Paul McCartney – The Space Within US (2006)

by | Jan 28, 2008 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews | 0 comments

Paul McCartney – The Space Within US (2006)

Studio: A&E
Video: 1.78:1 Widescreen Enhanced for 16:9
Audio: DD 2.0, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1
Extras:  US Tour Pre-Show Film (10 min), Sound Checks (3), On The Road With US (4 min), More about US (10 min)
Length:  115 minutes
Rating:  ****

This DVD documents McCartney’s tour through the United States from September to Novemeber 2005 and includes a ton of music, backstage footage and interviews with famous people in and out of music business–Cameron Crowe, Eddie Vedder, Phil Ramone, Tony Bennett, Alec Baldwin, Jay-Z, Chris Tucker, Bill Clinton, Bono, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Steve Jobs, Ellen DeGeneres, and many more.  The touring band is: Abe Laboriel, Jr. (drums), Rusty Anderson (guitar), Brian Ray (guitar/bass), Paul “Wix” Wickens (keyboards).  One of the highlights of the tour is a hook-up with the International Space Station and Paul and the audience in Anaheim have a chat and listen to music together with two cosmonauts.  And don’t forget the footage of Paul accidentally falling into the part of the stage where the piano mechanically rises up.

The stage is filled with brilliant digital displays behind the performers and flashing colorful lights abound.  An audience can make or break a concert and it is clear that Paul’s fans are among the best–did you spot Billy Joel and John Cusack in the audience?  It is a multi-faceted crowd with both young and old rejoicing in Beatles, Wings, and original Paul tunes.  Throughout the disc tour footage, meeting with fans, radio appearances, etc. is intermingled with concert footage.  After this many years of performing you either have it perfected or just look old.  There is no doubt that Paul is in the former category and puts on one heck of a show!

Sound is mostly up front and center with some effect and crowd noise in the surrounds.  Picture is an “A-” while I’d give the sound a “B” due to some lack of dynamics and congestion.  If you’re a Paul fan I wouldn’t miss this one. 

TrackList: Magical Mystery Tour; Flaming Pie; Let Me Roll It; Drive My Car; Till There Was You; I’ll Get You; Eleanor Rigby; Maybe I’m Amazed; Got to Get You Into My Life; Fine Line; I Will; I’ll follow the Sun; Good Day Sunshine; For No One; Hey Jude; Fixing A Hole; Penny Lane; Too Many People; Let It Be; English Tea; I’ve Got A Feeling; Follow Me; Jenny Wren; Helter Skelter; Yesterday; Get Back; Please, Please Me.

— Brian Bloom
 

Related Reviews
Logo Pure Pleasure
Logo Crystal Records Sidebar 300 ms
Logo Jazz Detective Deep Digs Animated 01