I was going to wait for Christmas for this, but the $19 price at Circuit City made it stupid to wait. So I picked it up today.
You know, last year I was so pumped up by all the hype when "Love" came out that I could barely contain myself. When this McCartney set was announced, I had no idea there would be these great surround mixes, so it was like, "Yeah, whatever. Ho-hum." As I was listening tonight I kept wondering how this one snuck in.
This is an amazing set. O.K., yeah, there are deficiencies:
a) Cheesy videos
b) Single edit of "With A Little Luck"
c) Why not ALL of "Rock Show"?
d) Why not ALL of "Unplugged"?
e) Cheesy videos
I found myself turning off the tube so I could enjoy the mixes. The videos are very distracting. But when I turned them off and focused on the music, I couldn't believe my ears. Man, this is great.
Highlights for me, so far:
a) "With A Little Luck" - single edit or not, it was always gorgeous in stereo and is now unbelievable
b) "London Town" - are you kidding me? To what do I owe the pleasure of THIS in surround?!?! Awesome!
c) "Goodnight Tonight"
d) I'm not a big fan of "Say, Say, Say," but this mix is irresistible.
e) "Waterfalls" - I couldn't really get through a listening of McCartney II, but this is gorgeous. I'm not so keen on the studio version of "Coming Up," though.
f) "My Brave Face"
You know, I'm going to stop here because I can't see the point in going on and on. This is fantastic.
Goodnight tonight.
Paul