Back In The World (Live) - Paul McCartney

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Some fantastic songs that benefitted from a live atmosphere .
Disadvantages:	Some tracks didn't work vocally, a little Beatle bias .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

You would have to have lived in a cave over the past forty odd years not to have heard of Paul McCartney; in spite of his now ex-wife's original claim that she'd never heard of the fab four before she met the man himself (yeah, right), most people left on the planet may wish to rekindle memories of years gone by, or even discover them for the first time.

The purpose of the Paul McCartney 'Back in the World' Live CD was obviously to take the joy of seeing the ex-Beatle live into the home of many more people who may not be able to folk out £50 to £60 for a concert ticket. This two disk set, as it conveniently points out on the front, contains 36 tracks by the man himself, chronicling his time in the world's biggest band ever to his time in Wings and even his extensive solo career. I'm not saying that it wasn't realised in order to earn money but it's nice to be less cynical at least for the first half of the review.

We got this for my Dad as a present a couple of years ago, following our trip to see Sir Paul ourselves. It was a good night but, unfortunately, I didn't really appreciate the fact that I was seeing a living legend perform back in 2003 and my interest in the four lads from Liverpool hadn't been ignited as of yet.

THE ALBUM
Unsurprisingly, to fit all of those 36 tracks onto one disk would have been near enough impossible.

DISK ONE (lasts 52.40 minutes)
1. Hello Goodbye (The Beatles, 1967: 4.02 minutes)
2. Jet (Wings, 1974: 4.03 minutes)
3. All My Loving (The Beatles, 1963: 2.09 minutes)
4. Getting Better (The Beatles, 1967: 3.10 minutes)
5. Coming Up (Paul, 1980: 3.26 minutes)
6. Let Me Roll It (Wings, 1974: 4.24 minutes)
7. Lonely Road (Paul: 3.12 minutes)
8. Driving Rain (Paul, 2001: 3.11 minutes)
9. Your Loving Flame (Paul: 3.29 minutes)
10. Blackbird (The Beatles, 1968: 2.30 minutes)
11. Every Night (Paul, 1990: 2.51 minutes)
12. We Can Work It Out (The Beatles, 1963: 2.30 minutes)
13. Mother Nature's Son (The Beatles, 1968: 2.11 minutes)
14. Carry That Weight (The Beatles, 1969: 3.06 minutes)
15. The Fool On The Hill (The Beatles, 1967: 3.09 minutes)
16. Here Today (Paul, 1980's: 2.28 minutes)
17. Something (George Harrison, 1969: 2.33 minutes)

'Hello Goodbye' was good song choice as a way to start the show off; no matter how much people like Paul's solo work, it's obvious throughout this CD that he will be remembered as a quarter of the biggest band of the 20th Century. However, I do think that the Wing's track of 'Jet' may test that theory; it was played very well and had a real energy about it which the crowd clearly loved. Then, venturing back to the older tracks by the Beatles, it was obvious that these numbers were the real reason as to why many had paid out their hard earned money. The acoustic version of 'We Can Work It Out' a little later on was certainly a fan favourite; the crowd provided the backing vocals and I actually enjoyed this one much more than I ever did on the bands normal CD's and LP's.

I will admit that I am not really that knowledgeable about Macca's solo stuff or indeed the time he spent with Wings. None the less, many of the songs that I didn't know were performed excellently, with 'Lonely Road' being one of the rockier and more unique tracks because of that quality here. It works very well in a live atmosphere, as does 'Let Me Roll It', the peace making song that followed Lennon's 'How Do You Sleep At Night?' These stand out as some of the tracks that really do benefit from a live atmosphere and sound great on the CD because of it. 'Coming Up' although a bit too jolly and random for some, also worked well with a crowd; it managed to get to the number one spot in America so was obviously a good way to get the audience pumped.

Yet, by the time 'Blackbird' came, it was clear that Paul's efforts here were on the back of how good the initial song and its success was; it was strange vocally, although I am willing to accept that this was a factor of him being older than when he first recorded it. Most vocalists begin to struggle after decades of performing live but the high pitched vocals just didn't work against the deeper efforts. The vocals and music actually sounded out of time to me, but this may have been a product of the 'live' element where artists feel that they need to jazz things up to really create a different sound. Sadly, 'Blackbird' suffered a bit for it here, so did a couple of others on this first disk, as did the aptly titled 'Fool on the Hill' and 'Mother Nature's Son', both of which were tracks that I loved by the Beatles. I just wished they hadn't been decapitated here.

I can't honestly believe that on 'Carry That Weight' Sir Paul admitted to not knowing the words to the middle eight. In fact, he even said he wouldn't be bothered to learn then for the rest of the tour! Oddly enough, the crowd cheered this but I can't think for a second why; if you are a performer, if you do forget the words, you shouldn't make it sound as if it was a product of your laziness! I realise that it does happen but this moment did ruin the song in many ways because all that sticks out in my mind now is the moment.

