This weekend we had house guests from California. We called Nick & Toni’s, the insanely fashionable East Hampton restaurant, at the last minute and managed to get a table after asking for the manager. When we arrived, there was a crush of people waiting and a single open table in the front room. My guests, who are very fashion-conscious folks, were visibly annoyed when we were escorted to the back room. I shrugged and explained that the young woman who was seating us was new and unknown to me. I thought we were fairly lucky to have a table at all.

Ten minutes later Paul McCartney, accompanied by his girlfriend, sat down at the empty table next to ours. Suddenly the complaining stopped, which was a great relief to me. Sir Paul was looking remarkably young and fit, and girlfriend Nancy Shevell was fairly stunning, much more attractive in person than in the pages of the tabloids. She’s fortunate to be dating one of the last men on the planet who actually stands up when a lady is coming or going from the table.

Unfortunately my friends were not drinking and Anne, as usual, was drinking Champagne. After ordering a glass of the ‘07 Dampt Chablis, I perused the half-bottle section of the list, curated by Robert Bohr, formerly of Cru, and now beverage director for Tom Colicchio’s restaurants. There were several very intriguing bottles, including some good Burgundies, and I settled on the 2002 Faiveley Corton Clos de Corton, the signature wine of the large (by Burgundy standards) negotiant.

Although Faiveley buys grapes, they also have significant vineyard holdings, and the Clos de Corton is from their own vineyard. It was a brilliant wine, rich and ripe — a fairly heavy hitter as Burgundies go. I’m really liking these ’02s, though this wine in the full-bottle format would require another few years.

Not long after I ordered it, I saw the same half bottle turn up on Sir Paul’s table. When I remarked on his good taste to the sommelier, she told me that he’d asked her what I was drinking. Clearly a gentleman of taste and discrimination, and secure enough to be happy with a seat in the back room.

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Paul McCartney acknowledges the cheers of the crowd at Time Warner Cable Arena as he walks onto the stage to begin his Up and Coming Tour Wednesday.
Photo: JEFF SINER
jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

Anticipation was high Wednesday before Paul McCartney hit a Charlotte stage for the first time in 17 years.

Backed by only a four-piece band, McCartney hit the Time Warner Cable Arena stage around 8:20 p.m. in a snazzy pinstriped jacket and his famed violin-shaped bass guitar for the opening of "Venus and Mars," which quickly segued into "Rock Show" followed by "Jet."

Wings' bluesy "Letting Go" captured the big rock 'n' roll feel of McCartney and his band, a group of seasoned players who balanced professionalism with charisma. That was particularly true of animated drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., who clanked his cowbell, sang backup and even danced during "Dance Tonight."

"You're a great crowd already," McCartney praised, only six songs into the set.

He picked up a Les Paul for "Let Me Roll It," soloing madly through a few instrumental bars of Jimi Hendrix's "Foxy Lady" (a trick he repeated toward the end of the show during "I've Got a Feeling"). Hendrix's was the first of many tributes paid to fallen friends and loved ones, including wife Linda, for whom he played "My Love."

He played part of fellow Beatle George Harrison's "Something" (a huge crowd sing-along) on the ukulele that Harrison gave him. And he remembered John Lennon with an intimate solo acoustic rendering of "Here Today," a song McCartney wrote after Lennon's death. Later in the set, the combo of "A Day in the Life" and "Give Peace a Chance" was an even more poignant reminder of Lennon's legacy.

One fan complained of having seen him play the same songs repeatedly on this tour, but added that over 38 years and multiple shows, she's never seen him play a less than fantastic show.

For those who had never seen McCartney, or at least not since he played Raleigh in 2002, the inclusion of "Paperback Writer," the moving "Let It Be," the pyrotechnics-powered "Live and Let Die" and "Hey Jude" (played at a psychedelic piano) were essential.

At 68, McCartney proved impressive in both stamina and voice. As one police officer working the arena pointed out, he didn't rely on a bevy of backup singers.

"There are no words," said Rock Hill-based music promoter Stephanie Moore, 28, of her second McCartney show - her first was at age 11, an experience she says changed her life.

Back 17 years later and again with her parents, she beamed shortly before the show's end: "Absolutely amazing. My advice is to start saving up for next time he tours. Go see him. No matter the price.

