Happy Birthday Abe!

 I am excited to see Paul in concert again in May -- but I am also excited to see Abe play the drums again too.   Happy 51st birthday to Abe!  

Modern Day Beatle Billboards

So I a few weeks ago I posted Beatles Billboards from the 1960's and 1970's.   Here are some Beatle Billboards that I have found from the 2010's.   I love things like this!

Hey Hey Hey ---Sara's review of the Paul McCartney concert in Kansas City

I wasn't supposed to see Paul in Kansas City, Missouri on July 16, 2014.    I was supposed to see Paul in Louisville, Kentucky on June 26th.  However, when Paul got sick and had to re-schedule the Louisville show, I was no longer able to travel down to see it.   I really can't travel 6 hours south on a Tuesday in October.    So I started to look for another date that worked for me in this tour and Kansas City seemed to be the best fit.

I was not sitting on the floor for this show.   I was in section 101, which is the first section past the floor seating.   I had seats that were in the center and had a wonderful view of Paul the entire time.   These were basically the same seats I had when I saw Paul in St. Louis in 2012.    You really get a different concert from the floor and the stadium seating.    When you see Paul on the floor, you are obviously part of the action.   You are an active participant in the concert.   He appears to make eye contact with you and those around you.    Everyone stands for the entire concert and you can tell from the dancing and singing that the people with you are Paul fans and love him with the same passion that you do.     When you sit up in the stadium seating, most of the people remain seated for a big part of the concert.    They do stand a bit for some of the songs, but you are sitting for most of the show.   There were times that I wanted to stand, but I felt like it would have been rude to those behind me.   You feel so far away from Paul.    While I could see him so well, there was a disconnect for sure.   And you are sitting near a majority (not all) of people who like Paul because he was in the Beatles and Wings and are not familiar with any of his solo work.    The plus side of having seats farther away is that you get to enjoy the show aspect.    When I was sitting in the 4th row last year, I did not know that when Paul sang, "Here Today" it looked like he was standing on a waterfall.   I was too close to notice it.  However,  by having seats farther back,  it was neat to see.    You can make out all of the photos farther back and enjoy the laser lights much better.  


Paul sang most of the songs that he has been singing in concert the past few years.  However, he has cut some of the Wings numbers to add in some songs from "New."   He sang "Save Us,"  "New" "Queenie Eye" and "Everybody Out There."   I was sorry to see "Junior's Farm" and "Mrs. Vanderbilt" leave the set list.    However, the songs from "New" sounded really great!    I love the "New" background and Paul and the band really, really seemed to enjoy playing the songs.

Some things that I noticed specifically to the Kansas City Show.    Paul did not read any of the signs out loud.   I saw all sorts of people down front holding signs, and I saw Paul pointing to them, but he did not ever look out and read any of the signs.     Someone had thrown a pair of panties up on the stage and Paul picked them up and said something about how it wasn't a Tom Jones show and this had never happened before.   I seriously doubt that in 2014 Paul McCartney had his first pair of women's panties thrown on the stage!!   But it was a really funny part of the show.    Paul seemed to be a bit more talkative between songs.   He mostly stuck to his script, but there were a few little things that I think he added and he in general seemed to be a tad bit more chatty.

When he sang "My Valentine,"  he dedicated it to Nancy who he said was in the audience and he pointed towards her.    I thought the KC crowd was extremely rude during this song.  It looked like a mass exodus of people.   Everyone must have thought "My Valentine" is a code song for "bathroom and drink" break.    Actually, I was surprised how much people were leaving their seats throughout the concert.    If it wasn't a Beatles song, it seems like people were leaving.    There were some people in my row that were constantly coming and going.  They were coming back with popcorn and hot dogs and who knows what else.   Whenever I go to a Paul show, I stay in my seat the entire time.  I do not want to miss a thing!    Those tickets are extremely expensive!  I can eat popcorn or go use the bathroom later---you only have so many chances to see Paul McCartney in person.

Paul messed up the words on "We can work it out."  He sang, "Only time will tell if I am wrong or I am wrong...."    He always seems to have a hard time with lyrics to that one.      Overall Paul sounded good, but by the time he sang "Day Tripper," you could tell that his voice was getting tired.   Personally I did not think "Helter Skelter" sounded very good because Paul's voice just sounded like it was ready to give out.   

Of course the real treat of the night was Paul performing "Kansas City (Hey Hey Hey )" which he did instead of "Hi Hi Hi."    He sang the "Beatles" version of the song with the crowd all doing the echo part.   This might be one of my favorite personal Beatle memories of my life.   Just something about singing the song Kansas City along with Paul in Kansas City----you just can't beat that!

