Photos and article by Elaine McAfee Bender
On his latest North American tour, Paul McCartney once again embraces the nostalgia which thrills those multigenerational audiences pouring into venues to get a glimpse of “the cute Beatle” and to sing along, cry, and cheer his every word. At age 83, he is still selling out concerts and is clearly in his element. The BOK Center in Tulsa was no exception. With a seating capacity of only 19,199, there was not an empty seat in the house, and the atmosphere was rather intimate by comparison to the many gigantic arenas hosting a mega-star like Paul McCartney.
Thundering cheers rang out as the fog began to roll and musicians took their places on stage. “Help! I need somebody…..” The crowd rose to their feet and a few fans on the floor even rushed the stage, just like in the good old days everywhere the Beatles played. With amazing energy, Paul launched into back-to-back songs which included “Drive My Car,” “Feel Like Letting Go,” “Let Me Roll It,” “Jet,” “Getting Better All the Time,” and “My Valentine.”
Paul was dressed in a dark, double-breasted suit, looking very formal, neat and trim. I am happy to report that he was strong in voice. Yes, his once velvety midrange is gruffer, but his ability to hit higher registers is mostly intact. The notes he can no longer comfortably hit, have been gently modified and also assisted by his band members. Throughout the night, he played his iconic Hofner violin bass, a Martin acoustic guitar, mandolin for “Dance Tonight,” ukulele for his “Something” tribute to George Harrison, upright and grand pianos for a variety of songs which included “Long and Winding Road,” Nineteen Hundred Eighty Five,” and “Maybe I’m Amazed.”
Other highlights include Paul singing along with John Lennon on “I’ve Got A Feeling” from a video of the famous 1969 Beatles roof top concert. His sad rendition of “Here Today” had the audience in tears and this reviewer reaching for another Kleenex. There was also a tune for deceased record producer, George Martin. Then, full-on pyrotechnic explosions quickly changed the mood with “Live and Let Die.”
His band of excellent musicians includes Brian Ray on guitar, Abe Laboriel, Jr on drums, Rusty Anderson playing lead guitar, and Paul (Wex) Wickens on keyboards and accordion. Margo Buchanan (wife of Wex Wickens) was added as an occasional backing vocalist. A trio called Hot City Horns brought life to two of my favorites “Got To Get You Into My Life” and “Coming Up.” Watching them dance and play to a variety of songs was an added treat.
Before he bantered with the audience, Paul acknowledged his wife, Nancy Shevell, who was there in the audience with two of his grandsons. He wished Happy Birthday to a girl holding a sign reading “Today is my Birthday. 18 years old!!” He smiled and told her, “I remember when I was 18!” Then, his smile dropped, looking pensive for a moment, and added “No! No I don’t remember at all!!”
After two and a half hours, he began wrapping it up with fun sing-alongs like ‘Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da,” “Band On the Run,” “Let It Be,” “Get Back,” Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and “Hey, Jude.” Encores included “Helter Skelter” and “Golden Slumbers/The End.” Three hours of non-stop music and I am wondering how he continues to do it so well!!
The Got Back Tour continues in the U.S. through November 25. If you haven’t seen the show and get a chance, I would highly recommend that you do so. No one but NO ONE puts on a show like the legendary Sir Paul McCartney! I have never missed an American tour. Like the parents with a young child sitting next to me at one show explained, “Our little girl sings along to his songs and we wanted her to be able to tell her friends one day that she saw Paul McCartney live.” The man just has that effect on people. It was another magical McCartney moment as we sang along with the finale.…. “Love you, Love you! In the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.”
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