When you have the best back catalogue in popular music, it takes some courage to start your home town gig with "Hippy Hippy Shake" Not that it mattered
The Zutons had started off another glorious night at Anfield and then The Kaiser Chiefs did a great set, I recognised most of the KCs songs as they are now a staple band of Radio 2.
But nothing was going to upstage The Man.
From a seat in the Kop, I had a great view of the stage. The last time I was in the Kop I was standing, not that I sat down much once McCartney came on. If a new Anfield is ever built rather than demolish the real Anfield it would make an ideal concert venue, as to-night has shown.
Some of the high lights were, "Something" for George and "My Love" for Linda, this was a Heather free zone. An absolutely stunning version of "Live and let die" and just to keep every one happy "Yesterday" on an acoustic guitar.
"Let it Be" and "Hey Jude" had the crowd singing, swaying and crying in equal measures, this is what you go to see McCartney for, he even did "Everyone is going to dance to-night" a recent song and he played the mandolin, it was so much better live than on the CD that was free with th Mail on Sunday, not
that I am complaining "Memory almost full" is a great addition to anyones music collection.
I first saw Paul with Wings at the Royal Court way back in 1979, then 1990 at the Dock, I was at the after show party when he played the Cavern, watched it on a big screen. Even got to see him when he did his poetry reading at the Everyman. Then the Dock again in 2003, now 5 years to the day since he played that concert, he has played Anfield. And I have to say, as a fan, he gets better.. What he will
do to top this I can only guess at.
It is now half way though Liverpool's year of Culture and for me the Liverpool Sound show has been the high light so far. I doubt that there will be a better show than this.
As a Tour Guide in Liverpool I often man the microphone on the daily Magical Mystery Tour, this is by far the best way for fans to see the Beatle sites of Liverpool.
Not only do you get a better view from a coach than you do from a car, a coach being so much higher, but you also get the undivided attention of a knowledgeable guide. A car driver has to keep his attention on the road. Over the last week or so, because of the McCartney concert, there has been a huge increase in visitors and the MMT has been sold out every day. All the Beatle Guides have been busy busy.
Lots of extra tours were put on to deal with the demand, but even that wasn't enough and some visitors missed out. The residents of Arnold Grove, were George Harrison was born, and Forthlin Road, the last McCartney home in Liverpool, deserve The Freedom of the City because of the number of visitors that march up and down their streets daily. The residents are very friendly to the visitors, regularly chatting and having a joke at the visitors expense. The lady who tells Beatle fans that she is Georges sister and poses for photographs is great, they believe her.
The question that Beatle guides and the hard working staff in The 08 place and other Tourist Information places get asked on a regular basis is "Why didn't we go to Abbey Road"
I have had finger waving Americans, saying " I think this is a disgrace, I've come all this way and you haven't even bothered to take us to Abbey Road" or "What I really came to Liverpool for is to
have my photograph taken on the crossing" saying "you'll need a long lens" does not really cut it.
On a sour note, I read the review of the McCartney concert by "The Guardians" Mr Bean look-alike music critic, Alexis Petridis, he barely mentions the concert and takes the opportunity to have a pop
at Liverpool. Did he really see the same concert that the rest of us saw?
What is it with The Guardian, their food critic, what a job food critic is, you get to eat out and tell others how good or bad it is according to your taste that is. Well the Guardians food critic ate at a new Liverpool restaurant "The Panoramic" now the highest restaurant in Britain, Worth a trip just for the view. "The Guardian" food critics conclusion, Liverpool restaurants are not up to the standard of London restaurants. I am underwelmed. The food critic ate with Alexsi Sayle, the pseudo Scouse comedian who has a Television series and no doubt a book to flog. He has been wheeled out on to all the usual BBC programmes, "The One Show". I have done "The One Show" as well. Upset the cyclists when I did.
He was on Steve Wright in the Afternoon and he really didn't say much other than he was not going to move back but he was "thinking" of renting a place here. That we should be so honoured. His series starts Friday BBC2 at 9 p.m. Prepare to be shocked by the "Born Again" Scouser.
If you want to see a funny Scouse Comedian catch Silky at The Royal Court 6.45. this Saturday as part of the Comedy Festival. Not to spoil his show but I line I liked from Silky was, "The Big Issue" the only magazine that you can sell on after you've read it.
"It's a Wonderful Life"
(Thu 02/12)
TURN IT DOWN.
(Thu 11/11)
Do we need another Beatles book.
(Mon 11/10)
President or Pope, who is most welcome?
(Mon 16/08)
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