If you haven't seen Paul during this tour, you have to go!   I know it is extremely expensive.   I know it is often in the middle of the week.   But you will regret it for the rest of your life if you miss out on this tour.     If you go and happen to have sensitive eyes, you will want to bring along some sunglasses.    There are a lot of bright lights and strobe lights that go out into the audience.   My mom has eye problems and the lights were really hurting her eyes until she got her sunglasses out of her purse and then she could see Paul and not be blinded.    So if any of you have eye problems....I thought I would pass along that advice.

Have fun out there!

*All photos were taken by Sara Schmidt.  Please ask before you use these photos elsewhere (and I always say yes!)

I hope Paul starts feeling like a "new man" soon!

Words cannot describe the disappointment I felt when I got the news yesterday that the concert I was planning on going to in Louisville, KY was postponed.   I totally understand that Paul is following doctor's orders and I agree that he is doing the right thing.  I remember about 5 years ago when I had viral pneumonia, it knocked me out for a full week.   About 3 weeks later I was a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding and let me tell you, that wedding killed me!   I was so exhausted and wiped out and some of my pneumonia systems started to come back because obviously my immune system wasn't built up yet.   I was in my early 30's at the time.   I am sure if Paul went back on the road full time and did night after night of 3 hour concerts, he just wouldn't be able to make it.

Having said all of that, doesn't change my disappointment.   I was going to Kentucky to take my long time friend to her first Paul concert.   It was on her bucket list--to see Paul in concert and I bought her a ticket because I knew how badly she wanted to go.   I was more excited about seeing her at the Paul concert than anything.   Now the concert has been moved to a Tuesday in October.   I am a teacher and I just cannot take off and travel six hours away in October.   I did that in February for the Beatles convention and I doubt I will be allowed to do it again.   So now I cannot go at all.   I am majorly bummed.   However, I did order a ticket to see Paul in Kansas City on July 16th and I hope he doesn't cancel out again.   But if he does.....he does. 

So here is a cute recent photo from the set of the Appreciate video of Paul with an adorable and happy little girl.

Save us

Pre-sickness, Paul was seen hanging out with Newman the robot and this adorable girl in Japan. 

Hard to Appreciate

I have to confess something.   When I first saw the photos of Paul with Newman the robot (clever name, I have to say since Paul's album is called "New"), I was jealous.    My first thought was, "Give me a break!  A robot can meet Paul McCartney and I can't?  First it was dogs and now it is a robot?"

All kidding aside, I want to wish Paul a speedy recovery.   I hope he is getting a lot of rest and is feel back to his normal self very soon.   Everyone is worried about you Paul!   

I feel so bad for the fans in Japan who were anxious to go to the concert.   I am sure Paul feels so bad for having to postpone the show for them.   I hope that Paul can find a time where he can reschedule the concert.   I would be so upset if the concert I am going to next month was canceled, but I am sure we all can agree that Paul being healthy is more important.  

The album may be "new" but autograph signing sure isn't

Paul thinking as he steps out of the car, "Oh no.  I have been spotted by a fan.  She is holding the new Cd.  She is going to want an autograph.  I am so not in the mood for this today."

Paul's "guy"--"I am sorry ma'am but Sir McCartney is very busy today.  There is no times for autographs."  Fan:  "But I just love you so much Paul.  I have been waiting 50 years to meet you.  And I love your album.  It is great.  I love you!"  Paul:  "Oh...sure...I will sign one for you.  What is your name?"

Fan:  "Thank you thank!  You don't know what this means to me.  I have been to 20 of your concerts and buy all your albums.  You have always been my favorite."
Paul:  "It is not a problem at all.   Here you go."  Paul thinking:  "You are lucky I am not Ringo." 

Appreciate video

When a fellow Beatle fan has a "Beatles victory" I enjoy celebrating it.   That is in part what this blog is for:  celebrating our Beatles encounters.    One of the people who has been a long-time active participant in this blog, Shari, created a video for the song "Appreciate" found on the Paul McCartney "New" album.     It is a great video!     But the exciting part of this is that it was spotted by MPL and was featured on the Paul McCartney twitter account (and elsewhere)!!!    That means that it is quite possible that Paul himself watched Shari's video and if Paul didn't watch it, then at least the people at MPL watched it and loved it!     As a fan, this is pretty exciting stuff!       You can read more about Shari's video here .   I also send her a few questions and here are her answers.


