Non si possono raccontare 37 anni di vita artistica in modo completo, soprattutto se nel corso della tua carriera hai inciso tantissimo, realizzato ore e ore di materiale video e avresti tanto da raccontare da intrattenere i tuoi fans per giorni. Ecco che Paul McCartney in questi tre DVD che formano il boxset "The McCartney Years" prova a riassumere la sua produzione solista cercando di non essere banale e scontato; gli riesce alla fine di realizzare un piccolo tesoro che racchiude parte del suo mondo artistico. Per la prima volta vengono pubblicati ufficialmente molti video realizzati nel corso degli anni e vedono la luce alcune immagini che il grande pubblico non ha mai potuto apprezzare. L'opera si divide su tre dischi, i primi due dedicati interamente alla raccolta di videoclip, il terzo invece presenta materiale live quasi totalmente inedito.
La scelta più curiosa è interessante di Paul è quella di accompagnare molti clip con un suo commento aggiuntivo, è la prima volta che l'ex beatle parla di certe sue canzoni e molti anedotti sono particolari e molto interessanti. Sul primo disco Macca ci presenta la sua carriera dal '70 al '83; da notare che la presentazione dei menù interattivi rimanda ad un vecchio proiettore cinematografico per sottolineare il tono volutamente domestico e privato che assume questo boxset. Pur mancando di alcuni clip già dal primo disco si hanno le prime buone impressioni; scegliendo la possibilità di vederli in ordine cronologico si parte con "Maybe I'm Amazed". Questa bellissima canzone dedicata a Linda è accompagnata da un collage fotografico molto intimo e toccante, e lo stesso Paul si commuove a vedere scorrere le bellissime foto di Linda, il suo cane Martha ("Martha My Dear"), la piccola Mary e la più grande Heather. Segue "Heart Of The Country" del '71 da "Ram", un filmato che ci riporta alla Scozia e all'esilio post Beatles dei McCartney. Mancano clip da "Wild Life" ma ci sono quelli di "Hi Hi Hi", "C Moon" commentati da Paul, una vera chicca quello di "Mamunia" del '73, e quello di "Helen Wheels". Il video di "Band On The Run" è un omaggio alla carriera dei Beatles, dagli esordi al Cavern nell grigia Liverpool fino al trionfo negli USA, la canzone si presta completamente a questo tipo di narrazione e il video è realizzato nello stile che segnava alcune scene di "Yellow Submarine". I Wings dominano con "Silly Love Songs" (scene inedite del backstage del tour del '76), "With A Little Luck", "I've Had Enough", "Babe's Request".
Negli extra si aggiungono il malinconico e particolarissimo video di "London Town", le immagini della canzone prendono vita mentre Paul, Linda e Denny camminano scalzi su un finto marciapiede, "Junior's Farm" e molto altro. Leggendario il video di "Coming Up", ancora scopiazzato oggi, Paul suona tutti gli strumenti impersonando una immaginaria "Plastic Macs Band" in onore dell'amico Lennon e della sua "Plastic Ono Band". Tra gli extra da notare che Paul pubblica finalmente il film sulla realizzazione della cover di "Band On The Run" una delle più famose e belle della storia del rock.
Il secondo DVD continua sulla stessa linea, da segnalare i clip di "Beatiful Night" e "Little Willow", quest'ultima canzone è dedicata a Maurenne Starkey che nel '97 moriva uccisa da un tumore. Il video di "Pipes Of Peace" è molto noto e riprende un fatto storico accaduto durante la guerra di trincea della prima guerra mondiale. Mancano video tratti dal deludente "Driving Rain" (quello di "From A Lover To Friend" era molto bello), questo è forse dovuto al fatto che Paul cerca di staccarsi il ricordo della Mills e infatti quest'opera è un omaggio continuo a Linda nei ricordi di Paul e nella selezione del materiale.
Terzo DVD dedicato al live. Spiccano le scene restaurate di "Rockshow", questo straordinario film concerto sul tour dei Wings del '76 non è ancora stato ripubblicato in DVD e in questo disco l'audio potenziato è fenomenale. Paul aggiunge parte del concerto unplugged a MTV del '91 e materiale più recente.
