HI, Steve, Miki, again. Ssome people already sent interesting reviews about Toronto concert, so I am not going to repeat the highlights of Toronto concert again, but I just wanted to let you know that Oldies 1150 ( Radio show in Hamilton, Ontario) " Breakfast with the Beatles " featured and aired the 15 minutes Press Conference in Toronto this morrning at 9:00 - 10:00 AM. Before the concert, they had an official Press Conference at Air Canada Centre which ran for 15 minutes. Paul talked about various things, like why he likes Canada, what made him to tour without Linda, etc. They put Paul's hit songs between Press interviews to make an 1 hour show. It was very nice!!

Our comment: Great. Hope we get to hear that eventually.

(4/17/02) From Rod Lastra:

I'm not going to re-invent the wheel by giving another blow by blow of the show. It been done by others (quite well may I add). I would personally like to add a few personal observation I made during the show.

1. The Atmosphere- Impression

Let me begin by saying that Saturday nights concert in Toronto was a Goliath event for music lovers. As others have already noted that concert surpassed any of my expectations. Paul is easily re-defining what it is to be 60 in the new millenia (I'll bet this won't be his last tour, mark my words). I recall reading that Carl Perkins image was considered too old in 1955 (The guy was barely 30!). Paul had an energy and vocal stamina that would make Bono humble - this coming from a U2 fan.

Rusty Anderson (Guitar), Brian Ray (Bass-Guitar), Wix Wickens (Keyboards, acoustic guitar, accordian and my personal fav the G4 titanium Apple laptop hooked up to the keyboard!!) and drummer Abe Laboriel jr on drums were tight and sounded great with him.

I was never a huge fan of "Band on the Run" but the live version has made me re-assess my opinion. I thought before that "Here Today", as well as "Here There and Everywhere" might sound a little strained. Boy was I wrong as with most of the songs that night, Paul actually approached and in some cases EXCEEDED the originals. The man still has alot of fire in his belly!

Like many other that night I flew in for the show (from warm, sunny and friendly Winnipeg Manitoba - don't let the murder statistics fool you). It felt like a secular pilgramige to MECCA or should I say MACCA. And on the whole a very friendly feeling was in the air. I met some great people from all walks of life; cross-generational differences which normally create barriars were blurred. A majority of the people were there with a common cause:

I) to celebrate a band which revolutionized popular culture.

II) to pay homage to a man who was at the fore front of that revolution, and who to his credit is still attempting many eclectic artistic ventures. And a great bass player may I add!!!

2. The Sighting

Make a long story short after careful concideration a group of us ventured to the exit ramp of the ACC. Our gamble paid of, around 5pm (give or take) an entourage led bya RCMP excort drove off the Gardiner Expressway ramp onto York Street turning east into a now blocked off Lake Shore Blvd. Two black town cars with tinted windows were whisked in; Paul was in the first sitting the back (right) seat. He was nice enough to roll the window half way down and extend his arm out and give us all the thumbs up and the famous "peace sign" (captured the moment with stills on my digital camera).

We were told earlier that security was so tight that "security agents" were flown into Toronto a week before the show. Apparently the aim was to leave nothing to chance. One of the ACC guards told us that "in my 15 years in the business I've never seen nothing of this magnitude".

3. Pre-Show
I had up graded my floor seat (row 32) for a single in section 110 row 7 seat 10. I "lost" $80 in the process by selling my floor ticket to a scalper. I felt I was making a deal with one of the guys from the Supranos (Tony's nephew Chris comes to mind). I later realized that my loss was well worth it, the side view seats in my opinion were GREAT.

Sitting right by the stage gave me a really unique perspective. Foremost I was sitting next to the sound panel and get this the Guitar roadie pit. I think I was the only one who nearly had an attack when one of them brought out Paul's Hofner Bass. To my surprise (and maybe ignorance) he tuned one put it on the stand and took out ANOTHER (TWO HOFNER BASSES!!). Then he tuned the Ukelele (the one apparently given to Paul by George) followed by his two acoustics and his Gibson Les paul. After the how I over heard one of the production managers tell a road crew hand to be carefull with the central VOX amp "..its Pauls from the 60's.." (apparently the one used in Shea Stadium). IF thats true then thats really frigging cool!

