Post by Beatle Bob on May 3, 2009 3:47:33 GMT
REVIEW: "THINGS WE SAID IN DENVER (Audiofon AF 09) 1 CD
By Beatle Bob
Audiofon, a European off-shoot of the Yellow Dog label has just released a new Paul McCartney soundboard recording from a sound check recorded on 11/1/05 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Co. This is a factory made silver disc and comes with a glossy insert that has an unimaginative cover.
This release is a big surprise, turning out to be one of the more delightful and fun live CDs from Paul I have in my collection! Paul's been known to be loose and a bit free-spirited,(and quite enjoying himself when not sticking to the "script of his live shows") during his sound checks (though it's obvious even the jams presented here are more or less well-rehearsed, not leaving much room for improvisation). There is controversy as to whether this CD's tracks are presented in the correct order (I sense they're not based on comments Paul makes that don't apply to some of the forthcoming tracks). Unfortunately, I don't have any sound checks to compare from in 2005, and have not been aware of any surfacing on bootleg? This aside... I must tell you that none of it distracts from the great quality of the disc. The performances are top-notch from the band. The vocal and instrumental balance is nearly perfect. The real highlight, is the unexpected and fantastic stereo separation presented. I think I now prefer sound check mixes! The only downside is Paul's voice sounds very strained at times especially with his inbetween song patter. It almost sounds like he's croaking; showing the strains of a full-fledged tour.
Obviously, playing in front of his crew and a select privileged few, he performs the following tracks:
1) Jam #1 - A light, innocuous jam. Nothing great, nothing bad about it.
2) Massage - A far out, acid dropping track using his "massage monologue" to flesh out an off-the-wall, spacey, loose rendition of his massage experience. He lets his go of his inhibitions here. It's silly and strange, but the real highlight for me. Just wacky fun with lots of echo.
3) Lady Madonna - A workman like version.
4) Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - A fun cover of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic. Paul should issue a CD of just his sound check oldies!
5) Friends To Go - A very nice live version of a one of my favorite songs from his "Chaos and Creation in The Backyard" album. Crisp acoustic guitar sound here.
6) Friends To Go - Incomplete version. No vocals.
7) The Midnight Special - Yes, this is better than "Unplugged". One of the discs highlights.
8) Things We Said Today - Another workman like version.
9) Honey Don't - Another Carl Perkins cover. Nice, but I think Ringo still does the definitive version.
10) Coming Up - We've heard it a million times, but I've never heard a bad rendition. Once again an excellent rendition. I also didn't know he included the "Peter Gunn" theme back in 2005--as first time I've heard it incorporated into the song was on the ITunes Festival release from 2007 (possibly the best live version of the song since the B-side of the "Coming Up" single in 1980).
11) Jam #2 - Just some bass notes.
12) All My Loving - Preceeded by a bad pickle maker joke. This time, more than just workman like. Nice to hear it without an audience singing along.
13) C Moon - Yes, another version. We all wonder why he constantly resurrects this song? He adds a bit more Jamacian flavor to his accent in parts. I hate to admit it, I kinda liked it. Shhhhh!!!!
14) Jam #3 - I actually like this one. It's pretty. Piano based instrumental. You can hear bits of "Hope Of Deliverence" and even in one spot the "world without end" from Lennon's "Grow Old With Me". Nice organ sound here too, though it's running time is only 3 minutes in length. Someone on this board claims this jam has a name entitled, "Celebration".
15) Matchbox - Rockin' with some excellent lead guitar. Probably my favorite cover version of this song to date.
16) Jam #4 - "Mile High City" is the main riff he sings. The only jam with any sort of vocal. This one has a harder sound than the other jams as it's guitar based. It doesn't really go anywhere. Not great. Not bad
If you're looking for the usual Paul, this isn't the place. If you want something different, very loose,(from a band enjoying themselves), then I highly recommend this bootleg for your collection. I promise you it won't be a "one spin and tuck it away on the shelf" release.
