" ..... all this macca is hurting views "
What ... ?! ... !!!! :
" July 27, 2010 -- The Tennesean (Video 1) (Video 2)
Paul McCartney treats packed Bridgestone Arena to three hours of gems
There were no curtain drops, flashing lights or explosions when Sir Paul McCartney stepped onto the stage at Bridgestone Arena Monday night. Just a 68-year-old rock legend - and arguably the world's most famous living musician - emerging from the shadows and calmly greeting a Nashville audience for the first time.
It was the audience that made the moment pure pandemonium - this was, of course, the former Beatle's first time performing live in Music City, some 46 years after his famous band first arrived in the U.S. As the cheers refused to die out in those first moments, McCartney gestured at the crowd to his bandmates, as if to say, "I'm going to like these guys."
McCartney and Nashville got along splendidly Monday night, as he and his four-piece backing band treated a packed house to three hours of Beatles, Wings and solo gems.
"Oh man, it's great to be back," McCartney said after the opening one-two punch of "Venus and Mars/Rock Show" and "Jet." "This is such a cool scene, I'm going to take a second here, just to take it all in for myself."
After taking it in, McCartney composed himself and quickly snapped his band into Beatlemania classic "All My Loving," to the house's delight.
Crowd-pleasing Beatles cuts were spread deliberately across the first half of McCartney's set, thrown in whenever the procession of post-'60s tunes needed an extra jolt of energy. In a way, McCartney's forced to be his own opening act at his shows. His laudable solo output doesn't deserve short shrift, but the spectre of the Fab Four - and the knowledge that the set will progress into a parade of their best-known tunes - can't help but hover perpetually over the evening.
An early mini set of piano-driven songs, including late Beatles cut "The Long and Winding Road," was probably the night's lowlight - both McCartney and his fans are too young at heart to deserve a smooth, bordering-on-schmaltzy run of tunes. But from there, the evening artfully ramped up, moving from acoustic-based classics ("I'm Looking Through You," "Two of Us," "Blackbird") to ukulele tributes to departed Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison, as well as few of Macca's finest moments, both famous ("Eleanor Rigby") and obscure ("Ram On").
"I knew we were going to have a good time," he said after wrapping up "Band On the Run." "It's Nashville, baby."
An appearance by the almost-never-performed-live "White Album" cut "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" ensured that the good time continued, though neither Lennon-driven compositions "A Day in the Life" nor "Give Peace a Chance" were done total justice by being combined in a medley. Luckily, that last moment of serious emotional weight made way for pure, unabashed fun.
The jaw-dropping array of pyrotechnics and fireworks that accompanied "Live and Let Die," as it's been for decades, left the crowd screaming for more and McCartney comically plugging his ears. He sang official set-closer "Hey Jude" with the same soul-shouting bravado he's given that tune since 1968. The song has its jaded, radio-weary detractors, but no one seemed to be refusing to sing along Monday during its epic refrain.
McCartney returned for the show's first encore triumphantly waving a giant Tennessee state flag. "You like your music in this town!" he said between "Daytripper" and "Lady Madonna." He picked out a sign held by a young man who looked about 12 in the front row, which read "Let me play a song with you." McCartney brought him on stage, but after being unable to determine what instrument he could play, instructed him to "just groove" for the next number. The fan dutifully shook his hips and joined in on the choruses of "Get Back," and his Caddyshackevoking moves became a running joke between McCartney and his band for the rest of the evening.
McCartney also invited up a young woman whose sign noted that she had a tattoo of his Beatles-era bass guitar on her back, and wished for the star to sign it. McCartney obliged on stage, and showed the crowd his signature.
A few of the Beatles' bombastic, would've-been arena rockers (they were recorded after the band retired from touring) closed out the evening: the proto-heavy metal number "Helter Skelter," "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" and swan song "The End."
A torrent of confetti washed down upon the crowd as McCartney headed off the stage. Normally, it's the sort of spectacle that bands use during the climax of their closing song, but it was saved for just the right moment Monday night - as a living legend, live for the first time before a Nashville audience, sincerely thanked his fans and said goodnight.
