Unplugging With Paul and Plugging In With George

Today I’m on the road to pick up my Dad who, for the past few days, has enjoyed a visit with family in Kentucky. My sister and brother-in-law are driving halfway to Atlanta to bring Dad back, we make the rendezvous and I take him back to the old folks home. Oops, I mean assisted living center. 

Last night, I was watching one of the first ever (before it was a thing, even) MTV Unplugged programs that featured Paul McCartney. Many, many highlights! First, I think, other than The Beatles proper, this was the best vocal lineup Paul ever had. This was the band lineup during the “Flowers In The Dirt” album, my 4th favorite solo effort of his. This was 2009, so he was still in fine form. Was really nice to see Linda again, after all these years. He took a ton of flak over including her in his band and on tour, but they had an amazing love and he didn’t give the slightest crap about what anyone had to say about it. 

It’s well worth following the links on YouTube to get to the entire performance, which includes songs from the McCartney LP, the very first solo record he did. This particular clip here is beautifully performed, with awesome vocals. The two guys out front with him are Robbie McIntosh (The Pretenders) and Hamish Stuart (Average White Band). Paul said of this song, “And I Love Her”, that it was just a simple song they were recording and it needed a riff. George came up with the iconic 4 note riff and Paul says, “If you think about it, that’s the whole song right there!”

So, let’s get started today by soaking in the lovely arrangement of a classic Beatles hit!

Every musician out there who has played in a band and experienced a new song for the first time knows what this scene is like. Not very many know what it’s like when the song no one has ever heard for the first time is “Something”.