given up hope.
Bruce,
You're absolutely right. I guess the slower ones are more of a challenge vocally at his current age. Unfortunately, Paul doesn't appear to be up to the challenge. In this new US tour leg, he will bring back Solo songs like Dance Tonight or Queenie Eye because they are easier to sing and don't demand the delicate vocalizing that "I Don't Know" or "Do It Now" demands.
Still can't believe that Paul is singing Fuh You right after doing Eleanor Rigby. No wonder some of the Beatle Only fans put down Paul's solo career.
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SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
So Yankeefan and BJ and maybe a couple more are gonna storm off 'cause they don't approve of Paul's set lists at his concerts of the past few years--sounds like childish, crybaby sour grapes, to me. As Nancy R pointed out, just give a listen to all Paul's recorded albums (and the better made boots too I guess) and you can hear the songs you so adore and wish to hear "live" over and over again, 'til your ears fall off, if you desire. And hear him singing perfectly with pristine renditions. Turn out all the lights, sit in a totally dark room and let their sublimity sink in and satiate. It won't be "live" but it will be even better, in some ways. In my opinion.
It's too bad Lennon got shot, scaring Paul off from touring for ten years or so, but he couldn't help that. You could have hustled your hineys in the 90's and in '89 too (?) to hear him in person, and in the early and mid 2000's. He gave many, many live concerts then. With more variety in the setlists...
My Brit friend actually told me she prefers to hear their albums and not shell out so many pounds to hear her favorite singers in concert, when the songs usually sound so much better in the recorded original versions, she maintained. They do to her, and to me as as well. Granted, there's a special thrill in seeing your favorite songs performed live, but if you don't get to, you have the albums, CDs and streams and all that. I would not let this dissuade me from appreciating Paul music.
Susy,
Sorry to be sounding childish, or like a crybaby, having sour grapes etc. I did think, however, that this is an opinion forum and afterall I'm just stating my opinion.
I actually found the free "streaming service" over on the Raleigh Show Section (under Rock Show) to be very entertaining. It is still up as of this morning. For those who didn't attend Raleigh, I would highly recommend people check it out. Unfortunately, it only started with "Let Me Roll It To You to "Let It Be" so I missed the beginning of the setlist and the ending, Encore sections. But it covers much of the show and is very enjoyable to watch. It also gave me a good feeling of what Paul's Concerts are right now in 2019.
I am very happy especially for the 1st or 2nd timers. It shows just how great of a concert Paul is still giving at almost 77 and what a great value it is considering they are still almost 3 hours. Even though I have seen Paul many times (fortunately at his vocal peak) in 1989, 1993, 2002, 2005, 2010 etc) I still thoroughly enjoyed watching Raleigh's show (especially at the price!). I still enjoyed the acoustic section (starting with "I've Just Seen A Face" and ending with "Here Today". Paul even included a brand new addition for this tour..."From Me to You". And even though I have seen it a dozen times, I still enjoy the Ob La Di, Band on the Run and Back in the USSR threesome. There were other points however that I know I would be disappointed being such a hardcore, huge fan of his complete 60 year career including his latest album Egypt Station.
I'm very fine with skipping his last few tours. I've seen him at his peak and when his setlist was more varied so I'm not bitter in any way. Paul is still my favorite music star over my entire life. I feel bad that Paul isn't as proud of his Solo career (including the wonderful Egypt Station) but there is nothing I can do about it. And as a couple of others have said, I can listen to Egypt Station, Tug of War, Chaos etc. anytime I want. I am very grateful for that gift.
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I posted part of an article over in the Meet & Greet thread but it really should go here.
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8461435/paul-mccartney-wings-essay-birthday
How I Became a Paul McCartney Fan: Discovering the Depths of the Former Beatle's Underappreciated Solo Catalog
....
