Milwaukee 9/21/02

Howdy,

I'm not sure if this was mentioned, but in the world premiere of "She's Leaving Home" Paul intoduced the song to his Milwaukee audience with "there are some songs that you record and put on a shelf somewhere and don't do for years" (or something close to it, correct me if I missed any words here!) I thought that was an interesting story, since Sgt. Pepper is one of those albums that you don't think of as having songs hidden away, but of course his point is very well taken, he's never played it live before. Thus I must agree that the band sounded OUSTANDING on that performance. I hope the rest of the tour gets such a fresh treatment of the song. How can you not consider such a show a gem when you get to hear an old, well-loved classic played when you thought it would never be played live! I guess Paul has definitely proved that the Beatles were well ahead of their time in two ways: first, PEPPER wasn't very reproducable live in 67; second, today, to get the sound of songs like "She's Leaving Home" is very possible live, and in part, I should think Paul himself has pushed pop music to the level of ACHIEVING THE NECESSARY LIVE EQUIPMENT to play such a song live today. The Milwaukee audience was really something else--I think their enthusiasm really gave Paul a boost. He continually mentioned that the friendly and warm reply was helpful upon returning to tour. I've not seen Paul so comfortable before on any of the tours I've seen (all of the 80s and 90s), and it makes the world of difference that he seems so relaxed, not anxious and rushed to give standard performances. What is also notable is that he takes more time between songs, it seems, to get ready and to chat, which is different to this observer--he seems in command. Perhaps Paul can do a Milwaukee show on every tour, the crowd seemed to loosen him up so well! Steven C. Dreyer

Update (9/24/02) From Brian Peterson:

Steve, Here is my long review of the Milwaukee show from way up in section 413.

Back in The U.S. -- Milwaukee - Saturday, Sept 21

This is my 8th time seeing Macca in concert - 3rd time this year. It is fair to say that this show is a minor tweaking, not a major revision from the spring concerts. While I had hoped for slightly more changes than there were, I was not expecting major changes and nobody should have. Any show that makes $53MM in 27 shows is doing extremely well and only a fool would make major changes. That said, I think the changes that were made are for the better. The minor tweaks include the pre-show, the song list and the visuals.

The band is obviously much tighter as a unit since last spring, especially Rusty Anderson, whose guitar playing was much stronger tonight than during the first leg. Not nearly as sloppy and his solos are getting much better. Also, the group is much more relaxed on stage and has more banter with the crowd than the first leg. This band is not as technically proficient as the "Lumpy Trousers" Band, but gives much more punch to songs than any band Macca has used. This is also by far the best band he has used as far as vocals. The band really has a lush and deep vocal sound.

Macca was in the best voice of the three concerts I have seen, having been off for a couple of months has clearly helped. Very little shouting or straining for notes. Even on Let Me Roll It. Throughout the show there have been minor changes to the visuals that accompany the songs - nothing major, just little tweaks.

The concert once again begins with the 17 minutes pre-show "Aureverde". It started at about 8:10. Like the rest of the show, just some minor tweaking. The Characters still come in through the crowd. The Edwardian gentleman is a little more prominent and they switched the contortionist to a glass box - and showed here in the box on the big screen.

Once again the show starts with the Hofner image on the big screen. Macca took the stage about 8:30. The first act of the show is unchanged.

Hello Goodbye - bass
Jet - bass
All My Loving - bass
Getting Better - electric guitar
Coming Up - bass
Let Me Roll It - electric guitar
Lonely Road - bass
Driving Rain - bass

Paul introduced Abe after Driving Rain, while Macca switches to piano, and Abe gave his typical "Milwaukee, are you ready to ROCK!!, So are we" comment.

Your Loving Flame - piano

Paul seemed a little nervous at the beginning, flubbing a few lines in Getting Better, but really loosened up as the night wore on. It was obvious that the band was very happy to be back together and back onstage. They were back to using the video with the models for Lonely Road. I still like the version of Coming Up on this tour - much grittier and to me, Let Me Roll it is the definitive version of this song, great little guitar addition by Paul.

There were some changes to the acoustic set for this leg. Mother Nature's Son, sorry to see this go - loved the use of the screens on it, and Vanilla Sky are gone. Michelle was added toward the end of the acoustic set. In total, the acoustic set is one song shorter than on the last leg.