Da sottolineare che il buon vecchio Macca riempie i menù animati di assolute rarità, esecuzioni da "One Hand Clapping", " The Backyard" (concerto sul retro degli Abbey Road studios del '73), scene da "Give My Regards To Broad Street" e molto altro. Per i fans che aspettano da anni la loro pubblicazione ufficiale è la conferma che quello che ha nel cassetto Paul è incredibile, come l'esucuzione live di "Wild Life" del '72.
Alla fine un'opera giustamente incompleta (ci vorrebbero almeno 10 dvd per renderla definitiva) per ragioni economiche, di spazio e tempo. L'unica pecca è però il non aver pubblicato il documento sulla realizazione di "Back To The Egg" (la famosa "rockorchestra") e il piccolo film realizzato per la promozione del disco del '79, amen. Se avete anche "Wingspan" l'acquisto di questo box set completerà ulteriormente il materiale di Paul presente nel film.
Elenco tracce e testi
13 Waterfalls (00:00)
Don't Go Jumping Waterfalls
Please Keep To The Lake
People Who Jump Waterfalls
Sometimes Cam Make Mistakes
And I Need Love, Yeah I Need Love
Like A Second Needs An Hour
Like A Raindrop Needs A Shower
Yeah I Need Love Every Minute Of The Day
And It Wouldn't Be The Same
If You Ever Should Decide To Go Away
And I Need Love, Yeah I Need Love
Like A Castle Needs A Tower
Like A Garden Needs A Flower
Yeah I Need Love Every Minute Of The Day
And It Wouldn't Be The Same
If You Ever Should Decide To Go Away
Don't Go Chasing Polar Bears
In The Great Unknown
Some Big Friendly Polar Bear
Might Want To Take You Home
And I Need Love, Yeah I Need Love
Like A Second Needs An Hour
Like A Raindrop Needs A Shower
Yeah I Need Love Every Minute Of The Day
And It Wouldn't Be The Same
If You Ever Should Decide To Go Away
Don't Run After Motor Cars
Please Stay On The Side
Someone's Glossy Motor Car
Might Take You For A Ride
And I Need Love, Yeah I Need Love
Like A Castle Needs A Tower
Like A Garden Needs A Flower
Yeah I Need Love, Said I Need Love
Like A Raindrop Needs A Shower
Like A Second Needs An Hour
Every Minute Of The Day
And It Wouldn't Be The Same
If You Ever Should Decide To Go Away
Don't Go Jumping Waterfalls
Please Keep To The Lake
24 Coming Up (00:00)
You want a love to last forever
One that will never fade away
I want to help you with your problem
Stick around I say
Coming Up, coming up, yeah
Coming up, like a flower
Coming up, I say
You want a friend you can rely on
One who will never fade away
And if you're searching for an answer
Stick around, I say
Coming Up, coming up
Coming up, like a flower
Coming up, yeah
You want some peace and understanding
So everybody can be free
I know that we can get together
We can make it, stick with me
It's coming up, coming up
Coming up, like a flower
Coming up for you and me
Coming Up, coming up, I say
Coming up, like a flower
Coming up, I feel it in my bones
You want a better kind of future
One that everyone can share
You're not alone, we all could use it
Stick around, we're nearly there
Coming Up, coming up everywhere
Coming up, like a flower
Coming up for all to share
Coming up, yeah
Coming up, anyway
Coming up, like a flower
Coming up
25 Wonderful Christmastime (00:00)
The moon is right
The spirit's up
We're here tonight
And that's enough
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
The party's on
The feeling's here
That only comes
This time of year
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
The choir of children sing their song
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding...
Oohhhh
Oohhhhhhh
We're simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
The word is out
About the town
To lift a glass
Ahhh don't look down
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
The choir of children sing their song
They practiced all year long
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
The party's on
The spirit's up
We're here tonight
And that's enough
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
We're simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
The moon is right
The spirit's up
We're here tonight
Ohhh, and that's enough
We're simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Simply having a
wonderful Christmastime
Ohhhhhhhhh
Christmastime
33 Maybe I'm Amazed (00:00)
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time.
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pull me out of time
You hung me on the line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
Maybe I'm a man
Maybe I'm a lonely man who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.
