Post by wingsj0 on Apr 30, 2006 11:32:52 GMT
By Paul and Pam Clarkson.
The Overtures as far as we’re concerned are, and always will be, a major part of Beatleweek. They are simply the best 60’s tribute band around and have a huge following in the south of England. When we first saw them in 1998 they simply blew us away with their musicianship, harmonies and attention to detail on every song they played. The Overtures can play just about anything from the 60’s and this includes The Beatles. Their set in 1998 when they played all of The Beatles album ‘Revolver’ in the Adelphi Ballroom is still talked about to this day. They were only a four-piece group at the time but they played songs as diverse as ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, ‘Taxman’, ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘Love You To’, it was a fantastic experience to watch and listen to. They were simply awesome and each time we go back to Beatleweek they are always one of the first bands we look out for.
Since 2003 The Overtures have changed their line up slightly, the band members are Den Pugsley (vocals & bass); Steve Phypers (drums & vocals); Phil Evans (guitar); Jamie Cook (vocals & guitar) and Chris Skornia (keyboards). In our opinion, although The Overtures were brilliant before, this line up has taken them to another level. Whilst The Overtures were going through this change of line-up they unfortunately didn’t play Beatleweek 2003, thankfully they returned a year later but we were very disappointed when they were only given one set to perform.
This year The Overtures played at the Mathew Street Festival on Bank Holiday Monday. We excitedly made our way down to the stage at The Strand near the Liver Building. At the stage were all the usual faces from years past as The Overtures have built up quite a fan base at Beatleweek. They played a brilliant set, covering hits from the likes of The Mama’s and The Papa’s, The Hollies, The Doors, The Who and of course some Beatle numbers thrown in for good measure. Jamie Cook’s vocal on ‘Handbags and Gladrags’ is as good as any version you will hear, his lovely gravely voice is absolutely perfect for this song.
The Overtures last show was in the Adelphi Ballroom later the same day, it was near midnight and there was a great party atmosphere when they took to the stage. The Overtures gave us another brilliant set, they did a fantastic cover of ‘Light My Fire’, which showed great keyboard skills from Chris. The Who numbers that they performed gave Phil a chance to show what a great guitarist he is and he amazed us with his ‘Pete Townsend style’ windmill guitaring. In Den and Steve, The Overtures have one of the best rhythm sections around, Steve is such a great powerful drummer and is very entertaining to watch. Den holds the whole thing together with his solid bass riffs and great vocals. We were thrilled to hear them perform ‘I Call Your Name’ which is a particular favourite of ours. The songs just keep coming at an Overtures gig, songs as diverse as ‘Turn Turn Turn’, ‘Look Through Any Window’, ‘Day Dream Believer’ and ‘Jumping Jack Flash’. They finished their set with the usual high energy ‘Do You Love Me’ which always leaves the audience exhausted but gasping for more.
The Overtures are ‘THE’ party band, if you don’t believe us then ask Elvis Costello who hired them to play at his wedding reception when he married Diana Krall. On the guest list that day were Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Heather. We have it on good authority that the band received the ‘thumbs up’ from Sir Paul as he left the party. Not a bad story to have on your CV. The Overtures have also supported Blondie and Will Young in recent times. As we go to press we have just heard that The Overtures were also hired to play at the celebration of Sir Elton John’s recent civil partnership to David Furnish. It is a measure of their professionalism that even though they have played at these very prestigious events they always keep a strict code of confidentiality. If you have had the pleasure of meeting The Overtures you will know what a lovely bunch of people they are, always willing to have a chat after a gig.
The Overtures have a CD available to buy on their website. It contains 4 original songs, all written by Den. The songs are ‘In Spite Of All The Danger’, ‘Hole In The Ground’, ‘Velvet Room’ and ‘Tinted Rose’. The CD has a great iconic cover and is very well produced. The songs have a 60’s summery feel to them and the CD is well worth adding to your collection.
