Back in the World: Live [Extra tracks]

McCartney's new touring band (the energetic Abe Laboriel Jnr. on the drum kit, Rusty Anderson on lead guitar, Brain Ray on bass and rhythm guitar and Paul "Wix" Wickens on keyboards of all kinds) gel effectively and each faithfully recreate the well known parts they play. All of them contribute backing vocals - on some occasions, it is difficult to distinguish their backings from the familiar Lennon & Harrison parts on the Beatles numbers. Wix on keyboards contributes some gorgeous orchestration when called upon to do so - "She's Leaving Home" being a particularly

Speaking of Beatles numbers, McCartney treats us on this show - 23 of them are given the treatment of his new band. "Getting Better" is performed for the first time ever by McCartney since it was "left on a shelf" after the 1967 opus "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" The remainder of the 36 tracks comprise standouts from his Wings and solo years.

The level of excitement and energy that comes across is overwhelming - McCartney may be 60 years old now, but if this CD is anything to go by, few could suggest he was sounding it. Numbers such as "I Saw Her Standing There", "Can't Buy Me Love" and "All My Loving" sound like they have been pulled straight out of a 1964 concert in all but one respect - modern amplification allows him to be heard over the screaming crowd! McCartney's instrumental performance is commendable too - his versatility showing as he switches from his famous Hofner violin bass to grand piano, electric guitar, electric piano and acoustic guitar (on which he performs a number of solo numbers which sound like very personal studio demos and provide a wonderful contrast to the more rocking numbers). He also switches to ukelele to perform a touchingly nostalgic "Something" to the memory of George Harrison. John Lennon is also remembered with a song few ever thought would appear in his live show - "Here Today".

By the way, I'm not a 50-something who is still not over 60's Beatlemania - I'm an 18 year old who is somehow managing to re-live the whole experience almost forty years later down the timeline. I recommend this live collection to all fans of good music and a good show!

Perhaps the death of George Harrison has made the inclusion of more Beatles songs all the more poignant, but who can complain about the selection of songs when the set list contains 'Back in the USSR', 'Michelle', 'Let It Be', 'The Fool on the Hill' and 'Michelle'? There are some surprises too, with versions of songs like 'Mother Nature's Son', 'Getting Better' and 'She's Leaving Home' not previously played live by McCartney. Despite all the debate about writing credits in recent years, songs dedicated to both John Lennon (''Here Today') and Harrison (the ukelele driven 'Something') provide a fitting tribute to both.

There are still highlights from the Wings and solo era, including three tracks from 'Band On the Run', and a superb version of my favourite solo track 'Maybe I'm Amazed'.

Given the familiarity of the material, it is the energy and impetous given by the young and largely new band employed by McCartney which really bring this album to life - there are new arrangments on some songs, and Abe Laboriel on drums is simply a revelation.

If you're a Beatles purist, then this might not be for you - but for those of us who who don't remember the sixties first time around, then this is still a reminder of that amazing legacy, reinterpreted by one of the men who created it!