Paul Anaheim reviews

Update (5/8/02) From Rick Noriega:

What can I say, but Mccartney rocks!!!! After watching the TONIGHT SHOW taping, I was a bit concerned since Macca's cold was noticeable. Although he did not perform any numbers on the Tonight Show, those lucky enough to be in attendance witnessed Macca joining the Tonight Show Band on LET IT BE and sang great. What a treat!!!
Now, fast forward to Sunday night's performance in Anaheim at the Arrowhead Pond. McCartney and company performed brilliantly. I have witnessed Maccas tours of '76,'89,'93, and Vegas in April of this year, and this is by far the best show I have witnessed. The drummer, ABE LABORIEL JR., is the best drummer of all drummers Macca has employed in his world tours. Watch and listen to him when he comes to your town. Macca set was unchanged from his Vegas set. The multi media screens were used a lot more than in Vegas. As for the music, considering Macca had a bit of a cold, considering he will turn 60 next month, he blew away many a singer 1/3rd his age. The man is phenomenal.
He ripped thru songs like CAN"T BUY ME LOVE, BACK IN THE USSR, I SAW HER STANDING THERE, JET, DRIVING RAIN, LONELY ROAD, and sang the ballads with equal ease. Songs like HEY JUDE, YOUR LOVIN FLAME, LET IT BE, MY LOVE, were just as great as years gone by.
AT times he was a bit goofy ( but in a charming way ) with his banter, but at least he talks to the audience, and not down to them.
AS in VEGAS, tears rolled down my face during his tribute to JOHN ( HERE TODAY), his tribute to GEORGE (SOMETHING) on ukulele, and as I looked around me, I noticed others around me dabbing at their eyes. I could not help but wonder if others felt the tinge of sadness at the loss of heroes as deeply as I felt it. American flags abounded a-plenty during FREEDOM. LIVE AND LET DIE was complete again with explosions, as in all his tours, but I never get tired of it!!
I could go on and on, but for those of you who have witnessed, you know. For those of you who are yet to witness, you will know, and those of you who will not get a chance to witness, you can wait for XMAS and the Live cd and hopefully 5.1 DVD, but it ain't the same as being there.

(5/7/02)

From Mick Love:

Hello!
I've been a Beatle fan since when I was four years old in 1973, when I first heard the song, "I Want To Hold Your Hand." I love your Beatle page and wanted to send in my review of the Paul McCartney concert that was at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA on May 5.
This was the first ever "Beatle" concert that I had ever been to (my brother had seen Paul in 1989, and Ringo with the All Starr Band, though not sure what year.) When it was first announced that Paul was going to tour, I had no thoughts of even trying to see him live. But, when it was announced that he was playing in Anaheim, which was just a few miles away from me, I figured now would be the time.
Although the ticket price was high (I went through a broker) I figured this may be the only time to see a Beatle live and in person. I hadn't been to a concert in a long time (Fleetwood Mac in 1997) so I was very meek about going. I am so glad I did! I would have missed the greatest concert I had ever seen. Not necessarily in terms of show, but in terms of presence. Paul had the audience! Even though there were thousands of people in the arena, I felt like this was a nice intimate show. Paul would tell stories in between songs and you just felt like you've known him for all your life. The man received standing ovations for almost every song. And I don't blame all of those people at all! He deserves it! He puts on a great show, and he knows what the fans want to hear. And, of course the fans are great as well.
Some of my more memorable moments during the night:

Paul flubbing the lines of We Can Work It Out. Every time he sang the wrong word, he'd look at the audience with a "What was that?" look.

He was telling a story about massages he'd gotten on tours. Very strange experiences.

After the pre-show, when the shadow of his guitar came on the screen, and he walked up behind it. Absolutely incredible! You knew you were seeing a legend!

The tribute songs, "Here Today" and "Something." The first one I think made people just tear up, I know I did. Even though the audience was in a somber mood, after "Something" Paul said, "Yeah, and George is looking down at me right now and saying 'No, it goes like this instead' and he started playing "Something" in a more whimsical style. It brightened the spirits of everyone there.
As for his new songs, "Lonely Road" is my favorite. I don't think most people came to hear those songs though. He still can belt out those Beatles songs, and in the right key as well!
I know a lot of people have been saying that he needs to change his song lineup (i.e. doing Jet and Band on The Run for the millionth time) but those songs are classics! How can you go to a Macca concert and not want to hear those songs?!
In summary, if you have the chance to see Paul live, don't hesitate! I paid $350 to see him and I'm glad I did! If that guy ever comes around again, I'm there!
Peace,
Mick

From Mark Bennett:

Paul's show at the Arrowhead Pond was absolutely fantastic!
Comments made by posts from earlier shows refer to the very strange way the performance began (i.e., performers walking through the crowd). I viewed it as something different. Paul, and all the Beatles for that matter, have always had a taste for the "avante guard", whether it be in appearance, music, artists they like, films, etc. I thought the different performers were an extension of that taste. At any rate, the crowd seemed to really enjoy the opening, especially the balloons.
You've heard the play lists from others which I won't repeat. Songs that I thought were particularly well done include Jet, Band on the Run, Live and Let Die, Back in the USSR, My Love and The End. Two of the most memorable songs he played were the tribute songs, Here Today and Something. Very well done, Sir Paul!
Paul played for about 3 hours and talked a lot during the show. All the members of his band were awesome, although I'd like to know where he found them--does anyone know? (Can you imagine a 25 year old guitar player playing lead for Paul McCartney?!) As I left the show, I had to keep reminding myself that Paul is nearly 60 years old. He played better than most would at half his age. Thanks Paul for a wonderful show!!!

From Robbie and David:

Fantastic! Paul's voice a little hoarse, looked a bit tired compared to NYC concert. Mid- way through he picked it up and "rocked the house"! We could not believe that we were watching this man who carried with him the Beatles, Lennon, George, Linda, the years of our life's.
The Anaheim crowd could not get enough of him. They seemed to respond longer and louder to his tribute to George than MSG did.
Always miss his intentional (?) lack of Linda photos. At MSG, Peta was also missing on at least one night. Although we support Land Mine cause, it seems that Paul champions the cause his current woman is promoting.
Driving Rain concert is wonderful and just as Paul (the Beatles) came through in l964 after our grief in losing Kennedy, once again, he is here to comfort and help us remember that we can Carry that Load again.