Written by Trent Richer and Photographs by Lee-Ann Wylie
“Maybe I’m Amazed” that I saw a “Band On The Run”, doing “Something”, “Here Today”, and tomorrow, that was to “Live And Let Die” for. Yes I am talking about Sir Paul McCartney, former Beatle member who graced the Rexall Place in Edmonton Alberta on Nov 28th & 29th. He proved that after 50 plus years of performing he still has the magic and power to sell out two nights of 14,500 seats!
Walking in you could see the merchandise tables with incredibly long line ups, before, and after, the show. The stadium was packed and the mood was of happiness, singing and laughter like I have never seen at a concert.
McCartney exploded onto the stage with “Magical Mystery Tour” the first night. The stage was simple with three screens. The two perimeter ones had band close ups and the center one had clips to highlight the songs they were performing.
With having hits from the 60’s to present day his pacing and song choice was a Beatle fan’s dream. Performing songs from the Beatles era like “All My Loving”, “Paperback Writer”, “I’ve Just Seen A Face”, “Hey Jude”, “Get Back”, “Let It Be”, “Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da”, and “Back In the U.S.S.R” to Wings tunes, “Juniors Farm”, “Jet”, “Band On The Run”, and James Bond’s theme song “Live And Let Die”. He also had solo work from all decades, right up his new album “Kisses on the Bottom”.
Paul started the evening off with his trusted Hofner, and joked about the only evening’s wardrobe change (as he called it) by removing his jacket. He bounced back and forth between guitar and piano. Paul’s voice wavered a few times the first night on some of the higher notes but he was belting it out the second with all the screams we have come to love!
The evening was enhanced by his jokes and story telling. He worked hard for his applause. After each song, he would humbly thank everyone, then bow in true Beatle fashion. Then on to the next hit.
The 70 year old performed two shows, both three hours long. Each show included two encores, showing performers half his age how it’s done!
He included tributes to John Lennon with “Here Today”, and to George Harrison, with a ukulele version of “Something”. There was a story attached to each song, along with a request for a show of appreciation. The clapping from the audience was deafening!
Both nights had the Edmonton Police band joining in on the song “Mull Of Kintyre” and on the second night The Junior Edmonton choir backed the band in “Wonderful Christmas Time” (complete with snow!). Paul also paid tribute to Jimi Hendrix with a snippet of Foxy Lady.
The evening’s final show stopper was the “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End”. This medley finished with all three guitarists trading off leads. By “The End” you were left completely satisfied! On the way out and on the subway you could hear “Hey Jude” being sung with concert confetti being tossed around and everyone joining in rounds of, ‘Na, na na na na na na, na na na na Hey Jude!’
It truly was a “Magical Mystery Tour”!
Thank you! It was a wonderful show and a wonderful time!! 🙂