Beatles group Rain

Subject: Beatles group Rain
From: olddude
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 01:44 PM

Our PBS station last night ran a concert by a group called Rain. I must have been living under a rock for a long time because I never heard of them. Anyway they did the most amazing job of Beatle impersonation I have ever heard. I thought I was back in the 60's and 70's again incredible job. Anyone ever gone to one of their concert? what is your take live? They are coming to Buffalo in Feb, and I am going to check it out.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 01:59 PM

Yeah, I saw that same concert footage on the local PBS station here in Nashville and thought they were amazing. Not a big fan of 'tribute bands' in general, but still wasn't able to find any holes in their presentation. Put them on much the same level in the entertainment industry as 'Elvis impersonators'. Very accomplished as musicians/singers better served by doing their own stuff and taking their lumps and successes on their own terms. But, a gig's a gig, I guess. No question they're very well compensated. There's a group in NYC called the Fab Faux doing much the same thing.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: PoppaGator
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 03:18 PM

I'm familiar with the Fab Faux; there are five of them, not four, all studio pros for whom the FF is a side project, not their main gig.

There's a really good Beatles tribute group in the New Orleans area called Penny Lane. They've apparently been together for 20 years or so, but I was completely unaware of them until fairly recently. They don't look like the original four Beatles, but each member does manage to sound amazingly like his counterpart. And, they make it a point to own and play the exact vintage gear ~ violin-style bass for "Paul" (played right-handed), Rickenbacker guitar for "John," Gretsch Country Gentleman and a couple of other guitars for "George," etc. They also have a couple of sets of costumes, depicting different Beatle eras, and change clothes during their breaks.

The drummer doubles on some kind of sythesizer which allows them to recreate the later studio recordings fairly well.

The band was invited to play in Liverpool a year or two ago for the big anniversary celebration; they got to play in The Cavern (!)

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: Nerd
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 12:06 AM

I saw Rain at the Empire in Liverpool during Beatle Week last year. They were incredible. They had a multimedia component showing not just important events of the 60s, but TV commercials and other images you'd forgotten over the years. And they were pretty much note perfect. I remember one guy was complaining that they were Americans, but I thought it was just sour grapes....

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: Nerd
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 12:09 AM

Rain also did several costume changes. If I remember, there's also a fifth member on keyboards, who stays mostly out of sight to maintain the illusion of the Beatles.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 12:11 AM

Is this them: Rain on youtube?

Here's the Fab Faux!

Wow, to both of them!

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: catspaw49
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 12:15 AM

Karen and I saw it on the WOSU PBS fund raiser and were really impressed. While the looks are not always close, if you squint a bit and listen you'd be pretty convinced it was the real guys. Both of us are Beatle fans so we really enjoyed the concert. They'll be in Columbus on the 28th of October and we rarely have the $$$ to go anywhere but we're going to go as an anniversay "date."

They'll be in a good venue and while they were on I ticket shopped. Found that it would cost a few bucks more to send the $$$ to WOSU and get two tickets in their section which is better so I did! Supported PBS and got better seats fo literally only a few bucks more.

I'll let you know in October how it went!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,Jeff
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 09:19 AM

"I'm familiiar w/t Fab Faux...etc." Will Lee the longtime(and I think original) bassist from 'Late Night w/David Letterman' is the most 'visible' of the Fab Faux. Don't know who the other guys are.

Before they had a modicum of national(US) success in the 70s the Raspberries(Go All The Way) built their local fanbase by doing alot of Beatles' covers very, very well. At the time their were no such things as 'tribute bands'. Eric Carmen(All By Myself) was the lead singer of that band.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: Wesley S
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 09:55 AM

We had a band from Denton Texas called Schwantz Lafantz that would do an interesting array of cover tunes. Lots of Steely Dan covers done quite well. And when they would trot out their Beatles covers it was usually something that other bands didn't do - all of side two of Abby Road for instence. Or I Am The Walrus.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,mutlev136
Date: 23 Sep 08 - 04:40 PM

Seriously, have you gotten your tickets yet because we haven't.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: Michael S
Date: 24 Sep 08 - 10:04 AM

I haven't ever seen an "impersonator" act, though I might enjoy one. Here in Austin, TX, there is a guy whose approach to the "tribute genre" is one I respect.

Ted Roddy is a local musician who, I believe, has a regular day job. Twice a year, around the time of Elvis's birth and death, he performs several wildly popular Elvis tribute shows. He works with a great band including backup singers and he performs an Elvis repertoire, following the best known Elvis arrangements. I've seen the show twice. He sounds like Elvis, but there's no sense of schtick. He doesn't pretend he's Elvis returned. He doesn't talk like Elvis or say "thank yew very much." He doesn't wear some overdone simulation of "Elvis clothes." The vibe is more like, "I'm Ted Roddy. I love Elvis, you love Elvis, tonight let's honor the man's music."

