Lucy
Feb 18, 2010, 12:39 AM
They’re guaranteed to raise a smile
Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1578465?UserKey=#ixzz0fsYOSiaX
The Beatles were at a crossroads of change when they recorded the album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Forty years after they broke up, there’s a chance to hear the seminal album played note-for-note and live in Aberdeen, writes Susan Welsh
THIS year marks the 40th anniversary of The Beatles making the decision to call it a day, but with their records still getting airplay and continuing to sell well, and new fans discovering just how brilliant they are, they are just as popular as ever.
Next week, those fascinated with the Fab Four can see exactly why so many people still love the world’s original boy band, when a stunning new show focuses on the band’s eighth studio album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – a defining album in the psychedelic rock style emerging at the time.
The concept album saw the band exploring their sound by using orchestras, innovative production techniques and different styles of music, ranging from jazz to traditional Indian music.
It was a huge success, spending 27 weeks at the top of the UK album chart and winning four Grammy awards.
The show plays Aberdeen’s Music Hall next Wednesday, February 24, with popular tribute band The Backbeat Beatles performing as the original band.
Taking the role of Paul McCartney is singer Chris O’Neill.
Chris may be forgiven for feeling confused. When he appeared in the 1994 movie Backbeat, a film chronicling the early days of The Beatles in Hamburg, Germany, he starred as George Harrison.
“It was a little bit difficult jumping between roles, but apparently I sound more like George than Paul when I speak,” said Chris.
“I grew up in Liverpool, so it’s no surprise that I’m a fan of The Beatles.
“My mum and dad had all their records and one of my earliest memories is playing the track Yes It Is, which was on the B-side of Ticket to Ride, over and over again.
“I just loved that record although, at that point, I had no idea who The Beatles were.
“When I started playing guitar, I leaned towards McCartney, so he’s long been an idol of mine,” said Chris who plays bass guitar, banjo, piano, drums and harmonica.
Speaking of The Beatles’ enduring popularity Chris said: “I’ve been playing their songs for years and don’t get bored hearing or playing them as the quality of the writing is perfect in many respects.
“With George Martin producing, they created a perfect body of work, which you can listen to time and time again, and always hear new things in it.”
Presenting the Sgt. Pepper album in its entirety is an unusual concept, but one which will go down well with fans new and old.
“It’s quite a short album, really, all over in around 45 minutes, so in the second half of the show we play a selection of their classic hits, along with tracks from albums,” said Chris.
“With a back catalogue of more than 175 songs to choose from we couldn’t possibly cover everything, otherwise we’d be there for days.”
While in the Granite City, Chris is also hoping someone may be able to point him in the direction of Aberdeen actor Gary Bakewell.
“Gary played Paul in the film Backbeat. While the rest of the cast are still in touch, Gary has gone off the radar,” said Chris.
“It would be great to get in touch with him again, so if anyone has a contact number for him I’d be delighted to speak to them.”
The Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Show features live music, a spellbinding light show, original big-screen animations and a host of fun surprises, and is a must see for all Beatles fans.
£1 from every ticket sold will go directly to the Beatles Day Foundation, a charitable trust raising money for many worthy causes.
The February 24 show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are priced from £24.50 plus booking fee. Tel: 01224 641122 for further details.
Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1578465?UserKey=#ixzz0fsYOSiaX
The Beatles were at a crossroads of change when they recorded the album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Forty years after they broke up, there’s a chance to hear the seminal album played note-for-note and live in Aberdeen, writes Susan Welsh
THIS year marks the 40th anniversary of The Beatles making the decision to call it a day, but with their records still getting airplay and continuing to sell well, and new fans discovering just how brilliant they are, they are just as popular as ever.
Next week, those fascinated with the Fab Four can see exactly why so many people still love the world’s original boy band, when a stunning new show focuses on the band’s eighth studio album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – a defining album in the psychedelic rock style emerging at the time.
The concept album saw the band exploring their sound by using orchestras, innovative production techniques and different styles of music, ranging from jazz to traditional Indian music.
It was a huge success, spending 27 weeks at the top of the UK album chart and winning four Grammy awards.
The show plays Aberdeen’s Music Hall next Wednesday, February 24, with popular tribute band The Backbeat Beatles performing as the original band.
Taking the role of Paul McCartney is singer Chris O’Neill.
Chris may be forgiven for feeling confused. When he appeared in the 1994 movie Backbeat, a film chronicling the early days of The Beatles in Hamburg, Germany, he starred as George Harrison.
“It was a little bit difficult jumping between roles, but apparently I sound more like George than Paul when I speak,” said Chris.
“I grew up in Liverpool, so it’s no surprise that I’m a fan of The Beatles.
“My mum and dad had all their records and one of my earliest memories is playing the track Yes It Is, which was on the B-side of Ticket to Ride, over and over again.
“I just loved that record although, at that point, I had no idea who The Beatles were.
“When I started playing guitar, I leaned towards McCartney, so he’s long been an idol of mine,” said Chris who plays bass guitar, banjo, piano, drums and harmonica.
Speaking of The Beatles’ enduring popularity Chris said: “I’ve been playing their songs for years and don’t get bored hearing or playing them as the quality of the writing is perfect in many respects.
“With George Martin producing, they created a perfect body of work, which you can listen to time and time again, and always hear new things in it.”
Presenting the Sgt. Pepper album in its entirety is an unusual concept, but one which will go down well with fans new and old.
“It’s quite a short album, really, all over in around 45 minutes, so in the second half of the show we play a selection of their classic hits, along with tracks from albums,” said Chris.
“With a back catalogue of more than 175 songs to choose from we couldn’t possibly cover everything, otherwise we’d be there for days.”
While in the Granite City, Chris is also hoping someone may be able to point him in the direction of Aberdeen actor Gary Bakewell.
“Gary played Paul in the film Backbeat. While the rest of the cast are still in touch, Gary has gone off the radar,” said Chris.
“It would be great to get in touch with him again, so if anyone has a contact number for him I’d be delighted to speak to them.”
The Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Show features live music, a spellbinding light show, original big-screen animations and a host of fun surprises, and is a must see for all Beatles fans.
£1 from every ticket sold will go directly to the Beatles Day Foundation, a charitable trust raising money for many worthy causes.
The February 24 show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are priced from £24.50 plus booking fee. Tel: 01224 641122 for further details.