TRIPPING THE LIFE FANTASTIC

TRIPPING THE LIVE FANTASTIC : Paul McCartney's massive tour of the 90's. This series of concerts was voted "International Tour Of The Year" by Performance Magazine, the concert trade newspaper. On April 21st, 1990, at his second show at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, 184,000 Brazilians turned out to celebrate his first visit to their country and set the new official World Record for the biggest stadium concert in the history of rock and roll. On paper, the play list are too good to be true.In between his Wings and solo outputs, there are close to 20 over Beatles songs, it just can't go wrong. But somehow, I have a beef with the editing. The interaction with the audiences which usually what made or break a live set is mostly edited out or kept to a minimum and Paul who owned a voice that was once the finest in rock and roll alongside John Lennon is pushing 50 and was losing some of its power. He can't reach some of the high note like he used to.Still for Beatles fan, this is also a treasure doves of memories to live through. I got this CD at a fleas market at a comparatively cheaper price. I wouldn't buy this at the full price.

CD 1 :
Showtime : A short tuning of the guitar and the show begins.....

Figure Of Eight ( McCartney ) : This track from " Flowers In The Dirt" sounded quite decent than what I initially heard from the album. You think he'll want to start the show off with a familiar tunes which he have tons of. Well, that's Paul McCartney for you.

Jet ( McCartney ) : This old time concert favourite was a welcome sight and sound. Paul seems to be growling at time or was that just me.

Rough Ride ( McCartney ) : This is a nice one. A quite moment that doesn't need the voice to be stretch.

Got To Get You Into My Life ( Lennon / McCartney ) : The first Beatles song here but the high note he certainly can't reach. It pained me to see him tried and failed.

Band On The Run ( McCartney ) : This was a better version here than then one he did on "Wings Over America." Whenever he tried to reach the high note, he turned his voice into a growl but I am not fooled. Still it was not so obvious here.

Birthday ( Lennon / McCartney ) : This track was released as a single to coincide with John Lennon's 50th birthday. A nice version but no match for The Beatles of course. A nice gesture nevertheless.

Ebony And Ivory ( McCartney ) : Paul's smash hit from his critically acclaimed 1982 album "Tug Of War" with his guitarist Hamish Stuart taking over the Steve Wonder part. A decent duet.

We Got Married ( McCartney ) : An average track from his most recent album "Flowers In The Dirt." Paul's fine as long as he doesn't have to stretch his vocal chord.

Inner City Madness ( McCartney / McCartney / Stuart / McIntosh / Wickens / Whitten ) : A quick readjustment of the equipment.

Maybe I'm Amazed ( McCartney ) : Paul did a first rated stellar no other human could possibly perform version of this on his "Wings Over America" CD. Unfortunately I don't think he can ever perform like that again as this version were to proved.

The Long And Winding Road ( Lennon / McCartney ) : Paul flared better on this as the key was monotonous. This was one of his most beautiful and majestic song and he couldn't afford to go wrong.

Crackin' Up ( McDaniel ) : Just a short and teasing rendition of the highlight from his "Choba B Cccp" cover album.

The Fool On The Hill ( Lennon / McCartney ) : Here Paul dedicates this song to his former comrades and then let off on one of his most loved classic.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band ( Lennon / McCartney ) : I hate to say this but Paul's version of this song is atrocious. He was growling his way through the verses.He should know what to sing and what not to sing. Mercifully it leads off to an instrumental bridge which was way better than his singing.

Can't Buy Me Love ( Lennon / McCartney ) : This is a much better experience. When Paul sticks to his range, he can't go wrong.

Matchbox ( Perkins ) : This was previously performed by Ringo Starr as The Beatles but here Paul gives it a shot and I think it would fits in perfectly on his "Choba B Cccp" album.

Put It There ( McCartney ) It is on the quieter moment that Paul shines as on this number. It ended with an ending from The Beatles's "Hello Goodbye," A stellar performance here.

Together ( McCartney / McCartney / Stuart / McIntosh / Wickens / Whitten ) : A song Paul probably made up during rehearsal and it shows.

CD 2

Things We Said Today ( Lennon / McCartney ) : A stellar version of a stellar song from "A Hard Day's Night." but with a prolong if unnecessary instrumental end. Love this though.

Eleanor Rigby ( Lennon / McCartney ) : Always thought this Beatles track from "Revolver" was  a bit too dramatic for me. Paul's voice sounded slightly different from his Beatles version. Still this is not a bad version.

This One ( McCartney ) : My favorite from "Flowers In The Dirt." This is one mean track as good as the original. Paul's voice is fine here.

My Brave Face ( McCartney / Macnus ) : Yet another fine performance from Paul done in almost the same as the original note to note.

Back In The U.S.S.R. ( Lennon McCartney ) :  A little hoarse sounding if you ask me but still a fine show.

I Saw Her Standing There ( Lennon / McCartney ) : This was Paul in all his glory. The playing, the singing. All done to perfection. If this don't get your feet tapping, you may have a problem.

Twenty Flight Rock (  ) : The one that got him a membership to The Beatles. Don't exactly know about that performance that convinced John Lennon to have him on board but he sure as hell convinced me with this version.

Coming Up ( McCartney ) : Quite a nice one here but Paul got dangerously close to growling again which I distinctively hates.

Sally ( Haines / Leon / Towers ) :  A song found exclusively only on this album. A soft moment with the piano. It's not too bad but it's understandably almost buried by the tons of classics here.

Let It Be ( Lennon / McCartney ) : One of the few songs that Paul could not NOT sing in any of his concerts. The original version was already perfect so any other versions can only be substandard even by the man who wrote it himself. Still a song that just have to be heard.

Ain't That A Shame ( Domino / Bartholomew ) : Interesting that Paul did so many tracks from the "Choba B Cccp" cover album. Though a fine performance, I much preferred him performing his originals.

Live And Let Die ( McCartney ) : An exercise in extravagant. I've heard many versions of this song and this version is not bad at all. I know 'cos I have heard them all, well almost.

If I Were Not Upon The Stage ( Sutton / Turner / Bowsher ) : Paul teasing the audience with a short rendition of this little ditty and then stopped abruptly and launch into the mother of all singalongs.....

Hey Jude ( Lennon / McCartney ) : Another of those songs that Paul cannot get away without singing. Apart from "Wings Over America," he performed this song at all his concerts. I love the part where he got all his audiences to sing along with him. Awesome.

Yesterday ( Lennon / McCartney ) : After the grand splendour that was 'Hey Jude,' Paul went back to his root with this simple but effective song. He have the audiences eating right out of his hand.

Get Back ( Lennon / McCartney ) : A fine version of this stellar track. Seems Paul get better as he warms up. Funny usually one gets hoarse as they sang but Paul goes the other way. He sang better as he sang on.

Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End ( Lennon / McCartney ) : Recreating this medley almost note by note on The Beatles last days surely must have mustered a tear or two from the audiences. I didn't cry but it sure got me a lump on the throat.

Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying ( Greene ) : This is not a life recording. Probably recorded as the closing credit to the live show. Paul certainly have got better songs than this. A nice show to play when you are sleeping though.

DOP : Unknown.