Wednesday 27 November 2013

BEATLES STORY LAUNCHES UNIQUE FAB FOUR THEMED WEDDING EXPERIENCE


World famous global visitor attraction The Beatles Story will be licensed to hold wedding ceremonies from 29th November to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the release of The Beatles’ ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ single (29th November 1963).


Beatles fans looking for a striking and romantic wedding venue for their big day can now march down the aisle to the Beatles and hold their ceremony and reception in The Beatles Story’s authentic Cavern space or its beautiful replica White Room (complete with white grand piano). 

Both rooms have a special iconic allure and can cater for a wedding reception of up to 75 guests.

The Beatles Story is the perfect environment to celebrate your special day and is part of Liverpool’s breathtaking Grade I listed Albert Dock, making it the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs – a lasting keepsake.


Requests from Beatles fans from all over the world wanting to ‘come together’ for their  special day at the venue have already started rolling in. The venue is sure to one of the most desirable locations in the Northwest to host a unique themed wedding.


The Beatles provide inspiration to millions and the theme of love has featured strongly in their music and career.

Martin King, Beatles Story said:
“Getting married is one of the biggest events in many people’s lives and we are delighted that we can now be part of it. Our venue is one-of-a-kind and you really will have a magical day to remember. The many themes and backdrops of Beatles Story lend themselves perfectly to photo opportunities to create wonderful memories of an amazing day.”



Beatles Story sought a wedding license for the venue because many visitors have asked staff if it would be possible to tie the knot there. The announcement comes on the 50th anniversary of the release of single ‘I want to hold your hand’.

Alongside the use of the venue for the wedding ceremony and reception, wedding parties will be able to enjoy Beatles Story extras including access to the exhibition, audio guides available in ten languages, and cloakroom facilities. Beatles Story’s friendly and professional event management team will be on hand to help the happy couple plan and perfect their special day from wonderful catering through to confetti.

Beatles Story has teamed up with the established Feathers Hotel Group who a leading provider of tailor-made events, specialising in weddings. Feathers are the preferred partners but wedding parties can of course use whomever they want to provide services for the special day.


Sean Brady, Director, Feathers said:
“Feathers has a wealth of experience delivering memorable weddings across the Northwest. We have helped create weddings in many different locations over the years but none are as unique as Beatles Story. We look forward to helping Beatles fans have the best possible day in these stunning surroundings.”

Prices for venue hire for weddings at Beatles Story starts at £2000 + VAT.

Beatles Story is Liverpool’s leading visitor attraction and has won countless awards for its customer experience as well as the content of its exhibition. The exhibition is a chronological tour through the lives and times of The Beatles from their skiffle roots through to Beatlemania and beyond.

Each area of Beatles Story transports people back in time in the lives of The Fab Four and it is this immersive quality that will appeal to Beatles fans looking to celebrate their wedding day in a unique, tasteful and timeless fashion.

To discuss hosting your wedding at Beatles Story contact Mary Chadwick venuehire@beatlesstory.com 0151 709 1963 (ext 230)



Sunday 24 November 2013

Pepper Rewind promises to be a night to remember!

Pepper Foundation Children's Hospice at Home Charity fundraising event with Mark Lewisohn - regarded as the world's leading authority on the Beatles.

‘Pepper Rewind’ will be held at the Centenary Theatre in Berkhamsted HP4 3BG on Saturday, 14th December. 40mins train ride from Euston Station.



Mark Lewisohn, regarded as the world's leading authority on the Beatles, will talk about the creation of the Beatles' Sgt Pepper album in 1966–67, illustrating his presentation with rare photographs, artefacts and audio/video. Mark’s recent book “Tune In”, the first part of his three-volume biographical history “The Beatles, All These Years” has just been published to great acclaim. 



Following Mark’s talk, Pepper musicians, singers and guests will give a special performance of the Beatles iconic album, directed by Pepper patron Robert Breakwell (who has just won the ITV Anglia Local Hero Award and attended the recent Pride of Britain Awards in London).

