2017 Setlist Speculation Thread
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edcrawf:
I'm glad I was able to catch up with some of these well thought out posts. I think the shame is that so much great material will never see the light of the live performance limelight. There is still so much unrealized potential out there.
_________________________________________________________ Thanks for your comment Ed. Right to the point. We all love his music...just wished he would (as Yankeefan pointed out) love many parts of his solo eras (post Wings) as much as we do. Just a better "balance" of his "entire" career is what some of us have been asking for all along.
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B J Conlee:
In a brief conversation with a very nice person (Rubber Soul13) about the Syracuse Show and the setlist, it just occurred to me what the term "deep tracks" means and has become as it relates to Paul McCartney shows and his songwriting career. Sadly, virtually "ALL" of Paul's songs from Tug of War onward would now be considered "deep tracks". As a big time fan, I never thought of it that way but Paul himself has contributed mightily to his present musical legacy. Paul is basically known as the truly talented ex Beatle and key contributor to so many Beatle classics along with a few big Wings' hits. Most artists could only dream of having that as your legacy but you would think Paul would want more. After all, he has never stopped writing songs for like 50 years after the Beatles disbanded. If you look at an album like Tug of War (highly successful by any standard) I normally would consider songs like Ballroom Dancing or Somebody Who Cares as "deep tracks". But in reality, now even the cornerstone songs to the album like Wanderlust, Take It Away and the title cut are virtually "deep tracks". Maybe a better example is Flowers in the Dirt. In the past, I would consider songs like Distractions, Motor of Love, and You Want Her Too as "deeper tracks". But the cornerstone songs from Flowers like My Brave Face, Put it There, We Got Married, This One, Figure of Eight, That Day is Done etc. would all, unfortunately, be considered by music critics as "Deep Tracks". I look at critically acclaimed Paul albums like Tug, Flowers, Flaming Pie, Chaos, and Memory Almost Full as all perfect examples of albums that had great songs (Beatle worthy) and even garnered multiple Grammy awards and nominations. Sadly, all the cornerstone and great songs from these albums have become "deep tracks" and not anything close to signature McCartney songs like I believe they should be. As I said above, Paul has not helped himself relative to just how "unknown" these albums and songs are now to the masses especially to the millions who are casual to hard core "Beatle" fans. With all of the touring that Paul has done, he never plays these cornerstone songs from great Solo albums. Just because he currently plays 4-5 Seconds and Temporary Secretary doesn't truly mean that his current Setlist provides a "career retrospective" to McCarney complete Catalog. That is a false narrative in my opinion when he skips so much of his different eras. It is strictly a talking point when he or the reviews say "he plays old songs, new songs and some in between. With the exception of Here Today (from Tug of War) that was written for John, he totally ignores great songs from the albums I've listed above. That is truly sad for Paul's legacy and for the big time fans who love all of his songwriting eras. For someone like me, it basically stopped me from attending his shows because of all the duplication. Like Yankeefan and I have said, we are not being greedy as fans. We have no problem and understand why Paul has to play the Beatle and Wings' hits and signature songs. But why he doesn't play 6-8 songs from the albums I mentioned above (different ones with each tour) just leaves me scratching my head. You would think that Paul himself would want people to remember his entire career. After seeing Paul's setlist on this latest One-on-One leg, I have given up and frankly weary of the discussion. I also can't argue with success. Paul just broke the all time "gross sales" record for the Carrier Dome in Syracuse (35K plus in attendance). Yes, for the casual Beatle fans and first timers. Paul puts on a great show and the numbers point it out. You can't beat a successful formula so why change anything. That is Paul's and his Marketing Team's position on the subject. But for big time true fans and more importantly for Paul's own legacy, I don't think Paul helps himself. He can still play plenty of Beatle hits and a few Wings' standards but why not expose his audience to just a half dozen of "great" Solo songs from great Solo albums (not just substandard deep cuts like 4-5 Seconds, Temporary Secretary, and I Wanna Be Your Man). Again, I'm happy for the first timers who have never seen the "Man". But at the same time, as a huge fan of his total career, I expected more. I'm glad I didn't spend that kind of money for a pair of tickets. Not hearing songs like My Brave Face, Put it There, Little Willow, Beautiful Night etc. etc. would have disappointed me as I was hearing so many of the same non-signature, recycled songs that I have already heard "live" since 2002.
This sums it up perfectly.
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B J Conlee:
edcrawf:
I'm glad I was able to catch up with some of these well thought out posts. I think the shame is that so much great material will never see the light of the live performance limelight. There is still so much unrealized potential out there.
_________________________________________________________ Thanks for your comment Ed. Right to the point. We all love his music...just wished he would (as Yankeefan pointed out) love many parts of his solo eras (post Wings) as much as we do. Just a better "balance" of his "entire" career is what some of us have been asking for all along.
