Attention Beatles Fans

[Jazzooo]

I just got back from seeing the new Cirque du Soleil show called Love which features music remixes done by Sir George Martin and his son, Giles.

Everything leading up to it--the posters, the sound and video clips online, the press releases about '6,000 speakers', even the guys walking around in a Sgt Pepper outfit working the crowd pre-show--made me feel like I was getting myself into an expensive and embarrassing boondoggle.

But.

I would gladly pay the $125 ticket price again just to sit in a darkened theater and hear their music so lovingly and creatively rendered. It is simply the most exciting audio and innovative experimentation I've ever heard. It is both exquisite and daring.

The show itself is pretty astounding, death defying, funny, odd in that French-Canadian humor kind of way, and ultimately moving. But the music stands on its own in a way that will be impossible to describe.

I hope those of you with a history concerning me and my musical standards will simply take my word for it. There is nothing on earth like what you will hear at this show, in this theater. That's not hype at all--there really is nothing else like this on earth. I might buy the soundtrack, but I'll never really hear what I heard there again, until I go back. The only way it could be better is if George and John came back to life. But they'd either have to be sitting in my living room singing to me or using this custom sound system.

If I describe the details--the speakers in your headrests and the backs of the seats in front of you, the layering of guitar solos from one song on top of rhythm tracks from another and vocal harmonies from a third (and sometimes a fourth and even a fifth song), the creative use of studio chatter to tell a story--it sounds cheesy, even to me. Don't read too much about this show.

I mean no offense to non-musicians (like the other three in my party who were knocked out by the show). But if you happen to be a musician with a decent ear, you will appreciate this show on a level that few else will--even better if you consider yourself more than slightly familiar with the original Beatles recordings. You're probably going to be adept enough to figure out some of what is really going on while you're watching the show. And when you think about Martin and his son, sifting through the original masters, you'll be able to imagine you were right there in the control room with them, listening to the original playback sessions--because that's what it sounds like.

Las Vegas is a trip--love it, hate it--makes no difference. Save up and see this show if you ever loved the Beatles (Glenda says 'if you ever loved the '60s'. I can't answer to that, but I will tell you that there has never been a theatrical performance which caters so directly to MUSICIANS to dug the Beatles.)

And buy the $125 seats, not the $150 ones. Look for Row R in the middle of the 209 section. 'Nuff said.

[Mike Schwartz]

Doug;

Is this Cirque du Soleil show not a touring group, but a Vegas only troupe?

[Jazzooo]

Mike, I can't imagine how they could do this show on the road--the theater and the sound system are too integral to the event. Something tells me this is going to be a Vegas-only show.

[Chris D]

It's a camped show. Thanks for the insight, Doug.

[jazzy mary]

Sounds great. thanks Doug.

[Vince Kargatis]

So the album's out, who's got it? I find it pretty incredible, listened to it 4 times in a row the day I got it. Great great great for any Beatles fan. I bought the 5.1 version, but don't have a 5.1 setup yet so haven't heard that, though I assume from Doug's description above it will be awesome.

If I have any complaints, it's that some songs seem relatively untouched, though even those sound great. But tracks like "Get Back" or "Drive My Car/etc" or the simple but brilliant "Tomorrow Never Knows/Within You, Without You" just blow your mind, just such a great idea. I love it.

Here's an interview with George and Giles Martin about it. Haven't read it yet.

[Paul B]

Unrelated to the topic, but related to the Beatles: Apple looks like it will soon be the first to bring the Beatles to the digital music world (legally, that is).

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/22/tech...ion=2006112711

[Vince Kargatis]

No comments on the record? I'd expect a number of people to have jumped on this release.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Vince Kargatis

No comments on the record? I'd expect a number of people to have jumped on this release.

I heard it and I don't understand it any more than I understand Laswell's Miles remixes.

[Jazzooo]

Trust me, there is a ton of discussion on the actual music boards where I hang. I haven't read a negative comment yet, though I expect there will be some fallout eventually from messing with the tracks this extensively. I don't know how i would have felt if I'd heard the music first, before seeing it in the context of the show with that amazing sound system (although there were several times when I had to remind myself to open my eyes during the performance as the music was so powerful). I'm sure it will sound fine on everyone's boombox, computers or stereos, but I don't think it will have the same impact as it would if you were listening the way it was meant to be heard, in 5.1 at least. Much better to hear it in Vegas, though!

My copy is on the way, but it takes time to get things sent down here to Mexico.

[Uli]

Originally Posted by Jazzooo

Trust me, there is a ton of discussion on the actual music boards where I hang.

hehe.

[Jazzooo]

Well, I meant the boards where musicians hang out and talk shop with each other, but I see the humor, Uli.

Actually, I'm just posting this so I can track where the post was moved via the 'new posts' command.

[Jazzooo]

Got it--'Other Music.'

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by Jazzooo

Actually, I'm just posting this so I can track where the post was moved via the 'new posts' command.

Click on the thread title after "Moved:" and you'll be taken to the new location of the thread. You can then look at the top of the page and see what forum you're in.