McCartney Live In Las Vegas-MGM Grand April 5

1. The show started about 40 minutes late--due to a late arriving crowd, I believe. This caused some concern that the show would be shortened slightly, which was not the case. The song list seems to be set in stone, and Paul gave a full and wonderful show.

2. The circus type characters were less than what I had expected, having read other posts from Oakland/San Jose. To me, it would have been better had these characters been walking around the arena for about a half an hour before the show, through the halls, through all levels of the arena, with the mystic music playing the entire time.... to set up the atmosphere from the beginning. Perhaps because of royalities, Paul could not use characters we could relate to as ones from Beatle history...such as the animated characters from Yellow Submarine, as well as characters from Beatle songs....
Some people expressed that these circus people didn't do anything for them, and wanted the show to begin. I though they could've had more of an impact had they been used to create an aura in the arena, rather than just a quick intro before the show.

3. The tribute to John Lennon, in my opinion could've been stronger. The words to 'Here Today' do apply, but are not all- encompassing of the emtion that could be expressed. Personally, I would have liked to see Paul sing a great John Lennon song with photos of John playing on the screen... I think that would have gotten a much more heartfelt response from the crowd, making that a highlight of the evening.

4. George's tribute: I could almost accept this one fully...it was done tastefully. However...it would've been awesome if half way through 'Something' the band kicked in and Paul did the song 'normally' to end it. No doubt he would shine singing that song.

5. Pre-recorded music?
I am only mentioning this in fairness to those who want to know all, question all... It seems to me that there was far more music going on during Eleanor Rigby than Wix was doing 'live'.
This of course is a non-factor, as the song was wonderful, and I personally do not care if some recorded music was used for this number. This is not a criticism, I'm just pointing it out to you.
Watch for this...see if you agree. I don't have a problem with it.
The rest of the music was obviously 'live', as my next item will testify to:
Mistakes by Paul & band.
6. Again, this is a non-factor...just reporting the concert to you. There were only 4 noticeable mistakes Friday night in Vegas... all by Paul.
He made two of them via his piano playing, the most noticeable (to musicians, etc) was a wrong chord in 'You never give me your money"...which sort of threw him off for a few seconds....but he hid it well, and most people probably didn't notice...???
He made another on guitar in 'Yesterday', which was more obvious, by his facial expression at the moment...or else no one else would've noticed that either, except for a few of us.
And finally, he apparently counted out 'Band On The Run' either incorrectly, or Wix made the mistake.... because Wix started playing the song by himself....briefly....(just the first two notes.)
Once the song started, we could see Paul addressing the band saying something to the effect that it was 'my fault', etc, and smiling.

What I think is important here is that it shows the human side of things, and I think the mistakes were wonderful. It was great to see the very 'real' side of things, and these are not criticisms, but I'm just point out these things in an effort to give a full and fair review of the evening.
It was a marvelous show, I'm going back tonight...and I'm right there with you guys near the top of the list of all time Beatle and McCartney fans... I loved seeing the mistakes...as well.

Outside of these 6 points, I have no other 'negatives' to point out.... Perhaps the back up vocals were weak here and there, in couple of songs, but they were also fabulous in others. I thought the light show and screen work was amazing--very well done.
At one point, Paul asked the sound man to get rid of some feedback, which apparently was only in the on-stage monitors...but he later complimented the entire crew on a job well done.
Overall review: From 1-10, I give it a 20. Great show. Great performer, great writer.... strong band, great sound & lights, and Paul's voice was immacualte....top shape. Enjoy the tour.
See it if you can... you will be very glad you did.
One note to the audiences of future shows: When Paul goes into the few songs from Driving Rain, many people use this as the opportunity to go to the bathroom, and/or get refreshments.
This is very rude. Try not to let this happen. It's quite obvious in the arena...

Rick

Интересно, поиграл ли Пол в рулетку?
А если и решился, то сколько оставил в кассе?

REVIEW: McCartney not alone on MGM stage
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Apr-07-Sun-2002/news/18468929.html

Да возблагодарит Лас-Вегас Тайсона!

Review by Barb Siler:
(http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/kierstvegas.html)
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Also- I just got back from the two concerts in Las Vegas. Upon arriving at the airport you couldn't miss the video screens running a Paul interview (in his Paul concert t- shirt). The screen also said "Prime Tickets just released - call #####. We had tickets for both nights (travelled from NYS and wanted to make the trip worthwhile).
Went to MGM box office to see if we could upgrade - we could but it was for floor seats- not good as my niece is 5 ft 2 in. We stayed where we were and the seats worked out well. We were just off the floor facing the stage the first night,( half way up on the right the second night). This gave us a complete view of the preshow - which we both loved.

A guy from England sitting in front of us said that the preshow was a direct result of "the man not eating enough meat". I thought that was hysterical. This same man said Paul, George, Ringo, and Julian were all ready to perform at Live Aid but that Yoko told Julian he couldn't go on- so Paul performed alone- I thought that was hysterical too. Sad part is everyone around us seemed to believe it, after all he was from England so he must know the true story. The seats also gave us a good view of the video screens, which worked great the first night. The sound was really good.

After "We Can Work It Out," Paul did say "excuse me, I need to have a word with one of our sound men- Hey Pablo (?) Knock off the feedback, man."

After Rusty was introduced he went into this whole story about since there is a game called Blackjack there should be one called White Jill. He said he lost at the casino and that he thought it would be a good way to pay off your karmic (sp?) dept if you could use chips that you lost gambling. He was so into his story I think he forgot about Paul. When he said "Oh and here's Paul" Paul replied "Rusty- want to do another half hour?"

