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During 2009, Paul McCartney has been playing one-off concerts (to critical and commercial success) that began earlier in the year when he performed at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool in June (available on Complete Liverpool Sound Concert CD/DVD set also from Piccadilly Circus). Approached as “events” and not a full-fledged tour, it’s worked to his advantage as he’s given high energy and memorable performances that quite frankly, has saved his voice from major wear and tear that occurs giving back to back concert appearances. No he’ll never sound like Beatle Paul or Wings Paul again, but vocally, he sounds his best since The Concert For George.

Taken from the Canadian HD broadcast after the event, it looks wonderful. Sharp and clear. This set is probably the highlight of these one-off concerts. The mix has less a “concert soundstage” than the other’s given this year. Vocals upfront with not too much distance and echo (as typically heard on these broadcast mixes). With Paul being in fine voice, this concert showcases his flexible vocal chords with a continued amazing range that you just wouldn’t expect he’d retain after hearing his progressively deepening speaking voice. There are almost no moments where his voice croaks or cracks and the only real strain seems to be during the rare “Day Tripper” during the encore. For the band, you’d think it’s do-it-by-the-numbers job now, but I find the band is ultra tight and loose in their disposition. The set list is typical of what he’s been doing with one or two additions and deletions. I’m thankful there’s no “C Moon” this time!

The DVD has French subtitles when Paul speaks between songs. The director knew what he was doing. There are no fast MTV type of cuts, or off angle shots. Paul is very animated and it’s nice to see rare spontaneity when he spots a gal in the audience holding a sign up that begs Paul to sign her arm for a tattoo!. It’s rare moment where Paul puts the scripted stage patter on hold and welcomes her on stage to sign her arm. It’s a endearing and fun moment. For some reason, “I Saw Her Standing There” was not broadcast and is offered up as bonus track from cell-phone cameras. Also included is a news interview from rehearsal during “Band On The Run.”

The CDs sound like they are duped from the broadcast and are nice to have handy to listen to from my portable CD player or via the stereo. We get the previous day’s sound check from an audience source. It’s not bad quality. The jam is boring though. Plus we get an interview from a Halifax radio station while Paul is eating toast with tea!

What I enjoy about these type of collections is Piccadilly Circus (an off-shoot of Misterclaudel) attempts to give you the most complete package of the event and the correlating surrounding events (interviews, sound checks). This gives the set a wider and more overall historical perspective of the moment.

This set is very highly recommended.

Piccadilly Circus – PCCD 74/75/76/77/78
Reviewer: Howard Fox (aka Beatle Bob)

As a bonus to this review, here’s some audience shot footage (not from the DVD) from Halifax of Paul singing George Harrison’s ‘Something’ with a ukelele.