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Firstly, apologies to regular readers of this column for the delay in delivering the latest installment.  As you may have noticed, June has been a manically busy month for the Paul McCartney news team. Our boss has certainly been keeping us busy in the best possible way with all his extraordinary headline grabbing antics.  If he’s not been hanging with the US supreme leader, he’s been packing out massive parks or stadiums, performing to hundreds of thousands of fans across Ireland and the United Kingdom (250,000 people in five shows).  Even on a smaller scale, he’s had equal impact, rocking out in the iconic setting of Battersea Power Station, raising funds for the Old Vic and for his very own Meat Free Monday campaign with celebrity groupies in tow.

It’s truly been a mind-boggling month. Now the whirlwind that was June has passed, I finally have a chance to let it all sink in and realize how privileged I am to have been a part of it all. Reading through my diaries and notes from the last month brings it all back. The thrill of seeing the greatest show on earth never wanes and each concert has now become a stand-alone event in its own right with each and every crowd giving Paul a staggering reception. To see Macca smashing it back home in the UK has topped it all and every review of the shows seems to use the only word that can sum it all up: ‘Maccamania’!

Certainly, there’s no doubt that the ‘Up and Coming Tour’ has found its rhythm and is now up and running at full pace.  In fact, you could say it’s up and sprinting.  It’s turned into the Usain Bolt of tours, breaking records, turning heads and making headlines along the way. I still can’t quite believe I’m allowed along for the ride!

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Paul McCartney, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee, July 26th, 2010

A Paul McCartney concert makes up for every bad show you’ve ever seen in your life. Seriously.

Before it starts, a McCartney megamix with “Say, Say, Say,” and “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” plays on the house speakers, as a Beatles montage scrolls down the screen — kind of weird, but then, McCartney is music. Why play anything else? The thought crosses my mind: What if Paul McCartney played only Paul McCartney and Wings songs, then said “All right, goodnight!” What a let down that would be.

But that wasn’t the case.

McCartney starts out the concert like it’s an encore; he comes out and soaks up the cheers for a good 30 seconds, then launches into an acoustic number, which quickly becomes electric.

The song he’s playing turns out to be Wings’ “Rock Show”:

They’ve got long hair at the Madison Square
You’ve got rock and roll at the Hollywood Bowl,
We’ll be there . . .  Ooh yeah . . . .

From where I sit, (section one, row 9) the sound is pretty, pretty good. Up close, Paul looks to be about 40 years old (he’s 68) – all those veggie burgers must be working out for him – and he’s got “playful” written all over his face.

Then there’s his band: the drummer, who resembles Buddha with his big belly, bald head, and twin hoop earrings; Rusty Anderson, the long time McCartney guitarist who just put out his own solo album, Born On Earth. The keyboard player, who’s in charge of providing the horns and string sections as well (you know he must be rocking some pretty sweet gear). And then there’s the guy I dub the Silver Fox, who plays bass, rhythm and lead guitar, and can rock a smile all throughout a song like “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.”

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Paul McCartney performs the Beatles hit 'Michelle' to Michelle Obama

Obamaniac Sir Paul McCartney rocks the White House East Room celebrating his George Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.

But the lad from Liverpool wasn’t afraid to gush to a whooping and hollering East Room audience: “Getting this prize would just be good enough - but getting it from THIS president!”

Sir Paul’s enthusiasm for being selected the third recipient of the Library of Congress’s George Gershwin Prize for Popular Song - the first was Paul Simon and the second Stevie Wonder - was clearly evident in his musical performance

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I've been to a lot of shows and you keep seeing shows that you think would be tough to better and then Paul just pulls out a few things out of his bag of tricks and surprises you again. This was perhaps the most fun Paul show i've seen. The arena sounded fantastic. The crowd stood the whole show and were completely electric and Paul and band continued with what they started at soundcheck.....some fabulous playfulness. From the band already starting soundcheck without the VIP's to Paul purring and meowing to a cat.

For awhile, they were wanding and checking every bag and person before the show before the weather began to look very bad. I got into the arena before the down pour but I never even knew until the end of the show that the tornado sirens were going off outside as I was safely inside. The arena floor was very small and even my seat in section 1, 16th row was better than a lot of middle section seats that i've had in bigger venues. Wound up being the perfect vantage point to take tons of great photos.

