Paul to retire?

The gossip train has been abuzz with rumors that Paul is planning to retire soon from touring because old age has finally caught up with him (?).

Excerpt from an NME article:
A source claims that Macca doesn't want to carry on touring into his old age - he's 67 at present - though "he might play the odd benefit gig if the likes of President Obama gives him a bell". McCartney himself hasn't commented on the reports (The Sun).

The venerable Beatles Examiner Steve Marinucci counters such chatter here.

Excerpt:
From what we've been able to learn ourselves, these summer gigs are not Paul's last in the States.

Not only that, the Washington Post interview he just did didn't sound like an "end of the road" interview to us. He said this short U.S. tour was partly the result of his status as a single dad and wanting to spend time with his daughter. Could this type of gigging continue? It's possible.

"The Abbey Habit"

The Daily Mail takes a look at the many homages that the Abbey Road album cover has inspired over the years.

Excerpt:
Their record label said it wouldn't sell because it did not feature the names of the band or the LP.

But 40 years on and 12million sales later, the most famous album cover of all time has been copied all over the world.

Dozens of bands - ranging from Booker T & The MGs to the puppet characters from TVs Sesame Street - have recreated their own versions of John, Paul, George and Ringo striding across the zebra crossing outside the Abbey Road studios on August 8, 1969.

"Flaming Pie," Halifax 7/11

This is excellent HD footage of Paul performing the title track from his 1997 album (H/T: Steve Marinucci).



(It appears the video has been removed. Drag.)

"Electric Arguments," briefly

Watching Paul perform "Sing the Changes" on Letterman the other week inspired me to revisit Electric Arguments. Happily, a few casual listens confirmed that it's still an engaging collection of songs. What comes through most vividly is that, unlike some elder statesmen of pop music, Paul has not settled into his ways. Not even close, in fact. He remains a restlessly creative artist; that fire still burns within him. Just think about the robust genre-hopping that he carries out on Electric Arguments- from stoner blues ("Nothing Too Much Just out of Sight") and freak folk-y gospel ("Light from Your Lighthouse") to anthemic rock ("Sing the Changes") and prog ("Universal Here, Everlasting Now"). The album is nothing if not varied. And it's also quite weird at times, which is most welcome coming from a 67 year-old man. That said, I haven't altered my view that the end of the album stagnates a bit because of several drawn-out and loosely structured songs all in succession. But it's not for lack of effort on Paul's part. As a whole, Electric Arguments showcases a musician still hungry, still focused, and still pushing himself, despite having already conquered the world many times over.

Status update

I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink
I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink
I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink
No,no,no!

My favorite...

...Beatles song at the moment. It's another of Paul's creations that is very Paul indeed.

"Your Mother Should Know"


(If the embedding is disabled, go here).

"What makes Paul McCartney run?"

WaPo Staff Writer Paul Farhi explores this question in a lengthy online discussion with readers.