By Nancy Raskauskas
The Entertainer | Posted: Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:00 am
CARDV fundraiser brings Fab Four's music to life with large ensemble
CORVALLIS - Local Beatles fans will pay homage to the legendary "Fab Four" once again with the fourth annual "Beatles at OSU" concerts at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, and Saturday, May 2, in Milam Auditorium at Oregon State University.
The show will feature a live performance of the Beatles' self-titled double album released in 1968, the set is most commonly refered to as "The White Album" because of it's plain covers.
The eclectic - sometimes rocking, sometimes experimental - collection of recordings was the 15th album the Beatles released in the United States, and was the first they undertook following the death of their manager Brian Epstein.
"Here the theme is on fidelity," co-organizer Neville Mehta said. "We want to replicate as much of the album as possible. That is our goal."
The first album includes "Back in the USSR," "Dear Prudence," "Glass Onion, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da," "Wild Honey Pie," "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Happiness is a Warm Gun," "Martha My Dear," "I'm So Tired," "Blackbird," "Piggies," "Rocky Raccoon," "Don't Pass Me Buy," "Why Don't We Do It In The Road," "I Will" and "Julia."
After intermission, the performers will take on the second album with the songs "Birthday," "Yer Blues," "Mother Nature's Son," "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey," "Sexy Sadie," "Helter Skelter," "Long, Long, Long," "Revolution 1," "Honey Pie," "Savoy Truffle," "Cry Baby Cry," "Revolution 9" and "Goodnight."
The performance will benefit the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, a private nonprofit that helps survivors of sexual and domestic violence and their children stay safe.
Past "Beatles at OSU" events have brought in approximately $20,000 to CARDV, according to Mehta.
Replicating the sounds that the Beatles created through multiple recording sessions means bringing in a host of performers for the live show and employing a few recorded loops in places as well.
"'Revolution 9' will be one of the most difficult pieces of the night," Mehta said. "It's just like a fountain of sound."
This year's performers will include Mehta on vocals and guitar; Noah Stroup, vocals; Evan Churchill, vocals and trumpet; Curtis Monette, guitar; Matt Jager, guitar; Dan Grossen, bass guitar; Alex Moffat, drums; Simon Ghionea, keyboards; Bill Cowell, keyboards, alto saxophone and backup vocals; Andy Witherspoon, backup vocals; Jeannie Holiday, backup vocals; Denver Speelman, violin; Noah Jenkins, violin; Kelly Tanner, viola; Judy Cooper, cello; Joe Crop, trumpet; Jesse Canady, tuba; Ryan Erp , trombone; Tania Rysko, clarinet and flute; and Oliver Thompson on fiddle.
In previous years performers have taken on the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper," "Abbey Road" and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" and last year "Revolver" and Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
Noah Stroup, a member of local bands Stairway Denied and Pseudoboss has been involved since the first year of the project.
"I was actually brought in near the end of the rehearsal process the first year because they needed someone who could sing in a higher register for a few of the songs," he said.
"I think this year actually might be the most fun for me," Stroup said. "The previous albums there were only a couple of songs that had that rocking, screaming sort of thing. I realized that the second part of this show there are four songs like that. So for me, it will be more fun."
"The White Album" brings out "a little bit of the obscure," said Curtis Monette, who plays guitar in local bands Audiophilia, Stairway Denied and The Badfish Band.
"Their are lots of fun guitar parts," he said. "What I like about it is the intense accuracy that we like to portray about the Beatles."
Fellow guitarist Matt Jager, a local solo performer formerly of Sweater Club, couldn't agree more. His favorite piece is "Helter Skelter" because it has some of the most challenging guitar parts.
"I'm really excited about it," Jager said. "It's rare that these albums get played in their entirety."
CHECK IT OUT
WHO: 20 musicians representing numerous local bands including Break As We Fall, The Badfish Band, Audiophilia, Stairway Denied and Pseudoboss.
WHAT: 'Beatles at OSU,' fourth annual concert to benefit CARDV (Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence).
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, April 24, and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2.
WHERE: Miliam Auditorium, Oregon State University.
TICKETS: $5, at the OSU Women's Center or at the door.
INFO: www.beatlesatosu.org.