Interesting to see the different opinions on Macca's set lists these days. Great reviews everyone.
I had the pleasure of going to both of his Wrigley Field shows this past month. I purchased tickets for myself and a few friends who had never seen him before (the 2nd show). Independently, my brother had purchased tickets for a bunch of us to go to the first show. So, that's how it happened; I wouldn't normally have the desire to see *anyone* on two consecutive work nights.
I've seen Paul on both his 2002 and 2005 tours, and at his age I always worry "will he still have it?" before the show starts. In 2002, 2005, and now 2011, I'm pleased to say he does. In fact, I enjoyed these shows the most of all. I understand the poster's concerns about paying $250 a ticket and expecting a more radically different setlist. That's a fair point. However, we were perfectly happy in the nosebleeds ($50 seats was all they had left, and they were just fine). The 3 friends who had never seen him before all independently said it was the best concert they had ever been to. One of them said, "I couldn't help thinking...if he sounds like this NOW, how powerful his voice must have been at 25." I thought that was quite a good point. Paul at 69 can't compare to Paul at 25, but not many could, imo. He's still great, and that's all that matters.
Regarding the set list, I understand the criticisms, but look at it from Paul's point of view: he simply can't win here. You have to realize that on any given show, a sizable % of the audience are people who are first-timers. People who were too young to see him last time around, or who just got into the Beatles recently, or who had been forcibly dragged here by someone with impeccable taste! Imagine if Paul opted out of "Yesterday", "Hey Jude", "Let it Be", etc. For these people, it would be tragic.
The hardcore fans like us are the minority; it's a simple fact. I would love nothing more than to see him play some obscure tracks like "Arrow Through Me", "Mr. Bellamy", "Vanity Fair", or "Uncle Albert"...but it's just a matter of pleasing the most people possible. I believe 14 or so of the 37 songs were different than the last time I'd seen him (2005), and I thought that was quite good. The set list is Beatle-heavy, for sure. But, we need to face facts...the biggest reactions come whenever a Beatles song comes on. You hear people gasp audibly as if "that's MY song!", which is something only a very few of his Wings and solo songs elicit. Paul is keenly aware of this, and as a performer he doesn't play in a vacuum: he simply delivers what people are asking for.
All in all, a great time was had by all and the high you feel after a Macca concert is quite something. You'll never see 60,000 city folk that happy, or nice to each other, in any other situation. (except if the Cubs win the World Series, which has as much chance of happening as a Paul tour featuring "Ram" and "Back to the Egg" in their entireties)
I'll see him again the next time he pulls through town, and at that time I'll most likely grab another 3-4 people that have never seen him. Experiencing it with "newbies" is 75% of the magic.