Blackbird - acoustic
Every Night - acoustic
We Can Work It Out - acoustic
You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight - piano
The Fool on the Hill - piano
Here Today - acoustic
Something - ukelele
Eleanor Rigby - acoustic, Wix playing orchestration, band members stage
front for vocals
Michelle - acoustic, Wix on accordion, all members stage front, Rusty on
acoustic
Here There and Everywhere - acoustic, all band stage front

Every Night was particularly strong tonight. He did the mess up line in YNGMYM, "This is the part where I forget the words, I'm not going to learn them before the end of the tour". He told the Tokyo and New Orleans Massage stories and once again gave the "Not that time" response when the crowd starting reacting to the mention of Tokyo. He related the George dinner stories as well as George being a member of the George Fromby fan club and going to conventions with the ukulele. I love the version of Eleanor Rigby, Wix does a fabulous job. Michelle was a great treat. A lot of visuals of Paris/French scenes including the Eiffel Towel, Versailles, Moulin Rouge, Left Bank, etc. As usual, Here There and Everywhere was a vocal delight - one of the real standouts as far as letting the band show off its vocal capabilities.

The third act is of course, just hits galore and has been tweaked to be even better than the spring shows.

Band On The Run - bass
Back In The USSR - bass

Paul introduces Rusty Anderson. Rusty mentioned it was nice to be able to walk around town on their off day, going down Wisconsin Ave and shopping on Brady Street and being acquainted with the famous Usinger's Hot Dog.

Maybe I'm Amazed - piano
Let Em In - piano
My Love - piano

Paul introduces Wix. Wix mentions that it is an incredible song catalog that this band gets to play and one of the nice things about the break is the ability to tweak the show.

She's Leaving Home - bass, band is stage front similar to Here There and Everywhere. Rusty on acoustic, Brian on electric and Wix doing a phenomenal job with all the orchestration.

Can't Buy Me Love
Freedom

Paul introduces Brian Ray. Brian talks about how it was a great summer but how glad he is to be back with the band, that they all really missed it and are excited to be back on stage.

Live and Let Die - piano
Let It Be - piano
Hey Jude - piano

Band on the Run got a huge response. Let Em In was a nice addition, a big Wings hit. Not really one of my favorite's, but I really liked this band's version - had a lot more punch to it. Great job by Abe on the drum set. Seems like this band gives a lot more punch to any Macca song. Maybe I'm Amazed was the best version of the three nights I have seen it. Paul and Abe were really going after it. Live and Let Die has been spruced up considerably. There are huge 6 ft flame pots on the left and right sides of the stage (near the guitarists) and more pyrotechnics are being used throughout the song, especially toward the end. Macca started Hey Jude with a snippet of "Baby Face". Good crowd reaction to Freedom. Best solo on Let it Be from Rusty that I have heard this year - not as good as Robbie, but getting a lot better. She's Leaving Home was the absolute standout of the evening and a huge treat to hear. Best vocals by the band all night. Band other than Wix was stage front - Paul had his Hofner, but didn't really play it - just a lush, gorgeous performance. Future fans are in for a real treat. Visuals for this song included college portrait pictures of various women.

Long and Winding Road - piano
Lady Madonna - piano
I Saw Her Standing There - bass 
Yesterday - acoustic
Sgt Pepper's Reprise/The End - electric guitar

No changes to the encores. All well played, the guitar solos in The End went on a bit longer than the previous two shows I've seen on this tour.

At one point in the show someone held up a sign saying it was Adam's birthday and Paul wished him a happy birthday, said are you satisfied now, and you have a good friend there.

Also, during the first encore, someone was holding up a sign that said "Wix" and Paul saw it and pointed it out to Wix. Wix started blowing kisses in the direction of the sign holder.

Overall another great concert, one where you really get your money's worth. I also want to mention I was sitting way up in section 413 for this one, I had a similar seat for one of the Atlanta shows, and the sound mix was much better than the Atlanta show. The instruments were much clearer and more distinct, a lot less muddy mix, and the vocals were well balanced. Either Bradley Center has much better acoustics than Philips Arena or the crew has gotten much better with the mixing board. Maybe a little of both.

Everybody who goes to this show should have a great time. I hope all of those who have tickets for the rest of the shows have a great experience - you should - it is the best produced show I have ever seen. The visuals are strong, the band has gotten very tight, and Macca is a very affable host. You can tell he is really starting to get relaxed on the stage again.

