Paul McCartney's return to the stage in 1989 for the Flowers in the Dirt tour was heavily hyped, since it was not only his first extensive tour since the '70s, but also marked the first time he incorporated large portions of the Beatles' catalog into his set list. The double-disc, 37-track Tripping the Live Fantastic documents the tour, and it's a pleasant, if ultimately inconsequential, nostalgia trip that puts the weaknesses of Flowers in the Dirt in a little too sharp relief. In fact, most of McCartney's flaws are on display throughout the album, whether it's his excessive cutesiness (the album opens with Paul and the boys being told "heidy-ho, it's time for the show"), his fondness for oldies, and his persistent desire to charm the daylights out of the entire crowd. Nevertheless, he often does charm the crowd, whether it's through the effortlessly dazzling performances or his thoroughly winning catalog of pop classics. The new songs may pale next to the classics from his Beatles and solo days, and those classics may be delivered in versions that are a little too studied, but Tripping the Live Fantastic is a fine exercise in nostalgia. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Tripping the Live Fantastic is Paul McCartney's first official live album and his first release of concert material since Wings' 1976 Wings over America live package. It was released in 1990 as triple LP, double cassette and double CD.
A document of the huge success of The Paul McCartney World Tour, Tripping the Live Fantastic encompasses McCartney's entire musical career from his famed Beatles hits to his recent hit album, Flowers in the Dirt, while also including some unique covers. Interspersed throughout the package are occasional soundcheck recordings as well. The title is an allusion to the phrase "tripping the light fantastic", meaning to dance or move to musical accompaniment, originally from the poem L'Allegro by John Milton.
Although some critics have described the album as being overly polished and slick, Tripping the Live Fantastic is still considered a generous and enjoyable memento from McCartney's first world tour in over a decade.
Despite reversing the famed Lennon/McCartney credits on Wings over America, McCartney left the credits for his Beatles songs contained on Tripping the Live Fantastic in their original form.
Tripping the Live Fantastic reached #16 in the UK and #26 in the US. It was also simultaneously released in an abridged form, entitled Tripping the Live Fantastic: Highlights!.
This album spawned a few singles which contained live B-Sides from this tour. These B-sides were live songs that weren't featured on the live album, which made the singles collectors items. A VHS concert film was also released entitled, "Get Back." The film was directed by Richard Lester.
The Disney Channel filmed, "Paul McCartney" Coming Home during this period. The show highlights Paul's return to Liverpool where he played a one time tribute to John Lennon. This tribute is featured as a B-Side on the single for, "All My Trials." Paul played "Strawberry Fields Forever", " Help!", and "Give Peace a Chance".
Another VHS film was released titled, "Paul McCartney: Put it There." The film featured Paul and his band rehearsing for the tour.
