Paul McCartney has officially become an oldies act.
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beatlechick:
But he has done stuff off of MAF and has done Helen Wheels.
when has he done Helen Wheels? Not on any tours that I have seen since 1979...
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thenightfish:
beatlechick:
But he has done stuff off of MAF and has done Helen Wheels.
when has he done Helen Wheels? Not on any tours that I have seen since 1979...
Sorry, you're right. I guess I have seen this song performed so many times that it just seemed like Paul has done it. The point was, Paul has done many different songs than you think. You just have to catch the right show.
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Just backing up my argument again about why Paul doesn't do a complete overhaul of his set and play mainly numbers that he hasn't performed live before....... Back in the Spring of 1976 when Paul went to the US for the 'Wings Over America' tour,nearly every number played had not been performed live before by Paul in the states. 'Yesterday' had and maybe Denny had done 'Go Now' with the Moody Blues but that was about it. Every other song in that two and a half hour set was new to the American audience.In the main,they were all haering songs that had not been played live before. So was the tour a disaster? Did people walk out on hearing less familar tunes such as Soily or Medicine jar? I don't think so,the tour was critically acclaimed and everyyone had a great time (I saw the show in London later in the year and its still one of best shows i have ever attended). So, whats changed? If fans could go and hear a set of songs for the first time back in 1976 and enjoy the set, why can't they do that now? Why can't Paul put together a whole new set,featuring songs that he hasn't played live before and yet receive the same acclaim now as he did then? I just wish Paul would play for the real fans who would love to hear songs like Dear Boy,Back Seat Of MY Car, Little Lamb Dragonfly,Footprints,Waterfalls, Girls School, Nineteen Hundred And Eight Five, With A Little Luck etc etc instead of constantly pandering to the general public who only attends his concert because he's 'a Beatle'. :
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Kestrel:
Just backing up my argument again about why Paul doesn't do a complete overhaul of his set and play mainly numbers that he hasn't performed live before....... Back in the Spring of 1976 when Paul went to the US for the 'Wings Over America' tour,nearly every number played had not been performed live before by Paul in the states. 'Yesterday' had and maybe Denny had done 'Go Now' with the Moody Blues but that was about it. Every other song in that two and a half hour set was new to the American audience.In the main,they were all haering songs that had not been played live before. So was the tour a disaster? Did people walk out on hearing less familar tunes such as Soily or Medicine jar? I don't think so,the tour was critically acclaimed and everyyone had a great time (I saw the show in London later in the year and its still one of best shows i have ever attended). So, whats changed? If fans could go and hear a set of songs for the first time back in 1976 and enjoy the set, why can't they do that now? Why can't Paul put together a whole new set,featuring songs that he hasn't played live before and yet receive the same acclaim now as he did then? I just wish Paul would play for the real fans who would love to hear songs like Dear Boy,Back Seat Of MY Car, Little Lamb Dragonfly,Footprints,Waterfalls, Girls School, Nineteen Hundred And Eight Five, With A Little Luck etc etc instead of constantly pandering to the general public who only attends his concert because he's 'a Beatle'. :
That's a pretty solid argument you've got there. I applaud you. I agree with your sentiments. I guess that sadly, as time has gone on, making such a massive overhaul of the set must seem more of a risk to him. When he's receiving great reviews all the time (which always seem to point out things he's done at a particular gig as being new, when most of his fans are familiar with it), it must seem impossible - or unnecessary - to 'rock the boat' too much. It must be hard having to compete against your own legend all the time.
