AcresOfFun:
Four shows in and I am completely exhausted just from attending the shows. No idea how Paul does this! It seems like some commentary here might be hinting at the idea that Friday's show was significantly better or more special than the other shows, but that hasn't been my experience at all. I've found the 4 shows quite consistent in both quality and my personal enjoyment of them. What I think I did experience was that Friday's show was more of a Big Deal -- Paul mentioned several times that he had friends and family in attendance, and to me it seemed like he was playing especially for them and any critics attending. MSG shows are always intense, which is exciting, but in this case I found I slightly preferred what I felt was a bit more casual feel the other nights. It may well be my imagination, but I felt like there was a little more informality and spontaneity between Paul and the crowd the other nights. Also, one of the reviews of the Newark shows posted here described both the venue and atmosphere as more intimate than places like MSG and it was funny because I hadn't considered that before the show, but during the shows, Tuesday's in particular, I found myself looking around and "intimate" was exactly the word that came to mind. The place seemed smaller than I was used to, and that may be because it actually is slightly smaller. It also seemed like there was sort of a special feel between the crowd and Paul, possibly in part for that reason, but also because there may have been a bit less pressure than at MSG. The reviewer had said he was glad to have experienced that, and I am too. Obviously the main special thing about Friday's show was the Bruce appearance, but I think that's mostly because there are so many Bruce superfans in the NY/NJ area. It was terrific seeing their fun interactions, but personally my favorite Paul guest appearance has been Neil at DT, solely because of them doing WDWDIITR, which I'd always wanted Paul to do. So, bottom line, I've loved all four shows and thought there was something unique and special about each of them. One specific note about MSG was that my personal highlight from Friday was limo watch; however, I wish I didn't have to be negative, but on Sunday limo watch became my day's lowlight due to lax security that basically ruined my experience and even endangered Paul, so I feel like MSG security should get a public ding. One other random note about the last MSG show -- he seems to have changed his shirt and jacket from the previous shows. A couple of general observations... One, which might also be a topic for a setlist thread, is that I feel like Chris Holmes' sets have become like my ideal Paul sets. He changes them up significantly every night, does a great mix of stuff, plays stuff you don't get to hear otherwise, and does a really good job at it. Last night's setlist was I think a dream setlist many of us had for these MSG shows -- he opened with an FITD song (My Brave Face) then went into the situationally-appropriate V&M/Rockshow (the absence of which from the main show was especially frustrating when Paul read that line off signs both nights!), then into what I think is a #1 setlist wish for a lot of us, Take It Away, then a great deep cut, A Love For You. Either Chris is checking in on fan sites or has a great fan's intuition himself. Even if it's not Paul doing these songs, I really enjoy these sets. They often get the crowd going in fun ways -- I always get going when he plays Say Say Say, Revolution when he plays it turns into a giant singalong, and those of us paying attention last night started dancing to TIA. Another general observation is how much attention Paul has been paying to the issue of multi-time attendees and his oft-repeated stories. It seems like he's become acutely aware and is even apologetic -- and now defensive too! I enjoyed it last year when he started prefacing stories with "If you've been to multiple shows you may have heard this story..." Now it's morphed into a full-out "You know what I'm saying", but he has tacked on a "but..." as justification. Last night before the Blackbird story he said "I know some of you have seen the show and know what I'm saying..." and a half-dozen of us audibly whooed, then he said "..., but a lot haven't" and there was a much larger cheer from the crowd. Surely many cheering the latter were those of us who don't fall into that category yet appreciate why he's doing it, but it's still a reminder of our minority status. It actually felt like a bit of a cross between a scolding and defensive snark, like the "we're going to play the new songs anyway" line, but still I quite enjoyed how he's sticking up for himself while giving us a shout-out. Paul does aim to please everyone, and I think Mr. 113 Shows has really gotten into his skull and he's actively thinking about how to keep the multi-timers engaged too. I also enjoy hearing him acknowledge our "obsession".
He could keep the multi-timers engaged if maybe he told a story about a song off "New" for example. Tell us something else about George besides he loved to play the ukulele. Say something about "Maybe I'm Amazed" besides "this one is for Linda". There are plenty more examples but I think you will get the idea. What is so very sad to me is that other artists/DJ's have a greater appreciation of McCartney's solo music more than him and most fans at his concerts. The songs you mentioned would be great to hear live. Check out "Pure McCartney"youtube clips of a group doing the entire album of RAM plus a couple of other solo songs. It is fantastic and the audience went wild. As for the Springsteen appearance, the clip I saw was great. Still don't get them doing "I Saw her Standing There" twice and why not do "Twist and Shout" like they did together at Springsteen show. I am sure they could have pulled it off without a rehearsal - lol. I think the Newark review said the place was more intimate because the last time he appeared in NJ, he played at Metlife Stadium which is the football stadium for the Giants and Jets.