At the time ex Python Eric Idle was involved in a new series called ‘Rutland Weekend Television’...I should really direct you to Wikipedia. Anyway...it included a spoof bit about the ‘Rutles’ along with such golden phrases as ‘the legend that will last a lunchtime’ and ‘the pre-fab four’. Neil Innes wrote some very Beatle like songs. And 25 years later they’re playing those songs live. In fact have a look at this... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rutles
So...the Rutles were at the Brudenell Social Club
t’other night and I went along.
I'd been slightly confused by the advertising – it mentioned
‘The Ruttles’ (2 ts) somewhere for a start and said they featured Barry Wom and
Ron McNasty. Now how can you put on the
Rutles without a) being able to spell the name of the band and b) knowing that
is was Ron Nasty and Dirk McQuickly and that there was no such person as Ron
McNasty? Ah well, people are strange (in
Double Back Alley?)
On the night I was slightly put out that none of
the instruments used were anything like the proper Beatles ones (let’s not even
mention amps fact fans...) They’re not a tribute band in the rubbish er, tribute
band sense of the word. They are sort of
an affectionate parody – but the odd Hohner bass or Rickenbacker guitar
wouldn’t have gone amiss in my world.
They were pretty good though. But
here’s the weird thing...the two most memorable bits were 1) Neil Innes playing
the ‘Brave Sir Robin’ song from Monty Python and the Holy Grail and 2) a
version of All Things Must Pass (The George Harrison song from the album of the
same name) which somehow managed to be both a tiny bit silly (Mr Innes was
playing a ukulele for a start) but also really touching and heartfelt. A really serious song (optimistic, nah, not
really) done with a light touch that just brought out the beauty of it all. So it all felt good! This isn’t a great quality vid but it’s the
only one I can find on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUz6nokcLsw I don’t think this is as good as the version
they played in Leeds either!
So the Rutles were fun as I expected them to be though
the sounds were a bit unauthentic...Nearly forgot to mention, back in the day my
band Greenhouse played a version of the Rutles ‘I Must Be In Love’ live at the
few gigs that we did supporting the Wedding Present. So far as I know no recording exists of us
doing this!
If you’ve never heard the Rutles you should first
of all be a Beatles fan. You should then
buy the Rutles first album. The second
one is more Innes and less Beatles and to be honest not as good – but worth a
listen. Meanwhile I really should have written this a bit more, like proper...apologies.
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