Christmas Eve at Komedia
What a great sound from a very talented
bunch of musicians. And there were lots of them. I counted 13 on
stage, 17 in total when you add in guest artists, such as Stephen
Kalinich. There were even more instruments on stage: bass, rhythm,
and lead guitars, 2 drum kits, 3 keyboards, vibraphone,
brass section, and string section.
The band was formed in 2001 as a tribute band to
the music of Beach Boy, Brian Wilson. And they do that extremely
well, performing the complex vocal harmonies and musical arrangements
with great finesse. But perhaps that's not a surprise, when you look
at their CVs and realise that they're a very experienced line up
of professional musicians.
Even better, for my money, they also give a great
performance of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Last year during the Brighton Festival they performed
the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and the Beatles' Sgt Pepper's back to
back. Unfortunately I missed that, but all who I have spoken to about
it, tell me it was a triumph. The good news is that they're going
to do it again at next year's Festival.
One criticism. With so many instruments
and so many musicians on stage, I feel the Brighton BBs need one
more member: a good sound engineer. During the first set of the evening
there was a nasty feedback buzz coming out of the sound system. And,
during the second set, the string section was drowned
out at times.
One suggestion. I have now heard
Glen Richardson, lead vocalist and keyboard player, twice. (The previous
time was at the Greys in Hanover.) And it seems to me that Glen would
make a perfect Brighton Jerry Lee Lewis. If he should ever do a tribute
to the music of Jerry Lee, I for one would gladly pay to see and
hear it.
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