Forum Theatre, Malvern – 24th April 2022
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
Since Covid had most of us sitting in our nowhere lands making all our nowhere plans, I’ve been eagerly anticipating this rescheduled show. It’s been a long, long, long time but we’ve finally got to get back to rock and roll music. Given the pedigree of The Bootleg Beatles (in its 43rd year) playing history’s most celebrated songbook a splendid time was guaranteed for all. In anticipation, I was praying hey dudes, just make me glad, take some fab songs and make life better – well they certainly please pleased me!
The lights dimmed, the video screen set the scene with some classic contemporary newsreel and music footage, the boys let fly with “She Loves You” and for the next couple of hours the hits never let up! It was also lovely to hear some genuinely surprising additions to a live Beatles set such as “Another Girl” (from the “Help!” Soundtrack), “Hey Bulldog” and “I Me Mine”.
The attention to detail was awe inspiring with the clothes, guitars, accents, mannerisms (John’s “going mad” at Shea Stadium for instance or Paul’s stuttering, breathless song introductions) all astonishingly accurate. It was like watching newsreel footage of the actual Fabs, but live in front of you. George’s guitar solos were especially impressive; playing them more faithfully than the original did live!
They also totally nailed the irreverent humour – whether recreating the skits of the originals (the live at Blackpool post “Yesterday” bouquet gag) or in adding new layers of modern humour in the same vein (John’s jokey “phase one, in which Doris gets her oats” becoming “…in which Boris gets a fine”.
With a little help from their friends in the orchestra, the band could also regale us with songs such as “Lady Madonna” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” with authentic sonic precision and pay fitting homage to George Martin, the fifth Beatle always present in spirit. Special mention also to Max (I hope I heard that right, there was a lot of cheering and clapping during the introductions) adding percussion and various keyboard parts like Billy Preston’s fine additions or Martin’s piano on “In My Life” being particular highlights.
By the encore we were all on our feet and singing like it was the Last Night of the Proms with “All You Need Is Love” and “Give Peace A Chance” proof positive of how relevant the Beatles still are in these perilous times. Finally “Hey Jude” raised the roof, joyously shredding the last vestiges of my own vocal chords.
Total Guitar Magazine once called them “the toppermost of the copymost” and I couldn’t agree more (or put it better myself). Not only was it the closest thing to seeing the Beatles it actually was seeing (and experiencing) them. There was everything to enjoy about this evening’s entertainment. A total triumph which I couldn’t recommend highly enough to anyone who loves The Beatles, music in general or just a great night out. Life affirming perfection!