I'd love to see a good band doing Beatles music. The songs certainly deserve to be performed live.

--Michael Scully

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 12:09 AM

Rain takes it all to a newer and higher level. They are unlike any other tribute band I have seen as they start by being most concerned with the music.....its first and foremost. Its all live, is perfectly duplicated, and is loyal to the original in every possible way. The Keyboard guy is the ORIGINAL member of Rain and makes it possible for them to do such a broad range of material. See, NONE of the music you hear is pre-recorded in any way. They perform it all live and its incredibly authentic. Remember that the Beatles did no concerts from Sgt. Pepper on so the keyboard/synthesizer work is done and done so well you can't believe your ears. You are hearing them do the "recorded Beatle versions" LIVE as the Beatles NEVER did it (live that is). They're friggin' unreal!

We saw them live Tuesday night in one of the old redone theaters in downtown Columbus. 2500 screaming 60 year old farts reliving what was. Honest to god, Karen and I both cried at certain points.....like at a spot on rendition of "Yesterday." The guy who does George is great on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and I imagine he gets that same standing ovation every night. Its remarkable.

Tell ya' what else is remarkable.....They do several costume changes as they take you from Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road. They sing and play almost continually for over two hours with a 15 minute intermission.....and they do it several nights a week----every week. The Beatles rarely played for longer than a 30 minute or 40 minute set. The musicianship here is outstanding. These guys are wrth the price of your ticket anytime. Simply fandamtastic!

The screens in the back and sides do a slideshow and live shot mixture and the group has done themselves in many old Beatles photos and this is also very well done. You get some remembrances of the times and the various Beatle periods flow together nicely.

I dunno' how they do it but they do. And they seem to be having a great time as well. If you get a chance, check them out. You'll not regret it.

RAIN website with schedule


Spaw

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 10:24 AM

Over here in the UK the Bootleg Beatles do an excellent job of soudning uncannily like the real thing, not only sounding just like the records, but also talking in character throughout. When someone in the audience called out for Imagine, to which "John" replied in a perfect John Lennon voice, "I haven't written that one yet"

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,Anon
Date: 01 Nov 08 - 11:31 PM

I attended their concert last night and it was EXCELLENT!! The quality of the music was outstanding, I am still wondering how they get that sound with no prerecorded backgrounds. It was a fun concert and evoked a lot of memories. I would encourage anyone who is considering seeing this group to make the effort, it is truly a great experience.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,73 year old fart
Date: 08 Jun 09 - 11:17 AM

Too bad the over 60 crowd are considered farts. Don't we at least deserve credit for living when the real Beatles were around? What happened to the kinder, gentler, world John wanted? 60 year old farts are really die-hard fans. I guess you're the guy who never had a grandmother.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,Dave Barker Grand Falls/Windsor,Newfoundland
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 06:52 PM

I would like for one of the members to contact me. It is possible that I might be able to get Rain to play here in Grand Falls/Windsor next summer. So, Please send me an e-mail address where I can make contact.

Dave Barker
25 Gilbert St
Grand Falls/Windsor
Newfoundland and Labrador
Canada
A2A1G4

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,penny in oklahoma city
Date: 12 Jun 10 - 12:42 AM

I just got back from the concert by Rain. They were great. The music, light show and pictures on the screens took me back. I really enjoyed all of it. They got the crowd involved too. They mentioned all age groups. It was nice to see young people there sharing the music we grew up with.

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: GUEST,Rock
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 09:47 PM

My wife and I saw the Broadway Show, Rain A Tribute To The Beatles on Sunday Oct. 24th. at the Neil Simon Theatre in NYC. They were great, it was almost unbelievable how much they sounded like The Beatles!! Every note every beat was right on....If you ever get a chance to see this show, don't miss your chance, it was worth every penny!

Subject: RE: Beatles group Rain
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 28 Oct 10 - 10:53 PM

Rain is excellent, this is true. But, not to take anything away from them, there is another Beatles/60's tribute band in NYC that is also quite good - The Meetles. They are all exceptional musicians and vocalists and can usually be found each weekend playing gigs in the NYC subway system as part of the Music Under New York program. They also play other gigs when the occasion arises. (I heard they played the wrap party for the NBC series "30 Rock" several months ago.)

They are definitely worth checking out, particularly if the price of a theater ticket to a Broadway show is not within one's budget.


Meetles website