The Analogues
The Analogues | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The Analogues play Parkpop, 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Decca Records |
| Members |
|
| Website | theanalogues |
The Analogues are a Dutch tribute act to The Beatles. Founded in 2014, the Analogues' ambition has been to perform The Beatles' music from their later studio years live, using analogue and period-correct instrumentation.[1] From the start the Analogues have distinguished themselves by performing songs and whole albums live, which The Beatles themselves never played live; supported by brass and strings. Appearance-wise the band makes no effort to look like The Beatles, but they are called masters at recreating and reproducing the original sound.[2]
In 2015/2016 The Analogues went on their first tour both in the Netherlands and abroad, playing the 1967 Magical Mystery Tour album.[3]
In 2017 the band toured with a complete performance of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,[4] including a performance at the 17,000-capacity Amsterdam Ziggo Dome on 1 June 2017 to celebrate the album's 50-year existence.[5]
In June 2017 Dutch national TV-broadcaster NTR aired a one-hour documentary about the painstaking process of analysing The Beatles' complex compositions and experimental use of studio equipment, as well as acquisition of the proper analogue instruments, in preparation of live rendition of the Sgt. Pepper's album.[6] Before an album can be played, the multi-layered arrangements are fully written out by the band.[5]
Also in 2017 the Analogues signed a six-record deal with Universal Music Group, for five live-played Beatles albums, plus one album with original material, inspired by The Beatles.[5] All six albums will be released under the Decca label, which refused to sign The Beatles in 1962.
In 2018/2019 The Analogues toured the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the UK, playing the 1968 album The Beatles, also known as The White Album.
Line-up
From the start, The Analogues have consisted of five core band members, four of whom are Dutch pop musicians, augmented by PVH fashion executive[7] Fred Gehring , who proved able to play the drums to the standard required by the other members:
- Jac Bico – guitar, vocals[1]
- Fred Gehring – drums, vocals[1]
- Jan van der Meij – guitar, vocals[1]
- Felix Maginn - guitars, vocals (replaced Van der Meij)
- Diederik Nomden – keys, guitar, vocals[1]
- Bart van Poppel – bass, keys, vocals[1] and producer[5]
During concerts the band is reinforced by brass and strings players — at least a quartet of each. The five core members take care of the vocals and harmonies, and play all other instruments, with the exception of the tabla.
Instruments
As part of the self-imposed quest to sound as close to the original recordings as possible, the Analogues have amassed an impressive collection of musical instruments, amplifiers and what have you, including a black-and-white Rickenbacker guitar like John Lennon had, a light blue Fender Stratocaster like George Harrison's and a Höfner violin bass as used by Paul McCartney. Five pianos, ten organs, over twenty-five guitars, a Ludwig drum kit, and an assortment of wind instruments are not enough to satisfy the demanding Beatles arrangements. Exotic musical instruments from India are required as well, including a dilruba, a swarmandal, a tanpura, a tabla, and obviously a sitar.[5] Further special instruments include a one-metre-long harmonica for The Fool on the Hill and a clavioline keyboard as used by John Lennon in Baby, You're a Rich Man.[8]
Chief analyst of the music to be played is bass guitarist and producer Bart van Poppel. After thorough analysis of an album's arrangements — sheet music is not available — and consulting Beatles Gear, Andy Babiuk's "bible" of Beatles instruments, the hunt begins for the necessary equipment, for instance a 1965 Lowrey Heritage Deluxe organ,[5] or one of only thirty known existing mellotrons from a particular series, used in the intro of Strawberry Fields Forever.[6] Even if an instrument is used on only one track, they will get one, and in at least one case it took a full year to obtain a piece.
Critical review
In 2014 Amsterdam-based newspaper Het Parool reviewed the podium premiere of the Magical Mystery Tour and described the Analogues' sound as eerily close to the original.[2] In 2015 Dutch paper De Volkskrant wrote that the band brought The Beatles' sound back to life frighteningly well.[8] In 2016 the Eastern Daily Press reviewed a Norwich performance as a ".. musical wonder .." providing a ".. truly magical experience .." to hear the Beatles’ studio songs starting with the 1967 ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ that they themselves never performed on stage, played live and authentically.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f The Analogues
- ^ a b Van Brummelen, Peter (6 June 2014). "Dure Magical Mystery Tour is waar spektakelstuk (****)" [Expensive Magical Mystery Tour is truly a spectacle (****)] (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Persgroep. Archived from the original on 30 April 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
- ^ a b Review: The Analogues’ Magical Mystery Tour at Norwich Theatre Royal - Norfolk News — Eastern Daily Press
- ^ The Analogues Tickets London — The O2 (archived)
- ^ a b c d e f Huffels, Diederik (26 May 2017). "Tot de laatste noot net als The Beatles" [Just like The Beatles, down to the last note] (in Dutch). NRC Handelsblad. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
- ^ a b Beerekamp, Hans (2 June 2017). "Documentaire The Analogues: puzzelen met Beatlesmuziek" [Documentary The Analogues: Making Beatles music puzzles] (in Dutch). NRC Handelsblad. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
- ^ "PVH Leadership: Fred Gehring". Retrieved 2020-03-15.
- ^ a b Van den Hanenberg, Patrick (9 November 2015). "The Analogues brengen The Beatles beangstigend goed tot leven" [The Analogues bring The Beatles to life frighteningly well] (in Dutch). Amsterdam: De Persgroep. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 4 June 2017.