Paul McCartney - Don't Get Around Much Anymore (live '1987)

[GeneralParadigm]

A good song lends itself to a variety of interpretations. I'm pretty sure that if Duke Ellington and Bob Russell could be here right now, they'd be delighted to learn that a great artist like Paul McCartney had performed their song with such distinction and elegance.

[GeneralParadigm]

The man who wrote the lyrics to this song, Bob Russell, also co-wrote 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother', at a time when he was dying of cancer. Later that year, the song became a world-wide hit for The Hollies, and after Russell's death, Neil Diamond also released a very popular version.

[GeneralParadigm]

Actually, Ellington composed the music, and the tune was originally called 'Never No Lament', which he recorded as an instrumental in 1940. The lyrics and title were written by Bob Russell in 1942.

[GeneralParadigm]

Don't blame Macca. This song is well below his standards.

[1MouseOnMars1]

@GeneralParadigm Duke Ellington wrote this song... it just needs a jazz singer or a jazz band.

[Easleytee]

McCartney should be disemboweled for this travesty.

[AshmanGT]

Hey it worked for him

[jacmeade]

There's just no justification for how bad this is.

[kingsuji]

Paul's tribute to his father's music.

A great song and a great version. Today's youngsters would never have heard it.

Thanks again, Paul.

Kingsuji

[observer9670]

This band is great! Who are they?

[tyden13]

nooooo



[ozzyge]

paul suck ..........jhon is man

[KeithHarperSF]

Uh...did he pay any attention to the lyrics? There's such a disconnect between the lyrics and how he's performing this.

(Still...thanks for posting!)

[Jphthe2]

This is too fucking goofy....

[ThePhatboy3]

OK.

[FlameClaw2]

So Paul... I'm guessing that jacket seemed like a good idea at the time... :P

[raidereddie]

I can see him doing this withe the lads in Hamburg!

[RiKoOIBG98]

Paul McCarytney is the man to turn Jazz into Rock ! ;)

[kevinhaast]

The version on the CNOBA B CCCP album from 1987 is much better than this live version. Listen to that one rather than this version! IT sounds much rougher and rawer than this poppy version of the song...

[rabbitsmom]

Egad! Oh dear 8-( !

[spiffyinsb]

The two top comments crack me up as I saw them so long ago I thought they would have disappeared.  ROD STEWART's version fits the comments better than Paul...

For people over 30, this version is a real hoot and cool for the times .... Everyone loves the original Ellington but Paul did it justice. Stop cursing music. To each his own!

[MariaKolodiy]

love this version

[kingsuji]

This could have easily been one of The Beatles choices to record in 1963, since it is a song about our (parents, grandparents) missing each other during WWII. Paul's father was a big band leader and (I'm sure ) worshipped Duke Ellington.

The original versions of "Till There Was You" were not much to listen to until the Boys recorded their take. I love Pau'ls version found on the USSR release on Melodyia.Be kind. Love & Peace.

Kingsuji.

[1NOgl]

It's shitty. Stick to pop McCartney.

[BallPapers]

Wow, you guys are ready to fight about anything... it's just music people. Don't like it? Move on, I for one appreciate this rocking version. Different strokes for different folks.

[butuh13]

I may be in the minority here, but I think this is great. I do not share the opinion of jazz snobs that such standards are sacrosanct. McCartney has as much standing as any man who ever walked a stage and has as much right to cover a standard as anyone- that's why they are called standards.It's not better than the other versions mentioned, but it's his own and I dig it. So there. And I feel sorry for the guy who has to play bass FOR McCartney. Yikes...

[mNareznoy]

I agree!! ugly version of the standard jazz, but people don't forget-its paul mcartney we're talking about. he can do what ever he likes!

[Maitreyafication]

@mNareznoy  HELL, YEAH!

[Wolta]

I respect you... A bunch! But some songs are just not meant to turn into rock ... : /

[Maitreyafication]

@Wolta picky picky

[michaelmira1]

ive never been so embarassed in my life

[SjjSic2]

It's a GREAT version !

Is that Steve Naive !!! ?

