Macca: The Beatles weren't that good

[ecca]

Macca woz it.

[ecca]

or even
Macca is it.

[Moderne]

The Beatles weren't that good ? - neither were The Shadows, Drifters or Railroders at that stage in their careers. Just listen to the singles before Saturday Dance, they are a joke !

Let's get real here, having seen the Paul McCartney tour in 2003, all he Hank tours, The Shadows reunion tours and the 'Reunited' tour with Cliff, I hate to have to admit it but I can say hand on heart that the Macca tour was better than all of the latter, by way of presentation , sound , lighting - everything and he sang live. Like the man said - ''different class''

I think it's a little harsh to refer to the pre-Saturday Dance singles as "a joke". They are raw and unrefined - especially the Five Chesternuts single - compared to the music The Shadows went on to produce but I wouldn't call them a joke. I think Driftin' in particular is a great track, especially considering Hank, Bruce and Tony were 16-17 at the time. Jet's bassline is awesome! And what about Tony's fills in Jet Black?

I'm also puzzled by your emphasis on the fact that "he sang live." Are there instances of Cliff/Shadows vocals not being live? I'm a Beatles fan too but unfortunately didn't see the 2003 Paul tour; I wish I had if it was indeed superior in every department to all the Hank, Shads and Cliff/Shads tours you refer to!!

Clive 'Real' - or 'Unreal'

[dave robinson]

Sorry if you were confused Clive, I understood the topic was referring to vocal ability - I can't hear the vocals on 'Driftin' ', but I can hear them on 'Feelin' Fine' etc and I think they are a bit ropey. I mention this because someone was slagging off the Beatles early vocals, but were implying that The Shadows were flawless at that time . . . . not so.

Regarding Paul McCartney on his tour in 2003 - he did sing live, to the extent that on the night we went to see him, the show had to be postponed because he had laryngitis and cancelled after the soundcheck, whilst we were queuing to get into the Arena. We were rescheduled for a few weeks later and he was awesome!

I take it that you haven't seen the current tour?

[ecca]

We went to see Paul during his 90's tour at the NEC, it was gobsmackingingly good.
We went the next night in the hopes of getting a cancellation ticket and we did.
It was even better, we were right at the side of the stage but we waved to Linda and she waved back, quite exclusive really.
We could see how he and his piano were lifted into the sky...... by a forklift truck !
Fantastic.

[Moderne]

I'll probably be accused of sounding pedantic but I can't see anything in the earlier posts to suggest that the thread title refers just to vocal ability. And there are vocals on Driftin'...they call out "one, two" and do some shrieking!

Yes, I have seen the current tour...twice: NIA Birmingham and Wembley Arena. I thought the lead and harmony vocals were pretty impressive.Still not clear about the "he was live" line. Have I missed something? Were Cliff and Shads tour vocals pre-recorded?

Clive

[dave robinson]

No comment.

[Moderne]

Do we take that as a'yes'?? I think we should be told...!

Clive

[AlanMcKillop]

I think it was quite obvious Clive, just think 'Willie'.

[Moderne]

Sorry for being so thick, everyone but no it's not obvious. Perhaps my seats were too far back or maybe my eyes/ears need testing...