The music of The Beatles continues to inspire us more than forty years after their break up in 1970. There are many tribute bands that perform the songs of the group, but one of the best is The Fab Faux, a group of diverse musicians who have worked with many of the top names in the music industry. Founded in 1998 by Will Lee, longtime bassist for The Late Show with David Letterman’s house band, the group is dedicated to giving amazing performances of The Beatles’ music, playing many songs the group never got to perform on stage during their existence, as they essentially ceased performing live in 1966. The Fab Faux has performed all over the world, with artists as diverse as Joan Osborne, Trey Anastasio (Phish), and Denny Laine (Wings). They celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2008 with a sold out show at Radio City Music Hall.
On Saturday, September 10, the group appeared at The Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport, CT. The concert was simply fantastic. This is no mere “cover band.” These talented musicians play these songs because they love them, and want to share that love with the audience. Their passion for this music shines through every note. Energetic performances of songs like “While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Strawberry Fields Forever, Day Tripper and A Hard Day’s Night” were part of the first set, which spanned The Beatles’ entire catalog. Accompanied by the talented Hogshead Horns and Creme Tangerine Strings, the band had the crowd cheering and singing along throughout the night. Many of these songs are part of our musical DNA, and you can't help but enjoy yourself (or recall some musically charged memories of your own) when you hear them.
After a brief intermission, the group returned to play the classic album Abbey Road in its entirety, and in sequence. It was a knockout performance. The artistry, sheer talent & enthusiasm of this band shone through as they tore into such classics as “Come Together, Something & Here Comes The Sun” and the complex medley that climaxes the original album. All of the members trade off on vocals (and sometimes instruments), making for an eclectic, entertaining evening. I could write kudos and accolades about every performance, every solo, and every vocal, but I’d be going on & on for pages. The encore consisted of “And Your Bird Can Sing” and “All You Need Is Love,” (a dedication by the band to those we lost on 9/11, and a call for peace in the world), and it was a fitting climax to a wonderful evening. If you weren’t a fan when you entered The Klein, you certainly left as one. If you are a fan of The Beatles’ music, and enjoy seeing a wonderful evening of great music, I heartily recommend checking out this group. The Fab Faux carries on the legacy of the greatest band of all time in excellent fashion.
Note: To learn more about the band, or see a schedule of performances, I suggest visiting their website at: http://www.thefabfaux.com/. There are also a number of links to their performances on You Tube, including this one, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRnrbOcjyZY. The photos above are not intended to infringe on any copyright.
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