CD Review – Good Evening New York City marred by auto-tune
I’ve been listening to the newly released two-disc audio CDs of Paul McCartney’s Good Evening New York City this week and I have to say that I’m pretty disappointed by the blatant use of auto-tune (pitch correction software) on Paul’s vocals. yes, I understand that auto-tune is pretty much standard practice nowadays in the pop music industry but for an iconic voice as Paul’s, the tell-tale signs of auto-tune just ruins for me. I personally would have preferred bum-notes and all for this live document of McCartney’s July 2009 gigs at Citi Field in NYC. We all know McCartney is 67 and his voice isn’t what it used to be so we don’t expect his vocals to be perfect. So why try to artificially make it so in post-production? I can accept Sir Paul going back into the studio to overdub vocal parts because that’s the nature of the beast (and he’s done that with past releases like Wings over America and Tripping the Live Fantastic) but to utilize auto-tune (or Melodyne, another pitch correction tool) and make Paul sound like a cyborg, is a big mistake if you ask me. The tell-tale signs vary throughout the performance with some songs being more heavily treated than others. Listen for it on songs like “Got to Get You Into My Life”, “Let it Be”, “I’ve Got a Feeling” and “Paperback Writer”. Again, some folks may not know what to listen for so this may not be a bother to some ears but it sure does bother mine. I’m personally going to seek out the audio of the pay-per-view broadcast of Paul’s show in Halifax (11Jul09). From what I’ve heard, McCartney and band sounded great that night and the BIG PLUS is the fact that it’s a more TRUTHFUL document of his show with NO auto-tune to mar the experience!
But if you can get past the artificial quality of Paul’s vocals, there are some positives. The band sounds tight and it’s great to hear songs like “Mrs. Vandebilt”, “I’m Down”, “Calico Skies” and “Only Mama Knows”. And the “Sgt. Peppers/The End” combo is always a great way to end the show. You can’t go wrong there. Another positive is the fact that the CD isn’t mastered “loud”. No signs of brickwalling here, thank goodness.
Before I end this, I DO have to mention one more thing which has to do with Wix’s synth patches. Wix has been with Paul since the 1989 tour and from the sound of it, he hasn’t updated his keyboard sounds since that time. I assume that sampling technology has progressed during the time since then but his “horn” samples in songs like “Got to Get You Into My Life” and his “sax synth” solo during “Lady Madonna” sound just like it did on the first tour. In other words, the synths sound dated now. ..and a bit cheesy. Weird, since I’m sure Wix can afford all the newest gear. so what gives?
I haven’t had a chance to view the DVD portion of this release in any detail but I suspect the visual aspect will help take the focus off the auto-tuned vocals. Well, at least I hope so, anyway.
RetroGrade: C (for the audio CD)
Good Evening New York City
Released: November 17, 2009 (U.S.)
label: Hear Music/Concord Music Group
Tracklist of the audio CDs:
Disc 1:
1. Drive My Car
2. Jet
3. Only Mama Knows
4. Flaming Pie
5. Got To Get You Into My Life
6. Let Me Roll It
7. Highway
8. The Long And Winding Road
9. My Love
10. Blackbird
11. Here Today
12. Dance Tonight
13. Calico Skies
14. Mrs Vandebilt
15. Eleanor Rigby
16. Sing The Changes
17. Band On The Run
Disc 2:
1. Back In The USSR
2. I’m Down
3. Something
4. I’ve Got A Feeling
5. Paperback Writer
6. A Day In The Life / Give Peace A Chance
7. Let It Be
8. Live And Let Die
9. Hey Jude
10. Day Tripper
11. Lady Madonna
12. I Saw Her Standing There
13. Yesterday
14. Helter Skelter
15. Get Back
16. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band / The End
Here’s the “I’m Down” clip from the DVD. (a strange decision to mix the Beatles’ 1965 Shea performance with Paul’s, in my opinion…)
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Related posts:
Listening to this brought a disturbing thought to mind: T-Pain Mcartney
you’re right Graham. ha,ha. maybe Paul is a fan of his.
Completely agree! Although it’s pretty standard practice, this is absolutely horrific. His live 2002 album is MUCH better.
