Paul McCartney
Tripping The Live Fantastic

THE REVIEW

They are knocking on the dressing room door... it's time to go. A deep breath of encouragement is always good, even though I've had many experiences like this. The truth is, things haven't gone well for me in recent years. I've written too many frivolities and very few successful pieces. Most likely, I've felt too sure of myself, too arrogant, and the critics have rightly chastised me. I must not do that anymore in the future. At least, I'll try. If I appeal to my memory, I realize that in the last five years, I've done few things of good quality. "Pipes of peace", but only the song, that half-release with Michael Jackson, "No more lonely nights", maybe "Spies like us", "We all stand together", and "Once upon a long ago". I've done too little, indeed. The aftermath of John's death is consuming me. I need to return to the people, to marry them again, perhaps riding the benevolent wave of "Flowers in the dirt" which is giving me some nice satisfactions, I must say.

It's time to go guys, let's conquer the arena, darn it! A swirling crescendo of a shout rises from my diaphragm, slowly. I feel the veins pulse in my wrists and neck. I need to rid myself of this unhealthy five years, I need to free myself... Let's free ourselves! Let's fly towards the cheering crowd! And our shout blends into the sky with all the possible love, merging with the voices of the people.  Magnesium flames burn the stands and emotion usurps the throne from tension. Energy to the instruments and ready to electrify the audience! There is a need for magic tonight! This night cannot remain anonymous!

We refresh the air with some recent successes, starting with "Figure of eight", moving through "We got married", passing through "This one" and the crowd begins to sense that strange atmosphere that makes you feel at home, surrounded by the best friends ever. That big family that confides with your words, listens to your notes and never clashes with your ideas, sharing without a trace of jealousy the same love. That indestructible bond that requires no contracts, bonds, or compromises. That magic that envelops you with sweetness and lulls you with the same lightness as placid sea waves.

Explosions of sparkling lights, colorful scented clouds, voices in motion calling George, Ringo, and John! Let's make the ventricles of this wonderful audience float, diving into the most exciting of flashbacks and trying to create Shea Stadium atmospheres! "Birthday", "Things we said today", "Can't buy me love"... Hey! I want to hear the instruments in rehearsal and the murmur of Sgt. Pepper's, be mindful of Martin Luther King's great hope in the interlude of "The fool in the hill", no introduction for "Let it be", it must be a heart-stopping impromptu incursion! Dazzling special effects with the imposing explosions of fireworks and lasers for "Live and let die" and the Soviet Union flag with some floral retouches to the logo for "Back in the USSR". And then the ace up the sleeve to make this journey absolutely fantastic. Let's mislead the audience with a lively little circus tune, just long enough to realize I've played the wrong song and after the ritual apologies, we invade the field with "Hey Jude"! It'll be fantastic!

Thank heaven, it really was fantastic and the record set in Rio de Janeiro is a valid piece of evidence. Followed by a band worthy of respect Paul McCartney produces an album that can be counted among the best live of the century. Robbie McIntosh on guitars, Hamish Stuart on bass, Wix Wickens on keyboards, and Chris Whitten on drums. Guardian angel, the beloved Linda. The best McCartney live after "Wings over America".