Halifax, NS - Halifax Common - 11th July 2009 - ARCHIVE
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Hello, you asked for impressions of Paul's Halifax concert: First, a confession: this comes to you from 'beyond the fringe' or at least, from beyond the gates. Because we were among the many who sat or stood on the streets outside and listened in (and sang along!) Don't worry, those of you who made the considerable investment in tickets need not fret: we couldn't see the stage, and had, at best, a glimpse of the video screens. Had we known that folding 'chairs-in-a-bag' were permitted at this concert, we might have opted for general admission tickets. (And yes I would have been quite content to sit back in a special section for the 'chair' people. I commend those GA ticketholders in the front who were both willing and able to stand for 8 to 12 hours - because alas, I'm past doing that.) As it is we thought our only option for sitting down were the VIP bleacher seats, and those were well beyond our budget. Okay, enough of the preamble, here it is: Having some ideological differences with Paul, I was initially a bit grumpy about his coming to town. But then I thought, heck, when is it more important to 'give peace a chance' than with those with whom one has differences? And so I decided to welcome Paul, the musician, and leave our differences at home for the occasion. On Friday night, we scoped out the venue to pick our spot for concert night; this meant taking a short stroll to the Common, which is very close to where we live. Surprise! We actually saw Paul as he arrived with the motorcade for the rehearsal that night - not planned, it just happened. My sister, all of 15 when she first 'discovered' the Beatles in December, 1964, laughed when I called her at her home in Toronto to relate this news. It was she, not yours truly her kid sister, who was madly in love with Paul 45 years ago. But alas, in 45 years a lot can happen, and a different set of blue eyes found her in the end and snatched her away. Her husband's gain, and Paul's loss! Saturday was a beautiful day with clear skies capped by a cloudness night with a moon. We set up shop at our selected spot around 8:30 p.m. and enjoyed the people -watching as we waited for Paul to arrive. Moms with strollers, people with dogs, folks like us sitting or standing on the grassy verges, a parade of cars and motorbikes all buzzing around, some with people looking for last-minute tickets (couldn't help them there.) About 1/4 mile away the hill we call 'Citadel Hill' was cloaked in layers of people. Later I learned that even behind the hill, in various apartment blocks, people came out on their balconies after the sun went down to listen. Wasn't hard to know when Paul arrived, because the cheers going up told the story. I read all of the comments on the set list, and respect those who truly appreciate the full range of Paul's career. But yours truly and her spouse appreciated very much the nostalgia aspect of the concert. Musicians who produce music that one not only grows up with, but lives out the majority of one's life with, don't come along every day. The set list was pretty well perfect in our opinion.... it included some new stuff (will soon be looking to buy the Fireman CD) but plenty of the Beatles stuff we love so much. And, of course, "live and let die" - accompanied by pyrotechnics for which we had a wonderful view, particularly of the higher rockets that were fired off maybe only 150 feet away from us. That part of the show certainly served to pump the crowd, I can assure you. But it was the encores that sealed the deal for what many here are callling the best concert of their lives. When the pipe band marched on stage during the second chorus of 'Mull of Kintyre', I think one could hear the screams from as far away as Citadel Hill. If he hadn't had us in the palm of his hand before, he did then. It's three days later and I'm still thinking about it. Thanks to those who earlier posted your own impressions, I enjoyed reading them. , ta for now.
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I've been a fan since the Beatles first hit the states in '64 and I have yet to see ANY of them in a live show. Never could afford the price of a ticket, transportation, overnight stay, etc. Now that I finally CAN afford it, he hasn't been anywhere near where I live -- Chicago would be the nearest. I'm hoping that maybe he'll come sometime over the winter or next summer and I'll be able to go and be able to get good tickets without paying a scalper triple the advertised price --
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Beatlesfan94:
And by the way here are a few links to my photos: Flickr - has about 30 of my absolute favorites. These are the best ones I took, I think: http://www.flickr.com/photos/beatlesfan94/sets/72157621404464918/
Thank you indeed. One thing that leapt out from that that and took my fancy: Take a look at Abe's bass drum head - it's got a very crude PM taped on with what looks like masking tape! Clearly his leaping from artist to artist recently has taken it's toll Martin
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Good grief, those are fabulous photos. Don't know how he/she managed to get such good shots whilst standing (I'm assuming) in an enthusiastic crowd of waving arms and bouncing cellphones. Thanks for posting. oldfogey, the closest any of my three siblings got to the concert was via the long distance cell phone calls I made to them just as it began. This is the case for most people, since the number of fans far exceeds the seats that have, are, or will ever be sold in any number of venues around the world. You folks in the states enjoy the coming weekend - hope you have as good weather as we did.
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Some of my pics - they aren't that great, but I only took my p&s camera. http://img257.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=62081291527595515085745.jpg
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Thanks everyone for sharing your pictures!