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It wasn’t the same scene that greeted him and his fellow Beatles at JFK Airport in 1964, but Paul McCartney still had quite a reception when he and his family touched down in Nashville on June 6, 1974.

The music superstar told a crowd of about 50 fans and members of the press that he’d come to Nashville for his three Rs — rehearsing, relating and riding. During his famous six-week stay on a farm just outside of Lebanon, McCartney’s activities would spill over into writing and recording. He crashed the Grand Ole Opry, ventured into Printer’s Alley and laid down a few country-flavored tunes with a group of peerless local players including Chet Atkins.

As his time in Tennessee came to a close, McCartney told a group of local reporters that he hoped to mount a U.S. tour the following year, and that if it happened, Music City would definitely be on the itinerary.

“We just couldn’t skip Nashville,” he said. “We have too many friends here.”

Some 36 years later, McCartney is finally returning to play his first concert in Nashville on Monday, July 26. He at least gave the city plenty to remember him by — The Tennessean photographed and interviewed the McCartneys several times during their stay. On the eve of his sold-out show at Bridgestone Arena, we’ve gone into our archives for snapshots of an unforgettable moment in Nashville’s musical history. Click the 1974 image above to see and read more.

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Report by jgkojak

Interestingly, Paul comes to Kansas Cit at 17 year intervals (76, 93, 10).

First up-- he did not, surprisingly do Kansas City. He teased the audience a bit with "everything's up to date in Kansas City" from Oklahoma... we were all sure it'd be in the encores. Also, no Got To Get You Into My Life (no loss), I'm Looking Through You or Two of Us- the last two are disappointing to miss.

That said...

What an amazing show. I saw Paul in 2002 in Dallas, and the band is so much tighter than it was then its amazing. Basically, they rock harder than they did in 2002 across the board. Second, Paul's voice was in better form than I have heard it since Glastonbury (of course, I've only seen video). Even on Letterman I felt Paul's vocie wasn't all there- but here it was impressive throughout the night- it cracked almost never, and he seemed to have some pretty impressive command that I haven't heard him have in a long time. He even hit a couple well-practiced high notes. Just impressive.

Now... song for song...

Pre-show: Had a scrolling collage on the vid monitor that looked a little amateurish. Played mix of cover versions (a jazz cover of Monkberry), Twin Freaks/Fireman/classical, etc. Immediately prior really turned it up for Goodnight Tonight and Temporary Secretary.

Show:
Venus and Mars/Rock Show (part)/
Jet
Damn this was good- you could tell from the beginning that Paul's voice was all there- I watched some V&M from '76 when I got home, and Paul's voice is equal to his voice then for this song. Wow. Rock Show was nice, Jet just blew me away. I hope they taped this for a live DVD- because this was the best Jet I'd heard in a long while.

All My Loving
This was nice. Wix plays guitar too on this one.

Letting Go
A highlight- absolutely rocked the house- Again, Paul's voice was spot-on, sounded like 30 years ago. The band on here really rocked. An observation about Wix- on tape and CD, his horn samples don't sound right- they are great live in the house and you don't miss the live horns.

Drive My Car
Would have preferred Two of Us/Looking Through You. Oh well. This was a nice version.

Highway
Memo to people who get up to go to the bathroom: you are missing out. This one rocked, especially at the end. I think Paul should play something really obscure (like This Loving Game) and STOP IT halfway through when everyone is in the bathroom- then play something really freakin' awesome. The end of Highway just rocked- its really a different song live (same with Sing the Changes).

Let Me Roll It/Foxy Lady
Can't miss with this one- Paul plays some great guitar- again, spot on vocals- I have never heard Paul hit so many in a row. Paul told Jimmy Hendrix playing Pepper two days after release after this.

Long and Winding Road
Nice version, I like the arrangement they're using.

1985
This and Let 'em In are highlights of the evening. Just wow. I never thought I'd see Paul play this live- it has long topped my wishlist, and here it is. My friend, who purposely refused to read set-list reviews so he'd be surprised, was quite impressed this came up.

