Star colleague Dave Helling, one of our city's best and best-known journalists, saw Macca at Sprint Center on Saturday night. Here is his take.
SING THE CHANGES: WHY MCCARTNEY MATTERS
Paul McCartney and his band have packed up their gear and headed off to wherever they cool their heels between shows. Maybe McCartney can get a drink of water, which he didn't seem to need during his almost-three-hour show Saturday night in Kansas City.
The reviews are rolling in, too, and they're following an absolutely predictable pattern: Raves from most critics and fans; whiny complaints from cranky hipsters who'd prefer hearing the latest thump from the indie fringe -- tired, they say, of boomer nostalgia.
Well, okay. The bitching is predictable because McCartney is, let's face it, seriously uncool. He hams it up mercilessly during his shows, repeating the same stories he's used at every stop; his carefully-crafted set leaves time for sensational musicianship but little spontaneity; he turns his best song, "Hey Jude", into a goofy sing-along. His catalogue has some serious clinkers, and he's a grandpa.
But it takes about ten minutes into the show to realize something else: He's the most talented human being who's ever written and recorded popular music. No one else is really very close. Bob Dylan builds an elaborate 50-year maze that delights, but ultimately frustrates; the Rolling Stones reach rock and roll greatness with Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed, and Exile, then spend the rest of their careers figuring out where to go next; the Who, Elvis, U2, Bruce, Sinatra, Michael, Prince, the Motown greats, Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Madonna, Brian Wilson, R.E.M., the boy bands, Willie Nelson and heirs, the grungers, hair bands, hip-hop, even bandmates Lennon, Harrison and Starr (two tragically gone too early) all try to match McCartney, which they sometimes do, for a moment, then fall back -- discouraged? The fun must be in the attempt, not the result.
Here he is in Kansas City: Riffing madly on his Les Paul; then picking out "And I Love Her", a mandolin for the melancholy "Dance Tonight", a uke for "Something", a piano for "Lady Madonna." Melodies fall like summer rain, anchored by that Hofner violin bass that memory sees in black and white (and he's wearing Beatle boots!) It simply isn't fair that God gave so much musical ability to one person.
The besotted ravings of a dumpy, aging boomer with too much cash? Okay to that too. But give me this: The highlight of Saturday's show, for me, wasn't the ancient "All My Loving" or another try at "Band on the Run", but "Sing the Changes", a tune McCartney released at the end of 2008 -- 46 years after he, John Lennon, and pals stomped through "Love Me Do."
After a Beatle-like, sitar-y intro, the rolling stream-of-consciousness lyric (sung on the record in a "Tomorrow Never Knows" voice) draws you in:
Like the sun playing/In the morning Feel the quiet/Feel the thunder Oh every ladder/Leads to heaven"Feel the sense of childlike wonder," Paul implores, and there it is, the root of his greatest works, the reason we listened in 1964, 1994, 2004, and listen still: There is hope, he tells us; a sad song can be made better.
Optimism? Something more, maybe; something that looks to me like faith.
In a difficult time, faith in making sad songs better can be a hard sale, the ultimate in uncool. Arguing, name-calling, and bitterness are the Sgt. Pepper's of our age, a 24/7 cycle of cynicism and distrust. The final lunge, perhaps, of the Boomer Era as it crumbles and fades away, leaving only anger and confusion behind.
But now this: 68-year old Paul McCartney, in a strong voice, calling out, reminding us that every ladder leads to heaven.
Saturday's show may have seemed an exercise in nostalgia, but I heard more. I heard 15,000 people with bad knees, sagging stomachs, and ringing ears (seriously, Paul, the band was loud) sing the changes – a joyous noise and a leap of faith.
And you know that can't be bad.
|Dave Helling
Dave
That was extraordinary! My sentiments exactly. I didn't see the KC show however I did see the show in Denver. It was my 6th time seeing Paul since Wings Over America in 1976.
I too loved the new tune Sing The Changes. I also thought it was the standout track from his latest release, The Fireman. Here's a link to a short video I took of this tune in Denver - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxEqFVL90Ak
Thanks again.
Posted by: Kevrocket | July 26, 2010 at 01:27 PM
FYI- there's a whit house tribute to McCartney airing this week on PBS. Some of the clips of this are pretty cool.
Celebrating the Music of Paul McCartney
"Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" tapes on Tuesday, June 2 and airs on Wednesday, July 28 at 8 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide, followed by an encore presentation at 9:30 p.m.
Watch the promo for "Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House". Or watch clips from the upcoming performance.