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Kestrel:
Just backing up my argument again about why Paul doesn't do a complete overhaul of his set and play mainly numbers that he hasn't performed live before....... Back in the Spring of 1976 when Paul went to the US for the 'Wings Over America' tour,nearly every number played had not been performed live before by Paul in the states. 'Yesterday' had and maybe Denny had done 'Go Now' with the Moody Blues but that was about it. Every other song in that two and a half hour set was new to the American audience.In the main,they were all haering songs that had not been played live before. So was the tour a disaster? Did people walk out on hearing less familar tunes such as Soily or Medicine jar? I don't think so,the tour was critically acclaimed and everyyone had a great time (I saw the show in London later in the year and its still one of best shows i have ever attended). So, whats changed? If fans could go and hear a set of songs for the first time back in 1976 and enjoy the set, why can't they do that now? Why can't Paul put together a whole new set,featuring songs that he hasn't played live before and yet receive the same acclaim now as he did then? I just wish Paul would play for the real fans who would love to hear songs like Dear Boy,Back Seat Of MY Car, Little Lamb Dragonfly,Footprints,Waterfalls, Girls School, Nineteen Hundred And Eight Five, With A Little Luck etc etc instead of constantly pandering to the general public who only attends his concert because he's 'a Beatle'. :
A LOT has changed since 1976. I went to the Wings Over America concert in Denver, it was amazing, and the air was THICK with the possibility of a Beatles reunion. Paul was out to show he could play with his own band on his own merits, and he had a few no. 1 hits under his belt, including a new hit, Silly Love Songs. When Paul and Wings hit the stage, it was his first US show since the Beatles, who had split only six years earlier. It's just folly to expect him to do that now. Since then, we have witnessed the deaths of two Beatles and four McCartney US tours. With those tours, he has reclaimed his Beatle past, and that is not going away. I'd LOVE to see Paul play the Rickenbacker again, but I don't think that will happen. The Hofner is just easier to play, and who can blame him? Except for musician types, no one can tell the difference in tone, or cares. He is more readily recognized for the Hofner. I saw Paul in Vegas last Sunday, and he did play two new Fireman tunes, and Mrs. Vanderbilt. Why on earth should he kill himself re-learning a bunch of obscure tunes? Most musicians don't play their obscure tunes, why is this such an exception for Paul? At this point, I am glad to see him when I can. Unless he plays Albuquerque, that is probably it for me. And I LOVED it!!
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As long as people have different tastes and live long lives, there will be favorites...and there will be favorites. I have mine and you have yours. I love 'em all, and frankly I am thrilled that Paul will stand there and sing anything he chooses to for 2-1/2 hours! He still looks great, sounds great, and frankly, after a 40+ year career, he can perform anything he damn well wants and I'd be happy! And that's my two cents worth!
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After Vegas, I am convinced that I am the oldies act. Paul didn't seem to have problems, but I did.
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In 2005 I was hoping Paul would open with Venus and Mars/Rock Show. It just seems the coolest opening ~ TO ME! But he didn't,, he opened with Magical Mystery tour. I was disappointed. But I had a fantastic time no matter what he played. I learned to let paul pick the music and just be content that he's still touring and creating music for us to enjoy. Heck ~ he could read the phone book and I would be happy to hear him! Life's too short!
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I was just thinking about what it'd be like for a "casual fan" to go to a Paul McCartney show and to not hear any of his famous Beatles songs. Just imagine if you went to a Who show and they only played tracks which came after the "Who Are You" album. Or a Kinks show where Ray refused to do anything before "Preservation Act Vol. 1". Or perhaps a Bob Dylan show where he performed nothing before "Street Legal"? Maybe a David Bowie show where only material produced after the "Let's Dance" album was aired? I'd imagine - especially if you felt as if it was going to be your only opportunity to see these acts - that you'd feel a little cheated. Why should these legends ignore songs which are undisputed greats just to please the very small pocket of fans who will go and see them again and again? Yes, perhaps Paul could mix it up a little more, but he does try to introduce a few different songs with every set change. As a hardcore Paul McCartney fan, I'd love to see a "No Beatles" show and hear him concentrate on his superb solo/Wings output, but I feel as if I'd be in the very small minority of people at a rock arena to feel that way. You can't please everybody all of the time, but I get the impression that Paul does his best with the set changes he does each time he returns after a break away from performing. I think we're all very lucky to have Paul as active as he is - and he's a fantastic singer, musician and showman, whatever material he's performing.
