CLUB SANDWICH 85

SUE’S LETTER

COVER PIC: Paul relaxes outside Riverside Church, New York City during rehearsals for Standing Stone.

            Although covering its usual broad range of themes, our Spring issue highlights the American premiere of Standing Stone, Paul's second major classical composition, at Carnegie Hall in New York City. And quite an event it was, too; the extraordinary atmosphere of the evening is related for us through the eyes of our man in the audience, Geoff Baker, in his piece STANDING STORM. All in all, the evening closely reflected the fervent response of the British audience a month earlier at the Royal Albert Hall. After these two celebrated premieres on either side of the Atlantic, Standing Stone is now sure to enter the classical repertoire of orchestras around the world. So, watch this space for updates on future performances... Also, in response to many requests, we are including in this issue the beautiful lyric for 'Celebration', which concludes the work.
            Our other major feature focuses on an exhibition of quite exceptional stained-glass windows, currently on view at Le Musee Suisse du Vitrail in Romont, Switzerland. The works are the result of a fascinating collaboration between Linda McCartney, photographer, and her long-time friend Brian Clarke, artist and stained-glass maker. These stunning works have attracted a wide range of interest and press coverage and it is hoped that the exhibition will 'travel' to other countries soon.
            As an update on Paul's current musical projects, we give for your consideration DO YA, DO YA, DO YA, DO YA wanna trance? After reading it, if you aren't any wiser we will at least have stretched your imagination and aroused your curiosity! We also register another Beatles triumph as the band swept the biggest musical poll ever conducted in Britain. Sgt Pepper, not surprisingly, came out as the top album, with the 'White Album' and Revolver both placed in the top ten.
            In A year ON SCREEN we collate all of Paul's TV appearances during 1997 - not exactly a period of inactivity! - and in SON OF PIE we present details about the bonus tracks released by Paul on his Flaming Pie singles. (We know how many of you love to have this sort of information!)
            For some years now, readers have been writing to me to express their astonishment at the omission of Paul McCartney from the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame. In fact, one Sandwich subscriber recently sent me a clipping from The Scene, a newspaper published in Cleveland, Ohio (where the Hall of Fame is situated) in which someone had sent a letter pinpointing this frankly bizarre situation: "Even more mind boggling is the omission of Paul McCartney," the correspondent wrote, "(he) has had such a brilliant career they should have an entire wing for him!" Well, that pretty much sums up how most of us feel, so perhaps it's a good time to organise a petition - maybe on the Internet - to ensure that our voices are heard and that Paul receives his rightful place in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame next year. We end on a sad note. In LOVING YOU WAS A NATURAL THING TO DO we fondly remember Carl Perkins, who died at the beginning of this year. Little did many of us realise when he performed with such vitality at the Montserrat benefit concert in London last September that we would be seeing his final appearance in Britain. Paul had a special relationship with Carl over many years both as a friend and fellow musician. We send our condolences to his family and friends, and feel that his spirit will long remain through his music.

'til next time,
Sue