In stark contrast to that was the beautiful 'Here Today', written shortly after the death of writing partner and sometime friend, John Lennon. It is such a wonderful, optimistic song which only Paul could write about such a cynic and is a glorious moment on the album. He does identify that John would think they were 'worlds apart', which was such a good metaphor after tracks like 'Getting Better'. I does make me wonder if John would have been that complimentary about Paul if it had been the other way round but it sounded stunning on this album. Dragging the ukulele out, Paul dedicated his cover of 'Something', the classic love song by the fab four from their 'Abbey Road' album in to his Late friend, and other Beatle band mate, George Harrison. It was another touching moment on the disk as it was sung with just Paul and the instrument, said to be one of George's favourites and a poignant moment within the context of the band as it was the first A Side single of one of Harrison's songs.

DISK TWO (lasts 68.41 minutes)
1. Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles, 1966: 2.17 minutes)
2. Here, There and Everywhere (The Beatles, 1966: 2.26 minutes)
3. Calico Skies (Paul, 1997: 2.38 minutes)
4. Michelle (The Beatles, 1965: 3.16 minutes)
5. Band On The Run (Wings, 1974: 5.00 minutes)
6. Back In The USSR (The Beatles, 1968: 2.56 minutes)
7. Maybe I'm Amazed (Paul, 1970: 4.49 minutes)
8. Let 'Em In (Wings, 1976: 5.23 minutes)
9. My Love (Wings, 1973: 4.03 minutes)
10. She's Leaving Home (The Beatles, 1967: 3.53 minutes)
11. Can't Buy Me Love (The Beatles, 1964: 2.09 minutes)
12. Live And Let Die (Wings, 1973: 3.05 minutes)
13. Let It Be (The Beatles, 1970: 3.58 minutes)
14. Hey Jude (The Beatles, 1967: 7.01 minutes)
15. The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles, 1970: 3.31 minutes)
16. Lady Madonna (The Beatles, 1967: 2.21 minutes)
17. I Saw Her Standing There (The Beatles, 1963: 3.08 minutes)
18. Yesterday (The Beatles, 1965: 2.08 minutes)
19. Sgt. Peppers/The End (The Beatles, 1967/9: 4.40 minutes)

I might be a bit bias in favour of this CD; there were far more songs on here that I loved, although I would class it as the 'greatest hits' portion of the live show. Then again, when you consider somebody with the status of Paul McCartney, it truly is difficult not to say that about most of his work!

The opening two tracks 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'Here, There and Everywhere' were both originally from my favourite Beatles album, 'Revolver. Although they both lacked a certain magic, I would say that it was mainly due to Paul's vocals becoming strained, mainly because of how long he has been in the music business for. The synthesizers on 'Eleanor Rigby' worked in a live atmosphere but I do prefer the traditional sound of the string instruments. The pace to 'Here, There and Everywhere' didn't work particularly well on a CD format; it seemed to lack its simple but amazing depth of the original recording. And the accordion sound just didn't work - it's a beautiful, tender song that doesn't need anything else in my opinion than the voices and a guitar. A real let down for me personally on this album.

However, where McCartney's vocals may have been lacking on some of the songs, thankfully, it wasn't the case for all of them. 'Maybe I'm Amazed', from his early solo days, and 'The Long and Winding Road' were two examples that he did still have 'it' as a credible vocal performance. On the latter of those tracks, he even added in a rock twist, every bit a tribute to some of the early Beatles numbers. The mad medley feel of 'Lady Madonna' was an essential track, leading to the final three Beatles tracks of the night.

As much as I would like to say that the fab four numbers didn't dominate the two disks, it's clear from the reaction of the crowd in America, that these were the ones that they wanted to hear. The rejoice to the opening piano sounds of 'Let It Be' and 'Hey Jude' was phenomenal and makes you appreciate just what an impact four seemingly ordinary blokes from Liverpool had on people worldwide. Although I personally loved the performance of those two songs, 'Michelle' from the Rubber Soul album of 1965, still didn't work for me; the crowd cheered as soon as they realised what it was going to be but I just can't stand its slow pace and dreary melody. Undeniably, a bias low place on disk two for me.

Yet the Wing's tracks chosen did get a good reaction; 'Band On The Run' I think was Paul's attempt at an alternative 'A Day In The Life' because of the change of pace and story elements. It worked really well in a live format; for some reason, the guitar sounds are just that much more authentic than on the regular albums. Having seen the man himself live myself, the screams midway through the James Bond theme tune of 'Live and Let Die' were for the explosions on stage; a nice twist to the on stage presentation. It again revels in its live atmosphere and is naturally an energetic song which worked on this album.