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Dustbin Lid:
I was just thinking about what it'd be like for a "casual fan" to go to a Paul McCartney show and to not hear any of his famous Beatles songs. Just imagine if you went to a Who show and they only played tracks which came after the "Who Are You" album. Or a Kinks show where Ray refused to do anything before "Preservation Act Vol. 1". Or perhaps a Bob Dylan show where he performed nothing before "Street Legal"? Maybe a David Bowie show where only material produced after the "Let's Dance" album was aired? I'd imagine - especially if you felt as if it was going to be your only opportunity to see these acts - that you'd feel a little cheated. Why should these legends ignore songs which are undisputed greats just to please the very small pocket of fans who will go and see them again and again? Yes, perhaps Paul could mix it up a little more, but he does try to introduce a few different songs with every set change. As a hardcore Paul McCartney fan, I'd love to see a "No Beatles" show and hear him concentrate on his superb solo/Wings output, but I feel as if I'd be in the very small minority of people at a rock arena to feel that way. You can't please everybody all of the time, but I get the impression that Paul does his best with the set changes he does each time he returns after a break away from performing. I think we're all very lucky to have Paul as active as he is - and he's a fantastic singer, musician and showman, whatever material he's performing.
I am one of his biggest critics for not changing his setlist , but i have never said he should not do Beatle songs .....just different ones. Its the same with wings , we get the same 3 or 4 . As for casual fans , i could not care less. I have heard a couple of examples in recent years.... I went watching bowie and i saw a woman i know on the train, she said " i know ive seen a great , but i hardly knew any of the songs." Well they all exist on cd.....thats her proble. Same last time i went watching weller. I saw a lad i know well after the concert ( all the years i have known him hes never mentioned him) and he said the same thing as the woman adding " he hardly did any Jam.......well go see a tribute act then ! Weller lost most of the cavemen shouting for Jam songs during The Style Council years , but they seem to be creeping back He normally does like Macca in the 70s just 3 or 4 Jam songs.......i wish he would announce he isnt doing them again just to get rid of the cavemen. If i went watching a group i moderatly like ....like er........ ( i normally love or hate groups ) errrrr.....Elvis costello i cant start moaning because i dont know all the songs .........thats because i havnt heard many of his albums....IE its down to me , i have no right moaning to his regular , loyal fans, if i am just going for a night out.
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Why all the complaining, be happy Paul is healthy and still enjoys performing live.
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Chicago Tom:
Why all the complaining, be happy Paul is healthy and still enjoys performing live.
Totally agree!
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his fans are the oldies not Paul...Vegas only proved that for me. Its actually easier than people think to not always do the hits.I've seen plenty of bands who dont. I've bought every single one of his albums so I'd like to hear some other songs live and even if the casuals only know a few they can come on hearing a great song and think I need to check more of this out. I've bought albums from others as a result of that. I know casuals who are even bored of hearing him do Hey Jude because its predictable
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DCBeatle64:
his fans are the oldies not Paul...Vegas only proved that for me.
LOL I would venture to say that Paul is older than any of his fans! I'm of the Wings generation and would be very disappointed if he never sang any of his Beatles songs! Dani, like I've said to Jillian...just be happy & grateful for the times you got to see him up close & doing a show that you liked (L'pool, Coachella)! Just because you had one bad personal experience in Vegas doesn't mean it was so for the rest of us! Vegas for me was THE BEST, and I've seen him 9 times! Oh, and if he chose to leave out classics like "Hey Jude" that would be fine with me BUT it's just such a classic piece that it doesn't make me complain if he does it!
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Bag o' Nails:
DCBeatle64:
his fans are the oldies not Paul...Vegas only proved that for me.
LOL I would venture to say that Paul is older than any of his fans! I'm of the Wings generation and would be very disappointed if he never sang any of his Beatles songs! Dani, like I've said to Jillian...just be happy & grateful for the times you got to see him up close & doing a show that you liked (L'pool, Coachella)! Just because you had one bad personal experience in Vegas doesn't mean it was so for the rest of us! Vegas for me was THE BEST, and I've seen him 9 times! Oh, and if he chose to leave out classics like "Hey Jude" that would be fine with me BUT it's just such a classic piece that it doesn't make me complain if he does it!