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I just returned from Halifax yesterday at 4 p.m.--the 12-hour trek up and 12-hour trek back provided me with lots of time to listen to Paul's music and reflect on the awesomeness of the show. I don't want to reiterate how amazing Paul sounded (definitely the best yet of the 6 times I've seen him), but I will say how happy I was with the additions to the 2002 setlist--"Helter Skelter", "Paperback Writer", "Calico Skies", and "Mrs. Vanderbilt". During "Mrs. V.", the 15 or so youngsters standing with me about 15 feet from the stage were jumping up and down during the "ho hey ho" part like rabbits on crack--very awesome, so I joined in. Paul kept looking over at us and nodding, then started in himself! ) What I did want to point out was how incredibly lovely the crowd was. I was out in front of the gates from 1145 until they finally let us in at 330, then in front of the stage until 12 ish when the concert ended (sore legs!), and I met some of the sweetest people. Great time! Very few incidents, most of which were toward the end of the concert when the beer started hitting people's brains, and all were capped off very quickly. Paul was THE news in Nova Scotia for a week ahead of and after the concert, and he really sent the crowd into orbit during the concert. Brilliant show, so now I'm pumped for the next four I'm going to in NYC and Boston! D I'll be posting a link to my photos soon!
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Isn't this a beautiful picture! http://i744.photobucket.com/albums/xx83/roosmacca/Afbeelding13.png Paul playing "let it be in Halifax"!
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Beatlesfan94:
Am I just making this up in my head, or were there NO pictures of Heather (Mills) in the pre-show film? Plenty of Linda, no Heather.
I haven`t seen it and I am imagining you are right . Were you expecting any?
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Still have to upload a few, but I have posted most of my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsmpaul I just started uploading my photos to Photobucket. I inform the link when I am done. I hope you enjoy!
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Thanks to all of you who posted the set list for this tour. Sadly this is the first time I will be missing our Beloved Paul because of this damn recession.
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bobg56:
So how long did Paul actually play? From the moment he first hit the stage till the end of the last encore, how long was the show? Thanks, Bob
About 2 hours 35 or 40 minutes or so. Started at 9:15 and ended 10 or 5 to midnight. I remember looking at my watch during the last song and it was 10 to midnight during the song.
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dsmpaul:
Still have to upload a few, but I have posted most of my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsmpaul I just started uploading my photos to Photobucket. I inform the link when I am done. I hope you enjoy!
My photos: http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/dsmar1/?albumview=grid
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My 10 year old son and I made it to the front row on the right hand side, and I told Jacob (my boy) that Paul loves kids, so be sure to wave... well I believe it was between On;y Mama Knows and Flaming Pie that Paul looked over and saw Jacob waving... he then pointed and gave a great smail and wave to Jacob that he'll never forget. I was wondering if anybody might have that moment on video? I was wearing a green Northern Ireland soccer shirt and was one person away from the wonderfully friendly lady from Mexico who threw the stuffed animal to Paul at the concert's end. I could be wrong on the songs, but I'm actually fairly certain... ps... what a night! and a long day to get front row... my son deserved that wave... and he's still on a high.
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dsmpaul:
dsmpaul:
Still have to upload a few, but I have posted most of my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsmpaul I just started uploading my photos to Photobucket. I inform the link when I am done. I hope you enjoy!
My photos: http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/dsmar1/?albumview=grid
They put mine to shame! You must've been up closer than me. I like this one: http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/dsmar1/CIMG0023.jpg (my mom is going to order prints of my Paul photos. Maybe I should print that one of yours also. I really like it.) What camera did you use?
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Here it goes: How can I possibly describe the greatest experience of my life in words? (Like that I guess.) It was thrilling, magnificent, awesome, beautiful, amazing, wonderful, great, energetic, and heart-pounding. It was amazing to see the bagpipe band on-stage behind Paul as he sang his most beautiful song ever, ?Mull of Kintyre.? It was the highlight of the show for me. Not only that, but he played ?Calico Skies? too! I love Flaming Pie (he played that one too) and I knew he doesn?t play it very often. Who cares if the live version is faster than the album version, it was awesome. As you probably know, Paul turned 67 this year. However, something weird occurred when he stepped on the stage set up on the Halifax Common. 67 became just a number, and Paul gained the energy of a man much younger than him. When he was masterfully strumming his bass and ripping out his best vocals ever, he hadn?t aged a bit since the Ed Sullivan Show back in ?64. He played for 2 and a half hours. Straight. There were no breaks half-way through. A 67 year old man played for over 2 hours and required no intermission. He came back twice to the delight of the crowd two times. I was wishing for a third. I was wishing that Paul would play well into the early morning hours. (?It?s the weekend!? ?It?s my show!?) He didn?t, but when I started to head back to the shuttle, I was speechless. I didn?t say much on my walk to the shuttle stop. It?s hard even now, days after the concert, to describe the incredible feeling of seeing and hearing a living legend play before my eyes. It was? magical, almost. There?s not a self-respecting critic on the planet that wouldn?t be amazed by what Paul did on that night. You know? many people have said going to the concert was a ?once-in-a-lifetime? opportunity?. I hope not! I want to see Paul again! It was great! Would I like to see new songs on the setlist? Sure! Hell yeah! I?ve been asking for setlist changes on this board long before I attended a concert. And when I was at one, it didn?t matter all that much what songs he played. (It?s not like they?re crappy Jonas Brother or Miley Cyrus songs. Each and every song Paul performed was a classic, even after being played a million and one times at countless concerts. Besides, he played all my favorites. ?Calico Skies?, ?Mull of Kintyre?, ?Day Tripper?, ?A Day in the Life?, ?Band on the Run?, ?Hey Jude? (oh God, I loved saying ?na na na na na na? with the other people in the audience), ?Mrs. Vanderbilt?? and every other song he played. Thank you Paul, you didn?t sign my arm, but you gave me a memory I will never forget. I have photographs to remember it, and I?ll replay the concert in my mind for many years to come. Thank you again.
