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The six-year process that culminated in this magnificent project
was more than worth the wait. Trying to describe the resultant
assault on the senses “Love” produces is fantasy, topped
only by the unbridled imagination displayed in every aspect of
the show. What “Love” is is not just Cirque acrobatics
set to music. “Love” is The Beatles songs remixed and
layered in combinations and montages that have never existed until
today. Sir George and Giles Martin digitally transferred
every Beatles multi-track, bits of dialog and thousands of images
into the digital domain, where they carefully place melodies,
riffs and solos atop one another, in a melodic “Revolution
#9” if you will, It really works.
The Abbey Road Volkswagon is present, as is Paul’s Hoffner
Bass, Sgt. Pepper, Lucy, Mr. Kite, Lady Madonna and of course,
the Fabulous Four, presented in actual video and stills and animated
in silhouette motion to the real Beatles voices, edited from studio
chatter, press conferences, and Christmas messages to play together
as one clever scene stealing collage. The show is of course, 4-D,
starting with the set and extending to the audience.
For this number, a bed rested on a riser at center stage; as the
bed rose, the sheet continued to unfold until it covered the circumference
of the arena! Those sitting below got the feeling of being "in"
the production, while those of with upper level seats got a visual
of the sheet wavering in the air, making it appear as if the bed
were floating atop a cloud. It’s pure unbridled fantasy and
very difficult to describe. It has to be seen to experience the
full effect.
.
Consider that in 1965, The Beatles played to 60,000 at Shea Stadium
using the stadium PA speakers. Fast Forward 41 years, and each
audience member has 6 speakers all to himself, (more than 50-thousand
in the theater) including two in the headrest that provide 90
minutes of sheer audio eargasm.
Sir George offered to the Beatle Brunch
microphone, “50-thousand dollars to anyone who can tell us
what all the song bits are”. He quickly retracted the offer
when I told him there were Beatle fans were up to the challenge,
especially considering that many of us will no doubt see the show
several times.
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Here is Tom Frangione’s list of the songs and bits
he was able to detect at a preview screening.
(vocals
only, with the final chord of "A Day in the Life",
opening chord of "A Hard Day's Night", and drum
solo from "The End")
(with strings from Glass Onion, and "Hello Goodbye"
mixed in. The bass was mixed way up front, giving a thunder-like
presence)
(with
a new strings intro, pieces of "Julia", "Strawberry
Fields" and "A Day In The Life")
(intro from "Sun King")
(a beautiful remix)
:(with
bits of "Cry Baby Cry", "Good Morning Good
Morning", "Piggies", "I Want You (She’s
So Heavy)", and "Helter Skelter")
(and
even a bit of "Free Now" from the 2000 "Liverpool
Sound Collage", which by the way was credited to Paul
McCartney and the Beatles)
(fades to a "reading" of "Blackbird",
slowing the shows pace a bit)
(medley of out-take bits)
(with
"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Being For
The Benefit Of Mr. Kite", and "And I Love Her")
(not
in the edition I saw, but listed in the main program)
(with vocals from "What You’re Doing", guitars
from "Taxman" and parts of "The Word".
Not listed in the main program, but very effective)
(evolution
from demo to final version; bits of "Penny Lane",
"In My Life", "Piggies", "Hello
Goodbye")
(drums
for "Tomorrow Never Knows")
:
(with bits of "Sgt. Pepper",
accompanied by an a spectacular light show)
(strings
from "Goodnight", bits of "Lovely Rita",
"Polythene Pam")
(with accentuated electric guitar parts, and bits of "Hey
Bulldog", "While My Guitar Gently Weeps")
: (with
bits of "Oh Darling", percussion from "Within
You Without You", "I Want You (She’s So Heavy)"
)
(killer
background vocals from Paul)
(an extended edit of this uncredited track from the White
Album)
(acoustic demo, with new string arrangement
by George Martin, parts of which echo Eric Clapton’s
guitar solo)
(with vocals mixed WAY up front, and staging featuring an
exploding Volkswagen Beetle!)
(REPRISE)
(with
all cast members on stage and an extended video montage)
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The show represents Apple’s foray into the 21st century.
Where they’ve been slow to adapt, but quick to sue (can you
say Danger Mouse?) it is refreshing to see something so progressive
and wildly entertaining.
Beatle purists who might be skittish about the music being presented
in this fashion should go see the show with an open mind; it’s
clear that a lot of attention went into this production, with
Apple ensuring it was done with proper control and integrity.
Sir George tells Beatle Brunch that they will be going back to
the multi-tracks to create the ultimate soundtrack CD, that will
not be just a “best of”, but will be true to the show.
Look for it in the fall. We can’t wait, George, We’re
in “Love” with The Beatles again.
Beatles “LOVE” Album Coming
in Stereo and 5.1 November 21
The “LOVE” CD and DVD track listing is:
1. Because
2. Get Back
3. Glass Onion
4. Eleanor Rigby / Julia (Transition)
5. I Am The Walrus
6. I Want To Hold Your Hand
7. Drive My Car / The Word / What You’re Doing
8. Gnik Nus
9. Something / Blue Jay Way (Transition)
10. Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite! / I Want You / Helter Skelter
11. Help!
12. Blackbird / Yesterday
13. Strawberry Fields Forever
14. Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows
15. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
16. Octopus’s Garden
17. Lady Madonna
18. Here Comes The Sun / The Inner Light (Transition)
19. Come Together / Dear Prudence / Cry Baby Cry (Transition)
20. Revolution
21. Back In The U.S.S.R.
22. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
23. A Day In The Life
24. Hey Jude
25. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
26. All You Need Is Love
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See the Show:
is now showing at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas,
NV.
$150, $125, $99 and $69.
LOVE will be performed Thursday through Monday with no shows
on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. There will be two shows nightly
at 7:30 and 10:30 pm.
By Phone: 702-792-7777
or 800-963-9634
Online: www.cirquedusoleil.com
www.thebeatles.com
or www.mirage.com
In Person: At the LOVE box office at The Mirage or
any of the MGM Mirage box offices in Las Vegas.
Beatle Brunch was there for a preview press screening on
Tuesday, June 27th.
Listen for a special Cirque du Beatle Brunch the weekend
of July 22nd, including exclusive interviews with George
and Giles Martin, Chantal Tremblay - Creation
Director, and several members of the cast.
Together for the first time in many years in the same room
were Sir Paul,
Ringo and Barbara, Yoko and Sean,
Julian and Cynthia Lennon, Olivia and Dhanni Harrison,
and Sir George Martin.
It was a truly spectacular opening night,
as Paul could be seen gently hugging and kissing Yoko, who
was dressed rather provocatively in a low cut dress with
a very large white hat.
After the show, Paul and Ringo made a
special heart-felt speech from the stage, saying it was
“All for George and John”.
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