[RiKoOIBG47]

Paul McCartney is the the man to turn Jazz into Rock ! ; )

[Maitreyafication]

@RiKoOIBG47 I'D LIKE TO SEE THESE WHINERS DO ANY BETTER

[blazer4165]

Way to fuck up more than just your life Paul McCartney.

You have now fucked up Duke Ellington, and Nat King Cole

[95Galante]

Oh God - its the rock equivalent of playing bach with a jazz rythum section - dreadfull

[Raizdecimal]

think nat king cole's version's way better

[coyoteartist]

It's got soul man and that's what Paul does best. Play with soul.

[Bnosrettaptrebor]

Its ok. Wish they would have kept more of the original elements of the song. Wonder what Duke would think.

[reachdanny]

A great Jazz standard that should not be treated this way. But if you are going to 'rock' the song Paul doesn't do too bad. I was able to get a little bit of enjoyment of his rendition here. (weak keyboard though.)

Paul has composed some very beautiful songs. I've got to give him some respect.

[GeneralParadigm]

This song is designed for people who like to sit at the bar and drink themselves clueless. Macca brings life, to a dreary piece of crud.

[Ichiro20]

this is what paul would be doing if he never made it. complete embarrassment.

[GeneralParadigm]

The only thing Macca can be faulted for here is poor choice of material. We're used to seeing Sir Paul handle songs of much higher quality. What's he doing wasting his time on crud like this?

[RohitSatoskar]

@GeneralParadigm You need to listen to one of the many excellent versions that didn't destroy the song (ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to WIllie Nelson). Celine Dion has done better covers.

[origamihell]

why bring back mem ...

why bring back mem ..

Yes Paul, i agree - why bring back a truly shocking version of a great jazz song?

[Mogggggpiano]

Dreadful version of a good song. 

[RAMGEN2000]

Even if he is THE Paul McCartney, he still don't render this song as good as Rod does.

[goanfurslf]

For you wankers who have the balls and certainly not the brains to knock Paul McCartney - get get fucked ........... he has more cred that you jerk offs will ever have ! He could sing 'Three Blind Mice' and still be able to sing and play the shit out of anything you tossers could ever do-chances are you pricks couldn't get a gig in a lounge corner since you're sitting about on Youtube knocking one of the greatest writers and performers this era has ever seen. Go watch some gay porn you fuckwits

[psychoman50]

i don't give a shit what anybody says about this cover. number one it's paul mccartney and second of all i respect him for covering a song that he likes and has memories of listening too. so fuck all the people who says he slaughtered it...i don't see a better cover coming from you.

[PauvrePapillon]

Just in case you had any doubt, this video proves Paul McCartney is the most over-rated singer in the history of the world... and only capable of making music for children who have not yet learned how to appreciate real music.

[PJsessionz]

@PauvrePapillon His basslines on Abbey Road beg to differ.

[PauvrePapillon]

Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller and Nate Phillips are bass players.

Sir Paul is still working out the basics on his student model instrument.

[PJsessionz]

@PauvrePapillon Okay, seriously, invoking the name of Jaco is like the reducto ad Hitlerum of all bass-related discussions. Anyway, McCartney knows how to write catchy basslines that provide a solid groove and outline the harmony well enough to serve the song. What more could you ask of a rock/pop bass player? Who cares if he can't segue into "Teen Town" at the end of "Taxman"?

[butuh13]

@PauvrePapillon In the idiom of pop and rock Paul McCartney is as much of a giant as Jaco. I'm a huge fan of both and if you find them exclusive of each other you're a fool. The style of music and technique may be different, but McCartney's brilliance cannot be denied. The world doesn't turn on chops, it turns on musicality. And in that regard Jaco and McCartney are a dead heat.

Even Jaco would know you're a clueless snob with a limited concept of music.

[tbcass]

@butuh13 Jaco Pastorious freely acknowledged McCartney as one of his major influences as a bass player.

[butuh13]

@tbcass Good point. I just saw McCartney this past Monday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Amazing show. He's still the greatest. He is as significant as any player ever in any style. Jaco would say no different...the jazz Nazis don't know what they are talking about...who cares...people who know music recognize McCartney's brilliance.