We still have tickets to sell, so if any Beatles fans wish to attend we would be delighted to welcome them.
Tickets are £25.00 each.
Pepper Rewind will be held at the Centenary Theatre in Berkhamsted.
Doors open at 7.00 pm for Beatles themed cocktails and the performance starts at 8 pm. Doors close at 11.30 
Tel, 01442 507324 for tickets.

For more information visit the Pepper Foundation Children's Hospice at Home web site at www.pepper.org.uk

Thursday 21 November 2013

LIVERPOOL ANNOUNCES THE ANNUAL JOHN LENNON PEACE VIGIL TO TAKE PLACE AT BEATLES STORY



Beatles and Lennon fans from all over the world will come to Liverpool’s Beatles Story attraction on 8th December to pay their respects to John Lennon at the city’s annual Peace Vigil.

Now into its fourth year, The John Lennon Peace Vigil is a free public event that attracts crowds from all over the world with one goal – to respectfully remember an icon on the anniversary of his untimely death on 8th December 1980.

Organised by the award winning Beatles Story, this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever with onstage tributes, poems and songs being dedicated to John.

Where:

The Beatles Story, Britannia Vaults, Albert Dock, Liverpool. L3 4AD

When:

Sunday, 8th December, 2013,
Start time: 19:00 GMT
End time: 20:30 GMT

Leading the tributes will be upcoming Liverpool band MiC LOWRY who will perform a special set dedicated to the Beatle. The young band were first brought to the attention of the Beatles Story after Yoko Ono chose them to perform for her when she visited Liverpool earlier this year.

Fans can register their interest at the vigil’s Facebook page –

Throughout the evening Beatles Story will open up parts of their exhibition relating to John including the iconic ‘White Room’, a recreation of the room from John’s 1971 ‘Imagine’ music video and John’s ‘solo booth’, which homes a pair of his iconic round glasses.

A dedicated area for fans to leave their messages of respect to John will also be available.

The evening will draw to a close with a candlelit walk to the European Peace Monument where fans can pay their respects to John. Unveiled by Julian and Cynthia Lennon on what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday, the European Peace Monument has become a fitting tribute to John’s enduring message of peace. Located opposite the Echo Arena, the monument is the perfect place to consider memories of John and the possibility of world peace.

Martin King of the Beatles Story says: “This is our fourth John Lennon peace vigil and as last year the numbers reached the hundreds, we thought that we’d really go for it. For the first time we’re going to be opening up parts of our exhibition for people to pay their respects in and we’ve chosen a band that Yoko Ono has recommended.”



About the Beatles Story:
Located within Liverpool's historic Albert Dock, the Beatles Story is a unique visitor attraction that transports you on an exciting and atmospheric journey into the life, times, culture and music of The Beatles.
See how four young lads from Liverpool were propelled to the dizzy heights of worldwide fame and fortune to become the greatest band of all time.

You’ll hear the story unfold through the ‘Living History’ audio guide narrated by John Lennon's sister, Julia and view some amazing and rare Beatles artefacts and recreations of famous scenes from The Beatles’ journey as a band along the way.

About MiC LOWRY:

MiC LOWRY is a five-piece male vocal harmony group aged between 17-18 - formed mid 2011 by local performing arts training and management company Positive Impact. After several appearances on the Liverpool scene and covers and demos online, Mic LOWRY are starting to amass a strong online and live following and have begun to get recognised for their raw talent. They were runners up in MTV's Brand New Unsigned competition of 'One to Watch' in 2013, and Winners of the National Under 19 Rock the House Competition in 2013.



Wednesday 20 November 2013

Review: The Mersey Beatles at the Epstein Theatre

Review by Sam Korosi
Photos by Donna Jackson


You could feel the anticipation in the crowd on Saturday November 9th at the Epstein Theatre as clips of classic Mersey beat groups were played over the sound system building up the intro in preparation for the arrival of The Mersey Beatles. Then Mark Bloor, Ste Howard, Dave Howard and Brian Ambrose took the stage as John, Paul, George and Ringo rocking the mop tops, suits and Cuban heels. 



