After several years of an international pandemic and on the heels of the Peter Jackson epic “Let It Be” reconstruction project, “Get Back,” Paul McCartney got back on the road in 2022.
While not as ambitious as previous globe-trotting tours, this one covered 13 US cities over a six-week period from April 28 in Spokane, WA to June 16 in East Rutherford, NJ. Two days after that last date, he would celebrate his 80th birthday. Let’s stop and think about that. Eighty years old and still at it, at a higher level than most performers can even dream of ever acheiving.
Over twenty years ago, Keith Richards, a founding member of the Rolling Stones, was asked how long that band could keep going. In response, Richards cited the longevity of pioneering black jazz artists Count Basie and Duke Ellington, saying, “We’re here to grow up rock & roll!” And, for those of us of “a certain age,” we are growing up right along with them.
Maybe that’s why it’s so heartening to see Paul McCartney, live in concert, all these years on. He doesn’t have to do it – he clearly doesn’t need the money, regularly landing near or at the top of most lists of entertainers’ financial worth. He has been quoted in the past as saying he still does it because this is what he does. For him, it is not so much about financial worth, as it is self worth, or self identity. That and some friendly competitive fire. When asked recently if he would retire soon, he quipped, “Well, Mick & Keith are still doing it, so I guess I will, too!”
McCartney’s only previous appearance in Syracuse was in September of 2017, an occasion one thought might be his last time around, and one I wrote at length about here: https://garyfrenay.wordpress.com/2017/09/
Since that date, he released two new studio albums, Egypt Station (2018) and McCartney III (2020), both of which did very well on the charts, but revealed his voice as an instrument in decline. To be fair, that’s to be expected for an artist of his age. But with that knowledge, I honestly questioned whether I really wanted to pony up the money again, and deal with the crowds, the parking, the long walk to the Dome, and the high sound levels that modern concerts of this scope regularly generate (I suffer from ongoing tinnitus and it’s always an issue in loud environments). But, in the end, the simple fact that a Beatle was going to be performing 10 minutes from my house – again – not going was just something I knew I would regret.
So, I splurged for really good tickets, at $250+ each, and convinced myself that even if Paul’s voice was no longer what it had been, the material and the grand show he and his band (and staging team) puts on would carry the day. Boy, was I right!
In 2017, I was impressed that McCartney stepped on stage on the dot at 8 p.m., the scheduled start time. I mean really, who does that?! Well this time, at 8:00, the lights went down and it seemed the show was starting. But in fact, what was starting was a nearly 30-minute film and music presentation of Macca’s life from boyhood to present. It was very creatively done, but I could have easily done without it. So when he DID finally step on stage, we were all way more than ready. Of course, he opened with a Beatles’ tune, Can’t Buy Me Love, and we were off and running!
Over the next 2 hours and 45 minutes (including encore), McCartney would perform 35 songs: 21 by the Beatles, 7 by Wings, and 7 from his solo career. Surprisingly, he featured 5 songs from this century, even though, as he acknowledged from the stage, “You might not want to hear them, but we’re gonna play them!” Good for you, Paul!
There were many highlights, but my own favorite part of the show was the nearly 10 minutes he devoted to his earliest song called In Spite Of All The Danger. Recorded in 1958 with his first band, The Quarrymen, it included John Lennon and a very young George Harrison. He shared the humorous story of its origin, a recording that produced just one copy of a demo disc, and the battle among the five band members for who would get to keep the record. He then performed the song, turning it into a beautiful sing-along, with the 35,000 people in attendance more than happy join in.
One of the major changes to this show from the one in 2017, was the addition of the Hot City Horns, featuring Kenji Fenton (sax), Mike Davis (trumpet) and Paul Burton (trombone). Along with the value added of real horns (instead of synth horns), their collective choreography was inspired and endlessly energetic. A great addition!
The core band was the same and stands now as McCartney’s longest-lasting band – by far – of his decades-long career. They first appeared with him on record on the 2001 release, DRIVING RAIN, and joined him a year later on his first world tour then, since 1993, “Driving World.” Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray handle every guitar and occasional bass part as if they wrote them, and Wix Wickens still covers more ground on keyboards than seems possible. But it is drummer/vocalist Abe Laboriel Jr, who really steals the show. As a drummer, he anchors the band and drives the bus, as it were. And as a vocalist, his harmonies are often the star of the show, not to mention that he regularly doubles his bandleader’s lead vocals to perfection!
The show is very similar to the one he did in 2017, but with addition of several songs that allow the Hot City Horns to really shine, including Got To Get You Into My Life, Letting Go and Let ‘Em In. And I was happy to hear him again include his tributes to his fallen Beatle bandmates with Here Today (for John) and Something (for George).
