Macca at Coachella 2009

Speaking of The Beatles, I saw Paul McCartney at Coachella. Sir Paul, put on a fantastic show. Although the first part of his set was hit and miss (it was mostly his newer songs)and I was in a lot of pain - to the point that I didn't know if I was crying because I was so moved by hearing & seeing all the music I love or because my legs were about to fall off. In the beginning, he talked a lot in between songs - leading Peter and I to suspect that he was high, since ninety percent of what he said made no sense. At one point he made the crowd repeat "Oh Yeah" and other nonsense all the while chuckling to himself. What was amazing (and what shouldn't have surprised me)is to see McCartney expertly handle his Hofner bass - and other instruments (piano, guitar, and the ukulele), he was amazing to see - the man broke into a Hendrix's "Purple Haze" - and killed it!

Paul also explained how "Blackbird" was a song about the struggle of civil rights and how much of it had been realized in 2009 and that we "have President Obama". I cringed a little, but certainly knew where he was coming from - it wasn't an endorsement of the Obama himself, instead it was an endorsement of how far America had come. As Peter said, Paul is too smart to make overt political endorsements or statements.

Paul did a tribute to Linda since it was the eleventh anniversary since her death, with "My Love," telling the audience it was "for all the lovers in the audience" (ed. thanks Paul, but no thanks, the song was mediocre at the best - horrible melody & cliche lyrics). He then followed it up with tributes to John and George. He told a sweet story about asking George what he thought of a new song he learned to play on the ukulele and then broke into a very sweet rendition of "Something" He also sang a schmaltzy song “Here Today,” his tribute to Lennon, I actually appreciated how sweet and candid the song was. He also sang “A Day in the Life” which he melded into John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” - when I mentioned to Peter how I love the former song but dislike the later, Peter said "At least it was a much better song than the one he composed for his late wife..." I used dismiss Paul's talents, thinking John was better, more complex, composer and lyricist. However, since getting The Beatles Anthology I appreciate him as musician so much more. In a lot of ways he was much more honest than John, and a lot more gracious.

At one moment, early in the set, when he started singing "Paperback Writer," I got an indescribably feeling - I kept saying to myself "I was seeing Paul live!" I can't fully explain it, but The Beatles are not just my favorite band, their songs are part of my life. I love the line in Nick Hornby's novel High Fidelity where Rob (the protagonist) puts on The Beatles after his break up with Liz, because while he doesn't know how their music is going to make him feel, he knows it won't make him feel bad. That's how I feel, The Beatles won't necessarily bring me joy, but they will bring a level of comfort other music can't. Seeing Paul on stage was too surreal of an experience. It's with great shame that I have to admit that I didn't stay for the whole set, in fact I heard the last 2 songs walking away to the campsite.