No argument here. I have felt the same way for years. If the first timers or casual fans are happy, great. I got to see him in 1990 and 2005. I bought GENYC and was satisfied with it (even though I didn't attend that tour). I would rather spend money on archive releases or new material at this point. The tours feel more like a well rehearsed broadway play at this point in the game. No real change or variation, and it looks like none in the future. I know, we have beaten an undead zombie horse beyond the afterlife at this point.
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edcrawf:
B J Conlee:
edcrawf:
I'm glad I was able to catch up with some of these well thought out posts. I think the shame is that so much great material will never see the light of the live performance limelight. There is still so much unrealized potential out there.
_________________________________________________________ Thanks for your comment Ed. Right to the point. We all love his music...just wished he would (as Yankeefan pointed out) love many parts of his solo eras (post Wings) as much as we do. Just a better "balance" of his "entire" career is what some of us have been asking for all along.
No argument here. I have felt the same way for years. If the first timers or casual fans are happy, great. I got to see him in 1990 and 2005. I bought GENYC and was satisfied with it (even though I didn't attend that tour). I would rather spend money on archive releases or new material at this point. The tours feel more like a well rehearsed broadway play at this point in the game. No real change or variation, and it looks like none in the future. I know, we have beaten an undead zombie horse beyond the afterlife at this point.
I agree Ed, I will happily spend my money on his next new album. I would love him to do one more "Fireman" album also if possible. I agree that tours kind of resemble a rehearsed Broadway play especially with the in between song stories being the same for the most part tour after tour. Yep, a few of us have beaten this subject to death (lol) but it is out of frustration.
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B J Conlee:
edcrawf:
I'm glad I was able to catch up with some of these well thought out posts. I think the shame is that so much great material will never see the light of the live performance limelight. There is still so much unrealized potential out there.
_________________________________________________________ Thanks for your comment Ed. Right to the point. We all love his music...just wished he would (as Yankeefan pointed out) love many parts of his solo eras (post Wings) as much as we do. Just a better "balance" of his "entire" career is what some of us have been asking for all along.
Exactly and when you really think of about it how much effort would have taken to do what we dreamed about. We are talking about a rock icon and his great touring band of over 15 years changing up 3 -4 songs every leg of the tour.
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edcrawf:
B J Conlee:
edcrawf:
I'm glad I was able to catch up with some of these well thought out posts. I think the shame is that so much great material will never see the light of the live performance limelight. There is still so much unrealized potential out there.
_________________________________________________________ Thanks for your comment Ed. Right to the point. We all love his music...just wished he would (as Yankeefan pointed out) love many parts of his solo eras (post Wings) as much as we do. Just a better "balance" of his "entire" career is what some of us have been asking for all along.
No argument here. I have felt the same way for years. If the first timers or casual fans are happy, great. I got to see him in 1990 and 2005. I bought GENYC and was satisfied with it (even though I didn't attend that tour). I would rather spend money on archive releases or new material at this point. The tours feel more like a well rehearsed broadway play at this point in the game. No real change or variation, and it looks like none in the future. I know, we have beaten an undead zombie horse beyond the afterlife at this point.
My sentiments exactly!
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Also for the souncheck the songs rotation is always the same. He could be add many many songs, especially easy songs which don't require great rehearsals, like "From me to you" "Every little things" "She loves you" etc
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What happened to the Paul who insisted on playing Soily as his encore? We want that Paul back!
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JoeySmith:
What happened to the Paul who insisted on playing Soily as his encore? We want that Paul back!
In my dreams !!
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yankeefan7:
JoeySmith:
What happened to the Paul who insisted on playing Soily as his encore? We want that Paul back!
In my dreams !!
I actually had a dream about Paul a couple nights ago and it was 1976. It was so vivid (and in color) I told him I was glad he shaved the mustache off! He was 34 and I was 21 that year. Unfortunately, Linda showed up in the dream.
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Another Girl and Listen To What The Man Said now regular soundcheck staples while I Wanna Be Your Man and Drive My Car feature in the main set! Not cool!!!
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SoilyCompany76:
If Paul does any shows next year, what do you expect to see in his setlist? Based on the setlist from Desert Trip... Do you all think the number of songs from NEW will be reduced? Do you think "Day Tripper" & "Jet" will return? Do you think "Why Don't We Do It in the Road" be something more than a time thing? Just some thoughts... Keeps all speculation reasonable. I'm honestly curious what you all think.
I went to see his 9/15 show. Jet was in the setlist, but Day Tripper was not. I guess it was only because Bruce Springsteen was the guest performer. Paul did 2 songs from New (New and Queenie Eye). He did do I've Just Seen a Face and You Won't See Me.
