REVIEW: THE BEATLES STORY (Liverpool)

4/5

Magical Mystery Tour...With The Beatles.

Hans Zimmer was in the capital of culture, Liverpool this weekend with his full band and orchestra as part of the German's U.K. leg of his world tour. And the composer who has scored what seems like almost every film in the modern movie industry, from 'Gladiator' to 'The Lion King' and 'The Dark Knight' to Christopher Nolan's forthcoming 'Dunkirk' war story had to give it up for the town that were "all the best songs come from." And across the road from the Liverpool Echo Arena showcase of the man behind all the soundtracks is another exhibit at the iconic, infamous Albert Dock landmark. That being the history of the Fab Four themselves, and The Beatles Story. Descend down the classic brick steps of these docklands to this museum of music legend and legacy and you will soon learn all that is to be known about the four horsemen of rock and roll. John, Paul, George and Ringo. Starr, Harrison and of course Lennon and McCartney. From The Quarryman beginnings to the rooftop end that saw them go their solo ways and beyond.

There's so much more to the exhibits of this museum that doesn't just tell The Beatles tale, but the story of the rock and roll they helped invent too alongside the likes of the late, great, Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. This is the genuine article, with real artifacts too. From The King's belt, that Elvis Presley rocked in his casino slot in Las Vegas, to David Bowie's guitar (for those who like me didn't know that John Lennon wrote the fantastic 'Fame'). Start with a drink at the replica of the still standing next to a statue of John in the city, Cavern Club and you'll be able to see all the landmarks. From the steps of Abbey Road (although here it's more of a street corner than a pedestrian crossing photo oppurtunity (lets face it a longer and more winding road would reduce traffic stops at the real thing across the road from the studios)), to the stage of the Ed Sullivan show taking you back to the U.S.A. like U.S.S.R and all the studio sets for the record inbetween all the album pressing. Then after paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of 'Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band' and respect to the grave of Eleanor Rigby it's time to all go on a 'Yellow Submarine' and the trippiest era in the Fab Four's 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' day-tripping history. Before from those depths you go to the heights of where they let it be, speaking words of wisdom.

And then it's time to go it alone, riding on the solo tip. From the Wings Paul McCartney took as he lived and let die like 007 (Rest Peacefully forever more Roger) to the photograph exhibitions of Ringo's Thomas The Tank stardom. But for this kid from a local seaside town just a train ride away it was crazy to see just how far these four lads and the genre of music and style they inspired-from the hair to the strings of guitar-that still lasts to this day has come. And yet remains standing the test of time as you see all the world over tourists walk around this musical theatre with head-sets in any language, locked down like this was Alcatraz Island in San Francisco. But even Californian surfer dudes know Beach Boys and every new kid trying to knock the latest and greatest off the block would be nothing without a handful of Scousers. This three decade old man who stupidly only got into what The Beatles were really about at 25 beamed when he saw all the accolades of solo Travelling Willbury and passionate garderner George Harrison like I just met my sweet lord, or the late, great himself. And then was moved to shedding genuine tears upon seeing the final, best saved for last, Lennon exhibition after all his artwork and the New York, black and white ballad of John and Yoko, which I won't spoil. You'll just have to come together and imagine. Now don't let it be, or wait for yesterday. All you need is a ticket to ride. As the history of The Beatles is for sale...eight days a week. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

FOR THE RECORD: HANS ZIMMER Live @ Liverpool Echo Arena (17/06/17)

5/5

Zimception

'Batman Begins', 'The Dark Knight', 'The Dark Knight Rises', 'Man Of Steel', 'Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice', 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2', 'Inception', 'Interstellar', '12 Years A Slave', 'Gladiator', 'The Lion King', 'Pirates Of The Caribbean', 'The Last Samurai', 'The Da Vinci Code', 'Rain Man', 'Thelma & Louise',  'Driving Miss Daisy', 'The Thin Red Line'...'Spanglish'. Classic cinematic composer Hans Zimmer has scored so many massive movies in the Hollywood mainstream. So much so that is literally looks like he's the only man behind the music in every film you watch not called 'Star Wars' (wands up for John Williams). And the legendary cinematic conductor was back with his full band and orchestra last night in Liverpool. The town that the great German behind every other movie soundtrack described as being "where all the best songs were wrote". And echoing more soundscape sentiments in the Liverpool Echo Arena, just across the road from The Beatles Story museum in the awe-inspiring landmark Albert Dock, Zimmer brought us another exhibition as we took a tour through modern movie history with one of the greats of screen and sound.

Opening the proceedings with his fun ditty from 'The Holiday' as his band came into play, you almost expected Tenacious D's Jack Black on his one-man instrument-less Saxophone to join this maestro with all his epic players. And after the full string and horn section were spoiler-alert revealed, Zimmer shined as he showed he could play every instrument including the banjo in a set of epics so epic in itself it needed an interval like theatre. A soaring sonic soundscape with vivid visuals and timeless, 'you almost forgot' classics. From the siren choir singing of Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman's submarine submerged drama 'Crimson Tide', to the 'True Romance' of Quentin Tarantino's Xylophone number which has been used and reused again in adverts today. The late, comic great Garry Shandling lookalike whose bank must be even bigger than his studio had not the cocky confidence of a legend rolling in royalties, but the honest humility of a man who knows it takes every instrument and every musician to make the music behind movie magic happen. From the panflute of 'Gladiator', taking us back to the fields of gold and stirring singing. To the opening call of 'The Lion King' (sung by the actual man himself as Hans tells us, "you don't get with the Broadway show") which had everyone out for a beer or bathroom break rushing back to their seats with nostalgic youthful glee as if they were about to see a young Simba being raised to the rooftops of the arena bathed in the light of the yellow sun.

