Hi folks.

First of all, I want to take this opportunity to say that the work you've put into the site is simply breath-taking. I return to it every few days and still discover new stuff. Absolutely brilliant.

Now, on to the review thing, which I write with a slightly heavy heart..."

I didn't like it.

To enjoy a concert or any performance, I like to experience something unique or at least take something to think about home with me afterwards. Concerts by the likes of Tom Waits and Elvis Costello - even George Carlin - have been inspiring events, either by the way they revitalize old material or present new material. At the most recent screening of a Costello concert, it opened with "45", a witty and dry reading of the last near-half-century of the writer's life. And a balding, widening writer at that. But that's life and that's ok.

Then there was Paul's concert. The bulk of the material - including the opener and all the closers - came from the 1960s. I couldn't help but think that the Monkees do the same thing every year, too. The break mid-show - wherein Paul shoots through a dozen songs solo - was a welcome addition, although when "You Never Give Me Your Money" started, I knew that there would be a line flub in there somewhere (because of my attention to message boards). Sure enough, it was there, right on cue. I felt more than a little cheated, being a Macca fan for 20 years, having two songs from the 1980s represent his entire output from the last twenty-five years. Whatever new fans he got with "Flaming Pie" or "Run Devil Run" - or even "Wingspan" - are shut out completely. It's no mystery why his sales are decreasing and it took seven full months for "Driving Rain" to go gold. Why buy his records if he can't even stomach doing them onstage?

For their parts, Waits and Costello delve into their catalogue, but never at the risk of under-representing where they are at artistically. At the end of the evening, one gets the sense that these are real men who live in today's world. I only got the sense that Paul was as real as his hair color.

In terms of live muscle, Paul has done a fierce disservice to his fans. Compare "Wings Over America" to "Tripping the Live Fantastic" and "Paul is Live". It's undeniable in 1976, it's nearly there in 1990 and it's not there at all in 1994. There is a reason why the sales for these albums reflect this curve as well. A CD of "Driving USA", if issued, will barely chart.

So, even though I ebay-ed myself into being a few feet away from the illustrious Heather Mills, I left at the opening strains of "Eleanor Rigby". I recalled Liza Minnelli when someone requested she sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". She responded, "It's already been sung." I wish Paul would have the guts to be so strong (and as artiscially aware as he intimates), especially with thirty years worth of brilliant songs written in his own right.

Years ago, members of that fabled group - which Paul mentions about 50 times in his tour book - banded together to prevent any further performances of "Beatlemania". And now the motive has become clear - it's so one of them could do it himself.

Best regards and keep up the good work!,
Vincent Truman
Chicago Illinois

Update (4/17/02) From Suz in Chicago:

I attended the Paul McCartney concerts in Chicago on 4/10 and 4/11 and was, as always, extremely impressed! I had an amazing seat for the 4/10 show - 6th row main floor on the aisle, with an 8 year old sitting in front of me!

Paul sounded fantastic (anybody who can hit the high notes in "Here, There & Everywhere" at age 59 should get a medal or something!) and looked great too!

But here's my story from that night......about 1/2 way through the concert, I noticed a woman come up and stand next to me in the aisle and start taking photos. Since cameras were supposedly not allowed (though security was cursory and there were hundreds of cameras in the audience), I took a look at the woman and who did it turn out to be but Heather! She was wearing blue jeans, a lace top and sandals and that gorgeous engagement ring (yes, of course, I had to check it out!). She stood there for about 2 songs snapping photos, then ran out of film and she and her person (bodyguard? handler? friend?) took off.

About 10 minutes later, they came back again and she stood next to me for the entire rest of the concert, sometimes taking pictures, sometimes just standing there or singing along. I didn't really speak to her because I had no idea what to say, but she was polite to a few other people around us who did speak to her and encouraged the little girl sitting in front of me to stand on her chair so she could see better. She stayed standing right next to me until about 1/2 way through the last encore. It was pretty cool - definitely a good story to tell everyone this past weekend!

Update (4/16/02) From Patrick McDonald:

I also attended Thursday's show (where even with the same set I enjoyed it as much). The main difference was a funny Macca story about getting massages all over the world. I felt a little emotional as the the last note echoed through the stadium, I realized that this could be it (I hope not). But I also said goodbye to him, with the most profound appreciation.

