The Fab Four (and hopefully, this review) help to crush any stigma attached to them for being a Beatles tribute band. The Fab Four is a phenomenal band that pays tribute to the greatest and most successful band of all time by playing everything live and paying respect to musical and visual details. Their production is world class. The show is a top-notch audio-visual work of art. This marks my sixth time seeing The Fab Four, and each show has been spectacular.
The Fab Four came together in 1997 (founded by Ron McNeil) and has since been performing all around the world. If you are going to see another Beatle tribute band (why would you, though?) I would recommend buying a couple drinks and squinting your eyes. If you are going to see The Fab Four, I recommend leaning forward, opening both eyes and staring directly at Ardy Sarraf (Paul) and Gavin Pring (George). In addition to their uncanny resemblances, The Fab Four have mastered the accents, body language and musical style of the Beatles.
This show was at the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was a Saturday night and people of all ages crowded the theatre, ready to escape into the 1960’s. As I walked in, stage curtains were open and the band’s gear was on display: John’s black Rickenbacker, Paul’s left-handed Hofner violin bass (As of last year, Ardy is endorsed by Hofner), George’s black Gretsch, the Vox amps and Ringo’s Ludwig drums. Before the show, Beatles trivia filled up the large screen behind the stage. Audience engagement confirmed the room was filled with die-hard fans. The screen embellished the show but was never too theatrical or distracting. Although set in a Vegas-like production, The Fab Four gigs are loud, full and very rock n’ roll.
When the curtains closed and the lights dimmed, the voice of Penn Gilette over the PA informed us that no magic (aka no funny business) would happen onstage, and that all of the music played would be live from The Fab Four. I partly agree, but there was a ton of magic onstage that night. When The Fab Four perform from the greatest pop songbook in full costume, you could swear you are listening to and looking at the real Beatles. The magic is in the time travel. And the time travel is possible because The Fab Four are not only the “Ultimate Beatles Tribute Band,” but they are the ultimate Beatles fans. They know and pay attention to every detail and play the tracks just as they were on the original records.
Ardy (Paul) sang parts of specific lines of “Revolution”, phasing in and out of the double-tracked vocal, to match John on the original song. Erik Fidel (Ringo), artfully juggled a shaker and the sticks/mallets during “Strawberry Fields” to cover two drums parts and a percussion part all at once. Gavin (George) mastered the solos and captured George’s guitar tones ranging from the twangy “All My Lovin’” to the distorted rock n’ roll sound of “Revolution.” He, with Gilbert (John), were banging on their keyboards to recreate the orchestra swells in “A Day in the Life.” It is that kind of commitment and flawless execution that keeps a hardcore Beatle fan like me coming back for more.
To recreate the Beatles’ legendary 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, George Trullinger took on the role of the host. Although Ed Sullivan was not much of a comedian, Trullinger’s parody kept the crowd laughing each time the boys were backstage preparing for the next set and phase of the Beatles career.
There were three sets during the show: an early mop top set, a Sgt. Pepper set and a late Abbey Road set. The performance was cleverly scripted to include video clips and another appearance by Mr. Ed to keep things rolling.
The first set had us twisting and shouting with hearts in our eyes to songs like “Eight Days a Week” and “I Saw Her Standing There.”
Gilbert Bonilla (John) perfectly emulated Lennon’s stance—legs spread apart, guitar up high and strumming from the middle—as well as his Broadway tap dance shuffle. I may have been born in the 90’s, but after the first set, I felt like I was one of the privileged few sitting in the studio watching the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.
By 1967 and Sgt. Pepper, the Beatles had stopped touring. However, at a Fab Four show, the lines are blurred. Set two begins when you hear the “orchestra” warming up and you see the lads onstage in full Sgt. Pepper uniform. I, as a Fab Four ticket holder, got to experience something the Beatles never actually got the chance to do. The Fab Four toured through “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “With a Little Help From My Friends,” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” Eric’s (Ringo) performance of “With a Little Help From My Friends” was spot on and one of the most well received songs of the night.
My favorite set was set three. The Sgt. Pepper uniforms were replaced with Abbey Road/ Let it Be gear. The remarkable thing is that these guys walk seamlessly through the decade of change that the Beatles undertook.
Gilbert (John), took a single spotlight behind the piano in a black shirt and white suit to pay special homage to Mr. Lennon. He pushed his round glasses up the brim of his nose and said (of Lennon),” He may have been one of your heroes. He was one of mine. Not necessarily because of what he said but because he had the guts to say it…It seems we kill off our heroes…I think we’ve got things wrong way round…Let’s shine a light on peace, love and freedom.” He began playing “Imagine” and the crowd began to sway. It was a stunning moment, well executed by Bonilla.
Gavin Pring (George), of Liverpool, took his time in the sun next. “I’ve got a song I would like to play for you, too.” His likeness to George was almost overwhelming. He played snippets of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Something,” to segue into “Here Comes The Sun.” Just at the perfect time, the band kicked in, amber lights came up and I could not help thinking that George was smiling down on all of us.
The last songs of the show—“Get Back,”’ “Revolution,” and “Let it Be”—made me feel like I was a witness to their final masterpiece recordings at Abbey Road Studios. Ardy (Paul) closed the show with perhaps the best anthem of all time: “Hey Jude.” The crowd was on their feet, singing along with hands in the air. It was the perfect end to a perfect tribute.
My only major criticism of this show was the freezing temperature of the room, which is no fault of the band. It is a bit harder to get into the groove when you cannot feel your ears!
The Fab Four truly is the Ultimate Beatles Tribute band. Their musical abilities and attention to detail is what separates them from other tribute bands who are just guys in Beatles costumes singing in overly exaggerated accents. Don’t want to take my word for it? Chew on these facts.
They performed at the 37^th anniversary of the Beatles concert at the Hollywood Bowl and the 50^th anniversary show in City Park in New Orleans.
The group has performed at private events for stars like Tom Hanks, Paul Stanley and Dave Grohl.
Their PBS special was awarded an Emmy in 2012.
I could go on and on or you could just check them out yourselves at www.thefabfour.com.
The guys are also incredibly nice. So, if you get the chance, stick around after the show for the meet-and-greet. Make sure to tell them Madison Square from KLSU sent you. (-: