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Post by Joe Karlosi on Jul 18, 2009 5:27:01 GMT -5
Here's Paul doing DAY TRIPPER:
I'M DOWN:
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Jul 18, 2009 5:31:59 GMT -5
Paul McCartney defies his age at Citi Field concert Saturday, July 18th 2009, 4:00 AM Sir Paul McCartney played for over two hours at the first concert at Citi Field. The Beatles performed at New York's Shea Stadium before a crowd of 45,000 people in 1965. The new Citi Field received a Beatle baptism Friday night. Paul McCartney offered the first musical concert at the sterling new venue, an apt parallel to the Fab Four's historic, kick-off show at Citi Field's predecessor, Shea Stadium, 44 long years ago. Of course, several key differences between 1965 and today made themselves immediately clear. This time, everyone could hear. And the only "girls" who screamed were gently prompted by Paul. As a further reference to history, Paul brought out a special guest at one point - Billy Joel, who last summer closed down the crumbling Shea. Together they performed a song from the '65 performance, "I Saw Her Standing There." Still, the focus at Friday night's event didn't rest solely in the past. If ancient Beatles' songs ate up much of the set-list, the performance itself offered a present tense lesson in the enduring power of melody. From the very first number - "Drive My Car" - McCartney demonstrated the unending value of well-honed tunes matched to beats that kick. Sir Paul remains the premier tunesmith of the last half century, and when he performs those tunes with verve, as he did Friday night, their fluidity never ceases to excite. Paul's voice - particularly his flighty falsetto - remained boyishly strong throughout, showing not a trace of his improbable 67 years. The star also benefitted from a particularly fit backup band. They mimicked the Fab Four's harmonies with care, while drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. put in particularly muscular work as a support. Paul also took time out to honor the two late Beatles at the show. He acknowledged John with an acoustic song he wrote some years back, "Here Today." To salute George, he played "Something" with the quiet Beatle's favored ukulele. Paul even made a good case for some of his lesser known solo material, including "Only Mama Knows," with its sweet harmonies and serrated guitars. But, naturally, the Beatles' songs made the greatest impression, including "I'm Down," which he'd done in '65. Of course, the music reads very differently today. What arose in '65 as the gateway to a new world now reads as an ode to warmth and comfort. Thankfully, Friday night's show displayed why this music has provided so much comfort to so many, for so long. jfarber@nydailynews.com Read more: www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2009/07/18/2009-07-18_nod_to_fab_4s_first_shea_gig_as_paul_mccartney_defies_his_age_at_citi_field_conc.html#ixzz0LbcXr962
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Jul 18, 2009 5:37:13 GMT -5
Sounds like Paul was still in good voice -- though for me personally, I'm not that disappointed that I did not go and try to seek out tickets to one of his three shows (and there's still probably time for me to get tix). Opening with DRIVE MY CAR again? The usual set lineup again (though so far we have not seen the entire set list)?
Unless someone can find out otherwise, it appears that DAY TRIPPER was the only "newbie"... even I'M DOWN has been covered by Macca in concert before.
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Post by OldFred on Jul 18, 2009 5:52:56 GMT -5
Unless someone can find out otherwise, it appears that DAY TRIPPER was the only "newbie"... even I'M DOWN has been covered by Macca in concert before. But, it pertinent to these shows since 'I'm Down' was played at Shea.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Jul 18, 2009 6:07:14 GMT -5
Yup, I'M DOWN is very pertinent and welcome in this venue too, no doubt about it! I'm saying that there should also be more first-timers in the set as well.
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Post by Beatle Bob on Jul 18, 2009 6:26:04 GMT -5
Wix even played the organ ala Lennon, with his elbow! Cool! Regards, Beatle Bob
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Post by John S. Damm on Jul 18, 2009 10:42:55 GMT -5
Wow, even the two tributes remain down to the uke. I likewise agree that "Drive My Car" must go as the opener: anti-climatic. I love the Beatles' record of it but it should go out of Paul's live act.