About the Show
"Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" is a PBS music special in the White House East Room that WETA will produce in association with the Library of Congress, and the show's creators Peter Kaminsky, Bob Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, Cappy McGarr and Dalton Delan. President and Mrs. Obama will host the concert event on June 2 in honor of musician Sir Paul McCartney's receipt of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
The evening will include performances by McCartney himself and Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Lang Lang and Jack White, with remarks by Jerry Seinfeld. (Program subject to change.) President Obama will confer the Gershwin Prize upon McCartney during the event. The ninety-minute music special, part of the PBS "In Performance at the White House" series, will feature the concert event, as well as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
Posted by: GB | July 26, 2010 at 02:48 PM
Nice - thanks
Posted by: kmoon | July 26, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Dave,
That was so well said. I was at the concert and was very happy and have stated that it was "The Best Concert Ever" and I have seen him three times. Yes, I am a boomer, but my 28 year old daughter isn't and she too said it was one of the best concerts she has ever seen and she saw Clapton earlier this summer. Yes, he is a brilliant musician and his music and those of his "chaps" will live on forever.
Posted by: Candy P. | July 26, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Most excellent, Dave. Thanks for penning this for us (and you no doubt too)! - mt
Posted by: trainor | July 27, 2010 at 06:30 AM
"Arguing, name-calling, and bitterness are the Sgt. Pepper's of our age, a 24/7 cycle of cynicism and distrust."
This doesn't carry much weight coming from one who makes his living as a political pundit. No offense, Mr. Helling, but one can't have his cake and eat it too. But, Baby Boomers like yourself have never hesitated to go back for a second helping. Now you want to wax poetic about optimism and hope. Too late. Get Back Joe Joe.
Posted by: Cynical Bastard | July 27, 2010 at 10:45 AM
he may be a pundit, but don't think he falls in the category of "arguing, name-calling and bitterness", always seemed to be somewhat professional, maybe I've missed some things.
Posted by: gsp | July 27, 2010 at 11:08 AM
He's the most talented human being who's ever written and recorded popular music?
You've gotta be shattin' me!!
With valid dispute, I offer you John Lennon whose lyrics alone far surpass those originated by Sir Paul.
Posted by: Randy | July 27, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Really enjoyed it Dave: Randy, the Lennon/McCartney comparison stands fine as Helling stated it - unless you think the melody is irrelevant. Yeah, I'll give Lennon the nod on lyrics but there are other lyricists worth citing as equals - including Bob Dylan. To me & very many others, no one (including the wondrous Brian Wilson) lays a hand on McCartney for that gift for melody. And while Lennon's life was tragically cut short, his solo career was about 5 1/2 years long plus a return in 1980 for one finished work and in its first stage filled with as many clunkers as works of genius. Plastic Ono Band & Imagine were indispensable. Mind Games & Some Time in New York City ... er no. Walls & Bridges and Rock 'n' Roll were about adequate but beneath his genius. McCartney's had some clunkers too but for a 40 year solo career, it is astonishing that he continues to release things as musically challenging as the Fireman projects and as good as Chaos & Creation in the Backyard. I'm a huge Beatles fan & arguing against John Lennon is no pleasure for me. But from one fan to another, I respectfully don't think you made much of a case.
Posted by: MiWeb | July 27, 2010 at 02:35 PM
Your comment about it taking "about ten minutes" to realize "that he's the most talented human being who's ever written and recorded popular music" rang true for me. I first saw McCartney on his 2002 tour, and it was far and away the most I'd ever paid for a concert ticket. And while I was a fan, I wasn't his hugest fan, and I had some reservations about what I paid to get in. But by about 10 minutes into the show all my reservations were gone, and the show was simply jaw-droppingly good.
Posted by: Steve P in La Crosse, Wis. | July 27, 2010 at 09:02 PM
Oh, Yeah! -- I forgot about all of the wonderful songs that came from that classic movie: "Give My Regards to Broadstreet".
You're right: Paul's the BOMB!
Posted by: Randy | July 28, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Yep, Paul released Give My Regards to Broadstreet however, John released Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins.
Two VERY different releases from 2 extraordinarily talented musicians. Personally I'd listen to McCartney's soundtrack of Give My Regards to Broadstreet any ol day over this particular release by Lennon.
I can't say who's better lyrically. They are both amazing. Obviously we can each have our own opinions but to suggest someone elses opinion is simply wrong is a bit foolish.
Nobody can win this "argument".
Posted by: KevRocket | July 28, 2010 at 02:29 PM
Speaking of 60's icons, if anyone is interested the presale password for the Joan Baez show is UNITY
Posted by: Chubby | July 28, 2010 at 02:54 PM
but ultimately frustrates; the Rolling Stones reach rock and roll greatness with Sticky Fingers, Let It Bleed, and Exile, then spend the rest of their careers figuring out where to go next; the Who, Elvis, U2, B
Posted by: shoes wholesale | October 06, 2010 at 03:59 AM