Maybe I'm a man
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Maybe I'm a man
Maybe I'm a lonely man who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.
Maybe I'm a man
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
Right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
38 Pipes Of Peace (00:00)
Pipes of peace
I light a candle to our love
In love our problems disappear
But all in all we soon discover
That one and one is all we long to hear
All around the world
Little children being born to the world
Got to give them all we can 'til the war is won
Then will the work be done
Help them to learn
Songs of joy instead of burn, baby burn
Let us show them how to play the pipes of peace
Play the pipes of peace
Help me to learn
Songs of joy instead of burn, baby burn
Won't you show me how to play the pipes of peace
Play the pipes of peace
What do you say?
Will the human race be run in a day
Or will someone save this planet we're playing on?
Is it the only one?
What are we going to do?
Help them to see
That the people here are like you and me
Let us show them how to play the pipes of peace
Play the pipes of peace
I light a candle to our love
In love our problems disappear
But all in all we soon discover
That one and one is all we long to hear
39 Hope Of Deliverance (00:00)
I will always be hoping, hoping.
You will always be holding, holding
My heart in your hand.
I will understand
I will understand someday, one day.
You will understand always, always
From now until then.
When it will be right, I don't know.
What it will be like, I don't know.
We live in hope of deliverance
From the darkness that surrounds us.
Hope of deliverance, hope of deliverance
Hope of deliverance from the darkness
That surrounds us.
And I wouldn't mind knowing, knowing
That you wouldn't mind going,
Going along with my plan.
When it will be right, I don't know.
What it will be like, I don't know.
We live in hope of deliverance
From the darkness that surrounds us.
Hope of deliverance, hope of deliverance
Hope of deliverance from the darkness
That surrounds us. (x3)
Hope of deliverance.
Hope of deliverance.
I will understand.
43 Press (00:00)
Darling, I Love You Very, Very, Very Much,
And I Really Am Relying On Your Touch.
But With All These People Listening In,
I Don't Know Where I Ought To Begin.
Maybe We Could Hit Upon A Word,
Something That The Others Haven't Heard,
When You Want Me To Love You,
Just Tell Me To Press.
Right There, That's It. Yes. When You Feel The Stress
Don't Just Stand There, Tell Me To Press.
You Can Give Me What I Want I Must Confess,
My Body Needs Attention My Mind Is In A Mess,
Oklahoma Was Never Like This.
Never Like This, It Was Never Like This,
Ever Like This, Say Was It Ever Like This?
Oklahoma Was Never Like This.
It Was Never Like This ...
Darling, I Know It Really Wouldn't Be A Crime,
If I Say I Want To Love You All The Time.
But With All These People Listening In,
I Don't Know Where I Ought To Begin.
Maybe We Should Have A Secret Code,
Before We Both Get Ready To Explode.
When You Want Me To Love You,
Just Tell Me To Press. Press ...
Right There, That's It. Yes.
When You Feel The Stress,
Don't Just Stand There.
Won't You Tell Me To Press?
45 Off The Ground (00:00)
There must have been a lot of heartache
For you to sink so low.
You must have had a ton of pressure.
Only answer if the answer�s no.
I need loving, you need loving too.
Doesn't take a lot to get off the ground.
There must have been a lot of magic
When the world was born.
Let me be the one you wish for,
One you call for, when you're all alone.
I need loving, you need loving too.
Wouldn't take a lot to get off the ground.
Off the ground, off the ground.
Fly around, fly around.
Hear the sound, hear the sound.
Off the ground, off the ground.
Though it takes a lot of power
To make a big tree grow.
It doesn't need a pot of knowledge,
For a seed knows what a seed must know.
You need loving, I need loving too.
Doesn't take a lot to get off the ground.
Off the ground, off the ground.
Fly around, fly around.
Hear the sound, hear the sound.
Off the ground, off the ground.
Hear the sound, hear the sound.
Off the ground, off the ground.
Yeah yeah, off the ground.
46 Biker Like An Icon (00:00)
There Was A Girl Who Loved A Biker
She Used To Follow Him Across America
But The Biker Didn't Like Her.
