Customer Reviews

Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This concert is definitely worth owning on DVD. Paul performed in December of 1999 at the Cavern Club in Liverpool as a way of celebrating the end of the year/century/millenium. It was also a celebration of his career in rock'n'roll. Hands down, this is the best available live video McCartney has released. It is brimming with energy and he is in excellent voice-- really belting out these old classics. Most of the songs were from his '99 album "Run Devil Run" (also HIGHLY recommended, especially as a companion piece to this).

The concert includes 13 songs. Notable musicians accompanying him are Pink Floyd's David Gilmour on guitar, and Deep Purple's Ian Paice on drums. These guys put their all into these performances, you won't find McCartney rocking out with more abandon in any of his other concert releases. Unlike the "Get Back"(1990) and "Paul is Live"(1993) documents of his world tours, this is not a slick polished presentation-- it's raw, old-fashioned rock'n'roll.

While the concert itself runs only 46 minutes, a couple worthwhile extra features have been included. Most notable, a 22 minute featurette that documents the making of the "Run Devil Run" album, with Paul explaining how the songs were chosen for the album (this includes some in-the-studio footage from the recording sessions). There is also an entertaining 17 minute interview with Paul giving song-by-song commentary on the songs chosen to be performed in the concert. Also included are music videos for two songs from "Run Devil Run". These videos are actually pretty interesting and worth seeing, definitely different from other McCartney music videos. All together, there is a little over 90 minutes on this DVD if you watch everything-- worth the money in my opinion.

Even if you've seen this concert when it was recently broadcast on PBS, you really should pick this up. The picture is crystal clear and the sound is awesome.

This review of the "Live at the Cavern Club" DVD is based on the PBS Special which aired in 2000 across the U.S.A.

"Live at the Cavern Club" was the live "end of the millenium" concert that Sir Paul and friends (including Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd) and Ian Paice (Deep Purple)put on at the "new" Cavern Club at the end of 1999. This has long been rumored for DVD release for at least a year now, and with the new "Wingspan" documentary Paul must think the time is right for the release now.

The concert consists almost entirely of songs from the then new "Run Devil Run" rock oldies album. If you like this album and/or want to see a legendary figure perform in the place that started it all, than this DVD will be for you. However, besides a nod to the Beatles with "I Saw Her Standing There" at the end of the concert, there are no other Beatles/Wings or Solo songs in the show. If you want that check out the other new DVD Release of Paul's "Flowers in the Dirt" "Get Back Tour Live" DVD which is being released at around the same time.

All in all, a very spirited performance by a rock legend who seems to be really enjoying himself and a chance for us to enjoy it now on DVD as well.

The concert itself was fantastic - setting viewing records via the Internet, containing a great lineup (besides McCartney, David Gilmour, Mick Green, Ian Paice and Pete Wingfield) - but here, the extras really shine.

First, a 22 minute interview where you learn more than you ever could via the usual celebrity interviews, with their same old questions (Yes, we know that "Yesterday" came in a dream...)

Next, a 22 minute "making of" documentary much in the same style as his previous "compilation" documentaries, "The World Tonight", "Movin' On" and others. This one's chock full of great studio footage and personal anecdotes, and isn't even listed on the DVD package as one of the extras.

Then, there's the two complete videos made to promote "No Other Baby" and "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" - an especially welcome addition for the American fans (and I imagine others) who never get to see these things uncut, and in quality, if at all. (One hopes Paul will see fit to include the relevant videos on any future re-issues of his older documentaries, to DVD.)

And then there's the concert itself - a wonderful, intimate concert (300 in attendance, in person) - wonderfully recorded, and wonderfully transferred to the DVD.

All in all, there's absolutely nothing which would make this better - a complete, interesting coverage of the "Run Devil Run" album and the Cavern Club concert, with great classic rock'n'roll to spare.

Although it's not exactly THE Cavern (the real one was torn down long ago and reopened at this location just across the street), it's looks to be a small, crowded, hot place. In other words, the perfect place for Sir Paul and his band of various rock alumni to give a show consisting of mostly 50's era rockers. The band is dynamic and Paul performs these songs with the youthful abandon of a 25 year old. Highlights include the new song "Try Not To Cry", a rousing "I Saw Her Standing There" (the only Beatle song performed here) and the rowdy finale of "Let's Have A Party". Of course, "I Saw Her" standing does leave you longing for more Beatles (or even Wings) classics, but this setlist poses a refreshing change, and except for the occasional flat/strained note (give the guy a break, he's almost 60), McCartney is in top form. 40 minutes worth of enjoyable interview/promo footage as well as 2 videos round out this disc making it well worth the price of purchase.

Paul is a natural at rockabilly, totally evidenced by his singing and choice of tunes on this DVD (kudos also to his bass playing - he's one of the best and usually underrated). For Telecaster fans, David Gilmour and Mick Green do yeoman service, with David taking most of the lead solos and riffs. Bottom line - this DVD is a must-have for rockabilly and Tele fans.

My six year old son's first remark upon viewing the opening seconds of 'Live at The Cavern Club' was, "Paul got old." But soon enough we were boppin' around trading air-guitar licks as a very "young-again" McCartney and band stormed thru the 'Run Devil Run' 50's roots album set.

I'm a Paul fan (no apologies) - so any review would be a bit tainted - but this is one great DVD. While not the original Cavern (long ago "...buried under a heap of rubble"), the intimate setting helps to showcase Sir Macca's love of pure Rock 'n Roll.

Always a great live performer, Paul puts on a fantastic show in the DVD format. My favs - 'All Shook Up', 'What It Is' and 'No Other Baby.' Check out the Lennonesque, "youuu" at the end of 'Baby.'

Yes son, Paul got old as has dad. But as James soon found out - Paul still ROCKS!!

Some of the others reviewing this DVD say that they didn't like it, Ringo's better, or some such, but I think this is because they are used to Paul in the post-Beatles mode almost exclusively. Those of us who are true Beatle fans (and possibly old enough to remember their early days) will consider this DVD most impressive for the raw quality Paul and the boys bring to the fore. It's a man returning to his roots in grand style. Bless you and yours, Sir Paul!

Yes McCartney's vocals are strained on a couple of songs, but this is after a year of not singing at all (because of Linda's passing) and over six years of not touring. Trust me, this DVD rocks, and the enthusiasm is contagious. It blows away his Russian Rock album from 1987. A must have for McCartney fans.

I saw this 45 minute concert on TV (and taped it from television) and I thought it was really good. Bearing in mind the age that McCartney is I thought it was a great concert. What comes across is the "let her rip" nature of the concert, like Paul, the group & the crowd were all just having a blast! And we were along for the ride. Okay, one of the other reviewers said he sang a bit off-note a few times ..but heck I saw a Frank Sinatra concert not long ago that must have been recorded when he was about the same age and old blue eyes wasn't doing much better!! I just loved the rock n roll nature of the concert & I shall for one be playing this over & over. My only reason for giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that 46 minutes was just too short..the place is really swinging and next thing they're saying goodnight!!

The "Run Devil Run" album was Paul's first attempt at recording since Linda passed away in 1998. He came through very well, and managed to rok us into the new millenium with this performance. Yes, he was in his mid-fifties when he recorded it, but don't be so quick to put him down. He rocked at this concert. The band is strong and tight, and Paul can still sing well. A few songs from this DVD are not on the "Run Devil Run" album, such as "Fabulous" and "Twenty Flight Rock." They are very good as well. I love this concert, and so will you if you love Paul.