TRIVIAL OBSERVATIONS (I mean really trivial)
Paul was wearing a pair of funky black-shinny Nike basketball runners !

To sum it up GREAT concert, to quote the Toronto Sun " McCartney's getting better all the time" . Those of you who have yet to see the show your are in for a treat!!

Oh one last point DON"T leave buying programs or choice T-shirts till after the show. They were almost sold out of everything by the time the show ended!!

Cheers

From Michael Valihora:

To summarize, the Toronto show was fantastic.

Security was tight and we waited in line for half an hour before we could get in. Oddly, friends who entered the other end of the building walked right in. I enjoyed the opening segment. No idea what it meant but it was different and set a bit of a crazy mood.

As mentioned, the set was the same as previous show's with the addition of Mull of Kintyre. It became apparent very early in the show that the band could cook. Abe is an excellent drummer and he really propelled the energy level. For some reason in Let Me Roll It Paul changed "I can't tell you..." to "I cannot tell you...". No idea why. It didn't seem to suit the song. The acoustic set was wonderful. It was good to see Paul McCartney, the singer-songwriter in action with no distractions. The immensity of his talent was apparent.

A note on spoilers, all of which I read. It's kind of like seeing the wizard behind the curtain. When he flubbed the line in You Never Give Me Your Money, which he does at every show, people thought it was hilarious. I was expecting it so it seemed contrived but it's really just part of the "show". When he did Something he told how if you went to dinner at George's the ukelele's would come out after for everyone to play on. The one Paul played at the show was given to him by George.

I have to admit, Freedom wasn't too bad live. The audience seemed to get into it a bit which says a lot given this is Canada and we pride ourselves on not being too patriotic or passionate about anything. Rusty seemed to struggle with the solo on Let It Be a bit but did a good job all night. Mull of Kintyre was definitely a highlight. Paul and the audience were very into it. He definitely seemed to relish playing it.

I could have done without Freedom, Vanilla Sky, Your Loving Flame and C Moon but it's impossible to design a set that will please everyone. Overall the set selection was fantastic so no complaints. Off the top of my head, the biggest missing song from the set was Penny Lane. It's amazing how many great songs he played and how many great songs he can't fit into a single show. He was in pretty good voice although he lacks some of his younger power and struggles for some high notes. I also could have done without the flashpots and sparks during Live and Let Die but after the song Paul gasped and held on to his heart clearly not taking it too seriously.

I think everyone left the concert quite satisfied and happy, including Paul.

From Roger Beaulieu:

Hello Steve, What a great evening we had me and my wife last saturday at the Air Canada Center in Toronto! A great great concert! As good as the last two major tours he did if not better. The show was filled with emotional moments mixed with outstanding rockers. The highlight of the evening was certainly the addition of Mull Of Kintyre during the last encore. I was aware of course that he might play it so I carefully checked the guitar switch after Yesterday. Normally he would have gone for the electric one and finish the show with the Pepper/The end medley but luckily he took another acoustic first and performed the song complete with bagpipers and the drum corp from Toronto's Peel Regional Police Pipe Band. Then he went on with the end medley. What a night!

So here are my reviews of the whole evening song by song:

(Hofner bass) Hello Goodbye: Great choice for a start!!!! Never done that one live before. Really loved that performance of the song. Great bass guitar with a nice ending! 5/5

Jet: I always love this song live. One of my favorite. Reminds me of my teenage years. So long ago! I noticed this live version seemed faster than the previous two major tours. No 'come on now' screams at the intro but still a great blast! 5/5

All My Loving: Oh well here's that one again. Hey it's a Beatle song so let's not complain too much. Good guitar work by Rusty. 4/5

(switches to lead guitar) Getting Better: Wonderful wonderful! Loved that one. Great bass this time by Brian Ray. 5/5

(switches to Hofner bass) Coming Up: Always a winner but could have skip it this time. 4/5

(switches to electric guitar) Let Me Roll It: I'm not so crazy about that song. Alright it has a good electric guitar riff (alike Cold Turkey) but that's about all for me. 3/5

(switches to Hofner bass) Lonely Road: Liked that one. Good rocker. Great voice! 4/5

Driving Rain : Liked that one too. Paul had some laborious moments with the singing but the bass rythm was great. 4/5