Update (4/15/02) From Wrmbreeze:

Steve: I have read the reviews and thought I would contribute. I attended the 2nd Chicago show on April 11th. 1. Set list was the same as mentioned. No changes.

2. Opening "act"....unneccessary....and maybe I'm an idiot...but I did not see a connection with the show.

3. I was able to purchase excellent seats to this "sold out show" the day before the concert. These were right next to the stage about 15 rows up...seats 1 and 2 on the aisle. I kept my on eye on ticketron for the week prior. Seats were available online up until a few hours be fore the show.....good seats. However, it did seem to be a sell out the night of the show. Be weary of the "sold out" stuff.

4. One of the reasons I held off on buying tickets was because I saw him in 93 and was a little miffed at the ticket prices this time around. I can afford the $250.00...it just seemed steep to me. I was also hesitant because I have been less than thrilled with his "special" performances lately....and I was afraid I would be disappointed.

5. I WAS WRONG!!.....I am so glad I went. I was blown away. I'm a musician (no Paul that's for sure...but I know more than the average fan) and I was just plain delighted with seeing him in total control of himself, his voice, and his band. Really an amazing display by a soon to be 60 year old.

6. The drummer was smooth as silk....really making the songs come alive and driving the band with perfect timing. He and Paul made a lot of grinning eye contact which was just a pleasure to behold.....they were tight and they KNEW it!!

7. Guitar player "Randy".....rocked. He played a Gibson SG most of the night and was ripping. The "Back in the USSR" lead....sweeeet.

8. I loved the stage setup.....very sparse...just a waist high row of amplifiers in front of the drum riser. Nothing fancy, nothing pretentious....just a row of amplifiers and a drum riser with keyboards next to the drums. Cool.

9. It was a 75 degree beautiful day. Our first "real" taste of Spring in Chicago. If you have never lived here, you don't realize just how good that first real warm day feels. If you live in a northern climate you know what I am talking about. Anyway, this made for a great atmosphere for the show and one of the band members commented on what a beautiful day it had been. Of course, the crowd agreed....and it was topped off with this fantastic concert.

10. Paul stopped a few times and looked out at the crowd and said...."ah Chicago....Chicago". He then told the crowd that people from Liverpool have a very close connection to Chicago. He said that when he was a boy that Chicago was seen as a very glamorous place....like wow....Chicago....and that his dad used to play the standard "Chicago" in his jazz band.

11. He also told the crowd about getting a massage earlier that day.....he pronounced it MA (rhymes with Pa) -SSAGE....MA-SSAGE. He then told us that he has been offered massages all over the world and has said ok "im game" to quite a few ladies who offered them. He told of us the time an Oriental lady started giving him a massage and started to sing Yesterday......(Paul doing a bad oriental female accent shrieking Yesterday)..which she sang throughout the massage. "Thank God she didn't know the middle eight" he concluded.....he then said "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but there you go." This was very funny and spontaneous....not the normal "bad stage banter" that Paul falls into. He did a good job with the stage banter (which he usually does not)...another pleasant surprise.

12. Much has been said about the acoustic set...so I won't go into it too heavily except to say that it was delicious. In this world of fake bands, bad songs, technology passing for musicianship, etc....it was so inspiring to see him strap on that acoustic guitar in front of 20,000 people and just PLAY. I felt myself tearing up, smiling, shaking my head, and feeling downright giddy!....I didn't want it to end. I especially liked the way he did "Blackbird." Tough song to do live. He had to stare at the neck of his guitar for the entire song...while singing. On this night he did it perfectly....sang it perfectly....when the song was finished...he just looked up and smiled as if to say...."whew". That song alone was worth the $250.00.

13. They obviously had the best PA money could buy. The sound was great, and the sound of him by himself with the Acoustic Guitar was fabulous. If you go to the show make sure and take a look at the small city controlling the sound, video, and lights....again very cool...and the least he can do with those ticket prices.

14. Another little thing I noticed....I didn't see any drink cups or anything anywhere on the stage. You know how you will see cups and beers and whatever everywhere sometimes.....nada.....nothing (somewhere Brian Epstein is smiling).

