Episode #29 – ‘Paul McCartney’s Vocal Journey’

It’s one of the greatest rock voices of all time: alternately melodic, raw, sweet and supercharged while also extremely versatile and infused with different characters. Paul McCartney’s lead, harmony and backing vocals have graced tender ballads, balls-to-the-walls rockers and almost everything else in between. But how did his talents in that regard develop and expand down the years? What has caused the vocal deterioration: insufficient technique, too much weed, old age or undisclosed health issues? And what, if anything, can be done about it?

The answers to the last two questions—provided in our interview with legendary voice teacher to the stars Seth Riggs and his wife/vocal technician Margareta—may surprise you. Heart lead guitarist Craig Bartock and acclaimed music critic/musicologist/author Allan Kozinn are our co-hosts.

For info on Seth and Margareta Riggs, go to theriggsvocalstudio.com

The Music

• Oh! Darling
• That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
• Any Time at All/A Hard Day’s Night
• I Saw Her Standing There
• Hippy Hippy Shake/Ooh! My Soul/Long Tall Sally
• All My Loving
• Something/Nowhere Man
• You Won’t See Me
• Till There Was You
• I’ve Just Seen a Face/I’m Down/Yesterday
• She’s Leaving Home
• Fixing a Hole
• Helter Skelter/Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?
• I Will/Lady Madonna
• Besame Mucho/Golden Slumbers
• Rocky Raccoon/Honey Pie/Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey
• Monkberry Moon Delight
• Too Many People
• I’ve Had Enough
• Maybe I’m Amazed
• New
• Lonesome Town
• Sing the Changes
• Freedom
• Hey Jude
• My Valentine
• Cut Me Some Slack
• Goodbye