James McCartney premiers with precision in Manhattan
by Radio RockonTour host Timothy Tilghman
Profiled as making his New York City club date debut by having his new double album held up, “James McCartney”, was the immediate introduction by Blake Morgan, CEO of Engine Company Records. James McCartney youngest child and only son of Sir James Paul McCartney, premiered just 30 minutes behind schedule with his energized touring band on the American East Coast.
Sean Lennon, James McCartney, and Dhani Harrison were all born within three years of each other between 1975 and 1978, being the last of the Beatles bambinos. Julian Lennon was the first Beatles offspring to launch a recording career. Zak Starkey followed shortly thereafter and has established himself as the permanent bombastic replacement touring drummer for The Who.
Now after releasing two cyber CD EPs in August 2010 Available Light and September 2011 Close At Hand, James McCartney has finally set foot firmly across the Atlantic pond to perform live before American audiences. McCartney graciously appeared free of charge before an eagerly packed house on the intimate stage of the Rockwood Music Hall in the Big Apple on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.
McCartney simply walked out onto Stage 2, plugged in, and ignited his performance supported by a tight group of touring musicians. McCartney was adorned with pendants as well as buttons and pins on his jacket. Considering who his Pop is in the annals of the contemporary music industry, James exhibited a serene confidence in his stage persona.
It’s always an interesting experience to hear studio material live in concert for the first time. Will you like what you hear? Does the live sound transcend the recording? It was no surprise whatsoever that McCartney’s solid compositions sounded even stronger within a live environment. But please don’t critique his organic music to that of Father Paul’s career that would be silly beyond compare.
James exercised a wise decision in suspending his emergence as a musician until after he was well into his 30’s. Having maturity on your side helps to guide your path and take better choices. His grandfather Jim McCartney enjoyed playing trumpet in his own amateur Liverpool group The Jim Mac Jazz Band in the 1920s so music is more than an avocation in the limbs of the McCartney family tree.
“Oh, thank you. Thank you, New York. You are welcome. I’m James McCartney”, was all it took to set off unrelenting audience applause. An extra special treat for the crampt NYC crowd was that McCartney included in his performance a handful of the bonus tracks in his setlist from his new double disc.
Whether singing, jamming on acoustic or electric guitar and playing keyboards, McCartney’s talents for vocals, composition and performance were securely evident by the ease with which he handled himself before an up-close audience. Jimmy Boy certainly has a promising career ahead; you can count on that.
James Paul McCartney Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY, February 1, 2012 setlist: New York Times * I Only Want To Be Alone * My Friend * The Sound Of My Voice * Fallen Angel * Spirit Guides * Wings Of A Lightest Weight * Moonstar * Old Man * Angel * Mix