Mark Bloor as John Lennon

The Mersey Beatles kicked off the first half of the show with songs from The Beatles' early career; songs from “Please Please Me” to “Revolver”. The group had the crowd singing along for the entire show as they played the familiar tunes such as “Twist and Shout”, “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and even some Beatles hits that a lot of tribute bands don't include in their sets like “I'll Follow The Sun” with an uncanny Beatles sound that the crowd absolutely adored.



Ste Howard as Paul McCartney
After the interval, the Mersey Beatles came back out onstage dressed in the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band uniforms; joined by keyboard player Tony C. The band played songs off the number one album of all time. 



The bands interaction with the crowd was fantastic. They had the whole audience singing along enthusiastically to “When I'm Sixty-Four”. Then finished the Sgt. Pepper's portion of the set with a spot on recreation of “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)” and “A Day InThe Life”.









The show was very well transitioned; rather than having another interval, so the band could change into the Abbey Road outfits, as Dave Howard (George) and Mark Bloor (John) went off stage to get changed Ste Howard (Paul), Brian Ambrose (Ringo) and Tony C stayed on and played “The Long and Winding Road”. After that Dave Howard came back out in George's classic double denim off the Abbey Road cover, relieving Ste Howard and Brian Ambrose to change looks. The transitions were seamless as a beautiful acoustic Anthology/Love album version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was played by Dave and Tony C.


Dave Howard (far right) as George Harrison

The full band came back out to play some more tunes off The White Album, Let It Be and Abbey Road. The entire band had great stage presence. Each of the members displayed precise mannerisms of the persona they were portraying while playing their instruments. 



The friendly banter between the band and the audience was fantastic; you could really tell that the audience was feeding off of the band's energy and vice versa. The Mersey Beatles finished off the set with “All You Need Is Love”, everyone in the audience who owned a mobile phone was waving them throughout the whole song. As the song finished the sea of lights faded as the crowd in the Epstein Theatre stood to give a standing ovation and cheer for an encore. 

The request of the audience was honoured as The Mersey Beatles came back out and had the audience dancing once more to “Get Back”. 






The audience was more than willing to have them play for much longer but as Mark Bloor (John) pointed out, the show had to end sometime, so the band brought out the crowd pleaser “Hey Jude”. Anyone who has ever seen any Beatles tribute band has heard “Hey Jude” done a million times but the Mersey Beatles really showed their musicianship in this rendition incorporating the drum solo from “The End” into the outro of the song; which was definitely a breath of fresh air and a very nice addition to the classic hit.

Brian Ambrose as Ringo Starr
Overall, The Mersey Beatles put on a fantastic show and had an excellent blend of the classic Beatles feel that fans expect and love while at the same time incorporating some of their own creative musical touches.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Fans of the Mersey Beatles will be delighted to know that the boys have two very special shows coming up.

They will be performing in the Live Lounge of the Cavern Club on Friday November 29, playing all your favourite Beatle hits, and including a special tribute to George Harrison.  A few tickets are still available.  Book online by clicking HERE

They are also back by popular demand at the Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, Wirral on Friday January 17, 2014, which will mark the last time that the Mersey Beatles will perform their full "Get Back to Liverpool" concert.  Tickets are available from the theatre box office on online by following THIS LINK

Then, in the spring, an exciting new show is planned:

THE MERSEY BEATLES

Double bill

A HARD DAYS NIGHT: A live tribute to the sights & sounds of The Beatles movies

Plus

IMAGINE: Imaginary Beatles reunion concert with Beatles hits & solo classics live

2 shows, one band, 40 songs.

And, as always with the Mersey Beatles, a splendid time is guaranteed for all!

Keep up to date with this exciting new show and all things Mersey Beatles at www.themerseybeatles.com


Tuesday 19 November 2013

Extended Special Edition of Mark Lewisohn's "Tune In" Out Now!



The extended special edition of Mark Lewisohn's magisterial book Tune In is a true collector's item, featuring hundreds of thousands of words of extra material, as well as many extra photographs. It is the complete, uncut and definitive biography of the Beatles' early years, from their family backgrounds through to the moment they're on the cusp of their immense breakthrough at the end of 1962.
Mark Lewisohn's biography is the first true and accurate account of the Beatles, a contextual history built upon impeccable research and written with energy, style, objectivity and insight. This extended special edition is for anyone who wishes to own the complete story in all its stunning and extraordinary detail. This is, genuinely and without question, the lasting word from the world-acknowledged authority.

