Beatles “Revolution” show at TheDow in Saginaw jarred the memory

by Janet I. Martineau

Never did “Yesterday” seem so current and “Imagine” so distant. But, thankfully, the modern-day glow of cell phone screens standing in for flickering cigarette lighters amused and delighted.

Those are the three images that result from attending the “Revolution” concert Friday night at TheDow Event Center in Saginaw — the final offering of the 2007-2008 Saginaw Valley Concert Association.

“Revolution” is a Beatles tribute — starring four American lads who can fake well a British accent, span the decades with assorted hallmark Beatles attire and sound adequate enough in singing 30 songs from the Beatles repertoire.

Nice little details were there too, such as the Paul McCartney character (Jim Neil) playing his bass guitar left-handed.

There also was the attitude thing. Tim Piper is a hoot as John Lennon — cocky, mouthy, agitated, needling Paul. In his “performance” one gets a feeling for the Beatles as they were drifting apart after a short run.

And it is Piper whose appearance changes the most during the evening, culminating in his long hair, glasses and white suit that send shivers it is so accurate.

But back to “Yesterday,” the Paul McCartney tune, and “Imagine,” Lennon’s ode to someday the world at one and in peace.

The two songs were penned roughly 40 years ago. Today, in hearing “Yesterday,” McCartney’s recent ill-fated marriage to what’s her name makes the lyrics seem uncomfortably prophetic and ever so sad. And Lennon’s dream, in light of Iraq and Afghanistan and 9/11, seems more distant and impossible than ever.

A few well placed comments also reminded concertgoers of the passage of time.

Collectively the four wondered if people remembered what records were, and then the McCartney character did a dead-on recreation of a record needle hitting a scratch on an LP.

One of “Lennon” jibes jumped way ahead in time in making reference to McCartney’s eventual Wings band.

And Piper as Lennon said Saginaw seemed like a nice town from what he saw, enough so that “I think I’m going to buy it” — a reference to the wealth of the Beatles over time.

Some of the younger set in attendance decided to do the screaming fans thing here and there, but not overly so — and, in the encore “Yellow Submarine,” they were among those flashing their cell phone screens and swaying back and forth.

Not everyone was as charmed, however. Some audience members fled early and others at intermission, complaining the music was too loud.

Well, goodness, the Beatles are a rock group. You were expecting what? And don’t pull that age thing. McCartney is 65 and still rocking.

Source: Michigan Live