But after Zimmering between his 'Da Vinci Code' signatures and those iconic 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' themes, Hans told us it was time to do the "superhero stuff". Or should he say the Nolan era. As after getting electro electric with his 'Amazing Spider-Man' Times Square neon splitting scoring and mixing his strong 'Man Of Steel' mix complete with timely 'Wonder Woman' theme interlopation, he delved into 'The Dark Knight' of all that cut-throat, razor-wire violin violence. From the beginnings of Batman to the last rise of this Dark Knight. Also paying beautiful tribute to the testament of the late, great Heath Ledger's iconic Joker and character of man and thoss who lost their lives in the cinema shootings with the moving 'Aurora' musical tribute. Dedicated to those today too who lose their loves to terroism that even tragically happens in concert venues of late. All from a the ever audience engaging band leader full of Ridley Scott stogie stories, who dedicated his show and proceeds in London to the victims and families of those who lost their lives and livelihoods in Grenfell tower. This magnificent man closed his concert with maybe his more stirring sound yet with the space odyssey organs of the out of this world inspired 'Interstellar' starring Matthew McConaughey. Before coming back with the most epic of encores with the 'Inception' influenced 'BAWS' that left us hanging on for more like Leonardo DiCaprio's spinning thimble that refuses to topple (or does it?). It sounds like Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk' is about to be IMAX epic from the speakers. After this we don't know what's next for the hardest working, composed conducter, but after Hans took us through the hands of modern movie time last night we know it's going to be iconic, timeless, legendary and just classic Zimmer. Filmmakers Beethoven in a symphony of sound. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

FOR THE RECORD: SUGARHILL GANG & FURIOUS 5 Live @ Hangar 34, Liverpool (8/6/17)

4/5

The Real Get Down.

This is not a test! Delight was in full effect for rap fans in The Beatle, Rock-N-Roll Hall Of Fame town of Liverpool last night. Like colour T.V.'s on the wall. Or the Knicks playing basketball. As the first real, rap group and fellow R&R H.O.F. inductees in the same year as Miles Davis, U2 and of course George Harrison, the Sugarhill Gang brought the 70's pioneering golden age, true old school, hip-hop era back like a Baz Lurhman Netflix show.

Hotel? Motel? Holiday Inn? It didn't matter how the gang got down last night as after sugaring Liverpool with their biggest hits, Wonder Mike, Master Gee and the Flava Flav dressed and Sceptre staff, cane-wielding hype Henry 'Henn Dogg' Williams brought their friends, all whilst honouring the late, great Big Hank. As two fifths of the Furious 5 showed the kid Cudi's and Kendrick's of today that their name had nothing to do with a Vin Diesel car franchise vehicle sequel. As Scorpio stung like a Scorpion with his signature syllable soundbites and the "RAH" of great Grandmaster Melle Mel brought a melee of beats and rhymes.

Exploding on stage like a fire hydrant on a Bed-Stuy Summer. All whilst flexing like he could bench press fellow pioneering legendary icon LL Cool J, whilst pushing 60 and a grey goatee. Skipping and shuffling across stage like Ali on the canvas as the pair furiously tore through classic gems like 'White Lines' and of course 'The Message'. One of the greatest was easily the most entertaining thing about this energy-redefining evening that was something like a phenomenon and only missing Grandmaster Flash on the turntables.

Hanging on to these legends every word in Liverpool's hip new Hangar 34 venue (whose exterior is littered with great graffiti featuring A Tribe Called Quest's classic 'Low End Theory' cover), Sugarhill had everyone joining their gang last night. Proving that even approaching the age of the decade they made rap relevant they were still a knockout to these young pretenders like Sugar Ray. Leonard or Robinson.

A perfect precursor to the first rap Grammy, D.J. Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's Fresh Prince Summer festival with The Jackson's in the U.K.'s Vegas of Blackpool. Sugar's Master and Wonder had everyone doing the Will and Carlton stank face, Bel-Air shake and spin to 'Apache'. Bringing the classics back like that fan favourite 'Fresh Prince' scene, "awooga" akin to being hooked on a 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' volume feeling. But this packed out crowd really hit the high notes after the legendary coming of golden era age 'Rappers Delight' rhymes went bar for bar like more credit cards than a sucka could ever spend.

As both groups united to roll through other hip-hop greats and rock with the hometown Beatles motto of 'All You Need Is Love'. In a truly beautiful moment of musical and cultural solidarity, standing and singing in the face of everything that has gone on in the world, this country and in concert venues recently. It was truly something special as all these untouchable greats fist-bumped, shook hands and pointed at individual members of the crowd telling them that they loved them. Refreshing in a stand-offish genre and industry today too concerned with looking too "hard" or full of hate. Last night when it came to raps realest you needed nothing more. TIM DAVID HARVEY.