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July 27, 2010 -- Macca Report News Exclusive!!!!
by Sandy Lopez (Macca Reporter)
Paul sings Tequilla and Ram On for Nashville, kid dances on stage with Paul, Macca signs a Hofner tatoo
The concert started around 8:15 pm even though the ticket called for a 7:30pm start. The weather in Nashville was stormy. North of the city a tornado touched down just after 7pm. There were power outtages everywhere with heavy rain and dangerous lightening but everything was fine inside Bridgestone Arena. There was not an empty seat in the house.
Nashville Concert Highlights
Right before "Get Back" a man in the front row held up a sign that said: "I would love to sing with you." The man was referring to his 10-year-old son sitting next to him. Paul asked the boy, "Do you really want so sing with me? He nodded yes. Paul looked over at the man. "Are you his dad?" The man nodded. Paul asked, "What does your son play?" Paul realized that the two didn't understand English very well. As it turns out they were from Mexico. Paul brought the kid onstage and talked to him in Spanish. He wasn't sure if the kid could sing so he told him to dance, which the boy did. Macca suggested, "How about we play, you groove?" The kid rocked his fists and Paul did it back to him. At one point the boy came over to the microphone with Paul and sang along with him. Paul said, "Oh you do sing."
"Mrs. Vandebilt" went over very big with the Nashville crowd.
After "Got To Get You Into My Life" a woman held up a sign that read: "I want a hug." Paul said, "I want a hug too!" Paul hugged himself for her.
Rusty and Brian where dancing around with their guitars and Rusty's guitar broke! A roadie came running out with a replacement.
Right before Paul sang "Ram On" he pointed to several signs in the audience requesting the song and said,"I can see signs requesting this next one. I will do it for you, and you, and you... For all of you really."
Whe Paul introduced "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" he said, "....There's a bit in the middle (of the song) that you might want to sing along with. I'll say "Now YOU" and that's your clue."
For the first encore Paul carried the Tennessee flag and Wix had the Union Jack. For the second encore Paul came out dancing like the Mexican kid saying, "If you go to a party, that's the move. You saw it here first!"
Before "Helter Skelter" a woman with a Hofner tattoo on her lower back had a sign that read, "Your Hofner is tattooed on my back, will you please sign it?" Paul said, "Later when I have time." Later, Paul told her to come onstage. At first he was concerned that the tattoo might be in an area that he wouldn't be able to sign. He said, "I don't know if I can sign this. I could get in trouble for that," which got laughs. When it was done, the woman got a kiss and she gave Paul a hug.
After "The Long And Winding Road" Paul said, "If you watch this broadcast (Gershwin Prize PBS) on Wednesday you will get to see Faith Hill sing this song. "
Signs in the audience
A family held an 8 ft. banner that read: "We are so proud of you congratulations on the Gershwin Prize." Paul pointed to and nodded at the banner which had a photo of him and Obama on it.
"Will you sign my butt?" Paul said, "I'm not doing that."
"Free massage here".... He pointed that sign out and giggled.
End of the show autographs
A man brought a framed portrait of Paul he did and Paul signed it for him.
Paul signed a Beatles Rock Band Hofner
Concert Setlist
1. Venus and Mars / Rockshow
2. Jet
3. All My Loving
4. Letting Go
5. Got To Get You Into My Life
6. Highway
7. Let Me Roll It / Foxy Lady
8. The Long And Winding Road
9. Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five
10. Let 'Em In
11. My Love
12. I'm Looking Through You
13. Tequila!
14. Two Of Us
15. Blackbird
16. Here Today
17. Ram On
18. Dance Tonight
19. Mrs. Vandebilt
20. Eleanor Rigby
21. Ram On
22. Something
23. Sing The Changes
24. Band On The Run
25. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
26. Back In The USSR
27. I've Got A Feeling
28. Paperback Writer
29. A Day In The Life / Give Peace A Chance
30. Let It Be
31. Live And Let Die
32. Hey Jude
First Encore
33. Day Tripper
34. Lady Madonna
35. Get Back
Second Encore
36. Yesterday
37. Helter Skelter
38. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band / The End "
www.maccareport.com
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