The Smiley Smile Message Board

Wonderful thing, Spotify - I can listen to entire albums and decide if they're worth getting on CD

Or, I can listen to someone who once had a great voice but now, plain can't sing. Not Brian (this time) - Macca.

And if this is the sweetened version, I really don't wanna hear it warts & all.

Funny, I saw him in New York City in July and thought he was in very good voice. To each his own I guess.

I think Paul's vocal performance on Good Evening New York City is very, very good. I think his voice deepened a bit, but he still hits all the notes. And, most importantly, as opposed to Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, and a few others, McCartney still sounds like his former self in the 1960,s, 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's. The only song where I felt he struggled a bit was "Yesterday", but even that wasn't bad, and I'm glad he attempted it. That's not an easy song to sing with just acoustic guitar accompaniment. I'm curious, AGD, which songs do you feel are subpar vocal-wise?

Paul sounds about as good as one at his age could hope for, I think. His range is still there, he can still belt, etc. His main problem is that he tries to sound so much like he did in the 60s that he can come off as forced. His voice has aged more than he wants us to think it has. Folks like Brian and Dylan don't work so hard to ape their past styles (perhaps because their vocal instruments are too damaged in the first place). Oddly, though, that means that they can sometimes sound "better" simply because they now have to sing and phrase differently.

I was at one of three concerts from which this recording was taken, and Paul sounded great. Calico Skies brought me to tears. Of course, everything sounds better in person.

Wow, Aegir, you got any more on the show? I'd like to hear about it!

I was at the debut show in NYC and it was great, "Something" and "My Love" had almost everyone with lumps in their throats. He flubbed a line on "Calico," but still sounded great. Also, "I'm Down" was fantastic, blew me away that he has the gall to still play that one! One thing, though, we got in trouble for dancing. Apparantley the old farts behind us (i.e. about 60-65) didn't like the fact that we were standing up. Hell, it's a rock and roll show!!

Paul does rock on the CD/DVD, but I like the ballads very much, too. The haunting piano intro to "The Long And Winding Road", the way it goes into "My Love", and the way Paul segues from the ukelele to the band on "Something"; he also sings "Something" with much emotion.

Paul is a funny (and sometimes serious) guy, and I always enjoy his comments to the audience. There was little of this on the CD. Did Paul do much bantering with the audience?

EDIT: Nevermind (not that you would've responded anyway :)....I just watched the DVD; it's excellent, and Paul did MUCH conversing with the audience.

Gotta love those old guys!   Esp someone like macca who does it for the art and to entertain and be recognized as a still vital performer.  He doesn't HAVE to do ANYTHING if he chooses.  I continue to enjoy what he chooses to share with the public.   That goes double for Ray Davies.....not as rich but is clearly doing what he does for art and self expression.