photo by Dean Budnick

Paul McCartney launched the North American leg of his “Out There” tour on July 5th at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. Opening night of any tour (not to mention the appearance of a true living legend) is typically reason enough to generate excitement, though this night contained some apprehension, as this was also McCartney’s first show since being hospitalized in May. As his hospital stay lengthened and Asian shows were canceled and American dates postponed, one could not help but wonder if this show would even go on, or worse: could this be the end of Paul’s long and winding road? So, going into the show many concerns hung heavy in the air: “Is he okay” “Will he be able to give it his all,” and “How rusty do you think he’ll be” were on the minds of most.

McCartney provided a resounding answer over the course of three amazing hours and 40 plus songs. One would be hard-pressed to believe that the man bouncing around the stage had a recent health scare, or just turned 72 years old. He never addressed the illness, he didn’t need to.

As Sir Paul led his band on stage he was obviously nimble from the get go, he mugged for the audience, strapped on his Hofner bass and led the band and the adoring crowd through “Eight Days A Week.”

I have been to more concerts than I can begin to count, but nothing can truly compare to hearing McCartney play Beatles’ songs live. Whether it’s weightier tunes such as “Eleanor Rigby,” “Blackbird” or “And I Love Her” or lighter ones like “All My Loving,” “We Can Work it Out” or “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” there is a gravity to hearing these treasures of popular culture come out of McCartney’s mouth that makes you feel as if you are witnessing something important, historic and celebratory, his recent health scare only intensified that feeling.

While most were there to hear Beatles’ tunes, Paul and his band seem to have the most fun letting loose on Wings’ material. This was evident in the early back-to-back wallop of “Listen to What the Man Said,” unleashed in all its loopy glory (providing keyboardist Wix Wickens the chance to show his chops), and “Let Me Roll It,” played heavy and deep. The latter allowed Paul to switch to guitar and really dig in with fellow ax-man Rusty Anderson, their bombastic jam led to a fiery instrumental take on “Foxy Lady.” Other Wings ditties making memorable appearances included “Hi, Hi, Hi” and the epic numbers “Band on the Run” and (an explosive) “Live and Let Die,” which was augmented by the best pyrotechnic display I’ve ever seen in an indoor arena.

While Wings selections got the most punch, there was certainly no shortage of Fab Four hits. Paul mixed them up well, providing zanier pieces such as “Lovely Rita”,” All Together Now,” and “For the Benefit of Mr. Kite!,” alongside some of their best rockers, “Get Back,””Day Tripper,” and “Back in the USSR.” For me a real treat was hearing “I’ve Just Seen a Face,” as this was also the anniversary of the day I met my wife and I couldn’t have asked for a more fitting tune to mark the occasion.

The real magic of McCartney’s songbook is how it’s truly the soundtrack to many lives, providing unbridled joy to accompany life’s ups as well as comfort in our darkest hours. So fittingly, perhaps the evening’s most heartfelt moments were when McCartney let us in on his pain, stemming from losing four people who helped shaped him: his mother, his late wife Linda, John Lennon and George Harrison.

Paul paid each a beautiful tribute. Heart strings were pulled the hardest during “Here Today,” his tribute to John. Afterwards McCartney seemed genuinely shaken; wiping a tear from his eye, explaining how “that one really sneaks up on you.” He reminisced about jamming with George and showed off a ukulele Harrison had given him as a gift, he then used it to play a solo rendition of “Something.” Though it began as a bit of a novelty, by the time the stanza hit, the beauty of the song bled through, the band joined in, giving Anderson a chance to pay George a tribute via a ripping solo. Two of his grandest hits “Let It Be” and “Maybe I’m Amazed” were inspired by mother Mary and Linda, and he provided gorgeous renditions of both.

Fresh material was showcased via five tunes from his acclaimed 2013 Album New (ironically the title track sounding the most Beatlesque). He also mixed things up by playing the album’s track “On My Way to Work” for the first time live. Though the night’s biggest change-up from a typical show occurred in the second encore. Paul plucked a couple out of the audience who had signs stating “he won’t propose until he meets you” and “I have the ring and I’m 64.” McCartney had the man sing the first verse of “When I’m 64” then lowered the mic so he could get on his knees to propose.

I figured he’d follow that with a love song (personally hoping for “Here, There, Everywhere”), but instead they launched into perhaps the evenings biggest jolt, a blistering “Helter Skelter.” The show ended with a melodic run through “Golden Slumbers,” “Carry That Weight” and “The End.”

As McCartney and crew triumphantly took their bows the ceiling exploded with confetti and the audience left with looks of wonder on their faces though not ready to get back home and for the experience to end.