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A first time uncut flashback to Wings' touring pinnaclePaul McCartney and Wings - RockshowDVD Review (MPL/Eagle Rock Entertainment) 4 1/2 stars (out of 5 stars) June 17, 2013 |
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Review by Andy Argyrakis After only being released on the archaic Betamax, the equally extinct LaserDisc and briefly on VHS (all in abridged forms), "Rockshow" quickly became the holy grail of bootlegs for Paul McCartney and Wings fans. Not only does the entire, uncut concert in front of 67,000 fans at Seattle's Kingdome finally get its inexplicably belated Blu-ray/DVD debut, but it does so with remastered sound, a 5.1 mix, richly restored picture, plus a handsome, hardback mini-book package.While it's certainly a no-brainer for rapid fans to purchase, "Rockshow" also provides a much needed history lesson to younger and more casual listeners consumed by Sir Paul's time in that other famous little band from Liverpool. Of course, the two hour-plus experience is peppered with plenty of Beatles classics ("Lady Madonna," "The Long And Winding Road," "Blackbird," "Yesterday"), but there's also an extensive glimpse into McCartney's solo and Wings annals. Though there's one major star leading the charge, the concert is clearly a team effort, as evidenced by the shared spotlight time for underrated bandmates like Denny Laine, Jimmy McCulloch, Joe English and of course Macca's first wife Linda (who's more or less along for the ride, but still a pleasant presence). One of the best examples of their shared chemistry comes during an opening medley of "Venus And Mars/Rock Show/Jet," along with a particularly blustery version of "Live And Let Die" a little later in the night, compete with awe-inspiring pyrotechnics for the time period. The production also picks up plenty of steam with the smoke and laser adorned home stretch ("Band On The Run," "Hi Hi Hi," "Soily"), all of which find McCartney and company beaming like it's the most fun they've had in years. And perhaps it really was considering this concert came a full decade after The Beatles' last tour through America, but even with that unbearable absence, their beloved co-leader and his second band incarnation more than make up for lost time. |