Пол Маккартни сыграет концерт в Белом Доме и получит награду из рук Барака Обамы

На днях Полу Маккартни будет вручена Премия Гершвина в области поп-музыки, учрежденная Библиотекой Конгресса США. Награду он получит из рук президента США Барака Обамы. Также Маккартни планирует сыграть в Белом доме концерт с участием музыкантов и певцов, в той или иной мере вдохновлявшихся его творчеством. Церемония вручения награды и концерт будут транслироваться на телеканале PBS 28 июля в 8 часов вечера. В списке выступающих значатся прошлые лауреаты премии Гершвина – Пол Саймон и Стиви Уандер – а также Элвис Костелло и Дэйв Грол.

«Я всегда восхищался песнями Гершвина, и весьма польщен тем, что удостоился этой награды от Библиотеки конгресса» - говорится от имени Маккартни в пресс-релизе, посвященном этой новости.

«Трудно представить себе другого композитора и исполнителя, который бы так повлиял на поп-музыку и исполнительское мастерство, как это сделал Пол Маккартни» - заявил представитель Библиотеки Конгресса Джеймс Биллингтон, выдвинувший кандидатуру Маккартни. Членами комитета, присудившего премию в этом году, стали Рики Майнор, Кэрол Байер-Сэгер, Пол Саймон, Джимми Уэбб и Пол Уильямс.

Премия названа в честь Джорджа и Айры Гершвинов – нотные записи написанных ими песен и по сей день хранятся в Библиотеке Конгресса. Она присуждается музыкантам, чей вклад в поп-музыку, по мнению комитета, вполне сопоставим со вкладом Гершвинов, и отличается столь же высоким качеством. Премия также призвана привлечь внимание к музыкальным хранилищам Библиотеки (в том числе к огромной коллекции поп-музыки), которые свободно могут быть использованы как материал для научных исследований.

Маккартни – третий по счету лауреат Премии Гершвина. Первым ее лауреатом стал Пол Саймон, которому премия была вручена в мае 2007 года; 25 февраля 2009 года этой награды был удостоен Стиви Уандер. Оба эти концерта транслировались по PBS; среди их участников - такие звезды, как Тони Беннетт, Джеймс Тейлор, Элисон Краусс, Марк Энтони, Мартина МакБрайд, Дайана Кролл, Will.i.am и Арт Гарфанкел. В торжествах, посвященных Стиви Уандеру, также приняла участие специально собранная группа "Sketches of a Life", выступившая в Аудитории Кулиджа.

https://www.beatles.ru/news/news.asp?news_id=6007

Хорошо б, если бы сделали DVD этого концерта! Было бы неплохо увидеть МакКартни, а также Пола Саймона!

Ну что вы!Повезло Обаме -теперь о нём в музыкальных кругах и через 50 лет вспомнят,что это такой чел,
которому доверили премию Полу Маккартни вручать!А если будет концерт,то наверняка будет и DVD...

Удостоился Обама чести, ничего не скажешь!
Везёт же некоторым президентам...
И за что Бараку такая честь?
Ну разве что EBONY AND IVORY...

2игорь комсомоленко:

>Ну что вы!Повезло Обаме -теперь о нём в музыкальных
>кругах и через 50 лет вспомнят,что это такой чел,
>которому доверили премию Полу Маккартни вручать!А
>если будет концерт,то наверняка будет и DVD...

Путину в своё время тоже повезло. Не всякому президенту Маккартни лабает Let It Be "лично в руки"!

А почему бы, собственно, Обаме и не вручить Полу награду? Обычное же дело...
На мой взгляд, тут никому никакой чести не оказывают. Было бы как-то не по-человечески.

We've just gotten word from a PBS spokesman on the celebrity guest list at the concert, including a few that haven't been previously named. They are Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, the Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Jack White and Jerry Seinfeld.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2010m5d24-White-House-announces-date-o...

Интересно, а онлайн трансляции ни будет ли?

Уж сколько у Пола будет наград - не счесть. Молодец!

Пол он и есть Пол, вот только Леннона ему не хватает!

The Library of Congress has announced Paul McCartney will hold a press conference at the Library of Congress on the eve of receiving the third Gershwin Award for Popular Song from President Barack Obama.

The press conference will be held at 5 p.m. June 1 at the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Room 119, 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C.

President Obama will present McCartney the award in a special tribute concert at the White House on June 2. The event will be air on PBS stations nationwide on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 8 p.m. EST.

http://www.examiner.com/x-34954-Paul-McCartney-Examiner~y2010m5d31-Paul-McCartney-press...

Paul McCartney and the band spent Memorial Day (31.05.2010) rehearsing for the White House concert.

http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2010m6d1-Beatle-news-briefs-Paul-McCar...

Легендарный британский музыкант и бывший участник группы «Битлз» Пол Маккартни в среду 2 июня получит из рук президента США Барака Обамы премию Гершвиных за заслуги в области музыки и общественную деятельность. Награда, которой удостоен Маккартни, учреждена Библиотекой Конгресса США.