Let 'em In
What a great performance. Anyone notice Paul repeats "Auntie Jin" instead of saying "Uncle Inn"? during this tour?

My Love
Dedicated to Linda. Beautiful. He hit a couple tough notes on this one.

Blackbird
Told civil rights story - said we've come a long way after.

Here Today
Dedicated to John/big hand for John.

Dance Tonight
Said we need to lighten the mood- nice version of this one tonight- the only newer song people didn't leave for-- makes me think this one is become a staple/classic of his sets.

Mrs Vanderbilt
Russian dance finish-- told how Ukrainians love this.

Eleanor Rigby
Nice version- again, Wix keyboards sounded OK, better than they do on CD.

Something
Ukelele to band version. Pics of George while playing. Nice. George got what seemed like a bigger hand than John.

Sing the Changes
Weird psychadelic Obama graphic (I would only know its Obama because I had seen the picture-- here they just barely showed a light-show profile-- not sure if this is standard or if because Obama is not as popular in midwest- nobody booed.)
This is another song that has really been worked into something special as a live song.

Band on the Run
Nice version.

Ob La Di Ob La Da
Probably the biggest audience reaction of the night of any song played- those opening chords got people on their feet.

Back in the USSR
Good version.

I've Got a Feeling
Nice extended jam at the end -- hadn't heard this before.

Paperback Writer
Paul introduces original Epiphone, funny joke about switching guitars all the time just to show off.

A Day in the Life/Give Peace a Chance
Medley with Give Peace a Chance - fun to see the 55 year old bankers singing along.

Let It Be
Nice version- Rusty really nails that solo.

Live and Let Die
Nice pyro- song ends with Pyro as well.

Hey Jude
Asked ladies and men to sing seperately then together.

Encore: Day Tripper, Lady Madonna, Get Back
This is where we thought we'd hear Kansas City. Oh well.

Encore 2: Yesterday, Helter Skelter, Sgt Pepper (reprise), The End
Good version of Yesterday. Helter Skelter just tore the house up-- I actually think it shocked a few people who were more there to sing along to Yesterday and Drive My Car-- nice.

Overall, I am just impressed with Paul's voice- I had worried that he didn't have much in him- but it was just amazing. He actually seemed healthier/more together musically and physically than he did in 2002 (gee, wonder why).

Report by: hoaxer

That is a very good summary of the show...I thought it was great but we had second row center tickets and my eyebrows are just now getting back to normal after the pyrotechnics from L & LD, so of course I would think that...I would only add that I thought "I've just seen a face" and "and I love her" were good replacements for the songs that were omitted in KC. Anyway, I have seen Paul so many times and each time just seems to be getting better all the time...It was a great experience at a great venue and my wife and I had a blast...

Report by: fotobobb

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Paul McCartney’s longtime guitarist talks about his own music and what it’s like to play with the superstar.

But before he became the guitarist in the Paul McCartney Band, which performs tonight at the Sprint Center, Anderson was a well-established session musician and an accomplished songwriter.

On Aug. 3 he will officially release “Born on Earth,” a collection of dynamic, well-crafted modern pop/rock tunes. (It is available now for digital download, and Anderson recommends the single “Where Would We Go.”)

Monday evening, he talked to The Star about his own music and career and about being on stage with a knighted legend.

Q. Who has influenced your music, as a songwriter and guitarist?

A. It’s so vast. When I was 5, my older sisters listened to the Beatles records. That’s really how I got into music in the first place. So in some sense, it had a big influence on me.

If you look at my iPod, it has a very diverse group of songs on it. Jimi Hendrix was a big influence. Jeff Beck. Mick Ronson, especially his live playing. Adrian Belew. Alice Cooper — his early ’70s band. I like the Local Natives, Band of Horses, Band of Skulls, old Genesis with Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett, the White Stripes. The Stones.

Are you able to make time to tour on your own and perform your own songs live?

It’s tough. I’ve had the same band for a while, and for “Undress Under Water” (his previous album) we did some gigs in the States and in Europe. We’re doing a record-release show in Hollywood on Aug. 3. And we’re looking at doing more shows, but I’m not exactly sure about any dates. I love playing live with my band, though. It’s a great group of guys.

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