I'd heard about these guys for a while - that they were the only "authorized" or "official" or something like that Beatles tribute band, but never got around to seeing them... until Friday.
You know, these guys were really quite good. The most important thing I could tell is that they really seemed like serious Beatle fans, and took their stagecraft, rapport, and performance quite seriously. Only at very few points (nitpicky on my part, as I am quite a Beatle fan - okay - geek - you can say it) did they seem to step out of role, or make a reference which was clearly out of character or era... With the exception of "Paul," they all looked their part quite well, and even Paul had the voice, mannerisms, and stagecraft down. These guys have been performing the show for 25 years - its hard to keep the looks of a young McCartney, I'm sure.
It was a gearhead's heaven of course - Vox stacks, "John" played a Ricky 325 and J-160e, "George" played a Country Gent and occasionally a Rick 360-12, Paul on Hofner bass, and Ringo a Ludwig(?) kit (with a Beatle-like logo, but it was "1964-The Tribute")... Not a floor pedal to be seen - all seemed guitar to amp. Which is how it SHOULD be...
It was meant to replicate a concert from the 1964-66 era, so it started with their earliest stuff, and started to push into Revolver territory - even had a brass section brought in to play "Got to Get You Into My Life" and "Yellow Submarine," and a string section to support "Yesterday" and "For No One." Beatle geek on my part was uncomfortable with John playing along with Paul's solo vocal on Yesterday - should be Paul with an Epi Texan strapped over his violin bass - but I can begrudge them it. Because as with everything else in the show, it was carried out quite well.
Of course, playing the solo for "Taxman" on a Gent didn't sound quite right, although you have to make concessions. Still sounded really good. The George fellow had some excellent chops, remarkable actually, and played the part incredibly well, including a subtle discomfort with being on stage.
Most importantly, of course, was that if I closed my eyes just a little, or took off my specs - it WAS the Beatles. And in that sense, it was everything I'd hoped to get out of finally seeing these guys. Would highly recommend the concert.
If they would mix up the set list, I'd gladly see them again. They did play a few of the non-hit tunes, in addition to the standards, which was important to me. So many songs from the era I'd have liked to hear them do!
Cheers