His latter career releases have shown tremendous growth and an enthusiasm for embracing a vast swath of musical ideas. Beginning with 1997s Flaming Pie, McCartney has functioned as almost two entirely different musical forces: On the one hand, there’s the pleasantly familiar nostalgia-baiting crowd-pleaser with a repertoire of songs that have been ubiquitous for decades. To watch McCartney on stage in the 2000s and 2010s meant seeing a lot of retreading of Beatles and some Wings -- often played more or less how they sounded on the records. Not a ton of surprises, just the warm and fuzzy security blanket of hearing songs that everyone in the audience has heard countless times and cherished for most of their lives. And he clearly relishes being that guy.
But that other McCartney? That guy is much more interesting: a contemporary singer-songwriter still intent on pushing himself creatively on his albums. That guy doesn’t seem to care all that much about the Beatles. That guy has been doing his own thing for 47 years, and never stopped or slowed down. A quick look at McCartney’s discography reveals one of the most productive recording artists of his generation. And he’s remained an evolving, vital artist. Since 2002, he’s collaborated with the disparate likes of Nigel Godrich, Youth, Mark Ronson, David Kahne and Kanye West -- even scoring a Billboard Hot 100 top five hit
. His last 20+ years include an album run (Flaming Pie, Run Devil Run, Driving Rain, Chaos & Creation In the Backyard, Memory Almost Full and NEW) that could be the finest of his career, continually finding new modes of expression alongside new collaborators, without becoming inauthentic to the Macca who fans had always known and loved. -
SusyLuvsPaul wrote:
So Yankeefan and BJ and maybe a couple more are gonna storm off 'cause they don't approve of Paul's set lists at his concerts of the past few years--sounds like childish, crybaby sour grapes, to me. As Nancy R pointed out, just give a listen to all Paul's recorded albums (and the better made boots too I guess) and you can hear the songs you so adore and wish to hear "live" over and over again, 'til your ears fall off, if you desire. And hear him singing perfectly with pristine renditions. Turn out all the lights, sit in a totally dark room and let their sublimity sink in and satiate. It won't be "live" but it will be even better, in some ways. In my opinion.
It's too bad Lennon got shot, scaring Paul off from touring for ten years or so, but he couldn't help that. You could have hustled your hineys in the 90's and in '89 too (?) to hear him in person, and in the early and mid 2000's. He gave many, many live concerts then. With more variety in the setlists...
My Brit friend actually told me she prefers to hear their albums and not shell out so many pounds to hear her favorite singers in concert, when the songs usually sound so much better in the recorded original versions, she maintained. They do to her, and to me as as well. Granted, there's a special thrill in seeing your favorite songs performed live, but if you don't get to, you have the albums, CDs and streams and all that. I would not let this dissuade me from appreciating Paul music.
I have not "approved" of McCartney's set list for many years and stayed on this board without storming off - lol. Basically, I am am the same point as Billy Joel when he said he was going to stop writing new music because he had nothing more to say. I believe I have covered what I think of every solo album of McCartney's , his tours and my own McCartney concert experiences. If you truly read my post to BJ, I also stated that another reason to stop posting is I tend to doubt there will be any more new music coming from McCartney to comment on. In other words, what more can I say about things that I have not said in thousands of posts on this board. Yes, I can listen to my CD's and watch DVD's of McCartney but what has that got to do with discussing things on a fan board.
Finally, you calling me childish is quite rich -lol. Years ago, I ran a contest on this board (create better lyrics for 1,2,3,4,5 Let Go For A Drive - Driving Rain) and would give the winner a very nice Paul McCartney book. The winner was from the UK and was very sweet and said I did not have to mail him the prize because postage might be expensive from the US to the UK. He said pick somebody on this board that is failry close to where I live and give them the prize. You were picked as the winner of the book. Due to personal circumstances, I did not get around to sending the book right away. You got on this board and whined and started to say the contest was a scam without giving me chance to explain delay. This came off to me as not only childish but ungrateful !! Once I did read the posts, I did send the book to you as fast as possible and free of charge. So before you start calling people names, you may need to look into the mirror at yourself and your own actions. Have a nice day.