MUSIC REVIEW: The John Lennon Songbook featuring Mark McGann, Claire Martin, Curtis Stigers with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Jul 21 2008 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

The John Lennon Songbook featuring Mark McGann, Claire Martin, Curtis Stigers with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra _320

THE Orchestra has been at the fulcrum of some of the greatest musical moments of Capital of Culture year so far, most especially in its forays away from the purely classical  and into the world of pop.

Just two of the highlights have been the launch night showcase at the Echo Arena at the dawn of the year and the magnificently dextrous collaboration with Elvis Costello on their home turf a month ago. 

Arguably the best of all came last Friday night with the reworking of the Lennon songbook, the official 08 musical tribute to the renegade Beatle and the second of a sell-out performance featuring local lad McGann and acclaimed jazz influenced vocalists Curtis Stigers and Claire Martin. 

The purists on both sides of the musical fence may have cocked a blinkered snoot at the whole shebang: those with a rock slant presuming that Lennon would have turned in his grave at being feted in such a way by the establishment while the Promenaders may have snorted with disdain at contemporary music being shown such respect. 

Those who left their prejudices at home, however, were treated to a 90 minute show of pure perfection. Don't believe the somewhat patronising review you may have read elsewhere - this was one of the finest most imaginative reworkings of such a revered songs catalogue that the curious could have hoped for.

For those who have never seen McGann in his role impersonating a drawling John Lennon complete with trademark granny specs this was a revelation. Replete with a punchy and witty life story script conjured up by veteran local theatrical visionary Bob Eaton and evocative archive slide show backdrop, the other Macca also showed what a fantastic vocal range asa singer he possesses.

He near brought the house down with A Day in the Life and Lennon's eerie posthumous Beatles number one Free As A Bird. But audience appreciation wasn't reserved for the homies - Stigers and Martin got their fair share too. The former tickled the spine with Yes It Is, Jealous Guy and Love (Is) while the British jazz siren excelled on a feminised version of Ticket To Ride and a gutsy Dig A Pony before linking up for an ebullient Two Of Us.

Presiding over all was the Phil and conductor John Wilson weaving the arrangements of Andrew Cottee which worked particularly well on Strawberry Fields (Forever) among others. 

It climaxed somewhat predictably - but how else could proceedings be rounded  off - with the three troubadours chipping in verses for Imagine before leaving the stage  to  a tumultuous standing ovation lasting a full five minutes' after which they decided to reprieve All You Need Is Love as a final send-off . 

A further five minute ovation followed before the house lights went up and the still euphoric crowd decided to reluctantly sling their collective hooks.

The Phiharmonic are known to have made their own private recording of this astonishing performance. 

If it were to be released officially it would make unique and very worthy edition to the Beatles canon. Meanwhile, those who were lucky enough to be there on the night will be savouring the memories to the end of Culture year - and for a long time beyond.