Paul McCartney: Live at the Cavern Club (1999)

When Paul McCartney and a select band of ace musicians played this 15-song set of vintage rockers (including two new "old" tunes) on December 14, 1999, 300 lucky people were packed into Liverpool's legendary Cavern Club, where the Beatles got their start nearly four decades earlier. But the show--comprised entirely of songs from McCartney's 1999 release Run Devil Run--was also seen by a record-setting Internet audience, allowing the whole world to share the joy of seeing McCartney return, literally and musically, to the roots of his illustrious career. This is no-frills McCartney, liberated from the Beatles and Wings (with the exception of a rousing "I Saw Her Standing There"), and while the trademark McCartney howl has grown rough at the edges, his love for this music is enduring and infectious; it's easy to imagine him 40 years earlier, in the Cavern's previous incarnation (the old club was excavated and refurbished in 1984), belting out a similar set with the same youthful fervor that he demonstrates here.

Boosted by the flawless guitar duo of David Gilmour and Mick Green, McCartney starts out unevenly (his vocals on "Lonesome Town" are undeniably strained), but the show steadily improves, and the Mac original "Try Not to Cry" qualifies as a bona fide highlight, proving that McCartney can hold his own in any rock-historical context. And while the 45-minute set is regrettably brief, this DVD includes two excellent features--a McCartney interview and a Run, Devil, Run promo documentary--that combine illuminating history with latter-day perspective. Band-member biographies and two 1999 music videos make this a well-rounded package for McCartney's devoted fans. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

A great rock performance!!!

Is really exciting to see McCartney live with a really basic band configuration! But don't get me wrong, the band is great, with David Gilmour and Ian Paice in the back!

Great DVD, is a must! March 26, 2008

5 stars for Gilmour alone!

I bought this DVD because I had heard David Gilmour of Pink Floyd plays guitar on it. I like PM, but I'm not a huge fan. I was impressed with both. PM has a great singing voice, and his choice of songs here is great. As to Gilmour, he doesn't feature too prominantly in the beginning, but as the DVD goes on he gets great camera time and it is awesome to hear him playing a different style of music than his usual style, yet still retaining his own distinctive sound. I actually liked this DVD more than I anticipated I would (and I expected a lot from it!). Could have been longer, but the price is good and the musicianship is stellar. I'm jaded on music DVD's since Gilmours Remember That Night- which blows everything I've seen out of the water... but this intimate show is worth having. December 21, 2007

Excellent 50's Retro with Sir Paul

While some might consider Paul McCartney's temporary return to Liverpool to play the Cavern Club to be 'historically significant,' I love this DVD simply because it allows Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, and company to truly rock out with vintage material originally offered up by Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, etc. I can't convey how wonderful it is to hear McCartney screaming through old 50s rockers, and to see Gilmour belting out up-tempo rockabilly style solos instead of his trademark slow Brit-rock blues. Yes, everyone in this video is well beyond their youth but that really doesn't matter. This is one of Paul McCartney's best live performances ever and should be a revelation to anyone who only knows David Gilmour through Pink Floyd.

The concert itself is the main attraction. The extras are ok but basic - just band member bios and a lengthy interview with McCartney. I don't think McCartney ever gave a revealing interview, and this is no exception. It's the concert you will return to over and over.

Throughout, McCartney's love for this music shines through. It reminded me a lot of the way Eric Clapton came to life with his "From the Cradle" CD. This is a DVD that will be appreciated by anyone who loved the way the early Beatles attacked rock classics with boundless energy and love.
July 25, 2007

Back to the roots

Outstanding show...I have seen McCartney live 7 times and have all of the recent live tour dvd's. I was reluctant to get this one because the songs are mostly old cover songs I guess from the late 50's and early 60's. I was very pleased and excited by this performance and the quality of the dvd. It is very straight forward with none of the usual fluff that you find on dvd's like the Space Between Us, Live from Red Square and Paul is Live. Those all have way to many to shots of the audience singing along to the songs (I don't buy concert dvd's to see middle aged people proving that they know the words to Get Back) or have intertwined interviews that should be an extra feature that doesn't not interrupt the concert. This has none of the fluff and is a better show because of it... Must have for McCartney fans. February 13, 2007

Not a 64 minute rock concert

hi. know this: paul talks for 22 minutes, the notes say. i think it's about 18.5.
so, the songs: 13 songs, 64 minute concert, NOT SO!!!!
the concert is 39 minutes, all those old 2:50 songs,
as Townsend puts it, so the after interview w/ paul,
yes, is 24 minutes and has some ok video footage, recollections from the concert songs, but not other stuff.
it's a 39 minute concert, w/ some footage at end.
it's ok..... December 22, 2005

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