RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles - Oct. 8, 2010 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami Fl

Hands down my favorite group of all-time is The Beatles. For me they were the most original, most talented four piece band ever to grace a musical stage or record player. My admiration goes beyond mere words. As with much of my generation they represented our childhood, our growing up and awareness of the world around us and the untimely passing of John Lennon will forever be ingrained in our memories. Paul McCartney still remains a hero of mine to this day, whom I have been fortunate enough to see live twice (one of the best concerts I've ever seen) and Ringo and His All- Starr band once. With that in mind I am always skeptical of ANY tribute band of any of my favorite musicians, especially the Beatles. The Beatles music to me is sacred; a bit over-dramatic, yeah sure, I'll cop to that. But think about it, if you're a Beatles fan there is nothing worse than a bad '˜cover' version of a Beatles tune. Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Now don't get me wrong, I've seen some good Beatles tributes, Beatlemania being one of them, so when I heard that RAIN was coming I knew I just had to be there and see the show for myself. Not to mention that this particular performance is on the eve of what would have been John Lennon's 70th birthday. Seems impossible doesn't it? So for me this was going to be an extra special night in more ways than one.

Admittedly I was not prepared for this show. What I expected to experience were four musicians dressed in the entire usual and familiar Beatle garb. What I got was a full tilt shock to my system. These guys are good, damn good. No, they are not complete mirror images of the Fab Four in regards to looks. They are close or at least close enough that the notion that they HAVE to look exactly like the guys falls by the wayside. What totally knocked my socks off were their musicianship and their Beatle-esque mannerisms. These guys definitely did their homework and it paid off big time. They put on a show, a real show. The original Fab Four would be proud. The beginning of the show opens with a montage of images splashed across the side stage screens of the 1960's. Forgotten commercials from TV (which for those of us who were old enough to remember them were hysterical), footage of President Kennedy, and all the things that made that era what it was. Then with thunderous applause; the arrival of The Beatles in America. An Ed Sullivan look alike appears on a TV screen and introduces RAIN as The Beatles. The Magical Mystery journey has begun. Adorned in Beatles haircuts, boots and suits, we are introduced to them for the first time just like back in 1964. "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," "All My Loving," and "I Saw Her Standing There," ring through the air to thunderous applause and recognition from the sold out house. This is definitely going to be a fun place to be tonight.

The members of RAIN are: Graham Alexander (Paul McCartney), Joe Bithorn (George Harrison), David Leon (John Lennon) and Joe Bologna (Ringo Starr). Chris Smallwood is on hand as a keyboardist and additional percussionist. When I wrote they put on a show that's exactly what I meant. RAIN doesn't merely stand mid stage and play Beatles tunes. There is a full stage production that transports the audience through the different eras of Beatles music. From their first appearance on American television appearance through Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road and beyond to Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance." Watching RAIN really is all consuming. After just a few moments you will forget you're watching a tribute band. These guys have got the moves down so well you may feel yourself transported back in time, sitting in the audience actually watching the Beatles. The audience in attendance consisted of four decades of Beatle fans. Grandkids, moms and dads, grandmas and grandpa's, you name it, everyone was accounted for and representing. And just for the record, grandma's can ROCK with the best and the youngest. Maybe these were the same ladies who were the young girls screaming their lungs out in the Beatles footage we are so accustomed to seeing on television and in documentaries about the group and the waves of Beatlemania. That notion wouldn't surprise me a bit.

I can't imagine how anyone can pick which Beatles songs they're going to put into a two hour plus show. Of course there are the obvious: "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," "Yesterday," "Hello Goodbye," "Hey Jude," etc. RAIN did hit all the highpoints of an endless well of rock classics. Each segment was presented with video footage of the changing times, which seemed to make the music even more poignant. Their Shea Stadium concert in 1965 was highlighted by "I Feel Fine," and incredible rendition of "Day Tripper," and an audience participation gem; "Twist and Shout." RAIN had the audience on their feet dancing "The Twist." I myself (this is just between us) did a little shimmy of my own, and no, I wasn't drinking. The "Sgt. Pepper," segment received the loudest applause. I believe it was at this moment I started losing my voice. Yes, much to a friend's dismay who was sitting next to me had to deal with me singing (probably off tune) to every single song at the top of my lungs. I'm sure everyone will be happy tomorrow once realizing my voice is completely blown and I can only nod my '˜hello's and goodbye's. No matter, I had a blast anyway and it was worth it. "Sgt. Pepper," of course turned into "With A Little Help From My Friends," and an amazing version of "Eleanor Rigby." Yes, I am leaving songs out. I don't want to give away the entire set list but I will add this: one particular moment will stand out for me: Joe Bithorn (George Harrison) comes center stage and begins to play an amazing rendition of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." It was an incredible moment that brought the sold out crowd to its feet, Bithorn bathed in one of many standing ovations of the night. This made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, in a good way. Obviously these five gentlemen are accomplished musicians and showmen and take their craft seriously. I applaud them loudly for not just throwing together a bunch of Beatles classics, dressing in Sgt. Pepper suits and heading home. They made me a believer.

The final segment of the show ended as expected with the latter Beatle tunes that remain part of our collective history. "Come Together," "Revolution," "Get Back," and "Golden Slumbers." Yes, there is an encore but I'll keep that to myself. You'll have to see RAIN in concert to find out what was saved for last. RAIN solidly, masterfully takes us on an amazing musical odyssey that I really didn't want to end. They show us through the Beatles music their growth as a band, as individuals and finally as men who eventually branched out on their own paths. Did I walk away from this show thinking I had just witnessed the original Fab Four in concert? No, but I'll tell you what, RAIN came damn close, closer than I've ever been and probably will ever be. And just for the record, I sang Beatles tunes in my car all the way home.

RAIN: A Tribute To The Beatles Runs October 8-10, 2010 at the Adrienne Arscht Center, Miami Florida