Monday 18 November 2013

The Beatles "Words of Love" - New Animated Video!


Check out the premiere of The Beatles new animated video “Words of Love” below! The video of The Beatles performing the Buddy Holly song “Words of Love” appears on ‘On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2’ available now.


On Air’s 63 tracks, none of which overlaps with The Beatles’ first BBC release, include 37 previously unreleased performances and 23 previously unreleased recordings of in-studio banter and conversation between the band’s members and their BBC radio hosts.





Words of Love Animated Music Video:


Digital Order Link
Live at the BBC 1: http://smarturl.it/BeatlesBBC1
On Air- Live at the BBC 2: http://smarturl.it/BeatlesBBC2

Physical Order Links
On Air- Live at the BBC2 on CD: http://smarturl.it/BeatlesBBCVol2
On Air- Live at the BBC2 – 3LP at Amazon:  http://smarturl.it/BBC2LP


In 1994, The Beatles’ Live at the BBC was released to worldwide acclaim - hitting number one in the U.K., number three in the U.S. and selling more than five million copies within six weeks.  The new companion to The Beatles’ first BBC collection, On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2, is available now for digital pre-order exclusively on iTunes (www.iTunes.com/TheBeatles).  On Air will be released on Monday, November 11; the Mastered for iTunes LP includes a 48-page booklet. 

On Air’s 63 tracks, none of which overlaps with The Beatles’ first BBC release, include 37 previously unreleased performances and 23 previously unreleased recordings of in-studio banter and conversation between the band’s members and their BBC radio hosts.

Newly remastered, The Beatles’ Live at the BBC will also make its global digital debut on November 11 exclusively on iTunes.  Sounding and looking better than ever, Live at the BBCs Mastered for iTunes LP is also available now for pre-order exclusively on iTunes (www.iTunes.com/TheBeatles).  This first collection of the group’s BBC sessions mixed versions of their hits with a treasure trove of 30 songs The Beatles performed on air but never released on record in the 1960s.  The compelling track list ranges from a rare performance of the little known Lennon-McCartney original “I’ll Be On My Way” to covers of classic rock ’n’ roll and contemporary rhythm and blues songs.  At the time of its original release, Live at the BBC was hailed by Rolling Stone as “an exhilarating portrait of a band in the process of shaping its own voice and vision.”  It earned a GRAMMY® Award nomination for Best Historical Album. 

In the studios of the British Broadcasting Corporation, The Beatles performed music for a variety of radio shows. Live at the BBC and On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2 present the sound of The Beatles seizing their moment to play for the nation.  Thrilled to hear these exciting recordings again, Paul McCartney said, “There’s a lot of energy and spirit. We are going for it, not holding back at all, trying to put in the best performance of our lifetimes.”

Ten of On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2’s songs were never recorded by the group for EMI in the 1960s, including two making their debuts with the new release:  The Beatles’ direct-to-air performance of Chuck Berry’s “I’m Talking About You” and a rocking cover of the standard “Beautiful Dreamer.”  On Air also includes different versions of six rarities heard on the 1994 BBC collection:  Little Richard’s “Lucille,” Chuck Berry’s “Memphis, Tennessee,” Chan Romero’s “The Hippy Hippy Shake,” Ray Charles’ “I Got A Woman,” and two songs they learned from records by Carl Perkins, “Glad All Over” and “Sure To Fall.”

The Beatles’ tribute to the BBC’s most important pop show of the early ’60s – “Happy Birthday, Dear Saturday Club” – is another surprise.  As John Lennon recalled in 1980, “We did a lot of tracks that were never on record for Saturday Club – they were well recorded, too.”  Paul remembers, “We’d been raised on the BBC radio programs.  One of the big things in our week was Saturday Club – this great show was playing the kind of music we loved, so that was something we really aspired to.”

