SARATOGA SPRINGS— Professional, accomplished musicians with original songwriting credits playing the music they grew up loving – just like you did, eight days a week- whether you are eight or eighty. That’s pretty much what Hey Jude…The Tribute brings to the table in a nutshell.
The Beatles released some of this music over 50 years ago its intrinsic cross-generational appeal may be enough to get you considered for a prime venue at First Night Saratoga, but to make it onto the main stage in the big room, you’ve got to have the goods in all respects.
And so, after only about a half-year performing as this incantation of the Fab Four, Hey Jude will be sharing the Ed Sullivan-like City Center Main Hall, trading sets with the mighty, mighty Soul Session (see our story next week.)
“Our goal is to play some of The Beatles music from all of their various stages but our favorite Beatles music is their early stuff, circa 1962-1966,” said Rick Bedrosian, affectionately known as “George” in this case. “That's what we play the most. The early Beatles music tends to be the most fun for the audience too.”
And so, an advance preview of songs that have been picked for your pleasure include:
- She Loves You
- I Saw Her Standing There
- All My Loving
- This Boy
- A Hard Days Night
- Ticket To Ride
- I'm Happy Just To Dance With You
- Act Naturally
- Yesterday
- Imagine
- Hey Jude
As someone who programmed original music in this town for over a decade, let me say that I always advised a songwriter to include a stylized cover tune in their set to show perspective. However, when it comes to iconic Beatles music, often the best ‘stylization’ is to remain as true to the original as possible. In that context, Hey Jude…The Tribute hits a bulls-eye for authenticity.
Hey Jude… The Tribute
City Center Main Hall
Shows at 6, 8 and 10 p.m.
saratoga-arts.org