Album: Tripping the Live Fantastic by Paul McCartney (1990)
Genre: Rock | Style: Rock/Pop | Mood: Philosophical
Record Label: M3 Records
Format: Live

Description: Paul McCartney's return to the stage in 1989 for the Flowers in the Dirt tour was heavily hyped, since it was not only his first extensive tour since the '70s, but also marked the first time he incorporated large portions of the Beatles' catalog into his set list. The double-disc, 37-track Tripping the Live Fantastic documents the tour, and it's a pleasant, if ultimately inconsequential, nostalgia trip that puts the weaknesses of Flowers in the Dirt in a little too sharp relief. In fact, most of McCartney's flaws are on display throughout the album, whether it's his excessive cutesiness (the album opens with Paul and the boys being told "heidy-ho, it's time for the show"), his fondness for oldies, and his persistent desire to charm the daylights out of the entire crowd. Nevertheless, he often does charm the crowd, whether it's through the effortlessly dazzling performances or his thoroughly winning catalog of pop classics. The new songs may pale next to the classics from his Beatles and solo days, and those classics may be delivered in versions that are a little too studied, but Tripping the Live Fantastic is a fine exercise in nostalgia.

Artist Background: Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM (born 18 June 1942) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the Beatles and with Lennon formed one of the most celebrated songwriting partnerships of the 20th century. Following the band's break-up, he began a solo career and later formed the group Wings with his first wife Linda Eastman and singer-songwriter Denny Laine. McCartney has been de... Part of the Liverpool, England music scene. Emerged in the classic era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Wings, John Lennon, The Beatles, Ringo Starr

Music Scene: Part of the Liverpool, England music scene. Emerged in the classic era. Associated with Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Rock, Rock/Pop, Philosophical, 1990s, Live, M3 Records

Additional Context: Rating score: 8. Based on 1 votes


Paul McCartney's return to the stage in 1989 for the Flowers in the Dirt tour was heavily hyped, since it was not only his first extensive tour since the '70s, but also marked the first time he incorporated large portions of the Beatles' catalog into his set list. The double-disc, 37-track Tripping the Live Fantastic documents the tour, and it's a pleasant, if ultimately inconsequential, nostalgia trip that puts the weaknesses of Flowers in the Dirt in a little too sharp relief. In fact, most of McCartney's flaws are on display throughout the album, whether it's his excessive cutesiness (the album opens with Paul and the boys being told "heidy-ho, it's time for the show"), his fondness for oldies, and his persistent desire to charm the daylights out of the entire crowd. Nevertheless, he often does charm the crowd, whether it's through the effortlessly dazzling performances or his thoroughly winning catalog of pop classics. The new songs may pale next to the classics from his Beatles and solo days, and those classics may be delivered in versions that are a little too studied, but Tripping the Live Fantastic is a fine exercise in nostalgia.

Tripping the Live Fantastic

Paul McCartney

Track List

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