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Firstly...I love Nova Scotia. What an amazing place.Its beautiful and I have a great time. Second how good was Paul. I was in tears during Mull. Came from Scotland for that one and he knew it. Also Mrs Vandebilt was hilarious. I had my Ho Hey Ho sign up (I am so sorry to those who were next to or behind me for that song) and he recognised it from the last couple times he saw it. He walked over to Brian and said something and then they both looked at me. It was funny. I think he knows I like that song. I was jumping so high in the air no wonder he saw the thing
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Beatlesfan94:
dsmpaul:
dsmpaul:
Still have to upload a few, but I have posted most of my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/dsmpaul I just started uploading my photos to Photobucket. I inform the link when I am done. I hope you enjoy!
My photos: http://s649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/dsmar1/?albumview=grid
They put mine to shame! You must've been up closer than me. I like this one: http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/dsmar1/CIMG0023.jpg (my mom is going to order prints of my Paul photos. Maybe I should print that one of yours also. I really like it.) What camera did you use?
Glad you liked the photos. I was in the 1st row. It was a long day, but well worth it! I used a smal point and shoot camera (Casio EX-Z1080). PM if you want me to send you the original file of any photo.
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Beatlesfan94:
Here it goes: How can I possibly describe the greatest experience of my life in words? (Like that I guess.) It was thrilling, magnificent, awesome, beautiful, amazing, wonderful, great, energetic, and heart-pounding. It was amazing to see the bagpipe band on-stage behind Paul as he sang his most beautiful song ever, ?Mull of Kintyre.? It was the highlight of the show for me. Not only that, but he played ?Calico Skies? too! I love Flaming Pie (he played that one too) and I knew he doesn?t play it very often. Who cares if the live version is faster than the album version, it was awesome. As you probably know, Paul turned 67 this year. However, something weird occurred when he stepped on the stage set up on the Halifax Common. 67 became just a number, and Paul gained the energy of a man much younger than him. When he was masterfully strumming his bass and ripping out his best vocals ever, he hadn?t aged a bit since the Ed Sullivan Show back in ?64. He played for 2 and a half hours. Straight. There were no breaks half-way through. A 67 year old man played for over 2 hours and required no intermission. He came back twice to the delight of the crowd two times. I was wishing for a third. I was wishing that Paul would play well into the early morning hours. (?It?s the weekend!? ?It?s my show!?) He didn?t, but when I started to head back to the shuttle, I was speechless. I didn?t say much on my walk to the shuttle stop. It?s hard even now, days after the concert, to describe the incredible feeling of seeing and hearing a living legend play before my eyes. It was? magical, almost. There?s not a self-respecting critic on the planet that wouldn?t be amazed by what Paul did on that night. You know? many people have said going to the concert was a ?once-in-a-lifetime? opportunity?. I hope not! I want to see Paul again! It was great! Would I like to see new songs on the setlist? Sure! Hell yeah! I?ve been asking for setlist changes on this board long before I attended a concert. And when I was at one, it didn?t matter all that much what songs he played. (It?s not like they?re crappy Jonas Brother or Miley Cyrus songs. Each and every song Paul performed was a classic, even after being played a million and one times at countless concerts. Besides, he played all my favorites. ?Calico Skies?, ?Mull of Kintyre?, ?Day Tripper?, ?A Day in the Life?, ?Band on the Run?, ?Hey Jude? (oh God, I loved saying ?na na na na na na? with the other people in the audience), ?Mrs. Vanderbilt?? and every other song he played. Thank you Paul, you didn?t sign my arm, but you gave me a memory I will never forget. I have photographs to remember it, and I?ll replay the concert in my mind for many years to come. Thank you again.
Beautiful sentiment...I haven't seen him yet.. my first time will be on the 21st but you put into words how I will feel once I see him
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martinput:
One thing that leapt out from that that and took my fancy: Take a look at Abe's bass drum head - it's got a very crude PM taped on with what looks like masking tape! Clearly his leaping from artist to artist recently has taken it's toll Martin
Martin, we just posted about this in another thread, but thought we may ask here as well......We thought that "PM" done with "masking tape" on the drum head was used intentionally. We thought that it was done this way due to The Fireman......Remember the masking tape for the stenciling of the words "FIREMAN" and "ELECTRIC ARGUMENTS." You can see Paul peeling the masking tape off in the artwork included with the Electric Arguments CD. So "PM" wasn't written this way on the drum head intentionally???