The next night Rusty kept his intro so short Paul had just arrived at the piano when he finished. Paul said "What no comedy routine tonight- it's Vegas you know". Rusty just shook his head no and laughed.

Paul mentioned Mike Tyson twice. First night "Mike Tyson- forget about him" Second night was "Mike Tyson huh, I won't bite anyone's ear off , At least not tonight."

The second night there was someone yelling from the front- Paul then went into his impression of him "Hey man-(mumbling words)- yeah- go have another drink".

Second night he said he won at Blackjack and lost at roulette the night before. "Win some- Lose some. It's only money right!" It is less of a worry to him than most ;).

We saw Alice Cooper the first night - he waved at my niece (she was thrilled- oh to be 17).

The second night he dedicated Loving Flame to "the person he wrote it for in the audience". He didn't say that the first night- but I think Heather was there both nights.

The crowds loved him. The second night the video screens were not working. The audience was filled with a lot more real fans the second night. There was a large number up front and a large number in the very back facing the stage. We knew who we were as we knew all the words. It was almost electric. I honestly have never had that feeling before and this is after 25 years of attending concerts (including 5 Paul, and 2 Ringo).

The first night when John H. handed him the uke someone must have made a comment because he looked at them in the front and said "Yeah I know". Something is one of the songs that I never wanted anyone to touch. The Abbey Road version is perfection- no one could improve on it. There should be a law protecting it. Having felt this way since I was 11 in 69, imagine my surprise when I loved this version. It could help that I love the uke (have a CD of Hawaiian music by a guy named Izzy). It would have been wrong to copy the original. The original still wins but I thought this version was really nice.

Quite a few people were buying shirts on the way in both nights- TONS of people were buying them on the way out. I want to buy all the pins but only one was available. People were buying 5 - 7 shirts and I'm talking the $125 ones too. I tried to get someone to adopt me and get me one too but no luck:).

I would say people loved the shows- I know my niece and I did. She also has a crush on Rusty.

Overall - he seemed more relaxed and real this time around. He seemed to really love playing and it showed.

I forgot to mention the fact that there was veeerrryy heavy security at the concerts in LV. Metal detectors and searchs thru bags. No bottles at all- plastic or glass.

I didn't meet anyone from Las Vegas at the concerts- they were all from somewhere else.

Review by Sylvia Giustina:
(http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/kierstvegas.html)
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I had the pleasure of attending both shows in Las Vegas, and I am so grateful that I did. Fans who have tickets, and have yet to see him, will be very glad they spent the time, energy and yes, money. It was well worth it.

Paul looked healthy and happy. His shorter hair style is reminiscent of the Beatles' early days, and it was a little eerie to watch video of them in 1964 with the current version standing in front of us and singing "All My Loving" in 2002. His lines are well-rehearsed, yet Paul has a relaxed affability that makes it seem adlib.

The audience for the second night was livelier. As Paul introduced his tribute to John, someone called out "he's my hero" and Paul replied, "Me, too." Then, before his tribute to George, Paul said, "he's also my hero." During "Let It Be", a group of people on the second tier stood and swayed with the music, lights aloft. It was a lovely moment. Someone held up a Liverpool football scarf during "Hey Jude" and I contributed a U.S. flag.

After the shows, I talked with fans aged 10 to 60. I don't know many musicians who can appeal to such a broad range.

The atmosphere of this show is different from the rock extravaganzas of 1989 and 1993. Paul seems more aware of his age, his recent losses, how time has marked all of us. It was a more intimate show. There was a sense of anticipation. Since the focus is so heavily on Beatles material, the audience knows what's coming, and awaits it. It's as if Paul is sitting around the campfire with us, and saying, "hmmm...what else shall I share with you?" With the opening guitar strums of "Yesterday", it was if the audience was just waiting for the cue, and they started singing the song with Paul from the very first line.

Paul is back where he belongs, on stage, and I'm very grateful that he is!

Review by Peter Kierst:
(http://abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/kierstvegas.html)
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My wife, daughter and I saw Paul in Las Vegas Saturday. The concert was astounding. Paul looked and sounded well, fit and happy. He seemed in very good spirits. "We came to rock you tonight," he said, and so he did. Contrary to the reports you heard, we detected nothing wrong with the video. We all liked the set/lights quite a bit. The opening bit with all the characters was interesting but that's all. It wasn't until I read the program that I knew what they were getting at. But no matter. It's about the music. And what music. We all know all the songs and have heard them many times, but when Paul is up there playing, 2 1/2 hours, wonderful song after wonderful song--and then you ! realize that there's a ton of them he didn't play. That one guy has so much talent continues to amaze me. And to think he was only 1/2 the songwriting partnership and that George Harrison was in the same band. No wonder the music will never die.

Oh, I could quibble with this choice or that. I would have loved to hear some of Flaming Pie and Run Devil Run but who can complain when Paul McCartney spends the night playing rock n' roll for you? Aside from this amazing range and depth of musicality and talent, one other thing struck me again. I've always known it and admired it, but I was moved again by the power of the positive, life-affirming, joyous push behind Beatle music in general, and Paul's in particular. It's not a "message" because that (to me) denotes a kind of self-concious, "preachy" quality. And for all of Paul's advocacy of causes he supports--and they're all fine causes--he isn't preachy. I never received what the Beatles, as a group or individually, were saying like that. I've always thought they were communicating themselves to us, as artists are supposed to do, through their art. Reaffirming the joyous possibility of human connection and love; and when w! e hear them, we come in contact with our own human selves. And we are rocked. It was a beautiful night.