Tripping the Live Fantastic is Paul McCartney's first official solo live album and his first release of concert material since Wings' 1976 Wings over America live package. Recorded during the Paul McCartney World Tour (1989–1990), it was released in early November 1990 as triple LP, double cassette and double CD. Tripping the Live Fantastic reached number 17 in the UK and number 26 in the US. An abridged version of the album, entitled Tripping the Live Fantastic: Highlights!, was released in the end of November.
Overview A document of the Paul McCartney World Tour, McCartney's first solo concert series, Tripping the Live Fantastic encompasses his entire musical career from his Beatles songs to his then most recent album, Flowers in the Dirt, while also including some unique covers; interspersed throughout are occasional soundcheck recordings as well.
The title is an allusion to the phrase "tripping the light fantastic", meaning to dance or move to musical accompaniment, originally from the poem L'Allegro by John Milton.
Although he had reversed the Lennon–McCartney credits on Wings over America in 1976, McCartney left the credits for his Beatles songs on Tripping the Live Fantastic in their original form.
Several songs from the tour were released as singles' b-sides and not found on the album: "Birthday" single featured "Good Day Sunshine", "P.S. Love Me Do" and "Let 'Em In"; "The Long and Winding Road" featured "C Moon" and "Mull of Kintyre"; and "All My Trials" additionally featured a medley of "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Help!" and "Give Peace a Chance".
Tripping the Live Fantastic: Highlights! Three weeks after the release of the album, an abridged version titled Tripping the Live Fantastic: Highlights! was released as 17 track CD and 12 track LP.
Showcasing just the concert highlights, this set is notable for the exclusive inclusion of "All My Trials", not found on the original release. However, on the American edition of the album the track was replaced by "Put It There".
Not charting at all in the UK, Tripping the Live Fantastic: Highlights! reached number 141 in the US on the Billboard 200 and, proving to be a sustained seller, went platinum. The original set peaked at number 26 and failed to go gold.
Related video releases Paul McCartney: Put It There
A video produced in 1989, titled Paul McCartney: Put It There, featured McCartney and his band rehearsing for the tour.
Paul McCartney: Going Home
The Disney Channel filmed Paul McCartney: Going Home during the tour. The show highlights McCartney's return to Liverpool where he introduced a tribute to John Lennon, featured on the B-side of the "All My Trials" single, comprising "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Help!", and "Give Peace a Chance".
Get Back
A VHS concert film was also released, entitled Get Back. The video was directed by Richard Lester, the director of A Hard Day's Night and Help! It was his final project before his retirement.
Track listing All songs by Paul McCartney, except where noted.
Tripping the Live Fantastic
Tripping the Live Fantastic: Highlights!
Personnel Paul McCartney – lead vocals, acoustic, electric and bass guitars, piano, keyboards Linda McCartney – keyboards, backing vocals Hamish Stuart – acoustic, electric and bass guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Ebony and Ivory" Robbie McIntosh – electric guitars, backing vocals Paul 'Wix' Wickens – keyboards, backing vocals Chris Whitten – drums, percussion
Charts Weekly charts
Tripping the Live Fantastic ChartPeakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 86Canadian RPM Albums Chart33Japanese Oricon Albums Chart12Spanish Albums Chart 8UK Albums Chart17US Billboard 200[ Allmusic – Tripping the Live Fantastic > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums]26
Tripping the Live Fantastic – Highlights! ChartPeakpositionDutch Mega Albums Chart35German Media Control Albums Chart23New Zealand Albums Chart21Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart18Swedish Albums Chart27Swiss Albums Chart27US Billboard 200141
Certifications
Tripping the Live Fantastic
Tripping the Live Fantastic – Highlights!
References