Sgt. Pepper Live: Not Just Another Cheap Trick
I remember as a kid watching the various award shows on TV. My mom would always point-out when someone received a standing ovation. Apparently standing ovations didn’t happen very often back then.
Living in Las Vegas I’ve seen my share of shitty shows and performances. It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how pitiful the show, some people insist on a standing ovation. This nauseates me. I’ve deduced that these people are visiting from Arkansas and it’s their first time beyond their state’s borders.
On occasion I’ve participated in standing ovations when I thought it was appropriate. Until recently, the last time I gave a heartfelt standing ovation was at one of (many) Sam Butera performances. Bobby Ruggiero, Butera’s drummer, did a ten-minute drum solo during the song “Sing, Sing, Sing.” The solo ran the extremes of every beat possible and built to an incredible crescendo. During the solo Bobby’s drumstick broke and without missing a beat (literally) his hand continued downward and grabbed a new stick. He was ambidextrously drumming again while the broken stick was still twirling in the air. He finished his drum solo and the majority of the crowd, mostly senior citizens, jumped to their feet clapping. It was beautiful. Bobby went on to win “Best Drum Solo” at the New Orleans Jazz Festival –and deservedly so.
When Bobby drums, people listen.
That being said, last week I saw Sgt. Pepper Live featuring Cheap Trick, special guests and a twenty-five piece orchestra at the Las Vegas Hilton. The engagement is/was limited to only nine dates in September but there’s talk about making it a semi-regular event. I hope this happens because I would like to see it again… and again.
I’m not going to write a complete review because Darrin at Page 300 already has his review posted and he’s much more thorough (and anal) than I am.
I will tell you that myself and most of the crowd stood-up and sincerely clapped our asses-off at least four times during the show. Joan Osborne, Rob Laufer, Nashville’s Bill Lloyd and Gomez’s Ian Ball each did (non-Sgt. Pepper album) versions of Beatle songs that were simply effervescent. Before Cheap Trick even took the stage I had seen enough to justify the ticket price.
Although not from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, here’s a little taste of Cheap Trick covering The Beatles:
Cheap Trick – Magical Mystery Tour
From the closing notes of “A Day In The Life” and into the (three songs later) finale of “All You Need Is Love,” the audience stood and cheered and clapped and whistled and screamed. All the performers (the Indian ensemble needed coaxing) gathered onstage while tens of thousands of little pink, paper hearts fell upon the crowd. For a brief moment it was snowing in Las Vegas.
Without question, Sgt. Pepper Live was one of the best shows I’ve seen. I would be willing to pay twice the price to see it again… and I would be more than willing to stand and clap for the entire show.
“All You Need Is Love” finale. I have no idea how long this video will stay on Youtube. Video quality is so-so but the audio improves. Bill Lloyd is on the left, wearing black and playing guitar. Joan Osborne is in the red.
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