Besides 'Michelle', there was one track that really got on my nerves a bit here; 'Let 'Em In' felt like it last for hours rather than five minutes and with the over bearing trumpets in the background, it just was a bit carnival like for me and didn't add anything to the experience. 'My Love' was a little dodgy in places on the vocals but still, not a bad song or effort just not one that stands out as being a song that 'makes' the album.

The last three tracks rounded off the second disk well as an ode to his best loved music. 'I Saw Her Standing There' sounded excellent; I don't think Paul dropped a single note on this and was one of the only tracks that sounded significantly like its original recording. His 'rock 'n' roll' screams provided a stark contrast to 'Yesterday', the song which, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, has the most cover versions of any track ever written. It was another one in which the vast crowds couldn't help but sing along with but I did question why something as depressing as this was the second to last number of the night! It wasn't all recorded in one go but for the CD presentation, I would have swapped that track and the previous number around but I think I'm just being picky! The reprise versions of 'Sgt. Pepper's' and 'The End' were a lot less solemn. They both had a good, crazy feel to them which rounded off this disk perfectly.

ARTWORK AND PRESENTATION
If you have read my 'Paul is Dead' article on here, you'll know that I've got a bit of a keen interest in that conspiracy theory, as bizarre as it is. Here, again, it would seem as if the man himself is mocking the allegations; whereas on the Sgt. Pepper's cover he posed with his back to the camera, he does so here but with a cheery thumbs up...that seals it that he IS the real Paul McCartney!

The inside booklet hosts several pictures of Macca and his band, each chronicling their time on tour in the USA and around the rest of the world. Many of the band, particularly guitarist Rusty Anderson, marked out at the fact that they were privileged enough to share the stage with a childhood idol. Usually, I'd be a bit sarcastic about it and find a 'creative' way to undermine them but, to me, this hero worship is justified in this case and you only have to listen to a couple of songs on one of the disks to realise how true it is.

I did have a bit of a laugh at the picture of Heather Mills picking out an outfit for her soon to be ex-hubby; hasn't he got a fashion designer for a daughter to do that kind of thing for him? She was also mentioned in the 'thanks' section which again, is irony at its best!

Besides that, it is like a mini concert programme in itself and visually is a great way for the fans listening to the tracks at home to appreciate the kind of atmosphere that was present during the tour. It even showed images of the circus acts that come on about an hour before Macca did. I vaguely remember them as being a bit boring - talented but not my thing I should say - but the booklet managed to make it look colourful and intriguing. And the packaging keeps both disks fairly secure although I had a near disaster as one of the disks slid from out of the plastic cover!

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
I can't remember how much we paid for the disks at the time but at the moment, you can purchase them for a fairly good price from a number of internet outlets:

Amazon.co.uk: £16.99 (eligible for free super saver delivery)
Play.com: £11.70 (free delivery)
Cdwow.co.uk: £13.75 (free delivery)
DVD.co.uk: £13.69 (free delivery)
Zavvi.co.uk: £22.00 (free delivery)

OVERALL
On the whole, both disks of the 'Paul McCartney - Back In The World' Live CD, provide some fascinating and moving performances from a man who has been in the forefront of the public spotlight his entire life. There is no denying that the man knows exactly how to write amazing pop songs, whether it is a solo effort, with his now Late Wife, Linda, or with the most talked about band in history and the most awe inspiring song writing duo to ever grace the planet.

I can't deny that there are some drawbacks to this double disk set. Some of the songs could have been sung better but, because of the live atmosphere, it's easy to let this slide. The only one where it is perhaps a little difficult to do is with 'Fool on the Hill' and 'Mother Natures Son' because they are two fantastic Beatles songs that suffered tremendously by Paul trying to jazz them up to accommodate for the live audience. Then again, there were some fantastic vocal performances; 'She's Leaving Home' and 'I Saw Her Standing There' were only enhanced by the live show into something quite spectacular.

Whilst there were both good and not so good songs on both disks, for me personally, disk two has the edge; it might be because I'm a Beatlemaniac, but that is the disk out of the two that I definitely felt like I wanted to listen to again immediately after doing so the first time. Well, with the exception of the peculiar 'Let 'Em In' of course!

From the extremely emotional performances of 'Here Today' and 'Let It Be', to all time crowd pleasers such as 'Yesterday' and 'Live and Let Die', this double disk set boasted some of the most influential songs of all time, solidifying McCartney's rightful spot in the music Hall of Fame. I was glad that this CD didn't dwell too much on the fact that it comprised of live performances from various shows across the USA; with the exception of the catchy 'Hey Jude', none of the songs had a lot of chattering with the crowd included. To me, that's a good thing; some times that self reflexivity wears thin but it didn't have a chance to on this occasion.

One to own if you are a serious Beatles/McCartney fan or if you are discovering either for the first time!

Low points...
Mother Natures Son
Fool on the Hill
Michelle
Let 'Em In

...And the Highest Highs
Here Today
Something
She's Leaving Home
Live And Let Die
Hey Jude
I Saw Her Standing There