I just hope the teens going to the concert didn't leave saying, "Wow, that keyboardist was so wild and zany using his elbows on 'I'm Down!' How creative and original!"
You know that Paul either OK'd or instructed Wix to do that with the elbows: Wix would never just imitate such an iconic Lennon move without permission or instruction from the big guy. Hmm, John, George and Ringo can be replaced.......
I would like to go to a show if Paul gets closer to us but this setlist needs shaken up big time. Not tweaking, redone.
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Post by jimc on Jul 18, 2009 14:13:20 GMT -5
You know, we go back and forth here about the set lists. I've looked the Citi list over, and I must say I would only tweak it. Every time Paul goes out, he's playing to many first (and only) timers. This will be a major part of his legacy. The tributes, "Live and Let Die," most of the Beatle classics, I understand why they stay. I'd want most all it as well, if I were there.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Jul 18, 2009 15:53:13 GMT -5
You know, we go back and forth here about the set lists. I've looked the Citi list over, and I must say I would only tweak it. Every time Paul goes out, he's playing to many first (and only) timers. This will be a major part of his legacy. The tributes, "Live and Let Die," most of the Beatle classics, I understand why they stay. I'd want most all it as well, if I were there. I agree completely, Jim. These songs HAVE to be there. Granted, I speak from my greedy own perspective as to what "I" would prefer to hear at the show at this point in time, but it is IMPERATIVE that Paul do the basic show with the same popular Beatles and Solo hits. There are always first-timers coming to these shows, and they don't want to hear a ton of stuff they're not familiar with, like TOMORROW, CALL ME BACK AGAIN, KEEP UNDERCOVER, MAN WE WAS LONELY, or MUMBO (although throwing one or two new obscurities into every show is a great idea!). I was just reading a NY newspaper on the show last night, and there are quotes from all sorts of people who attended - one of them was 15, and many even in their late 40's, but who are just seeing Paul for only their very first time! As a matter of fact, in my circle I know THREE people all around my age who have never seen Paul before, and they're going to see him at Citi Field this trip. Believe me when I tell you, they want YESTERDAY, GET BACK, I SAW HER STANDING THERE, SGT PEPPER, and HEY JUDE! But you can't please even those who love the hits and get them all. Today at work, there was a guy my age who said he saw Paul in concert years ago and loved it, but yet he was disappointed that Macca didn't play one of his favorites... "Where was 'Admiral Halsey'?", he asked!
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Post by Beatle Bob on Jul 18, 2009 17:48:32 GMT -5
Paul has stated (something to this effect), that when he thinks about his play lists, he tries to envision what HE'D like to see if he came to see Paul play live. He's on target. They want the best of the Beatles and Wings. I'm glad he still throws in some material from his most recent albums on every tour-- though for the average fan, it's not familiar-- but keeps it a bit more relevant imo that he's not just an oldies act. Regards, Beatle Bob
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Post by John S. Damm on Jul 19, 2009 0:03:05 GMT -5
Here is a video report of Paul's first concert at Citi Field from MSNBC: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31983117#31983117The reporter quotes Paul as saying this mini-tour is a farewell tour. I've read that elsewhere. Is this true? If this truly is a "farewell tour" then forget about shaking up the setlist and in fact play more hits. I have never associated the words "farewell" or "retirement" with Paul McCartney.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Jul 19, 2009 5:34:08 GMT -5
The reporter quotes Paul as saying this mini-tour is a farewell tour. I've read that elsewhere. Is this true? If this truly is a "farewell tour" then forget about shaking up the setlist and in fact play more hits. I have never associated the words "farewell" or "retirement" with Paul McCartney. Yeah, that doesn't seem to apply to Paul. I'll believe it when I see it.
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Post by vectisfabber on Jul 19, 2009 7:26:26 GMT -5
He likes the applause too much.