Thanks for commenting on this, I thought I was just an audio snob who cuts no slack
yeah, I’m sure autotune can be tastefully done but on Good Evening NYC, it just sounds so artificial.
maybe it’s b/c we’ve listened to Paul’s voice for so long…
If he used autotune then it was used live because i saw him at Citi Field and Fenway Park and his vocals were outstanding. Maybe you should actually listen to it before reviewing it as you freely admit you didn’t really do. I know what i heard because during the shows i commented several times at how amazing his voice sounds and I’m Down vocals sounded as good as the original recording from 1965. I was so blown away by how great his voice sounded when i was watching and listening to the shows from the 9th rows in both places on the field and now you’re saying that what i heard was post production work done a month or more after i heard it? If anything, he sounded better live then on this recording. I’ve seen him about a dozen times since 1976 and this was the first concert where his vocals sounded this great and I had a lot to compare it with having seen him so many times over the years. You haven’t the slightest clue as to what you’re talking about. Before slandering him you should have actually seen and paid close attention to the show and then listened to the cd/dvd in it’s entirety before ripping it apart. You sound like a frustrated musician who never quite made it. Don’t blame you failures on Paul and now Wix.
I never watched any of the Star Wars movies because I know they stink. I once sat through five minutes of the first one when it was on tv therefore I know what I’m talking about when I say it sucks. Also, I could also give Harrison Ford lessons on acting even though I never acted.
Do you think it was necessarily done in post-production? I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually uses autotune live. That would explain why it’s so obvious (in postproduction you could smooth out the edges) but, of course, it pales to the godawful use of live autotune that made Billy Joel sound like a robot during the national anthem a few years back (see YouTube).
Avenger – yeah, the infamous Billy Joel video is a clear example of what NOT to do in a live setting.
As for McCartney – it’s most likely post production. you can compare it with the audience recordings from the gig.
Also, check out the Halifax PPV recordings. no sign of autotune there.
As for Mike – why don’t you read my review completely before commenting on it. what I said was I didn’t watch the DVD in detail to comment on the footage. But this review was for the 2-disc AUDIO CDs which I listened to all week.
Don’t misunderstand me. I’m a life-long fan and have seen him live several times. I have the bulk of his entire catalog and have countless bootlegs. He’s deeply ingrained in my musical DNA and know what his voice sounds like. and from what I hear on these CDs are pitch corrected vocals.
again, re-read my review, I’d rather hear a true representation of the gigs. that’s why I’m seeking out the Halifax PPV to get a recording with no post production. that’s all. no need to get your panties in a wad over it. geez.
Mike sounds like a conservative loser who attacks others defensively and has great anger toward anyone who doesn’t see the world through his eyes. It’s amazing how you can tell one’s politics through their venting on other issues. Nice review. Clearly auto-tune was used and you are right to be upset about it. The DVD visuals do take some emphasis away from the auto-tune, though the lame stage production sucks too. Still, I love McCartney and can’t wait for his next album!
It really is amazing how quickly people take offense to someone who is merely stating the facts. What you hear live is so loud you can’t really make a good judgment on vocals, especially on full band numbers like I’m down or Band on the run. However, I’ve seen bootlegs of I’m Down and Paul’s vocals were amazing. I guess what the reviewer is trying to say, and I totally agree with him, is that we don’t care if his voice cracks or he misses or note. We’d rather hear that than this robotic garbage they’ve dished out on the disc. I’ve seen the Halifax DVD and it’s a great show. Mostly great vocals but come on the guy does almost 40 songs (with Helter Skelter being close to the end) so it goes without question that he isn’t going to get every note. Even if he was 20 he wouldn’t. The man is 67.
What bugs me even more about ‘Good Evening NYC’ is that it’s like 75% of the same songs he’s been releasing FOREVER!!! He has like 50 million songs, do something else.
Oh Darling?
Long Tall Sally?
Beautiful Night?
Twist and Shout?
The list is endless or how about doing some of your new stuff like That was me. I still love Paul.
@robbietucker
twist and shout is sung by lennon, mccartney does back up vocals in that song.
I gotta agree-there is plenty of some sort of pitch correcting software in use here, never mind the “brand”. It is also used heavily on the backing vocals as well. But note, it is not as if Pauls’ unprocessed voice is not heard at all, there is just some VERY frequent and noticeable correction tossed into the mix.
I also love all that Paul has done, but I use this software every day in the studio (the way of the business these days, sorry to say-I personally despise it, but the customer is always right:) so I damn well know it when I hear it.
Hmm,
The author seems to be out of touch.
Can’t understand why a 60+ perfectionist may use a few corrections here and there.
Can’t understand why they don’t update synth sounds LOL Are you kidding me?
And thinks the brilliant intercut to Shea made no sense? Either historically or musically?
The internet showcases lack of writer’s judgement once again.
Don’t give up the day job!!
Bill,
your comment makes it seem that YOU’RE the one that’s out of touch.
why are you criticizing retroblog when it’s obvious McCartney DID indeed rely on autotune?
