It's the hardest day's night yet

Dec 13 2006 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

IT MUST be considered the ultimate tribute and labour of love by Beatles fanatics.

History will be made in Toronto, Canada, over the weekend when every single album in the Beatles’ catalogue will be faithfully re-created, in chronological order, live on stage.

The marathon event is the most ambitious undertaking yet in the Classic Albums Live concert series – in which musicians re-create classic albums live on stage – and is believed to have never been attempted before.

Beginning with the first song from the Beatles’ first album, Please Please Me, each Beatles studio album will be performed back-to-back, with hit singles that did not appear on albums, such as Strawberry Fields Forever and Hey Jude, inserted into their correct chronological place.

The event is expected to run a solid 12 hours, with food and refreshments available, and with guests free to enter throughout the day.

Series founder and producer Craig Martin said: “It's a logistical nightmare for sure, but all I can think about is the resounding roar when we end the night with “I'd like to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of the group and ourselves and I hope we passed the audition!

“And just because we're playing every Beatles song in one day doesn't mean we're cutting any corners. It will be note for note as always, with all the needed strings, horns, harps, and sitars included, and with at least three rotating sets of musicians to keep everything fresh.

“Without a doubt, this will be the biggest show the series has done thus far.”

The undertaking will involve musicians playing all 13 Beatles’ albums in chronological order, from Please Please Me to Let It Be.