Sir Paul…

Sir Paul…

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This was easily one of the top five concerts I have ever attened!  Jam packed Air Canada Centre was taken for one hell of a musical ride covering all of Paul’s mucial career, from Early Beatles through Wing classics to his current material.

I had seen Paul in 1994 and he was good, but the band he has had together since the early 2000’s takes this to a whole other plain.  Great passionate players that push Paul into playing his best and the sum of the parts is pure magic.

Click on each image for a larger view (when doen click anywhere outside the image to return to the blog).

As a guitarist I LOVE how Paul still uses his old iconic instruments – like his orginal Beatle bass!  Kicked off with Venus and Mars/Rock Show and then Jet:

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Wardrobe here was Beatle-esque too:

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Here using the recent “People” Les Paul (covered in cartoon images of people):

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he was into it early on:

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The Long and Winding Road:

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Back on he Paul:

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Blackbird:

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and he realized at the end that he had revered the veresed – we didn’t care!!

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On the Mandoolin for the new song “Dance Tonight”:

 

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With George Harrison’s Ukulele for a touching rendition of Harrison’s “Something”

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Paul then brought out his Epiphone Casino – the one from the Beatles days:

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Back to the orginal Hofner Beatle Bass:

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The Hits just kept rolling out – Paperback Writer:

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Let it Be:

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and Day Tripper:

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Drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and Guitarist/Bassist Brian Ray:

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The sound was terriffic on teh floor at the ACC!

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Yesterday, using the old Epiphone Texan he used to write it with back in 1964…

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…was amazing!

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Long standing tradition is that Paul plays Mull of Kintyre in Canada and is always accompanied by a local Pipe Band:

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In this case the Paris/Port  Dover Pipe Band:

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Eh?

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What a thris for the band members:

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Especially when Paul interacts directly!

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Paul, Brian and guitarist Rusty Anderson kicking it out:

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You could tell how much Paul loves this band:

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Great vocals from all – Abe the drummer came down front to do background vocals on “Elanor Rigby”.

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Rocking out Helter Skelter:

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Everyone was so tight.

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Abe literally and figuratively is a MONSTER on the drum kit!!!

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A great mix of a John Bonham pounder with the finess of a Stewart Copeland:

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Fans were so into this show from beginning to end!

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Of course Paul brought his original Sunburst Les Paul.  Some quick math: only 1200 Sunburst Les Pauls were mad between 1958 and 1960 and those in good shape today will often go for $250,000.  There were only FOUR left-handed versions made during that time (this is one of them, John McEnrow has aonther) and is owned my Paul McCartney… value? Pricelsss!!

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Locked in the pocket:

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And pushing great soloing out of each other:

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Pretty good player for a 68 year old!

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A fantastic show!  Highly recommended if you get a chance – he seems to play a handfull of shows each year .


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