Regards,
Beatle Bob
By Beatle Bob
Audiofon, a European off-shoot of the Yellow Dog label has just released a new Paul McCartney soundboard recording from a sound check recorded on 11/1/05 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Co. This is a factory made silver disc and comes with a glossy insert that has an unimaginative cover.
This release is a big surprise, turning out to be one of the more delightful and fun live CDs from Paul I have in my collection! Paul's been known to be loose and a bit free-spirited,(and quite enjoying himself when not sticking to the "script of his live shows") during his sound checks (though it's obvious even the jams presented here are more or less well-rehearsed, not leaving much room for improvisation). There is controversy as to whether this CD's tracks are presented in the correct order (I sense they're not based on comments Paul makes that don't apply to some of the forthcoming tracks). Unfortunately, I don't have any sound checks to compare from in 2005, and have not been aware of any surfacing on bootleg? This aside... I must tell you that none of it distracts from the great quality of the disc. The performances are top-notch from the band. The vocal and instrumental balance is nearly perfect. The real highlight, is the unexpected and fantastic stereo separation presented. I think I now prefer sound check mixes! The only downside is Paul's voice sounds very strained at times especially with his inbetween song patter. It almost sounds like he's croaking; showing the strains of a full-fledged tour.
Obviously, playing in front of his crew and a select privileged few, he performs the following tracks:
1) Jam #1 - A light, innocuous jam. Nothing great, nothing bad about it.
2) Massage - A far out, acid dropping track using his "massage monologue" to flesh out an off-the-wall, spacey, loose rendition of his massage experience. He lets his go of his inhibitions here. It's silly and strange, but the real highlight for me. Just wacky fun with lots of echo.
3) Lady Madonna - A workman like version.
4) Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - A fun cover of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic. Paul should issue a CD of just his sound check oldies!
5) Friends To Go - A very nice live version of a one of my favorite songs from his "Chaos and Creation in The Backyard" album. Crisp acoustic guitar sound here.
6) Friends To Go - Incomplete version. No vocals.
7) The Midnight Special - Yes, this is better than "Unplugged". One of the discs highlights.
8) Things We Said Today - Another workman like version.
9) Honey Don't - Another Carl Perkins cover. Nice, but I think Ringo still does the definitive version.
10) Coming Up - We've heard it a million times, but I've never heard a bad rendition. Once again an excellent rendition. I also didn't know he included the "Peter Gunn" theme back in 2005--as first time I've heard it incorporated into the song was on the ITunes Festival release from 2007 (possibly the best live version of the song since the B-side of the "Coming Up" single in 1980).
11) Jam #2 - Just some bass notes.
12) All My Loving - Preceeded by a bad pickle maker joke. This time, more than just workman like. Nice to hear it without an audience singing along.
13) C Moon - Yes, another version. We all wonder why he constantly resurrects this song? He adds a bit more Jamacian flavor to his accent in parts. I hate to admit it, I kinda liked it. Shhhhh!!!!
14) Jam #3 - I actually like this one. It's pretty. Piano based instrumental. You can hear bits of "Hope Of Deliverence" and even in one spot the "world without end" from Lennon's "Grow Old With Me". Nice organ sound here too, though it's running time is only 3 minutes in length. Someone on this board claims this jam has a name entitled, "Celebration".
15) Matchbox - Rockin' with some excellent lead guitar. Probably my favorite cover version of this song to date.
16) Jam #4 - "Mile High City" is the main riff he sings. The only jam with any sort of vocal. This one has a harder sound than the other jams as it's guitar based. It doesn't really go anywhere. Not great. Not bad
If you're looking for the usual Paul, this isn't the place. If you want something different, very loose,(from a band enjoying themselves), then I highly recommend this bootleg for your collection. I promise you it won't be a "one spin and tuck it away on the shelf" release.
Regards,
Beatle Bob