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Just happened to see one of the Brazil threads regarding Paul's recent shows. Watching the bikini clad woman dancing while Paul and Band were performing Birthday just hit a new "low" for me relative to Paul's "live" concerts. It's not that I don't mind seeing a healthy woman in a bikini, but seeing it during a Paul show just "lowers" Paul's status as one of the greatest songwriters/performers over the last 50 years. It brings me back to my problem with Paul's One-on-One Setlist. I wouldn't put Birthday in the top 50 of Paul's greatest Beatle songs let alone all of his terrific Solo songs. He's done Birthday before so why bring it back when he has so many songs he has "never" or rarely done. Just look at my list of those great Solo songs a few posts back.
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B J Conlee:
Just happened to see one of the Brazil threads regarding Paul's recent shows. Watching the bikini clad woman dancing while Paul and Band were performing Birthday just hit a new "low" for me relative to Paul's "live" concerts. It's not that I don't mind seeing a healthy woman in a bikini, but seeing it during a Paul show just "lowers" Paul's status as one of the greatest songwriters/performers over the last 50 years. It brings me back to my problem with Paul's One-on-One Setlist. I wouldn't put Birthday in the top 50 of Paul's greatest Beatle songs let alone all of his terrific Solo songs. He's done Birthday before so why bring it back when he has so many songs he has "never" or rarely done. Just look at my list of those great Solo songs a few posts back.
It was either a nod to the Beatles' 'Hello Goodbye' video OR Paul is appealing to the Millennial generation. Have you see any of the young female pop concerts lately - they're practically prancing around in their underwear! Paul needs to keep up.
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JoeySmith:
It was either a nod to the Beatles' 'Hello Goodbye' video OR Paul is appealing to the Millennial generation. Have you see any of the young female pop concerts lately - they're practically prancing around in their underwear! Paul needs to keep up.
Though as also pointed out in that thread, Paul doesn't seem to have been quite on board with it (watch what he says here to someone -- Nancy maybe??):
. It's a bit disconcerting to me that such a notorious artistic control freak would cede that much control over part of his show, but I suspect that might start changing after this. I have no problem with Birthday in the set in general. I've loved it each time I've seen him do it because he's always been having a great time and that makes it a lot of fun for the rest of us. The irksome thing about that performance is that he doesn't seem that into it because he's notably uneasy and distracted. -
AcresOfFun:
JoeySmith:
It was either a nod to the Beatles' 'Hello Goodbye' video OR Paul is appealing to the Millennial generation. Have you see any of the young female pop concerts lately - they're practically prancing around in their underwear! Paul needs to keep up.
Though as also pointed out in that thread, Paul doesn't seem to have been quite on board with it (watch what he says here to someone -- Nancy maybe??):
. It's a bit disconcerting to me that such a notorious artistic control freak would cede that much control over part of his show, but I suspect that might start changing after this. I have no problem with Birthday in the set in general. I've loved it each time I've seen him do it because he's always been having a great time and that makes it a lot of fun for the rest of us. The irksome thing about that performance is that he doesn't seem that into it because he's notably uneasy and distracted.I can't believe that he didn't know about the girl. No one knows. I've heard that they were filming her earlier in the day. But this is getting off topic here.
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B J Conlee:
Just happened to see one of the Brazil threads regarding Paul's recent shows. Watching the bikini clad woman dancing while Paul and Band were performing Birthday just hit a new "low" for me relative to Paul's "live" concerts. It's not that I don't mind seeing a healthy woman in a bikini, but seeing it during a Paul show just "lowers" Paul's status as one of the greatest songwriters/performers over the last 50 years. It brings me back to my problem with Paul's One-on-One Setlist. I wouldn't put Birthday in the top 50 of Paul's greatest Beatle songs let alone all of his terrific Solo songs. He's done Birthday before so why bring it back when he has so many songs he has "never" or rarely done. Just look at my list of those great Solo songs a few posts back.
I agree with you BJ, this type of stuff cheapens the show IMO. I am also not a fan of people coming up on stage for McCartney to sign one of their body parts etc. As for the song "Birthday", it is ok but it has been done before and like you said there are plenty of other wonderful songs he has to choose from if he wanted.
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I wonder if the Australia & New Zealand shows will include Wonderful Christmastime given that they're taking place in December? Mull of Kintyre in New Zealand might also be a possibility given there's a pipe band association (https://www.nzpipebands.org.nz/)??)
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Jock Tamson:
I wonder if the Australia & New Zealand shows will include Wonderful Christmastime given that they're taking place in December? Mull of Kintyre in New Zealand might also be a possibility given there's a pipe band association (https://www.nzpipebands.org.nz/)??)
I'd love to see him do Wonderful Christmastime. I hope he does it there!
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Maybe Paul will make a tribute to Fats Domino in the mexican concert. Which song would you choose?