By Amy A. Winnemore
With the shine of the band’s pastel Sgt. Pepper uniforms reflecting from the stage, the Philly POPS, conducted by Music Director Michael Krajewski, performed a magical “Sgt. Pepper Celebration” featuring The Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour last weekend at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
Bringing The Beatles song lyrics to life were four members of the Classical Mystery Tour, who strolled out on stage wearing brightly colored Edwardian-style jackets.
The concert celebrated the upcoming 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ eighth studio album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Recorded over nearly five months, the album was released on June 1, 1967 to critical acclaim during the time of psychedelics, the Flower Power Movement and the Vietnam War.
Back in 1967, The Beatles knew (due to limited concert sound technology) that they would not have to perform many of the album’s tracks live, so they created an unique writing and mixing style while working with a full-piece orchestra on such songs as “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “A Day in the Life” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
The POPS started the show and displayed their talent with concert suites of “Eleanor Rigby” and “Getting Better” guest-conducted by Andre Gardner, a DJ from classic rock station WMGK.
Bringing The Beatles song lyrics to life were four members of the Classical Mystery Tour, who strolled out on stage wearing brightly colored Edwardian-style jackets, “Paul,” “John,” “George” and “Ringo” rocked out to “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” POPS musicians contributed to the song with clapping and laughing to match, near perfectly, the sound effects of the original recording.
The Classical Mystery Tour has been touring for over 20 years and has performed with orchestras around the world. The group on Saturday, which consisted of Jim Owen (rhythm guitar, piano, vocals), Paul Curatolo (bass guitar, piano, vocals), Tom Teeley (lead guitar, vocals) and Chris Camilleri (drums, vocals), made you feel like you were listening to the original band as they performed “Live and Let Die,” “Yellow Submarine,” “The Long and Winding Road” and “Here Comes the Sun.”
After intermission, the band changed from pastel uniforms to more subdued velvet jackets, colorful ties and an all-white suit and small, round sunglasses for Owen as Lennon. His performance of “Imagine” was one of the most memorable of the night.
Grateful for two encores, the audience got to their feet to really experience the music. Bright lights from cellphones sparkled throughout the crowd as fans swayed to “Hey Jude.” Then it was time to dance to “Twist and Shout.” With so many Beatles fans of all ages in the audience, some wearing the band’s name on T-shirts (including one who proudly explained he bought it at their 1965 Shea Stadium concert) and even one group showing off their impressive homemade Sgt. Pepper uniforms, the music of nearly 50 years ago still resonates today.
Running time: Approximately 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.
The Philly POPS’ next concert “Blockbuster Broadway” runs Feb. 24-25 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. For more information, click here.
With the shine of the band’s pastel Sgt. Pepper uniforms reflecting from the stage, the Philly POPS, conducted by Music Director Michael Krajewski, performed a magical “Sgt. Pepper Celebration” featuring The Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour last weekend at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
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| Members of the Classical Mystery Tour performed at “Sgt. Pepper Celebration.” Photo courtesy of Jaime Escarpeta. |
The concert celebrated the upcoming 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ eighth studio album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Recorded over nearly five months, the album was released on June 1, 1967 to critical acclaim during the time of psychedelics, the Flower Power Movement and the Vietnam War.
Back in 1967, The Beatles knew (due to limited concert sound technology) that they would not have to perform many of the album’s tracks live, so they created an unique writing and mixing style while working with a full-piece orchestra on such songs as “With a Little Help from My Friends,” “A Day in the Life” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
The POPS started the show and displayed their talent with concert suites of “Eleanor Rigby” and “Getting Better” guest-conducted by Andre Gardner, a DJ from classic rock station WMGK.
Bringing The Beatles song lyrics to life were four members of the Classical Mystery Tour, who strolled out on stage wearing brightly colored Edwardian-style jackets, “Paul,” “John,” “George” and “Ringo” rocked out to “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” POPS musicians contributed to the song with clapping and laughing to match, near perfectly, the sound effects of the original recording.
The Classical Mystery Tour has been touring for over 20 years and has performed with orchestras around the world. The group on Saturday, which consisted of Jim Owen (rhythm guitar, piano, vocals), Paul Curatolo (bass guitar, piano, vocals), Tom Teeley (lead guitar, vocals) and Chris Camilleri (drums, vocals), made you feel like you were listening to the original band as they performed “Live and Let Die,” “Yellow Submarine,” “The Long and Winding Road” and “Here Comes the Sun.”
After intermission, the band changed from pastel uniforms to more subdued velvet jackets, colorful ties and an all-white suit and small, round sunglasses for Owen as Lennon. His performance of “Imagine” was one of the most memorable of the night.
Grateful for two encores, the audience got to their feet to really experience the music. Bright lights from cellphones sparkled throughout the crowd as fans swayed to “Hey Jude.” Then it was time to dance to “Twist and Shout.” With so many Beatles fans of all ages in the audience, some wearing the band’s name on T-shirts (including one who proudly explained he bought it at their 1965 Shea Stadium concert) and even one group showing off their impressive homemade Sgt. Pepper uniforms, the music of nearly 50 years ago still resonates today.
Running time: Approximately 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.
The Philly POPS’ next concert “Blockbuster Broadway” runs Feb. 24-25 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia. For more information, click here.
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