Легендарный битл выступит в Белом доме в концерте, который устраивают президент и первая леди Мишель Обама. По словам
Маккартни, он - поклонник Обамы, и выступление в Белом доме станет для него значимым событием.

Премия учреждена в честь братьев Джорджа и Айры Гершвиных, композитора и автора текстов к его песням, чья обширная коллекция рукописей хранится в Библиотеке Конгресса.

Премия вручается музыкантам, чей вклад в популярную музыку является примером высокого мастерства, так же как и работы Гершвиных. Первым лауреатом этой награды стал Пол Саймон. В прошлом году она была вручена Стиви Уондеру.

http://www1.voanews.com/russian/news/McCartney_2010_06_02-95406169.html

То, что премию вручает лично сам президент, подчеркивает ее важный статус)

Заслуженная награда достойному человеку! Браво, Сэр Пол!!!

This first-person report comes from White House pool reporter Christina Bellantoni. You'll find pictures from the Associated Press and video from the White House further down in this page:

Event basics: Sir Paul McCartney was awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during a star-studded ceremony in the White House East Room. President Obama and his family sat in the first row, surrounded by politicians and big names in music.

News, sort of: Obama mentioned "difficult time" for the Gulf Coast, saying that his thoughts are with friends in an area "so rich in musical heritage." He said it is "herartbreaking" but said the group in the room is committed to help and see the community "made whole again." He said "Part of what gets us through tough times is music" and that there's always a kernel of ourselves "that sings even when times are hard."

Another bit: At the very close of the event after Obama had left the room, McCartney took the mic again and thanked the Library of Congress again for the award. He then said, "After the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is."

Other than that as all color, with highlights being of course the music, McCartney's choice of song "Michelle" and some POTUS-FLOTUS hand-holding.Another highlight, during "Hey Jude" at the finale and for the "Na, na, na, na, na, na, na" chorus, McCartney got everyone, including the entire First Family on the stage. They clapped and everyone sang along as he sat himself at the piano.

I've got most of the songs and performers in the report below, but it was hard to see many of the guests since most of the viewing was done on the screen in the briefing room. Pool was led into East Room about 2/3 into the event for Obama's remarks and one song.

At 7:38 p.m., the President and First Lady joined the Obama daughters to sit in the front row. Michelle Obama sat to the president's left, and they frequently whispered to one another.

McCartney entered the room after the president, grabbed a guitar and took the stage, declaring, "Welcome to the White House," and then performing "Got to Get You Into My Life." He wore a blue jacket with no tie. When he finished, he joined the president in the front row and sat to his right. They also chatted back and forth most of the evening.

WH Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel also was in the front row, toward the right near Stevie Wonder. Also spotted: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, Marian Robinson, Sen. Dick Durbin.

The First Lady wore a short frock that is a color called "blush" and appeared to be made of satin. The designer is Byron Lars, a male designer who bills himself as making "twisted American classics." The dress had a cowl-necked collar and her belt was adorned with large jewels. As she sat, you could see a little pink petticoat peeking out over her knee.

The First Couple clapped and smiled throughout the evening. Malia Obama also seemed to be enjoying herself, especially when the Jonas Brothers performed "Drive My Car."

Stevie Wonder played "We Can Work It Out" - twice. He stopped half-way through the first time because his harmonica wasn't at the ready. When he played the harmonica solo the second time the crowd clapped and Obama was nodding.

Jerry Seinfeld made a joke about so many prizes, and quipped about the Nobel Prize. He also called McCartney an "unparalleled artist" and said he makes "the most beautiful music I've ever heard." He joked about some of the Beatles lyrics and cracked some jokes about marriage after which the First Lady laughed and clapped.

As Lang Lang performed a piano solo "Celebration," the President and First Lady held hands.

Elvis Costello offered brief remarks, telling the several hundred gathered there that music "is often an us-against-them proposition." He said that the song he would play, "Penny Lane," is about a place near where his mother came from, and that when "this thing of wonder and beauty came on the radio," his dad, mom and cat "all stood up and took notice."

He talked of the "beautiful way that Paul's songs united us," adding, "thank you, and I love you and thank you for your songs and your friendship."

Big cheers erupted from the audience after the trumpet portion in the song, and Costello gave the player a generous "Sgt. Pepper" shoutout - introducing him as "Matthew Harding of the president's own United States Marine Band."

Dave Grohl told the crowd he's a DC native and has played "every club, every basement, every arena and every stadium." But, he said: "All of that has nothing on Paul: You're definitely my hero. And Mister President, you're definitely my other hero." He then played "Band on the Run," by McCartney during the Wings era. Obama nodded his head to the beat, and I've gotta say, Grohl rocked it.

Pool was led in after Grohl as Stevie Wonder and McCartney performed a duet of "Ebony/Ivory." As we were led in we saw there was a bar and some chafing dishes set up in the foyer for what I presume is a post-concert reception.

Obama's remarks will be out via transcript in the morning, but he said the United States stole McCartney and singled out Pelosi for praise as being a champion of the arts. He said the Beatles "blew the walls down for everybody else" and "changed everything overnight" by appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show." Obama said McCartney and the Beatles "helped to lay the soundtrack for an entire generation."