15. Paul changes instruments quite often....at one point he "tossed" the Hofner to a startled roadie (obviously not expecting the toss) who held his heart as he walked away with bass. The next time he changed instruments, Wix brought him his guitar and gently handed it to him and made some comment (while laughing) that seemed to be related to the tossing incident.

16. At the very end of the show after the last encore....all the other band members had left, someone threw up a Beatles bass drum cover (the famous Ludwig cover) which Paul picked up and showed to the crowd, he then motioned for a pen, which he got, he signed the cover and threw it back to the guy!! Someone had also thrown a Captain's hat (like the Skipper used to wear on Gilligans Island) which Paul picked up and signed and threw back to the owner in the crowd.

A day I will treasure the rest of my life. Well done Sir Paul....Well done.

(4/12/02)

From Patrick McDonald:

Review of the 4/10 Chicago Paul McCartney Show:

Say what you will about the "cute" Beatle -- in his later years he has
been dismissed as sappy,
egoistic and the dreaded over the hill, but there are few acts that have
such a repertoire that
they can OPEN with Hello, Goodbye (a very slyly underrated Beatle
single) and follow with Jet, All
My Loving and the great Getting Better (from Sgt. Pepper, first time
played out). Whew.

McCartney gave a well structured trip through his adventurous career
with the first of two shows in
Chicago last night. Backed by a young, energetic band, he showcased a 3
hour tour of Beatle, Wings
and new songs from his CD Driving Rain. This was a show that rarely
flagged (there were only three
songs I could have done without, more on this later) and featured a
glorious acoustic set, anchored
by an appropriate tribute to John and George.

HIGHLIGHTS: I love the surprise songs (Hello, Goodbye - Let Me Roll It -
Blackbird), but I
especially liked the song Here Today, his tribute song written in 1982
for John Lennon. A Chicago
rock critic opined that Lennon would have hated the song, but did he
ever work/live/breathe with
him? McCartney simply asks his dead friend "if I said I really knew you
well what would your answer
be?" And isn't that what we ask of all our relationships? A fine and
poignant moment (punctuated by
Paul asking the crowd to give John a cheer and pointing skyward, he
knows we miss him, too). Macca
rocked on Back in the USSR, Lady Madonna and I Saw Her Standing There.
Since the best ballads often
are the simplest, my vote for best goes to Maybe I'm Amazed.


LOWLIGHT: Not much. I didn't like Vanilla Sky at the Oscars, but I
connected to it at the show
(although I could do without the commercial for the movie on the video,
no one wants Cruise/Cruz
that big). Coming Up (which he also played in '89) is sorta a comedown
but nostalgic. I still don't
like Freedom, I mean who is really free, Paulie? Admittedly, this could
be my issue, not his.

But it was an emotionally satisfying experience for this long time fan.

Rating for Macca Attaca - a **** star perfect night.

Set list follows:

Hello, Goodbye
Jet
All My Loving
Getting Better
Coming Up
Let Me Roll It
Lonely Road (From the new CD Driving Rain)
Title cut - Driving Rain
Loving Flame (ditto)
(Acoustic Set)
Blackbird
Every Night
We Can Work It Out
Mother Nature's Son
Vanilla Sky
You Never Give Me Your Money
Fool on the Hill
Here Today
Something (to George)
(End Acoustic set)
Eleanor Rigby
Here, There, Everywhere
Band on the Run
Back in the USSR
Maybe I'm Amazed
C Moon (an obscure b-side from the 70s, Paul uses it at sound checks)
My Love
Can't Buy Me Love
Freedom
Live and Let Die
Let It Be
Hey Jude
Long and Winding Road
(Encores)
Lady Madonna
I Saw Her Standing There
Yesterday
Sgt. Pepper outro combined with The End.

Rating for Paulie - a **** star perfect night.

From Paul Schneider, a review of April 10:

For the people that saw Paul in '89 & '93; this show absolutely blows them away. Paul is in great voice, and this is the best, tightest band he's played with since the '60's. The show, and set list was the same as previously reported, but Paul did dress down a bit; wearing a blazer, red t-shirt and jeans. Heather and George's sister Louise were in attendance, and the packed United Center loved every minute of the performance. For everyone that thought $250 for a ticket was too much; we got off cheap. It was the best concert performance I've ever seen.
Paul Schneider

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