I mean half of them are oldies in spirit at least he can still put a show on. If he couldnt I'd probably not like him as much. I'm glad that was the best show for you, it wasnt for me. I thought the crowds were poor and I have the right to express that and will continue to express that. I actually prefered Kiev to Liverpool and I was at the back for that, because its all about the atmosphere for me and Vegas blew for that. I also enjoy that he does Hey Jude but I would prefer many more songs.I'm glad I've got to hear it live as with others such as Yesterday, but I wouldnt care if I didnt hear them again in replace of some wings or solo songs.
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I found the New Joint a strange venue. OK, so it's for rock shows. To me, it was not much different than, say, the Albuquerque Convention Center, which has a huge airplane hanger like hall that can hold about 10,000 people. I used to think "McCartney would NEVER play a place like that!" But now I think, after the Vegas show, he can. And ROCK it! But for a Vegas show at $200 a pop, it really was not an amazing venue. I am NOT slamming the concert, which was FIRST RATE and KICKED!! Paul is amazing in an arena, stadium, or ANY venue. I just wonder what Elton John's venue across the way is like. Paul's audience is getting older, so maybe Coachella and such is good to play to younger crowds, and something like the Colisseum at Caesar's Palace would be better suited for his older fans. I'd love to see McCartney play the Sandia Amphitheatre here in Albuquerque, where Ringo has played twice. It seats 4,000, ALL chairback seats, is a gorgeous setting, even RINGO commented at both shows at what an amazing venue it is.
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Paul is just set in his ways now and there's just nothing that will change about that. He won't touch songs like Junior's Farm, Letting Go, Silly Love Songs or Venus & Mars/Rockshow with a 10 foot pole - it's like those songs are not even to be mentioned or considered when he's putting together a set list these days. Same with his iconic Rickenbacker bass - he will not play it onstage ever again - that's just the way it is for whatever reason. I just don't think he gets what a tremendous crowd roar/adulation he would get if he plugged in the Rick and played those songs again....it would be mindblowing for the crowd and for him if he would just give it try....
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anyone who does actually like to hear wings or solo songs live and realises he was actually something after The Beatles only for near enough 0ver 40 years please join this facebook group http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=8693&post=34005&uid=74927742212#/group.php?gid=74927742212&ref=mf It may not achieve anything but at least it will be there and hopefully we wont have The whole if the beatles didnt happen debate. Its boring. I just wanna appreciate his solo and wings stuff as well
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I don't expect Paul to drop the Holy Trinity of Hey Jude,Yesterday,Let It be and the other concert staples,but songs like Drive My Car,Sgt Pepper,I Saw Her Standing There,Eleanor Rigby and Back In The USSR could be given a rest. I have been lucky, in that the 6 times i've seen Paul he has changed his setlist by about 16 songs,so it did feel a different gig every time,but in the 5 years since i last saw him in 2004 it's not changed that much.I think most fans don't expect obscurities,but Paul has such a vast back catalogue of well known songs, it need not be a hardcore fans only concert.I think surprises at a gig are what gives a audience a buzz and a adrenalin rush,if it's too predictable you lose that intense feeling.I just hope if he tours we will get a few changes just to spice things up and too lose the predictability of it all.
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One aspect I think is important to take in consideration is his age. Paul is nearly 67 now and maybe its just not easy for him anymore to learn (or re-learn) songs he initially perfromed 10,20, 30 years ago? Much as i hate the idea,it probably is alot easier for Paul to keep playing the same songs he knows inside out,with perhaps a half a dozen newish songs added,rather than have the worry of rehearsing and remembering a whole host of new songs. Paul could perform Yesterday and Live And Let Die and Hey Jude in his sleep,which is probably the main reason he's so keen on performing them.