They hugged as McCartney came on stage. He held the award as he praised Obama. "Getting this prize would just be good enough, but getting it from THIS president ..." he said, to big cheers. He said that even though there are "lots of really difficult issues" in the United States, "You have billions of us who are rooting for you and we know you're going to come through."

McCartney also thanked the other artists, saying it was "inspiring" to hear their interpretations of his music.

Then he said he would play a song he'd been "Itching to do at the White House," adding, "I hope the president will forgive me." Then launched into a spirited rendition of "Michelle."

At the end of the song he took a bow and your pool had to leave. As we were wrangled out we heard McCartney joke he'd be "the first guy ever to be punched out by a president," then start in on "Eleanor Rigby."

When we got back to the briefing room, we saw McCartney joke his daughter Mary once whistled while at the royal ranch. (She was whistling during concert). He then played "Let It be" and "Hey Jude."

The White House provided us cream programs with a yellow tassel and emblazoned with the presidential seal. It listed the program as "Selections by" the following artists:

Corinne Bailey Rae
Elvis Costello
Dave Grohl
Herbie Hancock
Emmylou Harris
Faith Hill
Jonas Brothers
Lang Lang
Jack White

For the rest of the program:

Emmylou Harris performed "For No One," which she admitted is a "sad" song. (It is.)
Jack White performed "Mother Nature's Son."
Corinne Bailey Rae sang "Blackbird."
Faith Hill performed "Long and Winding Road"

For the record, your pooler's favorite McCartney-sung Beatles song is "Paperback Writer."

Obama last year presented the same award to Stevie Wonder.

Some background from the White House: The prize commemorates George and Ira Gershwin, the legendary American songwriting team whose extensive manuscript collections reside in the Library of Congress. The prize is awarded to musicians whose lifetime contributions in the field of popular song exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins.

And details on the broadcast from the Library of Congress: The program, to be taped by WETA Washington, D.C., as part of the “In Performance at the White House” series, will air on PBS stations nationwide on Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 8 p.m. EDT (check local listings) as “Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House.”

http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2010m6d2-Paul-McCartney-at-the-White-H...

Here's a second White House pool report, this time from Richard Latendresse of Groupe TVA, Canada's largest private French-language TV network. We left it pretty much as written. The POTUS and FLOTUS abbreviations are how the press refers to the President and First Lady outside of stories, which this and the previous report we used was:

Recording in the East Room of "Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song In Performance at the White House" to be aired on PBS on July 28 at 8PM.

Not much to add as foreign pooler. Note the non-American guests:
- Corinne Bailey Rae, British, sang "Blackbird" accompanied by Herbie Hancock.
- Elvis Costello, British, "Penny Lane", remembering how much the song touched him since his mother "lived half a mile from there".
- Lang Lang, Chinese, played very beautifully a classical piece (from the lesser known repertoire of McCartney).

Macca sat to right of the President of the United States to listen to (and sing along with) Stevie Wonder ("We Can Work It Out") and the singers who followed.

Few hundred people in the room, definitely the "smallest venue he has played since the Cavern Club" as he was introduced.

POTUS and FLOTUS seemed to enjoy from the very first song, "Got to Get You Into My Life".

Later in the evening, while McCartney sang "Michelle" ("a song I've been itching to do at the White House"), POTUS sang along while looking at FLOTUS, almost serenading her. Impossible to see her reaction from your pooler's position.

Pool was ushered in after almost one hour of recording, right at the moment when POTUS got on stage. See coming transcript for remarks.

After POTUS and Macca shared a warm hug, Macca underlined that "getting this prize is good enough, but getting it from THIS president!", to generous applause. Responding to the president's admission that these have been difficult times, McCartney added "You have billions of us rooting for you!"

http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner~y2010m6d3-Beatle-in-the-White-House-A-s...

Paul McCartney was in the East Room at the White House last night to receive the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. President Obama and the first lady hosted the event, which also featured other artists participating in a concert. Jerry Seinfeld did a stand up comedy routine. He had lots of compliments for McCartney and one complaint — he couldn’t quite figure some of McCartney’s lyrics.

Such as: "She was just 17. You know what I mean." Seinfeld: "I’m not sure I do know what you mean, Sir Paul. I think I know what you mean. And I think there’s a law enforcement agency in a couple of states that might want to ask you a few questions."

Of course, the "you know what I mean" lyric was contributed by John Lennon. McCartney's original lyric read "never been a beauty queen".

Set list:

Paul McCartney - Got To Get You Into My Life
Elvis Costello - Penny Lane
Dave Grohl - Band On The Run
Corinne Bailey Rae and Herbie Hancock - Blackbird
Emmylou Harris - For No One
Faith Hill - The Long and Winding Road
Jonas Brothers - Drive My Car
Lang Lang - Celebration on the piano
Jack White - Mother Nature's Son
Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out (twice)
Paul McCartney - Ebony And Ivory (duet with Stevie Wonder)
Paul McCartney - Eleanor Rigby
Paul McCartney - Michelle
Paul McCartney - Let It Be
Paul McCartney - Hey Jude

http://wogew.blogspot.com/2010/06/macca-at-white-house.html