I thought retroblog was right on the money with his review.
Wow. I’m not sure what surprises me more. The fact that there are people commenting in this blog that CAN’T hear the pitch correction; that there’s those that would stop and read a blog only to be rude and degrading to the blogger; or that someone actually never saw Star Wars!!
Ok. I was at the Citi concert – no pitch correction live. When I watched the concert on tv last week I actually commented on Macca being MORE in tune than I remember. Then, I could hear all of the artifacts from the software.
I work as a musician and an engineer and I can guarantee the use of pitch correction in post. It’s horribly blatant as well. What’s funny is that you can use the plugin judiciously and blend it to be hardly noticable. His was obviously a tactic to get the product out quickly.
I heard even more auto-tune on the Rock & Roll HoF 25th Ann concert. Art Garfunkle sounded like a robot. That’s heartbreaking.
They do it because he deaf can’t hear it and the dumb buy it. I don’t mean any offense. (I bought it myself) The industry will keep pumping out crap until the people speak out with their cash.
And, come on… Star Wars?? Really???? That many people can’t be wrong.
I noticed it on ”Sing the Changes”! A bit too perfect. I still like Paul though.
[...] to some old Paul McCartney boots these last few days just to wash the bad aftertaste left from this whole autotune debacle. I’d rather listen to a pure, un-altered performance of a Macca show than some artificially [...]
I’ve just goggled “Paul McCartney auto tune” to see if anybody else noticed.
I wonder why they used in such an “obvious” way…
There is a way to auto tune good singers without us ever finding out.
I saw him live in Tel Aviv last year and he was great with out any computer assistance.
about the keys presets ,
I object the whole “sax solo on the keyboard” concept,
It just looks stupid and reminds me of wedding bands.
You tube is filled with songs from Halifax and his vocals are fine, just like they are on the Citi field show. Audience members arte holding their own camcorders and he’s right on key.
You want to hear Paul McCartney on autotune? listen to Band on the Run. Someone autotuned the original record and the autotune is obvious. On Citi Field he sounds every bit as real as he does at Halifax, where I’m told there is no autotune.
http://www.ilictronix.com/search/label/band on the run
Some of the logic written here is insane. I only think it sounds good but it really doesn’t because it’s too loud for me to judge. Concerts wouldn’t exist if everyone thought they liked it but weren’t sure. Also, he typically does about 35 songs per show and each tour will always give us about 18 to 20 songs that will always be played. If he does a tour and omits some of the obvious songs like Yesterday and Let it Be, there will be a lot of pissed off people.
There’s usually about 15+ songs that we don’t usually hear. At Citi Field there were four songs from his most recent works. Unfortunately, people use those songs for bathroom breaks because they came to hear all of the oldies. If I have to go I’ll do so during a familiar old song. People are paying a lot of money for his show and he knows that he has to give them what they paid for.
The genius of the century award goes to Jeff. He figured I’m some neo con who hates others that don’t think like me and then gives himself a pat on the back for thinking he can figure out my politics. Jeff, you aren’t even close and you need to get a life. I will offer you a start: Being that you’re the genius who can read minds and is the know all on auto tune why don’t you do something no other critic here or on other forums has been able to do:
Tell us what songs on the cd have auto tune. But tell us at what time in each song does auto tune kicks in.
On the link above autotune is obvious. Just as it’s obvious on Cher’s song, “I Believe”. If he was using autotune on the Citi Field cd/dvd his vocals in halifax would suck, and they don’t.
The above link won’t take you to the song, but click on it anyway. In the upper left hand corner of the screen type “band on the run” in the search box.
Jeff, you have some nerve going after me after you viciously personally attacked Rev link because he didn’t agree about auto tune. It’s on the thread announcing the upcoming release of the Citi Field cd. You are a sick man.
So true, most noticeable on “Here Today”, a beautiful song kind of ruined.. saw him live too Mike, he was brilliant but that’s the whole experience. Wasn’t him fucked up with the autotune anyway, just some modern studio tech messing about trying to make it perfect.
aw and the auto tune is very very obvious, its undebatable
Just saw Paul in Charlotte and they are definitely messing with his vocals live (and the backing vocals as well). You can just tell – particularly on “softer” songs like “Long and Winding Road” etc. You can even tell by Paul’s face, and how he approaches singing a “corrected” song. He sort of pulls back from the mic, and has a strange expression at times. I last saw him in 1990 and he sounded better and less pitchy now, which is of course extremely unlikely. Not making a judgement, just stating an observation.