Update (9/23/02) From Steven Topping:

Paul was in even better voice than previously, seemingly hitting notes higher than when he recorded them. He wore his standard black suit and red long sleeve t-shirt, replacing that with his "NO MORE LAND MINES" t-shirt for the encores. Guess that was as close as a political statement when he came out with the t-shirt while draped in American flags. The Adopt A Minefield logo also appeared on the video screens at the end of the encore. Most of the set list and stage patter remains the same but these are things I didn't notice from the first Chicago show in April, or are different:

1. The tour program has changed somewhat from the first leg, but perhaps not enough to justify paying $70 for both.

2. There now seems to be an item of tour apparel for every day of the year.

3. There were tables both for Adopt A Landmine and PETA.

4. He wisely modified his intro to "Getting Better" so to not give the impression (as he did on some stops on the first leg) that this is the very first time it was ever played live.

5. For some reason, for his introduction, Abe "Jabba The Hutt" Laboriel Jr, asked if Milwaukee was ready to rock. Good question, since that immediately proceeds "Your Loving Flame" which is followed by the solo spot.

6. When Paul mentioned Heather prior to playing "Your Loving Flame", she got an even amount of applause and boos, which I don't recall happening before the wedding.

7. He still tells the massage story, adding "When I was on tour in Tokyo - no, not that time..."

8. The lyrics of "You Never Give Me Your Money" now include "And I'm not even going to bother to learn them before the end of the tour."

"Mother Nature's Son" and "Vanilla Sky" were dropped from the solo spot, and "Michelle" was added between "Eleanor Rigby" and "Here There And Everywhere" . He introduced that with a story how, feeling out of place at being invited to parties with John's friends from the art college, he would wear a black turtleneck sweater, sit in the corner with his guitar and pretend to be French...and years after that John asked him "Why don't you do that French song?"

9. Rusty Anderson mentioned sausages on stage. Paul did not die from fright, nor kill Rusty.

10. "C Moon" is dropped, replaced with "Let 'Em In".

11. "She's Leaving Home" is added between "My Love" and "Can't Buy Me Love". Wix now introduces "She's Leaving Home", so no five chord story. With this selection (and Paul plays Hofner bass on it), Wix has completely proven his value as musical director.

12. I could be wrong, but during the "Lady Madonna", it looks like Yoko's picture appears very briefly in the top right hand corner of the video screens.

13. And unlike the first Chicago show, hardly anyone leaves their seats, even during the "Driving Rain" sequence. (And there seemed to be fewer cheers for Paul mentioning "Driving Rain" then Ringo gets for mentioning "Vertical Man".) Some things stay the same. The muddy mix still makes it nearly impossible to audibly tell what Brian Ray is doing. Even though he's got the Denny Laine/Hamish Stuart job, the mix makes it sound like he's got the Stuart Sutcliffe position. And Abe still overplays on ocassion, but he seems to have included some Ringo-style backwards (well, left handed on a right handed kit) drumming. But he started rushing the beat on "Hey Jude", then lagged behind on "Lady Madonna".

A couple of odd things: As many times as he talks to the audience, I don't think he's ever mentioned the name of any of the songs he was introducing . And it looks like the age of Paul's concert demographic skews quite higher than the average Ringo audience. Think it would be fair to say that a good deal of Paul's audience closer to Paul's age range than Rusty & Brian's (and mine) and most of those younger were brought there by (and were with) their parents. Ringo seems to have an endless supply of 16-year-old girls in his audience.

Paul seems to love being on stage, and the audience loves having him on stage. Fair deal. For those who thought they'd sit this leg of the tour out because they'd already been...go. For those who think the $50 seats are crappy...well, I was 6 rows from the top, but I was dead center, with an unobstructed view. I could see the whole stage, got to see the whole Cirque de Ou Est Le Soleil performance, and all the video screens. Great lighting, and lots of explosions and indoor fireworks during "Live & Let Die" and after the 2nd encore.

Forgot to mention that Paul actually mentioned Linda by name for his introduction to "My Love". And prior to the show I did not smell incense as in Chicago, but did smell hot dogs & beer. And for the pre-show music, following the bit from "The Family Way" (which someone referred to as "elevator crap", unaware that Paul wrote it), I thought I heard Nat King Cole and Louis (as in James Louis McCartney) Armstrong.