She Didn't Care, She Still Persisted
Though Her Brother Said She Was Twisted
And The Family Said They Wouldn't Miss Her
Anyway.
She Loved The Biker Like An Icon
Gazing At His Picture Everyday.
She Loved The Biker Like An Icon
Slowly Watching Precious Water Drip Away.
She Did Her Best To Fix A Meeting
She Pulled It Off One Night In Hollywood
When He Met Her He Couldn't Let Her Get Away.
He Didn't Ask For Her Permission
He Took Advantage Of Her Position
But He Was Always Her Ambitiion
Anyway.
She Loved The Biker Like An Icon
Gazing At His Picture Everyday.
She Loved The Biker Like An Icon
Slowly Watching Precious Water Drip Away.
The Family Tried So Hard To Find Her
They Showed Her Picture Across America.
But No Trace Of Her Sweet Face
Was Ever Found.
She Loved The Biker Like An Icon
Gazing At His Picture Everyday.
She Loved The Biker Like An Icon
Slowly Watching Precious Water Drip Away.
49 My Brave Face (00:00)
My brave, my brave, my brave face.
I've been living in style,
Unaccustomed as I am
To the luxury life,
I've been hitting the town
And it didn't hit back.
I've been doing the rounds
Unaccustomed as I am
To the time on my hands,
Now I don't have to tell anybody
When I'm going to get back.
Ever since you went away
I've had this sentimental inclination
Not to change a single thing,
As I pull the sheet back on the bed,
I want to go bury my head
In your pillow.
Now that I'm alone again
I can't stop breaking down again,
The simplest things set me off again
And take me to that place
Where I can't find my brave face,
Where I can't find my brave face,
My brave, my brave, my brave face.
My brave face.
I've been living a lie
Unaccustomed as I am
To the work of the housewife,
I've been breaking up
Dirty dishes and throwing them away.
Ever since you left I have been trying to
Compose a 'baby will you please come home' note
Meant for you.
As I clear away another
Untouched TV dinner
From the table I laid for two.
Now that I'm alone again
I can't stop breaking down again,
The simplest things set me off again
And take me to that place
Where I can't find my brave face,
Where I can't find my brave face,
My brave, my brave, my brave face.
My brave face.
50 Figure Of Eight (00:00)
(Well) You've Got Me Dancing In A Figure Of Eight,
Don't Know If I'm Coming Or Going, I'm Early Or Late.
Round And Round The Ring I Go,
I Want To Know, I Want To Know,
Why Can't We Travel A Continuous Line?
Make Love Reliable Covenant All The Time.
Up And Down The Hills I Go, I Got To Know, I Got To Know.
Is Is Better To Love Another
Than To Go Go For A Walk In The Dark?
Is It Better To Love Than To Give In To Hate?
Yeah We'd Better Take Good Care Of Each Other
Avoid Slipping Back Off The Straight And Narrow,
It's Better By Far Than Getting Stuck In A Figure Of Eight.
(Well) Figure It Out For Yourself Little Girl,
It Don't Go Nowhere At All,
It's Nothing More Than A Tape Loop In A Big Dance Hall.
You've Got Me Running ...
You've Got Me Running ...
53 So Bad (00:00)
There Is A Pain, Inside My Heart
You Mean So Much To Me
Girl, I Love You, Girl, I Love You So Bad
And If You Leave, My Pain Will Go
But That's No Good To Me
Girl, I Love You, Yes, I Love You So Bad
Well It Feels So Good, Sometimes It Feels So Bad
This Is Worse Than Anything I've Ever Had
There Was A Pain, But Now You're Here
And I Don't Fear A Thing
Girl, I Love You, Yes, I Love You So Bad
And She Said, Boy, I Love You
Boy, I Love You So Bad
- Solo -
Girl, I Love You
Girl, I Love You So Bad
Well It Feels So Good, Sometimes It Feels So Bad
This Is Worse Than Anything I've Ever Had
There Was A Pain, But Now You're Near
And I Don't Fear A Thing
Girl, I Love You
Girl, I Love You So Bad
And She Said
Boy, I Love You
Boy, I Love You So Bad
Girl, I Love You
Girl, I Love You
58 This One (00:00)
Did I Ever Take You In My Arms,
Look You In The Eye, Tell You That I Do,
Did I Ever Open Up My Heart
And Let You Look Inside.
