Taylor delivers in his own passionate style… he sings with warmth and commitment.
Anything with a flavour of The Beatles will go down well on Merseyside and tonight’s full house was very appreciative of this new musical tour from Something About Productions (Bill Elms, Jon Fellowes and Gary Edward Jones).
Starting their story of the ‘quiet’ Beatle from the split of the Fab Four, this five-piece band perform twenty of George’s catalogue, some more well known than others and also include a couple from the Traveling Wilburys. After the hits the audience erupted with claps and cheers, some of the lesser-known tracks fell away to polite applause. The rendition of Something was memorable, and surely is, as we are told, considered one of the greatest love songs.
Leading the show is singer, guitarist and narrator Daniel Taylor, who does not emulate or impersonate Harrsion, but tells us his story between songs, which Taylor interprets and delivers in his own passionate style. The band, Callum MacMillan (drums) Tom Kinton (Bass) James Breckon (keyboard) and MD Joe Smithson (guitars) are all accomplished musicians and provide good backing vocals, but I felt the truly unique sound of George’s guitar was missing. This show, described as a ‘musical biopic Tribute’ was for me, a good band singing their versions of his songs.
It’s true to say, much of Harrison’s work is pensive, darker and less accessible- not songs that get you toe-tapping or jumping up and down. He’s reflective and sensitive and it’s hard to find the balance between showing us that side of him and keeping the audience clapping along. In the main, they achieve it but it felt strange to start a show with ‘Art of Dying’. Perhaps something more upbeat and popular, so the audience were hooked from the top.
The narration at times felt pedestrian, as if reading clips from Wikipedia or from a biography. It did have better moments when Taylor raised a laugh with his impersonation of George or other characters but at times it felt the singing, playing and talking was a bit much for him. He was breathless, lost a few lines here and there. This is the first of a demanding tour and as he falls into it, no doubt he will become more comfortable. I did wonder at some points would it be better to have a separate narrator. Taylor is strongest when singing and it was obvious, he really appreciates the beauty of some of those lesser known songs, which he sings with warmth and commitment. Another highlight is their version of Here Comes the Sun. placed at the point of Geroge’s death, which is quite touching.
Jamie Jenkins’ multi-media back projections that accompany the songs are beautifully artistic and provide a good ambience to the tracks. Good lighting provided different moods to the music, but Taylor’s mic needed some attention.
Having said that, it was obvious the audience really enjoyed the show and there were those itching to get up to dance and sing -a-long, well it was Saturday night! With other Beatle shows there are always the anthems people join in with and certainly Got my mind set on you, Handle With Care and End of Line (both Traveling Wilburys) energized everyone.
After the encore, the crowd left happy but for me, although Something had been a real highlight – something was still missing – it needs a touch of magic somewhere along the way to make it more fluid and personal to the icon that was Geroge Harrsion. Fans will know the story but will enjoy the chance to hear some of his best songs in one set. If you want an evening of good songs interspersed with a few lifetime facts, then this might be for you.
This tour moves on to Shrewsbury calling at no less than thirty venues ending in Ireland at the end of March.
Reviewer: Bev Clark
Reviewed: 3rd February 2024
North West End UK Rating: