Comments on: CD Review – Good Evening New York City marred by auto-tune

By: Lior

Lior — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:34:34 +0000

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.

By: Paul McCartney – Hey Tokyo – 1993 | retroblog.net

Paul McCartney – Hey Tokyo – 1993 | retroblog.net — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:22:41 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:00:42 +0000

I noticed it on ”Sing the Changes”! A bit too perfect. I still like Paul though.

By: The Professor

The Professor — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:51:20 +0000

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.

By: Robin

Robin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:32:36 +0000

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.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:03:16 +0000

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!!

By: Gus the engineer

Gus the engineer — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:11:03 +0000

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.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 23:51:05 +0000

@robbietucker
twist and shout is sung by lennon, mccartney does back up vocals in that song.

By: Robbie Tucker

Robbie Tucker — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:40:10 +0000

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.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:25:05 +0000

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!