I don't see, however, why he doesn't alternate the big stadium crowd=pleasers with small theatre shows to invited audiences, filmed for DVD, featuring the less familiar material or revised arrangements, kind of like the Abbey Road studio TV show.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Jul 19, 2009 14:34:47 GMT -5
He likes the applause too much. I don't see, however, why he doesn't alternate the big stadium crowd=pleasers with small theatre shows to invited audiences, filmed for DVD, featuring the less familiar material or revised arrangements, kind of like the Abbey Road studio TV show. vectisfabber: The Vegas show I went to was in a small venue. I was amazed how small it was when I walked in. I'm hoping this one comes out. It was filmed because I was interviewed by a cameraman on the outside.
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Post by johnpaulharstar on Jul 21, 2009 12:05:30 GMT -5
I thought "Drive My Car" was a fantastic opener. Especially since it came out during the periods of the Shea concerts. It is a great song.
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Post by OldFred on Jul 22, 2009 7:43:25 GMT -5
Went to the July 21st show and it was fantastic. I was sitting the Excelsior section which was under one of the overhangs, so my friend and I were relatively dry while it was misty out on the field. (Sat in almost the exact same spot for The Who at Shea in 1982). The view was great. The video screens were easily viewable where I sat as well as the stage and I was able to see Paul quite clearly with my binoculars. Someone in the stadium even tried to put up a 'Paul Is All' banner like back in the Shea concert before security forced them to remove it. I managed to take a picture of it and I'll try and post it. Before entering Citi Field I was able to get a picture taken at the parking lot where the spot of the original Shea bases were and took a picture at second base where the stage was placed for the Beatles' Shea concert in 1965. Still having camera problems, so I'll try and get the picture up soon.
The show itself was one of the best I've ever seen Paul do, if not THE best show show I've seen with Paul and definitely rates in the Top 5 of concerts I've seen. Paul performing 'I'm Down' in honor of Shea was worth the admission alone. The explosions and fireworks during 'Live and Let Die' were absolutely spectacular, one of just many highlights of the show. Paul was in great voice throughout the show and didn't even take a drink of water during most of it. (I'm sure he took a sip in between the encores.)
If this series of concerts turn out to be Paul's last, then he's going out on a very high note. ;D
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Gary
Very Clean
Posts: 11
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Post by Gary on Aug 4, 2009 14:10:32 GMT -5
I went to all three shows, and brought my Camera to the last two. I took tons of pictures, and in fact I spent the entire Tuesday show walking around Citi Field getting shots. Here are links to my photosets on Flickr... Saturday July 18 - 204 photos: www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/sets/72157621548623245/ Tuesday July 21 - 125 photos: www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/sets/72157621784421572/I should point out that I'm a big fan of ballparks, so many of the shots were taken not from a McCartney angle but from a ballpark angle... Citi Field as set up in concert mode. Nevertheless, I think you'll enjoy the pics.
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Post by John S. Damm on Aug 4, 2009 22:55:20 GMT -5
Absolutely stunning! Thanks Gary for sharing those. I especially love your shots of Paul and the band doing "Something" with those amazing Beatles-era photos of Paul and George in the background.
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Post by sayne on Sept 5, 2009 14:35:04 GMT -5
Just saw the footage of Paul doing "Day Tripper". Got me thinking again about the Paul vs Entwistle debate. My take was that Entwistle played great runs until he sang - then he would just play the root. Paul would play stuff (that Entwistle could do, too), but would continue playing even while singing. "Silly Love Songs" was my reference. Now, at CitiField, watch Paul play "Day Tripper" while singing. Entwistle could never do that song and sing at the same time.
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Post by mikev on Sept 5, 2009 15:44:18 GMT -5
Just saw the footage of Paul doing "Day Tripper". Got me thinking again about the Paul vs Entwistle debate. My take was that Entwistle played great runs until he sang - then he would just play the root. Paul would play stuff (that Entwistle could do, too), but would continue playing even while singing. "Silly Love Songs" was my reference. Now, at CitiField, watch Paul play "Day Tripper" while singing. Entwistle could never do that song and sing at the same time. Right. Penny Lane, Nowhere Man, etc. etc. As a bassist-I know how hard it is to do a run and sing-much easier to strum and string. Rhythmic bass patterns are a little easier because you are playing a pattern not a fill.
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