Between March 1962 and June 1965, no fewer than 275 unique musical performances by The Beatles were broadcast by the BBC in the U.K.  The group played songs on 39 radio shows in 1963 alone.  Ringo Starr said in 1994, “You tend to forget that we were a working band.  It’s that mono sound.  There were usually no overdubs.  We were in at the count-in and that was it.  I get excited listening to them.”  On their busiest BBC day, July 16, 1963, The Beatles recorded 18 songs for three editions of their Pop Go The Beatles series in fewer than seven hours.
           
The group played 88 distinct songs in their BBC sessions – some were recorded many times; others performed just once.  At the time, three national BBC stations provided all daytime radio broadcasting in the U.K.  Only the Light Programme network might occasionally play a record.  Most broadcast music was live music.  Consequently, to promote their releases, The Beatles had to play live at the BBC.  “Everything was done instantly,” remembered George Harrison, “But before that, we used to drive 200 miles in an old van down the M1, come into London, try and find the BBC and then set up and do the program.  Then we’d probably drive back to Newcastle for a gig in the evening!”

On Air - Live at the BBC Volume 2 also features BBC recordings of 30 well-loved songs from The Beatles’ catalogue, including five number ones and other favorites such as: “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Twist And Shout,” “Do You Want To Know A Secret,” “Boys,” “Please Mister Postman,” “Money,” “And I Love Her,” and “If I Fell.” 

Like its critically acclaimed predecessor, On Air includes audio of The Beatles talking to DJs Brian Matthew and Alan Freeman and Pop Go The Beatles hosts Lee Peters and Rodney Burke.  When first broadcast, pop fans were amazed to hear such witty irreverence on the rather formal BBC and it is great fun to hear these extracts now.  In addition, On Air releases, for the first time, the group’s candid interviews for the Pop Profile series recorded in November 1965 and May 1966.

Live at the BBC was assembled by George Martin in 1994 and On Air - Live at the BBC Volume Two was compiled and researched by producers Kevin Howlett and Mike Heatley.  Both albums have been meticulously mastered by engineers Guy Massey and Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios.  The booklets for both collections include Kevin Howlett’s essays on the history of The Beatles’ BBC radio sessions and his detailed commentaries on all of the tracks.


The Beatles:  On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2
1.         And Here We Are Again (Speech)
2.         WORDS OF LOVE
3.         How About It, Gorgeous? (Speech)
4.         DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET
5.         LUCILLE
6.         Hey, Paul… (Speech)
7.         ANNA (GO TO HIM)
8.         Hello! (Speech)
9.         PLEASE PLEASE ME
10.        MISERY
11.        I’M TALKING ABOUT YOU
12.        A Real Treat (Speech)
13.        BOYS
14.        Absolutely Fab (Speech)
15.        CHAINS
16.        ASK ME WHY
17.        TILL THERE WAS YOU
18.        LEND ME YOUR COMB
19.        Lower 5E (Speech)
20.        THE HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE
21.        ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
22.        THERE’S A PLACE
23.        Bumper Bundle (Speech)
24.        P.S. I LOVE YOU
25.        PLEASE MISTER POSTMAN
26.        BEAUTIFUL DREAMER
27.        DEVIL IN HER HEART
28.        The 49 Weeks (Speech)
29.        SURE TO FALL (IN LOVE WITH YOU)
30.        Never Mind, Eh? (Speech)
31.        TWIST AND SHOUT
32.        Bye, Bye (speech)
33.        John - Pop Profile (Speech)
34.        George - Pop Profile (Speech)
35.        I SAW HER STANDING THERE
36.        GLAD ALL OVER
37.        Lift Lid Again (Speech)
38.        I’LL GET YOU
39.        SHE LOVES YOU
40.        MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
41.        HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR SATURDAY CLUB
42.        Now Hush, Hush (Speech)
43.        FROM ME TO YOU
44.        MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT)
45.        I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
46.        Brian Bathtubes (Speech)
47.        THIS BOY
48.        If I Wasn’t In America (Speech)
49.        I GOT A WOMAN
50.        LONG TALL SALLY
51.        IF I FELL
52.        A Hard Job Writing Them (Speech)
53.        AND I LOVE HER
54.        Oh, Can’t We? Yes We Can (Speech)
55.        YOU CAN’T DO THAT
56.        HONEY DON’T
57.        I’LL FOLLOW THE SUN
58.        Green With Black Shutters (Speech)
59.        KANSAS CITY/HEY-HEY-HEY-HEY!
60.        That’s What We’re Here For (Speech)
61.        I FEEL FINE (STUDIO OUTTAKE)
62.        Paul - Pop Profile (Speech)
63.        Ringo - Pop Profile (Speech)

