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Post by modmart on Aug 24, 2011 17:48:54 GMT -5
I saw the Bootleg Beatles tonight at a free gig in London's Docklands area. The gig itself was a great deal of fun and as a whole the band were up to their usual high standard. I have seen them many, many times over the last 20+ years so have a very reasonable yardstick by which to measure the performances of all concerned. Adam has huge pair of Beatle boots to fill but from what I saw tonight he is on his way to doing a more than decent enough job. I think anyone who has seen the BB's with any regularity over the last few years is well aware, as Neil was himself, that he was coming toward the end of his incredible tenure as 'John'. 20 years back the bloke was untouchable in my opinion and I have seen many Beatle tribute acts. However he realised his time was up and he did the honorable thing and passed over the Rickenbacker to a new younger model. Adam is good no question but has a lot of work to be up there with Neil when he was at his peak but from what I saw tonight think he is more than up to the job given a year or so. His musicianship is to be applauded and he can of course only improve as he goes on. I was thinking he would be shielded as it were by the others and maybe encouraged to take a back seat but he was in at the deep end tonight and pulled of a couple of blinders in 'Eight Days A Week', 'You Can't Do That' and 'Hey Bulldog'. Physically during the 'Mop Top Era' he looks the part especially in profile when the video screen showed him up close and he kinda reminded me of the cartoon art of Lennon from the old 1960s TV show which is of course a compliment. His 'Pepper's' look sort of reminded me of Harry Potter with a moustache however perhaps due to his youth. When he donned the white suit for the final White Album/Abbey Road period he looked stunning!! Given Neil's age he did look way too old over the last few years in this period but Adam was bang on the money physically it was quite uncanny. His mannerisms and speaking voice was OK and I am sure he is working on this. My only thoughts was that he is doing 'Neil as John' but with Neil coaching him he can't help that. I hope all you guys have a chance to see him in the coming months and give him a bit of support. Neil has moved on but this is Adam's chance to take up the baton and from tonight's performance should do very well as he gets more gigs under his belt.
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Post by BBGirl1994 on Aug 25, 2011 4:09:29 GMT -5
Hi, many thanks for this great review about Adam! I saw a couple of video's on youtube from last night (I live in Belgium, so I couldn't go) and I can't wait until I can hear him live (in Folkestone). I think most of the fans will accept him very soon as the new John when they heard him singing and playing. About that support, I hope I can meet him in Folkestone, because I'll give him a little present to wish him the best of luck! I hope he'll like it. Keep posting reviews like this if you saw him !  |
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Post by modmart on Aug 25, 2011 4:24:17 GMT -5
I am booked up to see them again on Bromley in October so look forward to seeing how Adam is growing into the role then. One of the strangest things was seeing the band sound check prior to the gig. I made a point of looking out for Adam to see how he looked and sounded when not 'in character'. I was very surprised to see he is totally bald! I am not sure if this is a fashion thing or a young guy who is thinning and decided to take it all off but was surprised all the same. However once he was in all the gear with a very good wig, I may add, he looked the part completely. I think for me one of the biggests problems for any tribute band is not how they compare to other members of the tribute band or even other tribute acts it is how they compare to the original band they are looking to copy. The Beatles are the greatest of them all so any band or band member looking to duplicate their sound is giving themselves a mountain to climb and the Bootlegs are certainly closer to the summit than any other band I have seen and with Adam should continue for a long time to come. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxQAwDN2mn0Here is a brief clip and toward the end is one of those profile shots of Adam that remind me of the 1960s cartoon Lennon and how he was often shown when singing. |
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Post by BBGirl1994 on Aug 25, 2011 14:42:40 GMT -5
Yes, it was that video that I saw, thanks for posting the link to everyone. So, I didn't expect him to be bald, but as long as he plays/sings good, it doesn't matter  I'm only 17, so for me The Bootleg Beatles are the perfect way to enjoy high quality live Beatles music. Welcome to the forum by the way! |
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Post by romana51 on Sept 10, 2011 15:08:59 GMT -5
The bald look shocked me too, I didnt recognise him untill my son pointed him out.. I thought he was one of the Pipers.......Our turn to see him up in Grimsby next week.....and Im thriled they are now doing "Eight Days a Week", its a personal favourite, ive never seen BBs do...Excited now.....
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Post by modmart on Oct 16, 2011 16:59:59 GMT -5
Reporting in from Bromley!
Just got back from a great night at The Churchill. Had a packed weekend of gigs and was hoping to finish on a high after a grim one on Saturday seeing a pretty poor Kinks tribute(Although perhaps still more enjoyable than when I saw the real Kinks about 25 years back but that's another story) Anyway, having seen the 'Booties' two months back at the free gig in London I was expecting their usual high standard and was interested to see how Adam was coming along. I was staggered!!!! Adam was good no question last time but what I expected from him in a few years seems to have come in a matter of months. He was stunning. He has also seemed to have raised the bar for the others and they are now again similar to how I remember them when I first saw them 20years back. He has totally invigorated the band and took my breath away tonight. They first appeared as the black sweater wearing 'With The Beatles' Fab Four and at times it was quite scary how close he looked to John. They did 'No Reply' and a superb version of 'This Boy' with faultless harmonies all round. I can't wait to see how things develop with Adam. Roll on December 19th at Hammersmith. Can't wait.
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Post by foolonthehill on Oct 19, 2011 15:19:53 GMT -5
He can only get better. Will be seeing the band next year & I'm really curious!
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Post by BBGirl1994 on Oct 20, 2011 0:04:26 GMT -5
I saw him in Folkestone and I can tell you this.
He really got the John Lennon voice (even his real voice sounds like that). I'm in love with that voice. They also did 'This Boy', and I absolutely want to hear that again. The middle part where Adam has to sing alone, it was SO perfect!
It was just amazing. He even had a chewing gum during the Abbey Road era!
I wished him good luck by giving him a card and a little present and he really didn't expect that. Well, he also didn't expect a young, Belgian girl in Folkestone I guess..
Can't wait to see him again in 4 month, 'cause he's such a nice guy. Very funny too.
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