Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am still convinced that Paul knocked the socks off most of the acts that were on the Grammys last night when he played Helter Skelter.

He was in his element on that song and it showed up in his performance.

Reflecting back, not many of the acts had a really stellar showing vocally except for maybe Kelly Clarkson (did I spell her name correctly?) and a couple of others. That leads me to suspect that the on stage mix was bit off. But that is just conjecture on my part I admit.

BTW, today is the 42nd anniversary of the Beatles' first appearance on Ed Sullivan -- two days before my 15th birthday and, though I didn't know it at the time -- the day that irrevocably changed my life. Lots of others' lives, too, I dare say. Thanks, boys!

I think it is ultra-bitchin' that Macca is still out on the road and still playing.

Maybe he has become something of a human jukebox but on the other hand, he and the rest of the Beatles team brought forth a practically unbelievable amount of music in 7 years time.

Not that I am comparing him to Einstein, mind you, but slagging on any of these guys is like saying "Hey, Albert, you only wrote TWO papers in your entire career! What's the matter, out of ideas?"

How much more do we have to ask of them?

And for the record I am a George fan.

And you will all be upset when he passes away.

I'm a George fan too, for the record. Though I (obviously) love them all.

Brian, again, I understand your last post as well. I am also aware of some of the demands you're referring to, such as opening and closing Live 8 or "he'd need to reconsider his participation." My answer to that is that the organizers are out of their mind if they don't give top billing to a Beatle, whether it's 1964 or 2020.

I simply think that many people who currently dislike Paul because of his recent activities and/or work, seem to have pre-emptively judged him. Several people slammed Chaos & Creation immediately after it was released because it didn't "rock" like a Wings record... then months went by and some of those people took it for what it was and actually enjoyed it. Heck, even the critics, people paid to be downright nasty, gave it positive reviews.

I agree that Paul does have an ego, but I don't think it's nearly as big as 99% of the music industry these days.

I also believe there's quite a bit of ego right here and at VT. More so over at VT, but in many instances, those labeling others as egotistical fit their own label... to a T.

"I agree that Paul does have an ego, but I don't think it's nearly as big as 99% of the music industry these days"

Ha! We agree on something.

I don't frequent VT but with respect to this forum, the egos around these parts are pretty much in check.

Oh I forgot to mention that I considered myself their biggest fan when I was a teenager. I still love their body of work as a group. I have mixed feelings about some of their solo works but individually they are all very special.

Paul M's comment is bang on. That sentiment would also apply to Ringo who BTW, I believe is a great percussionist. He has not lost a step at all.

Of course, we'll be very, very sad when he passes -- and I hope it's not for a few more decades. But with respect to his performance at the Grammy's - his voice is gone. Vocals on Fine Line, Helter Skelter & Yesterday were terrible. Hey look, the band was awesome and Paul is a great bassist. I love every bass line that he's come up with. He simply can't carry a live tune vocally now. It's a bummer but it happens. I felt that his Superbowl appearance last year & Live 8 were equally as unimpressive. His streak of unimpressiveness continues...

Of course we don't know him personally, but there are plenty of behind the scene reports about his out-of-control demands, ego & behavior at Live 8 this year. Maybe it's the influence of his current wife or maybe he's having a gigantic mid-life crisis where he has to be the ultimate in everything. And, yes, as a dutiful fan, I've purchased his poetry book, paintings book and recent children's book. I'm not immune to the legend of McCartney. I continue to enjoy hours of Beatles/Wings music every day but cannot listen to anything of his since Flaming Pie (which was an excellent album). The drop off of song quality in his recent albums is significant.

One absolute surprise of the Grammy's was Keith Urban's guitar playing/singing. I'm not familiar with his work but thoroughly enjoyed listening to him.

Karen,

You have to listen to Keith Urban's recorded works. He is amazing. I laughed last night when the president of the Grammys commented that Keith was from NZ. Keith is from OZ originally.

Karen,

I totally disagree with you regarding Macca's vocal ability. You mention he was unimpressive in last years Super Bowl. You've got to be kidding, he sounded amazing! As a matter of fact it was so well done that many debated if it was totally live. I think it was finally verified by someone on one of the forums who knew somebody that worked the sound for the event and verified that it was live.
I saw him this past October and he was fantastic, just blew the packed house MCI Center away. The only song he had any minor trouble with was Jenny Wrenn, and that was only on the high falsetto part at the end of the song.
One very important thing that needs to be considered is as you grow older it is imperative to do some vocal exercises to warm up prior to any serious singing. Last nights first song (Fine Line) indicated the lack of any proper warm up, but he worked his way through it. He then proceeded to absolutely nail Helter Skelter and that is a very difficult song to sing, especially live. As far as his performance of Yesterday, he seemed very uncomfortable in that presentation format. He is usually playing the guitar and singing along, not walking around with a mike in his hand, not his comfort zone. All in all not to shabby.
To say his voice is gone is a pretty harsh and inaccurate statement (IMHO). Macca's vocal range is still very strong and his singing versatility is still second to none. I'm sure many of today's younger performers would love to have his 63 year old vocal abilities. I know I would.-JMO

Yes, I thought he nailed Helter Skelter, and obviously so did the crowd. Of course, the really important issue that everyone seems to be overlooking was that he should have been playing his Rickenbacker on it. What was he thinking, playing that cheap German thing?

"As far as "Yesterday," I thought it was ok. I don't think Paul was aching to sing what is obviously his most cherished song, with a rapper and a guy with such a nasaly voice that he could send the neighborhood cats heading for the hills. He was probably asked to do it and obliged."

I think PM is likely much more open minded about different forms of music and working with artists in different genres than the average schmoe.

Keith Urban is good, but he's in heavy rotation on the Country channels. I'm kinda sick of him at the moment.

With what passes for "Music" today, the Black-Eyed Peas, Linkin Park, Jay-Z and the like, McCartney must look like a living legend to those people. Wow...he can play AND sing! He still rocks! He writes his own material!

That being said, I'm not a big fan of "Chaos & Creation", and in order for him to remain "current", he has to try and hang with these people, just like Madonna has to pretend she is 24 when she is 50. People in that industry either try and keep their place at the top, or resign themselves to being a nostalgia act. Apparently neither of them have realized that yet.

"What was he thinking, playing that cheap German thing?"

Paul has often said he plays the Hofner in public because he wants to please the audience - they are expecting to see him with the Hofner. He has said that he prefers(ed?) the RIC because the Hofner wouldn't stay in tune.

I can't wait until he pulls out the Rickenbacker again. You know that has to be coming soon...