If I Never Did It, I Was Only Waiting
For A Better Moment That Didn't Come.
There Never Could Be A Better Moment
Than This One, This One.
The Swan Is Gliding Above The Ocean,
A God Is Riding Upon His Back,
How Calm The Water And Bright The Rainbow
Fade This One To Black.
Did I Ever Touch You On The Cheek
Say That You Were Mine, Thank You For The Smile,
Did I Ever Knock Upon Your Door
And Try To Get Inside?
If I Never Did It, I Was Only Waiting
For A Better Moment That Didn't Come.
There Never Could Be A Better Moment
Than This One, This One.
The Swan Is Gliding Above The Ocean,
A God Is Riding Upon His Back,
How Calm The Water And Bright The Rainbow
Fade This Swan To Black.
What Opportunities Did We Allow To Flow By
Feeling Like Like The Timing Wasn't Quite Right?
What Kind Of Magic Might Have Worked If We Had Stayed Calm,
Couldn't I Have Given You A Better Life?
Did You Ever Take Me In Your Arms,
Look Me In The Eye, Tell Me That You Do?
Did I Ever Open Up My Heart,
Let You Look Inside?
If I Never Did It, I Was Only Waiting
For A Better Moment That Didn't Come.
There Never Could Be A Better Moment
Than This One, This One.
The Swan Is Gliding Above The Ocean,
A God Is Riding Upon His Back,
How Calm The Water And Bright The Rainbow
Fade This Swan To Black.
61 Birthday (00:00)
You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party
Yes we're going to a party party.
I would like you to dance--Birthday
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance-Birthday
I would like you to dance--Birthday
Dance
You say it's your birthday
Well it's my birthday too--yeah
You say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.
67 Blackbird (00:00)
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.
Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird fly Blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.
Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
70 Live And Let Die (00:00)
When you were young and your heart was an open book
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did, you know you did, you know you did)
But if this ever-changing world in which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
(Live and let die)
Live and let die
(Live and let die)
What does it matter to you?
When you got a job to do
You got to do it well
You got to give the other fellow hell
You used to say live and let live
(You know you did, you know you did, you know you did)
But if this ever-changing world in which we live in
Makes you give in and cry
Say live and let die
(Live and let die)
Live and let die
(Live and let die)
72 Yesterday (00:00)
Yesterday,
All my troubles seemed so far away;
Now it looks as though they're here to stay;
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be;
There's a shadow hanging over me;
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.
Why, she, had to go I don't know,
She wouldn't say;
I, said, something wrong,
Now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play;
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Why, she, had to go I don't know,
She wouldn't say;
I, said, something wrong,
Now I long for yesterday.
Yesterday,
Love was such an easy game to play;
Now I need a place to hide away,
Oh, I believe in yesterday.
Mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm.
79 Maybe I'm Amazed (00:00)
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time.
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pull me out of time
You hung me on the line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
Maybe I'm a man
Maybe I'm a lonely man who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.
Maybe I'm a man
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Maybe I'm a man
Maybe I'm a lonely man who's in the middle of something
That he doesn't really understand.
Maybe I'm a man
And maybe you're the only woman who could ever help me.
Baby, won't you help me to understand?
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you're with me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I leave you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you help me sing my song
Right me when I'm wrong
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you
80 Lady Madonna (00:00)
Lady Madonna,
Children at your feet.
Wonders how you manage to make ends meet.
Who finds the money,
When you pay the rent?
Did you think that money was heaven-sent?
Friday night arrives without a suitcase.
Sunday morning creep in like a nun.
Monday's child has learned to tie his bootlace.
See how they run.
Lady Madonna,
Baby at your breast.
Wonders how you manage to feed the rest.
See how they run.
Lady Madonna,
Lying on the bed.
Listen to the music playing in your head.
Tuesday afternoon is never ending.
Wednesday morning papers didn't come.
Thursday night your stockings needed mending.
See how they run.
Lady Madonna,
Children at your feet.
Wonders how you manage to make ends meet.
Carico i commenti... con calma
