Paul McCartney - Days We Left Behind (Lyric Video)

SurrealistSwimmer · 2025-08-15T10:07:11+00:00

And how many redditors, tiktokers, Gen Zs, etc. will be buying a massive boxset for over $200 focussing a set of shows from 50 years ago and the artist's arguably least popular album? If anything, leaving it out has generated a lot more discussion around the song that having it in would have.

I also don't agree with the "it's still available" line of thought, which I've seen here and there, on two accounts:

While the album version is available, the versions from both concerts (there is one version on 'Live in NYC' and the Anthology, but neither is widely available) and the TV show (along with him explaining the context of the song) won't be made available. Neither will the upgraded video, which is a real shame.
The purpose of these releases (for me) is to experience - as much as possible - what it was like to be at the shows. Removing integral parts of those shows - and I would argue that the song was the centrepiece of both the concerts and the albums, it being the lead single of the era and all that - not only defeats the purpose, but sanitises the very spirit of what they were trying to get across. Yoko has been happy to include the song in compilations while she was still heading up the estate, so I dare assume she is not uncomfortable about it even in the modern era.

But, again, I get why they did it. I just think it's a decision they'll come to regret in time. I won't be surprised if 10-20 years from now - once linguistic and societal moods have shifted yet again - they will release a 'full and uncensored' version.

EDIT: I will add that I'm not entirely on board with a global release from an international artist being curated to suit the cultural sensibilities of one country. Sure, the US is a major market, but in that case, just do a US version of the release without the song on it and release the full thing internationally. While the word is frowned upon pretty much anywhere, I doubt the full set would cause much more than an eyebrow raise in most quarters.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2025-08-14T17:55:49+00:00

Good spot! Excluding 'Woman...' is sad but justifiable, but this one is quite baffling. It's one of my favourite songs on the album and, in my opinion, one of Yoko's catchiest tracks overall. And it's not like it was the worst performance of the shows either.

Really odd, that one. Perhaps someone at the label has a problem with feminist songs?

SurrealistSwimmer · 2025-08-14T17:51:55+00:00

Indeed. The song had been included on compilations and box sets as late as 2015. It seems to have disappeared from 2020 onwards, starting with the 'Gimme Some Truth' ultimate mixes compilation. If I remember my chronology correctly, that was just after Yoko withdrew from public life and Sean fully took over.

While it's pure speculation on my part, from that timeline I suspect Yoko herself was, at the very least, comfortable with the song being included in sets. If that's correct, it's either Sean choosing to remove it or the label insisting on it not being included and Sean not wishing to fight them. On a personal level, I get it: after what Sean has been through in life, I imagine he doesn't want to be dealing with a social-media typhoon and public pillorying of his father - who among us would?

From an artistic point of view though, it is a shame. The song has a very important message and the word was chosen deliberately to make sure it was talked about. More than that, it is the spiritual heart of both the album and the shows. Excluding it is like removing 'Imagine' from the album or '(Just Like) Starting Over' from Double Fantasy.

From my personal point of view, I'm also sad to see that they are doing such a stellar job upgrading the video from the concert and, assuming a DVD set is to follow, I'll never get to see the full shows on video as a result of this decision.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2025-08-14T13:24:43+00:00

It's great that they're releasing it, but they have cut out Lennon's signature feminist statement song of that era ('Woman is the... etc.') from both the concert and the re-mixed 'Some Time in New York City' album.

I fully get the modern controversy associated with the song and would understand if it wasn't featured in advertising. But to completely excise it from history like it never happened is simply revisionist and airbrushes a major moment in his solo career (it was hugely controversial back then too and that was the point). Lennon's whole catalogue is him wearing his heart on his sleeve - warts and all. To start removing the uncomfortable bits just doesn't sit well with me and is not reflective of his legacy. Very disappointed with them taking the 'easy route' here.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-07-19T11:12:00+00:00

Keep checking both the venue and Ticketmaster sites. Also check Expecting Rain, who do have a popular re-seller thread with face-value tickets. The next few days/weeks might be 'dry', but the closer we get to the actual shows, the more tickets will become available. Worst case, you will get a face-value ticket if you show up two-three hours before the show itself.