Visit their website on www.theovertures.com
Paul & Pam Clarkson
The Overtures as far as we’re concerned are, and always will be, a major part of Beatleweek. They are simply the best 60’s tribute band around and have a huge following in the south of England. When we first saw them in 1998 they simply blew us away with their musicianship, harmonies and attention to detail on every song they played. The Overtures can play just about anything from the 60’s and this includes The Beatles. Their set in 1998 when they played all of The Beatles album ‘Revolver’ in the Adelphi Ballroom is still talked about to this day. They were only a four-piece group at the time but they played songs as diverse as ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’, ‘Taxman’, ‘Yellow Submarine’ and ‘Love You To’, it was a fantastic experience to watch and listen to. They were simply awesome and each time we go back to Beatleweek they are always one of the first bands we look out for.
Since 2003 The Overtures have changed their line up slightly, the band members are Den Pugsley (vocals & bass); Steve Phypers (drums & vocals); Phil Evans (guitar); Jamie Cook (vocals & guitar) and Chris Skornia (keyboards). In our opinion, although The Overtures were brilliant before, this line up has taken them to another level. Whilst The Overtures were going through this change of line-up they unfortunately didn’t play Beatleweek 2003, thankfully they returned a year later but we were very disappointed when they were only given one set to perform.
This year The Overtures played at the Mathew Street Festival on Bank Holiday Monday. We excitedly made our way down to the stage at The Strand near the Liver Building. At the stage were all the usual faces from years past as The Overtures have built up quite a fan base at Beatleweek. They played a brilliant set, covering hits from the likes of The Mama’s and The Papa’s, The Hollies, The Doors, The Who and of course some Beatle numbers thrown in for good measure. Jamie Cook’s vocal on ‘Handbags and Gladrags’ is as good as any version you will hear, his lovely gravely voice is absolutely perfect for this song.
The Overtures last show was in the Adelphi Ballroom later the same day, it was near midnight and there was a great party atmosphere when they took to the stage. The Overtures gave us another brilliant set, they did a fantastic cover of ‘Light My Fire’, which showed great keyboard skills from Chris. The Who numbers that they performed gave Phil a chance to show what a great guitarist he is and he amazed us with his ‘Pete Townsend style’ windmill guitaring. In Den and Steve, The Overtures have one of the best rhythm sections around, Steve is such a great powerful drummer and is very entertaining to watch. Den holds the whole thing together with his solid bass riffs and great vocals. We were thrilled to hear them perform ‘I Call Your Name’ which is a particular favourite of ours. The songs just keep coming at an Overtures gig, songs as diverse as ‘Turn Turn Turn’, ‘Look Through Any Window’, ‘Day Dream Believer’ and ‘Jumping Jack Flash’. They finished their set with the usual high energy ‘Do You Love Me’ which always leaves the audience exhausted but gasping for more.
The Overtures are ‘THE’ party band, if you don’t believe us then ask Elvis Costello who hired them to play at his wedding reception when he married Diana Krall. On the guest list that day were Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Heather. We have it on good authority that the band received the ‘thumbs up’ from Sir Paul as he left the party. Not a bad story to have on your CV. The Overtures have also supported Blondie and Will Young in recent times. As we go to press we have just heard that The Overtures were also hired to play at the celebration of Sir Elton John’s recent civil partnership to David Furnish. It is a measure of their professionalism that even though they have played at these very prestigious events they always keep a strict code of confidentiality. If you have had the pleasure of meeting The Overtures you will know what a lovely bunch of people they are, always willing to have a chat after a gig.
The Overtures have a CD available to buy on their website. It contains 4 original songs, all written by Den. The songs are ‘In Spite Of All The Danger’, ‘Hole In The Ground’, ‘Velvet Room’ and ‘Tinted Rose’. The CD has a great iconic cover and is very well produced. The songs have a 60’s summery feel to them and the CD is well worth adding to your collection.
Visit their website on www.theovertures.com
Paul & Pam Clarkson