Another of his songs that will always be included was Live And Let Die, his theme song for the 1973 James Bond film of the same name. The song has been a highlight of his concerts for over three decades now and never fails to amaze. Featuring loud explosions and shots of fire that rise from the floor to the ceiling, it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Even sitting a third of the way back from the stage in the massive JMA Wireless Dome, I could still feel intense heat from the blasts. A friend who sat up front swore her eyebrows were singed during the fireworks display. Yikes! And if that weren’t enough, the song ends with the loudest explosion of all, with McCartney at his piano holding his hands over his ear and shaking his head, as if in disbelief. I wonder how his tinnitus is holding up?!
The home stretch was the same as last time, but with Get Back – of course – replacing Back In The USSR. Hey Jude had everyone on their feet, singing along and hoping it would never end. But of course, all good things must end, even this wonderful, unforgettable show by one of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen.
Thankfully, after 2 1/2 hours, they didn’t make us wait long for the guaranteed encore, jogging back onto the stage with each of the five band members carrying and waving huge flags; USA, UK, Ukraine, LGBTQ and NYS; a great, visual touch!
The first encore song was an emotional highlight. Director Peter Jackson, who had produced the 7+ hour-long “Get Back” film, told Paul that he could prepare footage of a song from the famous rooftop concert in the film, that would feature just John Lennon’s voice, allowing Paul to sing a “live” duet with his old bandmate. Wow! A trick, to be sure, but what a beautiful moment to see John & Paul once again sharing the stage, singing I’ve Got A Feeling, together. At the end, Paul looked back at the screen and said, “So nice to be able to sing with my old mate again.”
The encore finished with songs from the WHITE ALBUM and ABBEY ROAD, and the beautiful final message, “And in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.” I’ve heard both Paul, and Ringo Starr in interviews say that the part of the Beatles’ legacy that they were most proud of was the messages of peace and love. What a beautiful contribution to the world.
Paul McCartney is 80 years old. He is not the singer he was in his youth, or even 20 years ago, but he is a gifted entertainer and the most successful songwriter the world has ever produced (look it up!). But his real strength, to me, is his authenticity. As a fan of rock history, I would often see mentions of artists who invented a persona, or re-invented themselves to become huge stars; David Bowie, Prince and Elvis Presley all come to mind.
But McCartney, throughout his seemingly-endless career, has been the same person he was when he first appeared on our TV screens – thanks to Ed Sullivan – on that cold winter night in 1964; bobbing his head, smiling, and performing flawlessly. The hairstyles may have changed with the times (Wings-era mullet, anyone?), but he still comes across as that same genuine guy who loves being on stage, while seeming to recognize that he’s lucky to still be there, in so many ways. So many of his bandmates and peers are gone, yet he marches on.
As I left the show, ears still ringing, I was struck with the thought that McCartney is one of only three acts in the world of his vintage who can still stage a show of such epic scope and production, and fill arenas of that size (the other two being The Rolling Stones, and The Who). Pretty exclusive company, but I suspect even as competitive as they all are, the other two acts would still bow to Sir Paul, as do we all!
Paul McCartney setlist – JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY June 4, 2022
Can’t Buy Me Love (Beatles – A HARD DAYS NIGHT)
Junior’s Farm (Wings – single)
Letting Go (Wings – VENUS & MARS)
Got to Get You Into My Life (Beatles – REVOLVER)
Come On to Me (EGYPT STATION)
Let Me Roll It w/Foxy Lady jam (Wings – BAND ON THE RUN)
Getting Better (BEATLES – SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND)
Let ‘Em In (Wings – AT THE SPEED OF SOUND)
My Valentine (Kisses On The Bottom)
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five (Wings – BAND ON THE RUN)
Maybe I’m Amazed (McCARTNEY)
I’ve Just Seen A Face (Beatles – RUBBER SOUL)
In Spite of All the Danger (Quarrymen song)
Love Me Do (Beatles – single)
Dance Tonight (MEMORY ALMOST FULL)
Blackbird (Beatles – WHITE ALBUM)
Here Today (TUG OF WAR)
New (NEW)
Lady Madonna (Beatles – single)
Fuh You (EGYPT STATION)
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite (BEATLES – SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND)
Something (Beatles – ABBEY ROAD)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (Beatles – WHITE ALBUM)
You Never Give Me Your Money (Beatles – ABBEY ROAD)
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window (Beatles – ABBEY ROAD)
Get Back (Beatles – LET IT BE)
Band on the Run (Wings – BAND ON THE RUN)
Let It Be (Beatles – LET IT BE)
Live and Let Die (Wings – single)
Hey Jude (Beatles – single)
ENCORE:
I’ve Got a Feeling (Beatles – LET IT BE)
Birthday (Beatles – WHITE ALBUM)
Helter Skelter (Beatles – WHITE ALBUM)
Golden Slumbers (Beatles – ABBEY ROAD)
Carry That Weight (Beatles – ABBEY ROAD)
The End (Beatles – ABBEY ROAD)
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