[tbcass]

@butuh13 I'm a Bass player (38 years) I play all kinds of music including Jazz. While I'm a bit of a Jazz snob myself that doesn't negate the abilities of the many fine non Jazz musicians.Of the Rock Bass players that came out of 60's James Jamerson, McCartney, Jack Bruce, Tim Bogart, John Entwistle and Chris Squire stand out. Of those only Jamerson and Bruce were Jazz players.

[butuh13]

@tbcass All excellent players. I'm also a pretty big fan of some later guys like Nick Lowe, Pete Thomas...Dee Murray from Elton John's old band was a rather overlooked but wonderful player. I suppose there are also many sort of prog guys who were at least influenced by jazzers...you mention Squire but I'm thinking Geddy Lee or maybe John Wetton...The point is, great musicianship exists in all genres of music. It's certainly true for drummers, which happens to be my instrument...

[tbcass]

@butuh13 The ones you mention are from the second wave of players from the 70's. I especially like Dee Murray and Geddy Lee. Gary Thain of Uriah Heep was outstanding and totally unknown.

[butuh13]

@tbcass When I said Pete Thomas I meant Chris Thomas...oops...

[tbcass]

@butuh13 That's OK because I never heard of either of them. A quick search indicates Chris Thomas is primarily a record producer with extensive credits but I could find no info about his bass playing other than early on he played Violin, Piano and Bass.

[tbcass]

@PauvrePapillon Jaco Pastorious freely acknowledged McCartney as one of his major influences as a bass player. You obviously know nothing about bass. I've been playing bass nearly 40 years and can appreciate how good his playing was with the Beatles.

[slownoman]

@PauvrePapillon Piss up a rope, pappy. This song is, self evidently to all but the thickest wits (e.g. you) a throwback to the Hamburg days when the Beatles played eight hours a night and played versions of hundreds of songs from every pop idiom, idiot.

[PauvrePapillon]

@slownoman So we are four decades later and PMac still can't cover a basic American Songbook standard. Duke Ellington forgot more music by the time he was 11 than PMac will ever, in his life, on his best day, figure out. Not being negative or anything. This is just a fact which the video establishes beyond question.

[slownoman]

@PauvrePapillon Yeah, the whole world's wrong and you're right. Everyone's out of step but you. This song was probably worked up during sound check. It's not meant to be Eleanor Rigby. sober up. It's early yet.

[PauvrePapillon]

@slownoman The whole world doesn't worship PMac. The fact that you feel compelled to make excuses for this track ("probably worked up during a sound check") reveals that even a Kool-Aid drinking PMac worshipper like yourself realizes this is nothing short of noise. Just listen to it again. I dare you. Did you know that the U.S. uses this very track to torture terrorist suspects in Gitmo? The only problem with it is it actually works too well. Three replays and they confess to anything.

[slownoman]

@PauvrePapillon I worship no human- well, maybe Catherine Deneuve- and I am not lauding this version. Actually, I was looking for lyric/chord ideas for the song, which i'm working on for a gig, and hit this inadvertently. Are you constipated, or just old? You sound exactly like everyone's parents, who say the new generation's music is the road to hell. The said that about blues, and jazz, and swing. I love the Duke, and Ella, and Joe Pass. But to dismiss the Beatles is, well, constipated.

[PJsessionz]

@PauvrePapillon If anything, this video establishes the fact that Paul McCartney was able to take a jazz standard and reharmonize it and arrange it into a rock n' roll version. So far, your logic seems to amount to nothing more than "Paul McCartney can't play jazz, therefore he is a bad musician" and "this is a cover of a jazz standard that is not jazz, therefore it is bad music".

[PJsessionz]

@PauvrePapillon McCartney's music (especially his contributions as a Beatle) has reached millions of people around the world and has had a hand in revolutionizing rock and pop music as we know it, but elitists like you can't accept that just because he's managed to play a catchy and enjoyable cover of this particular tune without intricate chord voicings and extensions, modal interchange, secondary dominants, chromatic unisons, II V I's or a plethora of improvised solos over the changes.

[tripacer66]

I believe this was a rushed arrangement hobbled together at the last minute to fill time for this tv set. It's not bad for what it is, an attempt to bring a old jazz classic

rocked up for a generation that never heard the original...Look up here the original vocal

recording with the original duke elington band-Don't ect Bing Crosby..recorded in 1944 and hear how it should be done right!