Sara:   How did you get into the Beatles? 
Shari:  I've been a Beatles fan since I was 8, when I discovered reruns of the Saturday morning cartoon. I wasn't allowed to listen to rock music, so stumbling upon that cartoon opened so many worlds to me, and I was forever hooked. I credit that cartoon with a lifelong association of music with images, and I was obsessed with music videos in the 80s. I suppose it was inevitable I'd eventually want to make one of my own.

Sara:  Have you ever made a video using Beatles (or solo) music before?
Shari:   This was my first music video ever, though I made a humorous video last year with two friends of mine called "Sh*t Duran Duran Fans Say," which is also on my channel at YouTube. 

Sara:  What other Beatles songs do you think would make good music videos?
Shari:    My favorite Beatle song is "Norwegian Wood," and that would have made for an interesting video. Hmmm... as far as "NEW" is concerned, I'd love to see videos for my other favorite songs: "Alligator," "On My Way to Work" "Road" and "Struggle" (Japanese track).

Sara:  Did anyone that you asked to be in your video hear the Paul song, Appreciate?
Shari:    Only one. A fellow photography major asked me if the song was from Paul's latest album, and that floored me. Most of the time, my assistant and I kept it simple and told them it was for a video about the things people appreciated in life, and that was enough to get most people we approached to agree to it.

Sara:  When I was watching the video, I thought it was interesting that many of the signs were written in languages other than English.   Were you surprised by that?
Shari:   Not at all, since it was shot on a campus with an international student body. I was happy they wanted to and I encouraged it.

Sara:  Do you think Paul himself watched your video?
Shari:   I was told that the praise came from the top. My first reaction was shock, which gave way to pure giddiness. I'm honored to say the least, and I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to see his reaction!

Sara:  What response have you gotten from other fans on your video?
Shari:   It's been overwhelmingly positive, and I'm so touched its struck a chord with them. Some people were hearing "Appreciate" for the first time, and its gained some more fans. I really hope Paul considers releasing it as a single!



Well I really "Appreciate"  Shari taking the time to answer my questions!   I am sure that I speak for everyone who reads MTBFR in congratulating you on a great video and receiving the recognition from MPL!   


 

Back to the "New"

I for one was a bit surprised that Paul was back at a formal autograph signing event last week in London.   The last time fans qued up for a wristband and a chance to get Paul to sign an autograph was in November 2007 at the Virgin Store in London.    

It seemed that these type of autograph signing was a "2000's" thing and Paul thing for the 2010's was calling fans up on stage for tattoo autographs.   Since Paul did do this in New York when he was promoting "New" there, I was not expecting the fans in London would get this opportunity.   But Sir Paul is full of surprises these days, and so about 160 fans got to meet Paul ever so briefly and get his signature on the "New" Cd.    One of the lucky people was my friend, Lucy (who has had quite the adventurous week.  She was also chosen to ask Paul a question during his BBC concert the few days prior).

Fans lined the streets 30 hours before Paul was set to show up.    Sixty fans automatically got Paul's autograph because they were contest winners.   The other folks were the first 100 fans in the line, regardless of how long they waited or if they had a wristband or not.    This caused a lot of fans to go home tired, cold and angry.   Sleeping overnight  on the sidewalk and going without decent food or toilet facilities and coming home empty handed would be beyond disappointing.    My sympathies goes out to fan #101 and above who were just as dedicated as #99 or 100.  

But for the 160 who did get Paul's autograph and those precious moments to speak to him face to face, it was an unforgettable experience.

What's New?

There isn't anything as exciting as the day of a Beatles member album release.   Everyone on facebook has been all exiting all day about the Paul McCartney album, "New."    I was anxious to hear the whole thing.   So I rushed out to my local record and game shop in my town right after work to find that they were not carrying the new album by Paul.    It is easy to get worked up in your own little Beatle world that you easily forget that the rest of the world doesn't necessarily care about things such as new Paul McCartney songs.

So I went across the street to the local Target store and bought the Deluxe version with the DVD.   I have only listened to the album all the way through one full time.   But so far I like it.   Do I LOVE it?  No.   Do I think it is better than Driving Rain or Chaos and Creation?   Oh yeah!    I like it even better than Memory Almost Full.   It seems like the songs on "New" are either ones that I am crazy about or I just don't like.    I need to give it many more listens before I have a final decision.   But there are several songs that have already stood out as good ones.  

Needless to say, I wasn't able to get that really awesome light up cube that everyone is getting and talking about.   If someone somehow was able to get an extra one and wouldn't mind selling it to me at cost plus shipping, I would be forever in your debt.   I would LOVE to have a "New" cube to go with my Beatles Anthology cubes.   But I think I am out of luck on that one.