DavidP:
yankeefan7:
left hand man:
Yankeefan7, every time I've seen McCartney the crowd sings along with BOTR, also I agree that the crowds may listen more when McCartney performs his new material, but there's no mass exit! Some give the impression that hundreds and hundreds of people take a break whenever McCartney performs anything besides the Beatles, and that's just not true! Again, if McCartney would perform the best of his Wings and solo material, songs like Juniors Farm, No More Lonely Nights, 1985, Silly Love Songs, etc. Songs that many people in reviews, columns, articles, comments, and on many different websites have been asking for, the crowds would be thrilled and no one would be going anywhere! The non stop Beatle thing has become too predictable, and people are starting to say so!
I agree, I don't see people heading for the exits on non-Beatle songs. I do think there is a noticeable difference in reaction for the most part and that is understandble to a degree. I also agree if he did some of the songs you have mentioned which were top 10 hits with Wings some people would enjoy them. ( I definitely would) I have said this numerous times before but I think most people are Beatle fans that attend his concerts whereas you and I are McCartney fans. The Beatle fans love McCartney but Beatle songs are all they care to hear. There is a minority (is it growing?) that are McCartney fans and would love to hear his whole career represented in concert. I love the Beatle songs as much as anybody but if McCartney only did 15 Beatle songs in a concert I would not be disappointed. I happen to think his last two records have been some of his best work ever and would love to hear it live. Also, Wings records were all big sellers so I don't understand not playing more songs from that period of his career. BTW - I have seen Sting several times on his solo tours and he throws in a few Poilice songs but most of the show is his solo work and the crowd loves it. Finally, it is nice that McCartney has done something different like "Mrs. Vanderbilt" on these one time shows. I only hope if he tours again, he spices it up a little more.
The difference with Sting is, when he wants to play the Police songs, he just gets that band together and they go out on tour. In the 1970's Paul ignored the Beatles catalogue except for a few classic songs, in favour of his new band, Wings. During the 1980's he never toured, unfortunately. Finally in 1989/1990 he began performing again and by then things had changed and he decided to fully embrace The Beatles music. Lets not forget, Wings generally received abysmal reviews throughout the 1970's. The press were quite unkind to Paul and belittled his solo work every chance they could get. No wonder he became a little gun shy, and stuck more with the Beatle songs on tour. And now, it is hard for him to replace some of those songs from his setlist, because he hears and sees people just going nuts when he plays anything by The Beatles, so of course he is going to keep doing it. Sure there might be a handful in the audience who aren't that enthralled, but they are such a small minority they don't even register. When you have 50,000 people screaming and singing along, quite frankly who cares about the dozen or so who aren't digging it? I've read some saying that Paul should play songs such as Getting Closer, I've Had Enough, etc...... but those songs weren't even big hits in the 1970's when they were released, so he's never going to play them, not ever, and to think he will is wishful thinking. I can see him eventually doing Listen To What Man Said again, or re-visitng Silly Love Songs or Goodnight Tonight, but songs like Big Barn Bed or Girls School(someone mentioned those two) are never going to be performed live. If he's going to tinker with his setlist he isn't going to be including lesser known Wings songs. Now, I totally agree about Juniors Farm, it is time to dust off that old rocker and introduce it to the masses.
1. Sting did a one tour with the Police recently but had several solo tours. The difference is Sting embraces his solo work and by doing so the audience does also. Granted, Paul does not have the opportunity to get the Beatles together again but even if he could I don't believe he would change. 2. Critics loved BOR and did not trash every Wing record. Even if they did, Wings records were always at the top of the charts so the audience obviously liked them. McCartney has received very good reviews from plenty of his solo works like "Tug of War", "Flowers In The Dirt", "Flaming Pie", "CHAOS" and "MAF". Why not perform something like something like "Take It Away" (top 10 hit)? Wouldn't it be nice to hear "Promise To You Girl" (was a single) from "CHAOS". "House of Wax" from "MAF" is awesome, think the crowd would like it (guitar solo rocks and great McCartney vocal) even if they don't recognize it. 3. Everybody didgs Beatle songs, that is not the problem. The problem for some of us is they wish he would do more songs from his non-Beatle career. Would you be terribly upset if McCartney only did 15 Beatle songs in a concert and the rest were from his solo/Wings career? I understand he has to pay homage to his Beatle days but 1/2 the concert should be enough. Also, I would think playing different stuff would make it more fun for the band and McCartney. They all seemed to get a kick out of doing "Too Many People" on the last tour. 4. I agree and think if he ever does more Wings songs it will not be things like "Girls School" or "I've Had Enough" (although it is a nice little rocker). It is nice to hear him doing "Mrs. Vanderbilt" and wish he would do some other things from his Wings days . Heck, it would be nice to hear "Hi Hi Hi" again, that was a hit and a good concert song.