Beatles vs the Analogues: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

The Analogues are a Dutch tribute act to the Beatles. Founded in 2014, the Analogues' ambition has been to perform The Beatles' music from their later studio years live, using analogue and period-correct instrumentation. How closely do the Analogues approach the original Beatles records in their performances? To find out, we have taken the 2017 (Giles Martin) remix of Sgt Pepper/With a Little Help and played it alongside a live recording of the Analogues. During the track, we alternate between the Beatles and the Analogues; note that we haven’t changed the tempo of the tracks, nor have we applied any EQ.The Analogues play the Sgt Pepper tracks so well, that it is difficult to hear where the Beatles are played, and where the Analogues take over. A remarkable achievement!The differences are mainly due to differences in the mix (apart from the timbre of their voices, of course): Giles Martin plays the drums and bass louder than the Analogues do, and Martin adds more reverb to the vocals. The Beatles version has more separation in the stereo field, probably because of limitations that the Analogues had in recording live vs a studio recording.Appearance-wise the band makes no effort to look like The Beatles, but they are masters at recreating and reproducing the original sound. The Analogues have amassed an impressive collection of musical instruments, amplifiers and what have you, including a black-and-white Rickenbacker-guitar like John Lennon had, a light blue Fender Stratocaster like George Harrison's and a Hofner violin bass as used by Paul McCartney. Five pianos, ten organs, over twenty-five guitars, a Ludwig drum kit, and an assortment of wind instruments are not enough to satisfy the demanding Beatles arrangements. Exotic musical instruments from India are required as well, including a dilruba, a swarmandal, a tanpura, a tabla, and obviously a sitar.In 2015/2016 The Analogues went on their first tour both in Holland and abroad, playing the 1967 Magical Mystery Tour album. In 2017 the band are touring with an integral performance of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I was lucky to see them perform twice, most recently at the 17,000 capacity Amsterdam Ziggo Dome on 1 June 2017, celebrating the album's 50 year existence. Go and see them perform the complete Sgt Pepper album if you can! Already looking forward to next season, when they will perform the ‘White Album’ live.Interesting factoid: in 2017 the Analogues signed a six record deal with Universal Music Group, for five live-played Beatles albums, plus one album with original material, inspired by The Beatles. All six albums will be released under the Decca label that refused to sign The Beatles in 1962!