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The Bootleg Beatles

Venue: Royal Hall
Town: Harrogate
Date: 28/03/14
Website: http://www.bootlegbeatles.com

This concert is so much more than a gig. It is a musical history lesson tracing the steps and music of one of the greatest bands ever. OK, I will make a confession here; the Beatles were not my favourite Liverpool band. The Searchers were and still are and it was probably not until The Beatles had broken up that I really appreciated how good they were. As a result I never saw the originals but feel that I have got pretty close now. In fact so close it is quite spooky considering that two of the originals are now dead. My wife and I were in Liverpool two weeks ago and went to The Beatles Story museum. So I am full of Beatles memories and music right now.

The Bootlegs formed in 1980 so outlasted the originals by a number of years. They formed as a result of appearing in a Beatles stage play. Now some 34 years on, they are still making incredible music. The show which includes film clips, music from the 60's, fantastic costumes, a brilliant little orchestra and the best of The Beatles' music is a joy to behold. The four new Beatles (?) are uncannily like the originals in terms of voices, looks, musical ability and accents.

We have now seen the band four times and this was without doubt the best. I am not sure if it is down to the slightly smaller venue, the Royal Hall is a fabulous refurbished theatre. The last time we saw them, the bass player, Paul, was right handed so I felt it lost a bit of authenticity. This time he is a left hander which gives the overall appearance of the band the extra edge. He is not only a good bass player; he is also a fabulous singer.

Musically, they are fantastic, some of the music being better than the original. Sacrilege perhaps but you have to see them to understand that comment. John is full of quips and handles the shouts from the audience with the sort of comment you would have expected from Mr. Lennon. Harrogate is a spa town and is populated by many, shall we say, people of advancing years. I was therefore quite worried when Paul told the audience to get on its feet and dance. The average age being well over 60 with many being in their 80's. Anyway, the audience responded with creaking limbs and bones and roes to their rather unsteady feet and rocked away. Surely the sign of a great rock and roll band.

The programme is split into four sections featuring different periods of the Beatles recording life with the appropriate clothes and hairstyles to match. Some of the drug induced original music does tend to go on a bit, especially around the Sgt Pepper period but perhaps that is just me. I love clean cut sensible vocals with great harmonies. Hence my love of The Searchers! None the less, I do appreciate the brilliance of the lyrics and the music and this without the magical George Martin tweaking the knobs. Lucy in the sky is played superbly with accompanying backdrop film as are many of the songs.

I have another confession here. I hate "Love is all you need" and "Hey Jude." They both really grate and in previous shows the band has closed with the latter song. I have therefore probably left without the required smile on my face. However, last night they finished with a cracking version of "Long Tall Sally." Brilliant so I left with a big smile on my face and then promptly fell down the steps outside the theatre.

One small note of disappointment! This time they did not play my all-time favourite Beatles song, "She's leaving home." Oh well, I will forgive them for that because as I said at the beginning, this is so much more than a gig. A Fab Four!!!!!!!

Rory Stanbridge