Ticket to Ride Back in Time

A recurring theme running through these infrequent blog entries is that of obsession. Or to be more precise the multitude of obsessions that have afflicted me over the years. One from my youth that hasn't previously been mentioned is that of time travel. Like, I hope, a lot of young boys I was intrigued by the thought of being able to travel in time. Ever the classicist I was more HG Wells' 'Time Machine' rather than Michael J Fox's DeLorean. That said, I'm still eagerly anticipating the flying cars and hover boards that lie just around the corner for us in 2015. 

Anyway, I digress. Given the gift of time travel where, or more accurately when, would I go? As a Partick Thistle supporter then October 1971 would have to feature on any time travelling itinerary. Note to any non Thistle supporting reader who has stumbled across this blog, check out what happened on the 23rd of that month 41 years ago and you'll understand the desire to head back to that particular date.

So where else would I visit on my merry jaunt through time? With the music of The Beatles one of my current obsessions then I would need to take the opportunity to see live a band that split up while I was a mere toddler and stopped touring before I was born.

Sadly, I haven't, as yet, managed to discover how to create a flux capacitor and I can't drive, far less get a DeLorean up to 88mph, so October 23rd 1971 will remain a date that I can only visit via DVD.  

So too am I denied the chance to experience Beatlemania first hand.

The proliferation of Beatles tribute bands though does provide a good alternative. We are fortunate here in Scotland to have in the shape of Them Beatles one of the very best on offer.

(pic nicked shamlessly from www.thembeatles.com)

Them Beatles are much more than a band that play cover versions of Beatles songs. For a start their attention to detail is quite remarkable. To help create an authentic Beatles sound they perform without any pre-recorded music relying on their own skill and craft as musicians, they use instruments from each era, to recreate the music that so thrilled a generation in the 1960s and is still much loved to the present day.

Such is the desire to create as an authentic sound and image as possible 'Paul', expertly played by Joe Kane, even learned how to play his hofner bass left handed. Indeed all four do an astonishing job in creating their Beatle Alter ego. Clark Gilmour, with knees slightly bent, brings to life John's cheeky on stage persona and his gravely vocal, particularly on 'Twist and Shout' is so close a reproduction of Lennon's own performance that an audio recording could fool all but the keenest of ears.  

Craig McGown's depiction of George Harrison, the so called quiet Beatle, is quite remarkable and at the O2 last November provided the audience with a touching tribute to Harrison. Grahame Critcher meantime gives a virtuoso performance on drums and replicates Ringo's laconic vocals when it is his turn to take the mic.

It's not just the music from Them Beatles that sets them apart for other Beatle tribute acts. Their costumes are faithfully reproduced, with the best probably those from the Sgt Pepper era (see above pic).

I've had the pleasure of catching Them Beatles live on four occasions now and each gig has been different in some form. Last night at Platform Three in Bellshill they concentrated on the Beatlemania era with Paperback Writer, recorded in 1966, the latest of all the tracks they performed. They do, however, focus on the entire Beatles career up to, and including, the famous Apple rooftop performance in 1969, the last time The Beatles performed together. 

Them Beatles are perhaps best enjoyed as part of an audience that truly appreciates the effort that has gone into re-creating the sound and look of The Beatles but their performance never disappoints. Do catch them in action if you get the chance.

For more information about Them Beatles and tour dates check out www.thembeatles.com