The Beatles:  Live at the BBC (Remastered)
1.         Beatle Greetings (Speech)
2.         FROM US TO YOU (OPENING)
3.         Riding On A Bus (Speech)
4.         I GOT A WOMAN
5.         TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS
6.         KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY BABY
7.         I’LL BE ON MY WAY
8.         YOUNG BLOOD
9.         A SHOT OF RHYTHM AND BLUES
10.        SURE TO FALL (IN LOVE WITH YOU)
11.        SOME OTHER GUY
12.        THANK YOU GIRL
13.        Sha La La La La! (Speech)
14.        BABY IT’S YOU
15.        THAT’S ALL RIGHT (MAMA)
16.        CAROL
17.        What Is It, George? (Speech)
18.        SOLDIER OF LOVE
19.        A Little Rhyme (Speech)
20.        CLARABELLA
21.        I’M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOWN AND CRY (OVER YOU)
22.        CRYING, WAITING, HOPING
23.        Dear Wack! (Speech)
24.        YOU REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME
25.        TO KNOW HER IS TO LOVE HER
26.        A TASTE OF HONEY
27.        LONG TALL SALLY
28.        I SAW HER STANDING THERE
29.        THE HONEYMOON SONG
30.        JOHNNY B GOODE
31.        MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
32.        LUCILLE
33.        CAN’T BUY ME LOVE
34.        From Fluff To You (Speech)
35.        TILL THERE WAS YOU
36.        Crinsk Dee Night (Speech)
37.        A HARD DAY’S NIGHT
38.        Ringo? Yep! (Speech)
39.        I WANNA BE YOUR MAN
40.        Just A Rumour (Speech)
41.        ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
42.        ALL MY LOVING
43.        THINGS WE SAID TODAY
44.        SHE’S A WOMAN
45.        SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN
46.        1822! (Speech)
47.        LONESOME TEARS IN MY EYES
48.        NOTHIN’ SHAKIN’
49.        THE HIPPY HIPPY SHAKE
50.        GLAD ALL OVER
51.        I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND
52.        SO HOW COME (NO ONE LOVES ME)
53.        I FEEL FINE
54.        I'M A LOSER
55.        EVERYBODY’S TRYING TO BE MY BABY
56.        ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC
57.        TICKET TO RIDE
58.        DIZZY MISS LIZZY
59.        KANSAS CITY/HEY-HEY-HEY-HEY!
60.        Set Fire To That Lot! (Speech)
61.        MATCHBOX
62.        I FORGOT TO REMEMBER TO FORGET
63.        Love These Goon Shows! (Speech)
64.        I GOT TO FIND MY BABY
65.        OOH! MY SOUL
66.        Ooh! My Arms (Speech)
67.        DON’T EVER CHANGE
68.        SLOW DOWN
69.        HONEY DON’T
70.        LOVE ME DO
71.        FROM US TO YOU (CLOSING)


Review: The Cavern Club Beatles

Review by Donna Jackson

No visit to Liverpool can be complete for Beatle fans without a visit to the most famous club in the world - The Cavern Club!

And no visit to the Cavern Club can be complete without taking in one of the shows from the Cavern Club Beatles!


Every Saturday night four Liverpool-born lads take to the stage in the Live Lounge of the Cavern Club, the same stage where Paul McCartney appeared in 1999, and, for the next two and a half hours take the audience with them on a journey -- a magical mystery tour -- through the Beatles' lives and musical careers from the early Cavern days through to Let It Be and beyond.