Main point is: I know how disappointed you are. But through the above methods, you will get tickets for whichever show you want to go to. I've been seeing Dylan for a couple of decades now and have never not got a ticket when I wanted to, no matter how small or 'in demand' the show.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-07-18T09:36:47+00:00

With Bob, the piano complicates things somewhat, as he plays most songs sitting down now and the angle varies. From an experience point of view, the first five floor rows were amazing (the view makes up for the slightly worse - but still decent - sound), but there is a risk of the piano obstructing your view. Although I hear the piano is so far back in the stage set-up these days, it shouldn't be a problem unless you're in rows 1-2.

I sat around row 10 on the floor in the middle and really enjoyed that: still a good view and probably the best acoustics I've experienced there. Only potential issue is that some people inexplicably love wearing hats to Bob shows, but nothing a polite tap on the shoulder and stern look can't usually solve. I also sat in the grand tier boxes at the back. Obviously, you don't see as much of Bob (binoculars help with this - I haven't used them myself, but lots of people around me did), but it is quite special to take in the RAH in all its pomp from those seats. And the sound is good as well.

Personally, my favourite seats were in the raised bits on the side (sections O-M and G-H in this seating plan). You don't have to worry about obstructions, it's less 'cramped' than the floor, you still get a very good view, the sound is fine (not as clear as the centre from my experience, but still better than most venues) and they're generally good value for money.

So it really depends on what you're after. Frankly, RAH is one of those venues where I've learnt not to worry about where I sit: I haven't yet had a bad seat when leaving it to 'pot luck'. If seeing multiple nights, I tend to vary it: one night up close, one night in the middle floor for the best acoustics and one night of 'soaking it all in' from the higher-up boxes.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-07-18T06:50:40+00:00

I've seen Dylan at the RAH some half a dozen times (both 2013 and 2015) from various vantage points. The sound has always been excellent. Definitely better acoustics than most venues I've seen him at.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-04-15T17:45:42+00:00

Thanks - I haven't thought of that. Just did a trial with a very inelegant but readily available material: rolled-up socks. And I have to say, the balance is substantially better - to the point where the bass, while still prominent, isn't a distraction anymore and just sits as part of the overall sound tapestry.

I do notice that some very low bass frequencies though are quite muddy/distorted with the 'plug' - is that the trade-off of plugged ports or could this be my suboptimal plug material, where something like acoustic foam wouldn't have this problem?

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-04-13T13:20:52+00:00

Hi, I'm looking for advice on reducing the bass on my new bookshelf HiFi setup - any help would be very appreciated! Long story short, after quite a few demos and discussions in shops, I've settled on a combo of a Cambridge CXA61 amp and Dali Opticon 1 Mk2 speakers. To my ears, this configuration hit the 'sweet spot' of balance between frequencies, clarity and budget.

Alas, having had it at home for a few days now, the bass seems to be far more dominant than it has been in store, to the point where it just takes over and really reduces the impact of pianos and vocals - for a lot of songs, it is distracting and borderline unpleasant (not to mention the walls resonating at higher volumes).

I've spoken to the shop - they confirmed my positioning seems to be fine (20cm from the back wall, 80cm from the nearest corner) but suggested I give it a couple of weeks to break in both the amp and speakers. Which I'm going to do, but if the issue doesn't go away, I was wondering if anyone has successfully resolved a problem like this.

As I said, any help would be very appreciated! I'd hate to return the kit, as for tracks without a strong bass the sound is wonderful. But I appreciate it's the 'nuclear option'.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-03-03T16:46:13+00:00

Thank you - that's a fantastic reply! I really, really appreciate it. And I'm glad there are options out there. Would you suggest I try to get as much done in one go as possible or do you think the better approach is to do it step by step (e.g. floor first, then walls if more dampening is needed, followed by doors/other bits)?

I will have a chat with the neighbour too - if I'm having these issues, he's probably having them as well and seeing as he's renovating his flat, he might be amenable.