And from Debbie Glienke:

Hi boys and girls! Just a quick note about Paul's show last night in Milwaukee..opening night for the 2nd leg. So if you don't want to know what's new, stop here! :)

Show is pretty much the same set, with 3 songs out, and 3 songs added. Out go "Mother Nature's Son" (that made me sad, I like that one a lot), "Vanilla Sky" and "C Moon." (I KNEW that one was coming out; I love it but it fell flat because most of the audiences never knew it.)

In come "Michelle" (no surprise to me once I heard he did it at the Landmine dinner), "Let Em In" (the tried and true), and and and......an actual real premiere: "She's Leaving Home!" That one was done after "My Love" and just before "Can't Buy Me Love." Wix did the intro about them doing another song from way back that had never been done live before, so we were going to be the first ones to hear it. So when those opening notes hit, it was quite the surprise..that was not a song I was expecting! 2 band members did the harmonies...to be honest, my brain's fuzzed and I can't remember if it was Abe and Brian or Abe and Rusty...duhhhhh! Paul held the bass but I dont think he really played it; he was doing a lot of gesturing with his right hand during the song. He sounded fine and the harmonies were fine and the song sounded really great. Nice surprise.

Chicago's Tuesday. :)

I just got back from the first night of the second leg of the tour and all I can say was that it was amazing!. Paul was in fine voice for the entire show and really put on an amazing show for a 60 year old guy. His supporting cast was also excellent and especially his drummer Abe.This guy loves his job and it shows. People can say what they want about his recent album releases but this guy really shines as a live performer.He puts alot of bands half his age to shame.

There were 3 songs dropped and 3 songs added.The songs dropped were Mother Nature's Son,C'Moon and Vanilla Sky. The 3 songs he added were Michelle,Let 'Em In and She's Leaving Home! She's Leaving Home was just amazing and in my humble opinion one of the highlights of the show.

If you have a chance to see this legend on tour do whatever you have to do to get a ticket.

From Ben Zavala:

I also attended this show. I was happy when I heard Michelle, She's Leaving Home but especially, Let 'Em In. This is one of my favorites and I finally got to hear it live from Paul. Also, he added his funny intro to Hey Jude this time.

I think I'm so lucky that I was there when he played She's Leaving Home for the first time!

Once again, we're amazed, his voice sounds great as always ! The guys in the band also seem happy to be back in tour! I noticed Abraham was very energetic!

From Beatle Mark and Flo:

Another fantastic show, guys and gals!!! If you don't want to know any more, stop right now and don't read any further. .

. . . New songs - Michelle, Let 'Em In, and She's Leaving Home. - missed the limo arrival - but caught these in soundcheck! what a trade-off - I'll take it!

Other details:

Vanilla sky is gone, as is C-Moon

Added pyro blasts - actual flames in addition to the flashes & booms

some changes in the opening characters - one is the Louis 14th guy with the major bouffant doo now does the ball-walk and the contortionist gal is in a clear box - still a major eeewww!

an excellent hair day for our boy

The brown Steinway is now a black baby grand Yamaha

well just fell asleep at the keyboard, so that means it's time to go for now into macca dreamland....

~~Flo from Chicago.
Here Comes the Sun....

From Doug Brown:

quick note..... 3 changes from the Driving USA set list. Vanilla Sky, C Moon and Mother Nature's Son were dropped. Michelle, Let Em In and She's Leaving Home were added. Paul's voice was in great shape. A few first night gitters..... but a overall a very strong performance!

Great website! Doug

From Brian Harper:

Hi Steve,

I just got back from the Milwaukee show and -- of course -- it was GREAT! Pretty much the same show from the first leg (including the circus warm-up act), but I think Paul's voice was stronger and the band sounded even better! "Michelle" was added, along with a TERRIFIC, note-perfect version of "She's Leaving Home"!!! He dropped "C-Moon" and "Vanilla Sky", and I think those were the only changes from the first leg (but I could be wrong). "She's Leaving Home" really was great, and it made me wish that he played more "new" songs. Still, no complaints here! Definitely one of the best concerts I've ever seen! AMAZING!

All the best,
Brian

Steve,

Unless my memory is failing, the Milwaukee paper review says he did LET 'EM IN, which I don't think he did last leg. That makes 3 different songs, so far...

jj