A Classic Record
I wanted to see this tour so bad. Being only 10, I could not go. I listend to this album so much. I just gave it a listen after a long time, and it stands up to time. If you are a Paul McCartney fan, this is a must to own.

THE BEST
THIS IS THE BEST LIVE LP OR CD OUT THERE. IT IS A REAL ROCKER.

Wings is a Band
Given the critical drubbings Paul McCartney often endured as a solo artist, his Wings Over America tour in 1976 was just as much a commercial enterprise as it was something to prove. Leaning heavily on material from Band on the Run and At The Speed Of Sound, it also provided Beatles fans with something most of them had never witnessed: Paul performing Beatles songs live. As a result, the spectacular reception given to the three LP "Wings Over America" and the tour it came from both repudiated McCartney's reputation as a live artist, gave many longstanding fans a ten year old dream come true, and proved that McCartney was in a band again.

That band happened to be Wings. Not only did McCartney want to prove he could swing it away from his old mates, but that his new mates were creative in their own light. Hence, Denny Laine sings lead not just on his Moody Blues oldie, but on two Wings songs as well. McCartney also dropped another outside song into the setlist, the Simon & Garfunkel obscurity "Richard Corey." Indeed, the only thing pruned from this two-hour extravaganza was the stage patter, the entire setlist from the tour is represented here. Even lesser numbers ("Picasso's Last Words," "Beware My Love") were left on the LPs.

It's everything that was glorious about the glut of 70's live albums. Excess, exuberance and an artist at the top of his game. McCartney sings like he's unleashed from a dormancy, mixing his styles from silly love songs to ballroom ("You Gave Me The Answer") to a surprising - and welcome - dose of heavy rocking. Some of the biggest cheers erupt when "Live and Let Die" commences, same with the Madison Square Garden crowd that welcomes the opening "Venus and Mars/Rockshow/Jet" triple knockout.

But the crowd saves the biggest welcome for that smattering of Beatles songs. When "Yesterday" comes in, you can hear the crowd cheer not in raucous stadium rock roar, but almost in emotional reverence. McCartney may have wanted "Wings Over America" to prove Wings was a band, but for all his considerable skills and charm, The Beatles are still the touchstone for all he has done in these 4 decades. As such, the joy spread throughout this - his first and the best of his many live albums - has its roots in that rich firmament.

Of course the question then must be begged; Why is this out of print in the USA? I found mine used a few years ago, but isn't this (and the rest of McCartney's solo work) about due for an upgrade?

Awesome.
This is a top notch cd for Sir Paul. he is in his prime here and with his wife it makes it even better. He should have quit here.

Wings - At Their Peak
After the breakup of the Beatles and several solo albums, Paul McCartney put together the band Wings in the early 70's. Unlike his solo efforts the idea behind Wings was for it to be a true band with writing contributions from all of it's members. In 1976 Paul decided to take Wings on the road with a massive U.S. tour and this album is the result. When this first came out it was a 3 record vinyl set. The CD version is a two disc set. This is really a great live album. Sir Paul had not toured since his early Beatles days back in the mid 60's which made this tour that much more of an event. What I really like about this version of Wings is that they could really rock. There is some seriously heavy stuff on this album and McCartney could scream with the best of them when he wanted to. Venus And Mars, Soily, Sprits Of Ancient Egypt, Live And Let Die, Hi Hi Hi, Time To Hide, and Medicine Jar are all powerful and rock out as hard as anything Paul has done before or since. Jimmy McCulloch's lead guitar is in great throughout and Joe English on drums really stands out as well. Paul's bass playing is also outstanding and the vocals are for the most part pristine. Most of this album is from Macca's non Beatle years, but he does throw in 5 Beatles tunes as well. A mostly acoustic set is included here and you also get some of Paul's more commercial Silly Love Songs. This album paints a very good picture of Wings at the height of their powers and is a great overview of McCartney's career up to that point.