Heart’s Nancy Wilson, Denny Laine, Graham Nash, Patti Smith, and Bettye LaVette were among the impressive array of acts who performed at last night’s The Music Of Paul McCartney tribute concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Organized by impresario Michael Dorf, the fundraiser for music education was the 18th in his Music Of series and first since 2019.
Drummer Steve Jordan served as musical director for an otherworldly house band that backed many of the evening’s performers. Jordan was joined in the ensemble by guitarists Smokey Hormel and Chris Bruce, bassist Will Lee and keyboardists Leon Pendarvis and Clifford Carter.
One of the early highlights was a surprise appearance from Patti Smith who led a breathtaking rendition of “She’s Leaving Home.” Smith added some of her own words to the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band classic and fully embodied the song.
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Sammy Rae went solo for Ram deep cut “Heart Of The Country,” showing off her dynamic vocal range and ukulele handiwork. Other highlights included Nash’s powerful “For No One,” LaVette’s soul-laden “Maybe I’m Amazed,” Lyle Lovett starring on “Yesterday” and Allison Russell bringing the house down with “Blackbird.”
Denny Laine, who co-founded Wings with Paul McCartney and was a member of the band for its entire run, made multiple appearances. He teamed with Christopher Cross and a bagpiper in fronting the house band on “Mull Of Kintyre.” Laine came back just before the stage was packed for “Hey Jude” to perform Wings’ 1974 hit “Band On The Run” with Nancy Wilson.
On the eve of her 69th birthday, Wilson had acoustic guitar in hand as she belted out “Band On The Run.” The house band was augmented by the Fiery String Sistas for the title track from the third Wings’ LP. While the audience was stoic for most of the night, “Band On The Run” received an enthusiastic reception. Jordan provided a strong backbeat throughout the song as Smokey Hormel put a slide to good use.
See fan-shot footage of last night’s “Band On The Run” below:
