First, let me say that I am no fan of the Beatles or their ‘landmark’ musical achievement called Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. However, I am well aware that all, okay, most, great music since its release magically finds its way back to the album. It’s comfortably enshrined in music’s cannon; I know this because that’s what critics and musicians tell me. Maybe it’s my age, but I never really thought much of it. (I also think Zeppelin overrated, blaspheme I know, but that’s my opinion). Further, I might point out that while watching the show I imbibed several beers—I did that before the show too. So I was buzzed. I say this because, as I write, the morning after, I may forget or misremember a few things.
But the show was really good despite my condition and apathy for the Beatles. Perhaps the buzz mitigated some of my aversion to the music, but it must be said that I was familiar with almost all the songs anyway. The Beatles' music is pervassive, to say the least.
Everything about the production and performance was excellent, top notch. The band performed with an orchestra and impressive light show. Furthermore, the sound quality generated crisp, clean notes and vocals. Let me also say that I am not really much of an orchestra fan, either, but it worked. The album has orchestra arrangements, and so this was merely a faithful rendering of the music. From my limited knowledge, the performance sounded much like the music replete with orchestra melodies and harmonizing vocals--there were no less than six back-up singers.
The band played, I assume, all the songs from the album, and so if you are a fan of the album and are still well enough to attend a “rock show,” it would be well worth your time. Even for someone like me, as I said, the show was excellent. In short, the show is worth seeing. But the show does have flaws.
The Beatles I recall were very much into diversity of music and culture—all honorable pursuits. But there was a song that literally brought the house down—that is to a soporific state. Not good for a concert. The song “Within You Without You"(featuring an Indian Ensemble) was slow and odd. Think "The Love Guru" here. It certainly had a “tripping” vibe to it—as in the Beatles were clearly on drugs when they wrote it. The song sucks, and the show came to a grinding halt. Maybe they should pass out ‘shrooms for that song. Instead, I went to take a piss. It seemed like the logical thing to do at that time.
Curiously, the crowd came to its feet not in response to a Beatle’s song, but instead to a Cheap Trick song. Not only did the band play the Beatles, but also it played their own hits. The song that got everyone to his/her feet was the classic “I Want You.” I must confess that I prefer Cheap Trick’s music to that of the Beatles (I know I am off to hell for such heresy), but so too did the audience. So on their feet for the song the audience sprang. It was the highlight of the show—in fact it was Cheap Trick’s songs that worked best. (By best, I mean the songs the crowd enjoyed most.) I might suggest they kick Stg. Pepper to the curb and play their music. I am sure it could work in Vegas. At any rate, judging from the crowd response this night, it was Cheap Trick they wanted to hear. However, immediately following the crowd’s enthusiasm for the song, guitarist Rick Nelison decided to suck the energy out of the show by hawking products. How cheap and lame is that? I suppose that a multi-million dollar production needs to move product, but why do it right when crowd is into the show? Ah, yes, the cynic in me says, that’s the only time to do it. But still, it was amateurish and forced—a terrible moment in the show.
Finally, while as I said I am no fan of the Beatles, I still knew most the music, simply because I am alive and can hear. I suppose being awake helps, too. I thought the same was true for Cheap Trick’s music. With its catchy songs and riffs, radio has been a friend to the band, playing its songs often enough. So it came as a surprise, really, a shock that my girlfriend claimed she had never heard the song “Dream Police.” What, I said incredulously. Everyone, even if you hate the band, has heard “Dream Police.” Everyone knows the chorus:
The dream police, they live inside of my head
The dream police, they come to me in my bed
The dream police, they’re coming to arrest me, oh no
Everyone knows those paranoia-laden lyrics. They’re awesome. So now I wonder if my girlfriend grew up in this country. Seriously, everyone knows those lyrics. In fact, instead of asking for papers in Arizona, the police should ask people to sing the chorus to “Dream Police” as proof of citizenship. I mean, honestly, she never had heard the song “Dream Police?” Seriously, who is she? An American?
Well worth the performance, even if one does not know "Dream Police." They also played "Surrender," which she knew.
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