A Memento From the Past *** PAUL McCARTNEY “Tripping the Live Fantastic” <i> Capitol</i>

Much to the chagrin of Paul McCartney’s record company, it was his nostalgia-driven “Get Back” tour rather than the ballyhooed “Flowers in the Dirt” album that generated dollars and applause last year. This expansive live album that chronicles the concerts makes it easy to understand why.

Of the new songs, only the stealthily attractive “Figure of Eight” embraces a vivid tune. The older material--particularly the Wings-era hits--reverberates with appeal, feeding off the audience’s audible glee at being in the same arena with an actual Beatle.

Among the highlights is a spirited rendering of Eddie Cochran’s “Twenty Flight Rock,” in which McCartney disproves the refrain, “Get to the top, I’m too tired to rock.” Even the superannuated “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” sounds good, benefiting from a raucous instrumental break. The album--available on two CDs or cassettes and three LPs--sags only during overwrought, twee renditions of such ballads as “The Long and Winding Road” and “The Fool on the Hill.”

As much as fans should encourage an artist to push forward with his craft, they can’t be blamed for continuing to treasure the works that initially brought him acclaim. Viewed as a celebration of what made Paul McCartney famous, “Tripping the Live Fantastic” is a stirring memento.