Back In The U.S. Live 2002

Product Description:

Personnel: Paul McCartney (vocals, guitar, piano, bass); Brian Ray (guitar, bass, background vocals); Rusty Anderson (guitar, background vocals); Paul "Wix" Wickens (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Abe Laboriel, Jr. (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Includes liner notes by Paul McCartney.

The string of live American dates providing the music for this two-CD set was in support of McCartney's 2001 studio album DRIVING RAIN. Released in November of that year, RAIN's songs are forever marked by the after-effects of September 11th, like it or not. So these performances reverberate with a particular poignancy, whether McCartney's performing the uplifting, anthemic "Freedom," a song penned in response to the horrific act, or a ukulele- rendered cover of "Something" played in honor of the recently deceased George Harrison. The remainder of this live set features a nice mix of newer material ("Lonely Road," the soundtrack cut "Vanilla Sky"), Wings hits (glam-pop staple "Jet," romping pop suite "Band On The Run"), and rarities (the reggaefied "C Moon"). Along with revitalized, almost shockingly energetic versions of the inevitable Beatles classics ("Can't Buy Me Love," "I Saw Here Standing There" et al), we're even treated to McCartney giving SGT. PEPPER gem "Getting Better" its live debut some 34 years after its initial release.