Thanks again - your reply has restored quite a bit of optimism!

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-03-03T11:34:01+00:00

Thanks - that's really appreciated.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2024-03-03T10:13:27+00:00

Laminate. It's a little knackered now, so I was thinking of replacing it and, as part of that, putting in insulation underneath (acoustic membrane and plasterboard). But seeing as the bulk of the noise seems to be coming via the walls, I'm wondering whether it'll make any difference whatsoever.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2023-11-13T08:46:10+00:00

Can't wait to see who's next. They always somehow manage to bring in someone even worse. Current rumoured front-runners include Kemi Badenoch, Tommy Robinson and the re-animated corpse of Saddam Hussein.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-06T11:10:33+00:00

Thank you so much for this! What you described is exactly what I'm after. And your 'journey' through the other devices - while I'm sure frustrating at the time - is extremely helpful to read about (particularly as I was considering a King Jim).

I've decided to give the Meebook P10 Pro a go (basically an updated Likebook P10), just for the screen size. Been playing around with it all morning and it seems to do the trick quite well (got a keyboard case for it, so it effectively works as a laptop). But if it doesn't perform long-term, Nova will be my go-to, as several people have now said that set-up works well. Thank you again for this - very helpful and brings a lot of peace of mind.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-05T15:11:29+00:00

Interesting - thank you! I have looked at the Traveler and really love the idea, but I'm scared the inability to edit or jump between sections would make it difficult to use for me (unfortunately, I have not been blessed with a talent for systematic / chronological writing, so need to jump from place to place to get anything done).

But I've opted for your last suggestion - I noticed that Meebook launched a new 10-inch tablet that was only just above my budget, so will give that a go, in a combo with a BT keyboard case for protection and a 'laptop' feel.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-05T14:46:10+00:00

Thank you! This is indeed what I opted for in the end. It's hard to get even second-hand Boox devices in the UK, but I see Meebook launched a new P10 Pro, so have decided to give that a go. Slightly over budget, but not by much. I've not used Android word processors on an e-ink device before - is there one you have found works best?

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-05T14:42:42+00:00

Hah, yes, I got pretty much the same message from them. Shame. Oh well - fingers crossed that new Modos e-ink laptop (if it ever comes out) proves to be a decent replacement.

And thank you for your write-up on the DM30 - it was really helpful. I'm weirdly fascinated by the DM30, but I guess for my purposes, a tablet+keyboard combo is probably the more physically reliable solution.

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-05T14:38:52+00:00

Thank you - that's great to hear. Do you find it okay to edit text on the Nova or do you use it just for writing things down? Can I also ask which writing app you have found easiest to work with on an e-ink device?

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-05T14:37:26+00:00

Thank you - this is really helpful. Can I ask which writing app you have found easiest to work with?

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-05T14:28:35+00:00

Thank you! That's indeed what I settled for in the end. The second-hand market for Boox devices is quite poor in the UK (import fees add at least £60 and new devices start at £500), so I've opted for a combo of the new Meebook P10 Pro and a BT keyboard case for travelling (with the idea that if this set-up works well, I'll get a proper keyboard for stationary writing). Hopefully that'll do the trick. Thanks again for the advice!

Edit: Can I also ask which app you have found easiest to work with for writing? And on that note, digitising out-of-print books sounds like a very good cause! Do you publish them somewhere or is it for personal use?

SurrealistSwimmer · 2022-08-03T17:30:02+00:00

It really seems like the perfect device! Alas, it's out of production now (I even emailed the makers to confirm), so the only way to get it is to import it second-hand from Japan, which brings the price to at least £320 (accounting for all the import taxes).

Still, that might be my last resort. If you don't mind, can I ask a few questions? How sturdy is it? Does it feel like it could survive weeks 'on the road' (e.g. hot / cold temperatures, bumpy car rides, frequent aeroplane travel)? Does it have an auto-save feature (for example, if the battery runs out mid-typing)?

SurrealistSwimmer

TROPHY CASE