[stormcats2]

hilarious how the jazz knobs moan about a party jam

[galimaufrydujour]

...he's not even getting the words right.

[Davdan9595]

No.

[KJShackx]

if for the first time i ever heard this i didn't know it was sir paul, I would just think it was a lame band with a paul mccartney impersonator. This is so below all of his other work in my opinion.

[baddmanaz]

sir duke > sir paul

[hereinthebronx]

this could be his band.instead he has that nut job as a drummer.

this was a good band for him.paul mccartney and swings

[ripentheconclave]

this is disgusting

[adcac5]

not bad but i like duke Ellington better

[loeza3176]

he`s wearing a leather jacket??? i hope no...

[lately1000]

Great performance, Sir Paul!

jacenty841, thank you for sharing the video.

[BRASAK]

I could watch this all day!!!!! It is costello's drummer....and keyboard player. Pete Thomas,and Steve Naive. Fucking amazing.

[blahblahhuh1]

I think thats the drummer from the attractions (costello's band)..

[derekec]

My opinion, a great take on an old standard. Loved this version since hearing it on the "official" McCartney Russian bootleg.

But the recorded version as usual, is neater..tighter..than this live TV version where McCartney pushes his voice a bit. So for those interested, listen to it on record. Then appreciate the live version, dynamic singing AND great guitar work together. Let's see you do it!

[valvetrom]

Don't even know who Dion and the Belmonts are.

But Paul is defenitely a fine composer and interpreter, Ellington is smiling from heaven.

[MichaelnChristine]

I doubt it. This was pretty half-assed. Sounds like the chord changes were simplified and he manages to mumble while singing...

[valvetrom]

Maybe send me the fullarsed chordchanges, we

tried to play this song at a wedding 27 12 09

and our singer messed up the braks and the AABA order.

[Doumbeck]

This shows how wonderful a composer Duke Ellington was.. His music goes beyond decades.. If you are a jazz snob, you may not like Paul's version..but hey.. it does rock out!!

[ECWaxman]

When I hear this song, I think of my last day in London in August of 1995 (8/25), being driven to Heathrow Airport. Oh how much I hanker to return there - even better to have some new friends from there who'd share London with me BETTER than a tourist will ever experience. How do I find London friends for lasting correspondences???

[xX0Isaac0Xx]

aw man, i am playing the original duke ellington arrangement of this song and i play lead alto in it. After playing the original, this just seems silly... really ridiculous

[MichaelnChristine]

Amen

[trufiend138]

gross...

[Zebonka]

This is ....

[bootle11]

Looks like Elvis Costello's band backing, but with Buddy Holly on lead!?! How did that happen?

[danr27]

it's a fun version, but wondering why no one has posted the Dion & the Belmonts version?

[notAlabel]

@danr27

omg yes.....

[danr27]

I found out the reason why: the song was by the Belmonts, sans Dion!

[plotchickens]

act your age you colossal faggot

this is terrible and lose the jacket you mook

[JAGAE]

love it, paul is great, great energy

[OscarPetersonFan]

It's a radical arrangement, but I still preffer Duke's

[boutet01]

OUF!!!

[spiffyinsb]

Wahoo...........

I was not aware of this version till my guitar teacher showed me...

Now I can't get it out of my head...

It's so not 1940 ... How can anyone hate beatles unless you are 70 years old???

[Vandroy666]

hate the beatles with all my heart, but i think he did a good job with this song.

[livinginmonkeyland]

lol this is a funny version of this song ....

[nnicoonicolas]

paul is the best!

[3rdpug]

Total shite Mccartney needs to hang.

[crazyeelboy]

If any of you wondered what it would be like if Sir Paul were a wedding singer, here's your answer.

[Augenschwert]

Get a wedding band like this and try to get divorced as fast as you can so you can book 'em again ...

[righteousgroove]

@crazyeelboy Hahahaha YES

[els9874]

I heart Paul to death and this isn't a bad rendition at all (and I suspect this is just one of those songs paul felt like recording for fun) but the ultimate version of this song will always be Nat King Cole

[Zepster77]

Absolutely correct sir!!!