Jimmy Coborn on stage with
Paul McCartney
c. Alli Devine
 The Cavern Club Beatles have an impressive pedigree.  Jimmy Coburn (John Lennon) and Tony Coburn (Paul McCartney) are the only members of a Beatles tribute band to have appeared on stage with Paul McCartney when they all took part in the tribute concert to honour George Harrison in Liverpool in February 2002.

Tony Coburn with the real Paul!

Jimmy and Tony have just returned to the Cavern after a successful run on Broadway, starring as 'John' and 'Paul' in "Let It Be Broadway."

 

Completing the line-up in the Cavern Club Beatles are Paul Jones (George) and Steve Finnigan (Ringo), who were awarded the roles after a nationwide search to create the Cavern Club's resident Beatles tribute band.

Such impressive credentials promised a 'splendid time' ... and the Cavern Club Beatles did not disappoint!



The show began with a series of video clips that set the scene and provided the historical context for the show.  While this sometimes seemed to go on a bit too long (and I'm still not sure why so much time was spent on the year 1950), the way the film led into the live performance was fabulous.  Bob Wooler's voice could be heard welcoming us all to the "best of cellars" and then the Cavern Club Beatles struck up the opening notes of "I Saw Her Standing There."

Jimmy Coburn as John Lennon
From the first notes, it was clear we were in for an amazing night!  The Cavern Club Beatles took us through the history of the Beatles from the earliest days in the Cavern, perfectly recreating the excitement of the live concert years, to the more sophisticated sounds of the mid-sixties.

Tony Coburn as 'aul McCartney inciting a bit of Beatlemania!
An enthusiastic and delighted audience sang, clapped and danced to classics including "She Loves You", "A Hard Day's Night" and "Day Tripper," and beautiful solo performances of "Yesterday" and "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" provided the opportunity for the first costume change of the evening.


Having taken the audience as far as 1966, the band took a short break which allowed the stage to be decorated with flowers and posters, celebrating the Our World broadcast of  June 25 1967.




Then the Cavern Club Beatles took to the stage again, but this time resplendent in Sgt Pepper outfits to delight the audience with pyschodelic classics including "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "I am the Walrus."  The set finished with a fabulous singalong to "All You Need is Love"; the enthusiastic audience participation once more reflecting how much we were all enjoying the show.


The final set began with video clips depicting the revolutions of 1968, and another change of costume for the Cavern Club Beatles who returned to the stage to evoke the Apple Rooftop concert, and the magic of the songs from the White Album and Abbey Road.  The final song was, of course, "Hey Jude", with the audience all on their feet and singing along.


After such a fabulous show it wasn't surprising that the cries of "more" echoed round the Live Lounge, only to be drowned out by the cheers when the Cavern Club Beatles returned to the stage.  I was expecting them to return, and perform Twist and Shout as an encore (it was noticeably absent from the first set), but to my delight, and the delight of everyone in the room, we were also treated to a selection of songs from the solo years.



Both vocally and musically the show was perfect from beginning to end. I lost track of how many different guitars were used, but each was 'right' for the song being played.  Both Jimmy and Tony Coburn recreated John and Paul's expertise on the keyboards, and Paul Jones' skill as a guitarist -- particularly when using the 12-string Rickenbacker -- was remarkable.

Paul Jones as George Harrison
Overall, the Cavern Club Beatles presented a perfect tribute to the Beatles.  Obviously the quality of the music is the most important element, but the 'extras' were all there too.  Characteristics of the Beatles were portrayed, but without resorting to caricature, and the ever-present Scouse wit of all the lads reflected the warmth, humour and charm of their role models.


Here in Liverpool, the music of the Beatles can be heard from most bars and clubs, particularly round Mathew Street and the Cavern Quarter.  But for a special show that pays tribute to the most famous band in the world in the most famous club in the world then a vist to the Cavern on Saturday night to see the Cavern Club Beatles is a must!



The Cavern Club Beatles perform in the Live Lounge of the Cavern Club every Saturday.  Shows regularly sell out so early booking is definitely recommended.  For more information, or to book tickets, visit the Cavern Club's website by clicking HERE.


The Cavern Club Beatles:
A splendid time is guaranteed for all!