How do maccaboard members et to the pre-sale prices (are there any?).  Do we use a code when checking out?

B J Conlee:

Nancy R:

BJ, Mull of Kintyre was not totally unknown in the U.S. They played it on the radio. You just had to buy it separately. This is another album I haven't listened to in ages because I only have it on vinyl. P.S. I can't believe they censored D i c k e n s!!

_________________________________________________________ Yes, I couldn't believe they censored "****". What was that about? They must have played Mull of Kintyre down south a lot more. Where I grew up in New Jersey, Philadelphia and NY City, they didn't play "Mull" at all from my memory. I did play "Girls' School" but it never took off. I understand that the Beatles left their "singles" in many cases off the main album of the time. The Beatles had 3 great writers in the same group so they were probably the only group that could afford to do that. But by 1977-1978 times were totally different. Most people like me bought primarily albums which by the way the Beatles were the main ones to make that change happen. When I grew up in the early 60's, all the kids bought singles and buying albums was the exception. Because of the Beatles primarily, the exact opposite started happening by Rubber Soul. For Wings to not include Singles on their accompanying album was plain stupid from a marketing and sales point of view. It a whole separate market. Paul was releasing an album almost yearly and to not include songs like Mull of Kintyre and Girls' School on London Town was ludicrous. Girls' School was the primary (A Side) song being heard around the country and it only reached #33 on the Singles charts. That is why by the early 80's hardly anyone in the US (except hard core Paul/Wings fans) even heard of Mull of Kintyre. Most people didn't know Girls School either. By putting it on the main album, many more people in the US would know the songs and the album would have sold better. Criminal when you think that "Mull" was at that time the biggest selling single of all time in Great Britain. Tastes don't differ that much. A great song is a great song. Just an example where Paul's stubborness really hurt him. Do you remember on the vinyl if "Name and Address" ended so abruptly. Made it sound very unprofessional on the CD. Thanks

Correct me if I am wrong, going off of memory here. I believe Mull of Kintyre was no.1 in every country EXCEPT for the US.

B J Conlee:

Much to the chagrin of some posters, I made another pilgrimage to my favorite Used CD store. This time I bought the 1993 Remastered Collection Series of London Town. Since this CD had the 2 bonus tracks...Girls' School and Mull of Kintyre, this was a great value at only $9.95. Unlike my last purchase of Press to Play, I had owned (but lost) the original CD. I was familiar with almost all the tracks but because it was so many years ago (and I am obviously a lot older) it did give me a different perspective especially when rating it against other Paul CD's. Like with some other Paul "mid tier" albums, it was not a case of lack of material that kept it from being a "top tier" project. In my opinion, it was a lot more about song selection and editing...nothing new for Paul. Most glaring about London Town is the omission of the 2 terrific bonus tracks. Because London Town was considered by many as a little too long anyway, this might have required removing a couple of existing tracks but to me that would have been a relatively easy decision. Glaringly absent from London Town was another Rocker so adding Girls' School and removing Famous Groupies (most considered it the weakest track) was a no brainer. The fact that Mull of Kintyre (one of Paul's best ballads ever) was totally unknown in the US since Girls' School became the A-side, is another reason that "Mull" should have definitely been on the main album. A track like Cuff Link (an instrumental) could easily have been removed. All in all, these changes would have made London Town a much better album and in my opinion, one of his best. Two things I really liked about London Town. 1st, the album had a lot of great guitar based tracks. Almost all Paul albums have a couple of piano based ballads and the fact that London Town didn't have one, made it distinct. The 2nd thing was Denny Laine's much more significant contributions. I always thought that Denny was underrated especially with acoustic/folk type of numbers (think of the acoustic portion of Wings Over America) and Denny really stands out here. All in all, London Town is an enjoyable record and like I said, it could have been one of Paul's great ones with a little tweaking. The last great thing was getting the full album version of With a Little Luck. That alone was worth the price of the CD. I will shortly be adding my track by track summary. I really look forward to other opinions from my good friends on this site.

