reCAP :: The Fab Faux :: 2015.06.20
The Fab Faux returned to the Capitol Theatre and performed the album Rubber Soul in its entirety on Saturday night. After kicking the festivities off with “Drive My Car,” Jimmy Vivino tuned up a sitar for a crisp rendition of “Norwegian Wood, ” and soon after, the Fab Faux mellifluously harmonized the Dylan influenced “Nowhere Man.” Nailing all the strange twists, turns, and nuances of this transitional Beatles album, the band showcased their diverse talents. Following a tender serving of “Michelle” with a country and western stomp like “What Goes On” is tricky business. My favorites from Rubber Soul, “I’m Looking Through You” and “If I Needed Someone” were performed true to the original tracks. After recreating this revered album without embellishment, the band announced that they would take a break and return with psychedelic era hits. Here comes the improvisation and tasteful embellishment.
The Beatles bid adieu to live performing after their 1966 gig in Candlestick Park, where they were once again drowned out by hysterical fans. If the Beatles could have performed in the Capitol Theatre in 1968 during the Summer of Love, it might have sounded something like this amazing second set from the Fab Faux. A one-two punch of “It’s All Too Much” and “Magical Mystery Tour” commenced the surreal journey. No song was off limits as the band pulled out George Harrison’s, “Northern Song.” The music and roars from the crowd seemed to be twice as loud in this set. The show reached its psychedelic apex as the Fab Faux played “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “I’m Only Sleeping,” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” in succession. “Strawberry Fields” featured an intense drum solo from Rich Pagano. The solo became a drumming duet as bassist Will Lee joined Pagano halfway through. It appeared that any of these cats could play any instrument, and from singing into megaphones to having various horn players join them on stage, they were willing to do whatever was necessary to enhance the Beatles experience. This music was born in a bubble of studio technological advancement, and this brilliant band was recreating that vibe, and simultaneously, bringing these songs to life and expanding them.
Jimmy Vivino electrified the Capitol with a gripping and garrulous guitar solo during “Rain.” “Fool on the Hill” was fortified with some excellent flute work. The group had a remedy for all the strange sounds on these pioneering records. For the most surreal selection off of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, “Within You Without You,” Mr. Vivino again thrilled the crowd with his masterful sitar skills. “Yellow Submarine” provided a groovy, old-school sing-along for the audience, yet the Fab Faux was far from finished as they plowed ahead with “I Am the Walrus,” ‘Penny Lane,” “Got to Get You into My Life,” and “Tomorrow Never Knows.”
There’s a plethora of excellent Beatles cover bands out there, but none of the ones that I’ve seen approach the music with the passion, respect, and creativity of the Fab Faux. This New York City based band always gives it their all, and their between song banter with the audience, and amongst themselves, was casual and endearing. The band thanked the lighting man for the amazing visual displays on the walls and ceilings of the theatre. This performance omitted any numbers from the White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be. It was a prudent decision. I’d always kind of lumped all of the Beatles post Rubber Soul albums into one essential musical era, but this psychedelic era stands on its own, apart from their last three brilliant albums. But before for the Fab Faux bid farewell to Port Chester, they brought it back to the early days by encoring with “Please Please Me” and “Twist and Shout.” Hats off to the Fab Faux for allowing us to experience how wondrous a Summer of Love Beatles concert might have been.