[vrankulj]

I don't think that I have ever experienced anything this hideous and disgusting. This is easily the worst recording of all time.

[mballyk]

you tell em!

[femaleanimal]

Yeah, you obviously don`t get around much anymore...

[edalow]

wow i never know Paul recorded this,this is awesome and it made my day!!! Thanks 4 posting it!

[mshayden]

oh my...

[crackyjackie13]

Why do so many people think that just because Paul McCartney is playing this that it is a 'work of genius'? Did it really take much guts or vision to arrange a tune that is already loved and accepted in the American musical canon in the style popular at the time (Rock)?  Calling him genius with this arrangement as your supporting evidence is sad, all this arrangement makes him is a good entertainer, not a genius composer/arranger. Have a critical ear too, it doesn't even sound good.

[Wagimawr]

This isn't a work of genius, but the man has other work to his name that might be considered such.

This rocks; I dig it!

[LostMuffin03]

hahahaahhahahahaahahhahahahaha­hahahahahahahahahahaaaahahahaa­haa

[jbdazen]

I only discovered that this is an Ellington tune recently. McCartney's was the only one I knew before. Always liked it. Has he really invented this version? Because most of the time Macca stays pretty close to old renditions. However, I haven't found another rock 'n' roll version so far. I'd like to know the story behind it.

[Rocketeer22]

Does anyone know if that is Marshal Crenshaw playing lead guitar for Maca? It looks like him and I know how much Paul loves Buddy.

[Yngland]

super nice wow - thank you

[Youffer33]

Awesome new rock & roll take to the jazz classic! Hats off to PM for having the guts to try it. I'm going to try to work up this version for my performances.

Thanks Paul!

[rimgabob]

Hey it's Paul McCartney. I think it's great. I plan to do this version with my band. The fans will love it!

[masterpiggy5]

wow i like what he did with this

[richterrana]

Sorry everyone,I beg to differ, but I love this version. Mccartney = Genius. Can't you people hear it?

[badb84]

What a freakin wanker!

[darrowby1972]

What a freakin twat

[thevivos]

I agree this is not one lucky version, but Ella doesn't get luckier trying to do hey jude!

[chompyumbabies]

what an a****le

[johnisamazing7]

i agree

[IronLion27]

Wow that really is terrible. Stick with beatles songs.

[Elias5Barnes]

Paul is a great musician and song writer, one of the best...but his version of this song isn't very good!! I love Bing Crosby's version of this song in the 1986 movie, Tough Guys!!

[jaw520]

wow. this sucks. slaughtered an amazing song

[gangstaprincessmia]

I love all of The Beatles.... but this song should be slower in my opinion.... We just learned it today in Jazz Choir and i adore our version sooo much!

[JulianLennon1]

Fun! Brings back the trying out days of Quarrymen.

[Banjeeboi]

How much I might admire Paul McCartney and the Beatles, going from the Ella & Duke version to this one wasn't a good choice...

[unibomber111]

agreed

[genniirocka]

Whaaaa, no. Paul?! This is a terrible cover :'[ Shame (N)

[gimpmasterw]

paul is hot and sexy i love paullllllllllll mcartney

[evlog]

Way to slaughter a jazz standard Paul.

[aerofredywr]

Yea.How to ruin one of Duke Ellington`s great themes.

[shleml]

Super tight sound .... and pauls playin' a gold les paul! Rare!

[Ihy744ppp]

Maybe fake leather...........

Classic Macca, think I never saw this video in full version..so thanks!!

Regards

The Special Artist

[gungasdindin]

For a vegan animal rights activist, that's a pretty suave leather jacket, Pauly. LOL!

[bjoybeads]

that is satin, a fabric -

[femaleanimal]

Definitely not leather. It`s also from more than 20 years ago!

[turntapzap]

This is Paul at his best.

That's one tight band!

[gungasdindin]

00:58 pulling a chocolate rain.

[stianmartinsen]

ok, but are lian sucks

[cuoraccione]

Old Macca performs an old Duke Ellington's number. Old Jim Mccartney would have said "Right Paulie!"

[McCartneyIIII]

awesome video!!