Music Review: Paul McCartney's Good Evening New York City

Generally speaking I am not a big fan of live albums. More often than not, even though this is completely unavoidable and absolutely understandable, they are greatest hits albums with the added annoyance of people clapping over the song. This is totally fine at a concert, I go to concerts to hear the hits of the performer I’m seeing and I clap and hoot and holler as loud as the next guy; but listening to an album is a different experience, so I’m often left with the feeling that a greatest hits compilation Also, if the live album is good, it makes me wish that I was at the concert in the first place. So, basically, live albums just aren’t my thing.

Now, having said that, I have had the extreme honor and pleasure of having seen Paul McCartney perform. When I saw him live he was brilliant. He played an amazing variety from his very extensive catalogue, all of it impeccable. I was impressed by the variety that he included in his set, playing songs that spanned almost 50 years. Seeing him live felt like taking a course in rock and roll history. His performance remains in my memory to be one of the greatest I have ever seen.

Paul McCartney’s Good Evening New York City is probably the greatest live album I have ever heard, and one of the best albums of this year. As it was when I saw him perform, his song selection is spot on, playing a good variety, ensuring not to disappoint people that only really care about Beatles songs or people that have followed his career since. Also, unlike many performers that have been in the business for as long as McCartney has, he still sounds great.

The DVD that comes with the 2 CD set is even better than the CDs themselves. As previously mentioned I don’t really care for live albums, but if I am going to be listening to them I enjoy to hear the performer speak in between the songs. When I saw McCartney live he introduced many of his songs with a little back story about how the song came to be (his introduction to “Here Today” was especially beautiful). Unfortunately they edited McCartney’s chit chat out of the CDs (presumably to allow for time) however, if you’re like me and want to hear about how “Something” or “My Love” became what it is, then the DVD has all of Paul’s comments. Also the DVD has the introduction of a surprise guest (I won’t spoil who) and has all the pyrotechnics and bells and whistles of the concert going experience. This DVD is a truly immersive experience, it really made me feel like I was in the audience; I had the same feeling leaving Paul’s concert when I saw him as I did when the DVD ended.

Being that live albums (including this one) are really just greatest hits albums, you may be inclined while listening to skip around on the CD and listen to your favorite songs. I recommend listening to this album in order and as loud as you can tolerate to really give it the concert going experience (this is true of the DVD too); I don’t think you’ll regret it.