(introduces drummer, Abe Laboriel and moves to grand piano) Your Loving Flame: Good performance of it! Most people will soon forget this song sadly like many other nice love songs from his solo careers like Through Our Love and Only Love Remains to name two. 4/5

(begins acoustic guitar solo set) Blackbird: Beautiful! Paul almost hit the wrong fret at one point but got out of it safely. Ah what experience does! 5/5

Every Night: I'd listen to this every night indeed. 5/5

We Can Work It Out: Yes he did mixed up the lyrics again! I prefer the version accompanied with the accordion and the acoustic bass. A great song though. One of my Beatle favorite. 4/5

Mother Nature's Son: He almost made me cry during that one. I must be a White Album addict I suppose. 5/5

(changes to a different acoustic (w/o a pickguard)
Vanilla Sky (with Wix and Rusty Anderson): Nice ballad. I'm still trying to figure out that bloody guitar chord just before the whistling. 4/5

(psychedelic upright piano)
You Never Give Me Your Money/Carry That Weight (Paul unaccompanied): Well that was nice! Funny moment when he sang the improvised lyrics. 4/5

The Fool On the Hill: (with Magical Mystery Tour footage on screen) Very nice, thank you very much! 4/5

(switches to acoustic guitar) Here Today (John Lennon Tribute): Can I give a 6? 5/5

(switches to ukulele) Something (George Harrison tribute): Can I give a 7? Should have brought my kleenex. 5/5

(switches to acoustic guitar) Eleanor Rigby: What's after 7? 8? 5/5

Here There and Everywhere (Wix on Accordian - full band): Thanks Wix for the great accordian! 5/5

(switches to Hofner bass) Band On The Run: Hysteria! 5/5

Back In The USSR: Outrageous! 5/5

(introduces Rusty Anderson-switches to grand piano) Maybe I'm Amazed: A classic! 5/5

C Moon: A surprise! Is it a soundcheck I'm in? Always loved that one. 4 or 5? Let's go for four. 4/5

My Love (introduces Wix-switches to Hofner bass): Another classic! 5/5

Can't Buy Me Love (switches to acoustic guitar): No comments! 5/5

Freedom (introduces Brian Ray-switches to grand piano): Well I guess he had to do this. Let's stretch a 3 to a 4 for good will. 4/5

Live and Let Die: How can you avoid this one? 5/5

Let It Be (psychedelic upright piano): Enough said on that one! 5/5

Hey Jude: Hey man! 5/5

(Encore)
(grand piano)
Long And Winding Road: Where's my kleenex? 5/5

Lady Madonna: How many fingers do you have Paul? 5/5

(switches to Hofner bass)
I Saw Her Standing There: I give him a five for still standing there! 5/5

(Encore)
(acoustic guitar)
Yesterday: Oh I believe in it! 5/5

Mull Of Kintyre: The highlight of the evening! 5/5

(switches to Les Paul guitar)
Sgt. Peppers Reprise/The End: The love you take is equal to the love you make! And you surely deserve a lot Paul! 5/5

(4/15/02)

From Miki Narita:

Paul looked real good and his voice was really good. I don't think he's gotten old at all. He is still a very talented and " cute Beatle " and he is an indeed " Living Legend " and " Superstar ". All 20,000 seats were sold out right away, and it was just fantastic! At the encore, the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band joined Paul with " Mull of Kintyre " for the first time of his Driving US Tour. I saw this Scotish Pipe Band performed with Paul in 1993 Toronto show and I was glad they came back again! I will write a longer review tomorrow and send it to you soon. It was amazing and I love Paul even more than before!

From Bill McMartin:

Hi Steve,

What a show!! One of the best concerts I have seen in 38 years of attending concerts.

The Beatles were my first in '64. "Mull of Kintyre" was breathtaking. A great treat. The rest of the show was the same setlist as the others. Paul seemed very loose and having a great time. The acoustic set was just like sitting in a living room with him and listening to him sing all the hits. "Here, There and Everywhere," "Eleanor Rigby" and "Blackbird" sent shivers up my spine. "Back in the USSR" was another great performance among so many. It took a long time to get into the arena because of tight security and the show didnt start until almost 9pm. Better arrive early but it is well worth the wait.

A truly amazing show.

Bye for now
Bill

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