I have to say that London Town is one of my favorites. There are some difficulties as you have pointed out -- the lack of Mull of Kintyre and Girls School. Mull of Kintyre was a flop in the US, but girls school was a hit. So, I bought London Town expecting both of those songs to on there. It would have been a much stronger album if they were. Back to the Egg had some US hits, and I loved that album, but it has kind of faded away into obscurity. Venus and Mars, Speed of Sound, and Redrose Speedway were weaker than London Town, Ram, and Back to the Egg -- in my opinion, but it's a matter of taste. That Sir McCartney made these albums is a blessing to me. Though I might like one more than an another just means I have more to study and choose from. Band on the Run is his best ever, in my opinion.

Whoah you got a tough hill to climb! I've been trying to musical contact with Paul for over 35 years ( 38 ). But I would advise studying two things: vocals, especially the harmonies, and bass playing. He did incredible harmonies with the Beatles --- as well as write many of their most famous songs. Listen closely to the harmonies in "Nowhere Man". They are tight and spot on. Paul's song writing attributes -- well, need I say more. Bass playing -- this some very sophisticated musical talent. If you took Baroque writing or 4 part harmony, you will see just how complex some of these bass lines are. It all came natural to him. With a collection of some 229 original compositions and a bunch more covers, Paul filled in the blanks. Seriously, monstrously good bass playing. Sometimes when a song doesn't have a great hook, you find the hook in Paul's bass. Or his voice. If you can get anywhere, study that little Hoffner and see how he turned nothing into magic.

paulajean50:

I am lucky to be attending the concert in Philia on July 12th. I have a camera with a detachable lens. Does any one know if I can I bring it to the concert??

Too late in my reply, but I do think in US stadiums it depends on the size. They are always looking for things these days, thats why the NFL went to clear pouches. Concerts I have been too would only allow wallet and cell phone, but I know thats not everywhere.

Hi David -- seems kind of phony but I don't know for sure. I suggest clobbering this conundrum hard to be sure of its authenticity. I've never heard of hand written labels before, so you may have an absolute gem. If it was George Martin that wrote the labels, you got a good hunk of expensive nostalgia!

Let me first say -- I think Sir James Paul McCartney is the best ever. Frank Sinatra used to say something to terms like "there will never be no one better than me". Well, he was wrong. He attributed "Something" (written by George Harrison) to the "best song Lennon and McCartney ever wrote". Well I think many of us know that story. I have had the privilege of sending ten family members to see Paul -- and they all got giant cheers on their faces. I have seen Paul twice, and my wife says thats enough. Well, not enough for me. Enough with my adulation. "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey". This is the only song that I have some documentation that he has never performed live. Why? This is the song that made the Beatles/McCartney my passion. It was so popular when it was released in 1971. Maybe Paul hates the song, but it's certainly in my top 10. I used to ask my Uncles -- who is this? They often said it was the Beatles, so as a kid I explored every Beatle song I could find, but could not find Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey. I bought every Beatle record before I was 11. I kept looking though. Not until I was 12 did I find out it was on Ram. Now I am 53. But Paul won't do that song live. So my question to the forum is this: why do I love that song? Why don't more on the forum say anything about it? Why does Paul hate it? Any answers are quite welcome and will be much to my gratitude.

My family and friends, all go to Greensboro, NC! I can't wait!!!!!! Less than 16 hours to go! Wow, what a lifetime of experience for me and my family (quite pricey too). Here's to PAUL! May he live another 100 million years. BTW -- these tix I bought are all gifts from me for Christmas and anniversaries and a recent wedding. The money is well spent. ROCK ON -- GIVE US A ROCK SHOW PAUL! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!

HoneyPi:

I bought my very first ever VIP ticket for this show. Does anyone know how & when the info on pre-show Soundcheck etc. is usually sent out?

I will be there with six others. I can't afford to do that for six people. I can't imagine what I'd spend to do what your doing (since I already spent it all). But wow -- that sounds amazing. Please post back to me PM and the board about and share pictures if you could.

RADIANCE:

Nervous/excited has kicked in! Thankfully I don't have to be at work today until 9:45 and I live right around the corner. Seems like this Greensboro thread has been quieter than any other this close to ticket sale time. ??

Could be due to pricing and how small the venue is.