Sheena Loza
The Tribe’s Livestream performance was beamed to the world by Alert the Globe from the stage at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California. The two-hour show featured a countdown of the top 50 Beatles songs based on a Rock Cellar magazine’s readers poll. It was a treat to be at the Coach House for the Livestream show, and I was thrilled that Chris Carter, host of long-running Breakfast with the Beatles (which I often listen to Sundays on KLOS), would be the emcee.
The Tribe could be labeled as a collective or collaborative rather than a traditional band. Various talented L.A. musicians and singers, and notable celebrities come together to perform concerts and benefit shows. Tonight’s show features many outstanding musicians.
Rudy Cardenas
Drummer, Kevin Wachs is the founder of The Tribe collaborative, executive music producer, and editor of Rock Cellar Magazine. Kevin and his wife Mare are also co-founders of the Get Together Foundation. This non-profit organization tackles homelessness and disaster relief with donations received from concerts and special events.
Guitarist and musical director Laurence Juber is a two-time Grammy-winning, world-renowned guitar virtuoso who played with Paul McCartney and Wings from 1978 to 1981. Juber’s extensive resume includes playing the James Bond theme for The Spy Who Loved Me movie, as well as numerous television shows, including Happy Days, Family Ties, Home Improvement, and 7th Heaven. He’s also appeared on Ringo Starr’s album, Stop and Smell the Roses, and Henry Mancini: Pink Guitar album, for which he won a Grammy for his solo guitar arrangement of “The Pink Panther Theme,”
Bass, trombone, Chad Watson has been recording and touring, playing bass, guitar, mandolin, and trombone with groups since 1963. Some of which include Janis Ian, Charlie Rich, and Freddy Fender.
Guitar, bass, tuba, and vocalist Freebo is an award-winning singer/songwriter recognized as the ‘Best Folk Artist 2007’ by the Los Angeles Music Awards. He’s worked with Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills & Nash, John Mayall, Neil Young, Dr. John, and Ringo Starr. He also has appeared on Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show, The Midnight Special, and in concert with the legendary Spinal Tap.
Alice Howe
Bassist Mike Hill is a musician from Vancouver, Canada, who’s toured and recorded with multiple bands throughout various cities worldwide. Hill was also worked as Musical Director for Jill Paquette and ZZ Ward.
Guitarist Joey Delgado is a member of the popular Los Angeles-based Delgado Brothers Band who placed 1st at the Memphis Tennessee International Blues Challenge in 2016. Joey Delgado is the Albert King award recipient and played on a John Mayall album on a few tracks written by the Delgado Brothers Band.
Multi-keyboardist Nick Petrillo attended the prestigious Manhattan School of Music and graduated from Berklee College of Music. Petrillo has played keyboard alongside the legendary Michael McDonald at Boston University’s Agganis Arena.
Deepak Ramapriyan a.k.a. DPAK
Laurie Reimer is a vocalist, band manager, and production coordinator. Reimer is a singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist with a degree in Music Therapy.
In addition to the core band’s extensive expertise, several equally talented and notable vocalists/musicians contributed their skills to the show.
Chris Carter had his pseudo radio studio set up at one of the booths where he emceed the show. Although not every song of the countdown was performed, I have included the complete list for curious Beatles fans to ponder.
50. “Got to Get You into My Life”(1966) – sang by Chris Paul Overall, former frontman of Orange County Music Award-winning band Wonderlove. Overall delivered the goods. His voice had an exceptional presence with a smooth tonal quality. Note for note the band’s collective talent was sublime.
49. “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window”(1969)- Television and Film actor Rob Morrow, best known for his role as Dr. Joel Fleischman on the hit television series Northern Exposure. He also played the role of Don Eppes on the hit CBS drama Numb3rs and acted in several films. Morrow gave a dynamic performance with an edgy tone that worked with the song’s overall vibe.
48. “Can’t Buy Me Love” (1964)
47. “Don’t Let Me Down” (1969) Talented musician, recording engineer, and producer Steven Goddard was next in line and performed the song with conviction. His unique vocal style infused the music with a refreshing sentiment.
46. ” We Can Work It Out” (1965) American Idol finalist Rudy Cardenas brought a flood of soulful energy to the track. Rudy’s vocals were dynamic, from verse to chorus. Keyboardist, Nick Petrillo, brought a bit of Billy Preston funk to the song, which was pretty cool.
Renee’ Collins
45. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1967)
44. “Rocky Racoon” (1968)
43. “Lady Madonna” (1968) Josh Goldberg (singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and cantorial soloist) impressively covered the iconic Beatles tune with polished vocals. The Tribe musicians nailed this one. The piano, the guitars, and even the background vocals matched the intricacy of the original.
42. “Eight Days a Week” (1964)
During the show, emcee, Chris Carter, announced Ringo Starr tweeted about the show, saying, “Remember Chris, we can work it out. Have a great weekend, peace & love.” This was very cool and perhaps a proverbial nod to the Tribe.
41. “With a Little Help from My Friends” (1967) Rudy Contreras took to the stage again for this Joe Cocker version, which Rudy delivered with unbridled passion and soul. His vocal expression reminded me of Janis Joplin with the same uninhibited phrasing.
40. “For No One” (1966)
39. “Dear Prudence” (1968)
38. “Here, There, and Everywhere” (1966). Folk singer, Alice Howe, performed the track beautifully. She had a pure, delicate tone that could be compared to Judy Collins. Howe has been labeled as one to watch for several years and had one of her original songs, “Homeland Blues” chart as the No. 1 most-played song on the FOLK-DJ chart.
37. “Back in the U.S.S.R.” (1968)
36. “Day Tripper” (1965)
35. “Oh! Darling (1969) Vocalist, and Disney performer Sheena Loza, rocked this song! This lady has some chops, for sure. Her performance was full of passion and power. She possessed the control and vocal discipline of a truly trained professional. Great Job, Sheena.
34. “Blackbird” (1968) Steve Postell delivered an acoustic performance streamed to the venue, displayed on a giant monitor to the right of the stage. Postell is a well-known and respected producer, guitarist, singer/songwriter, and composer. He has played with or produced famous artists such as David Crosby, Pure Prairie League, Albert Lee, Jennifer Warnes, John Oates, and more. Postell has written scores for film and television and has performed live on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Even though it was not live, Steve’s performance was exquisitely genuine.
33. “All You Need Is Love” (1967)
32. “Helter Skelter (1968)
31. “All My Loving” (1963) This was another video performance. This time by accomplished musician and singer/songwriter Marcella Detroit (a.k.a. Marcy Levy), Marcella has recorded and toured with countless music icons, including Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and many others. She’s written songs for Al Jerreau, Chaka Khan, Rita Coolidge, and co-wrote Eric Clapton’s “Lay Down Sally.” Marcella performed a lovely version of “All My Loving” with just her and her acoustic guitar. I enjoyed her version, which was slower in tempo and cadence, giving the song an elegant appeal.
30. “If I Fell” (1964)
Laurence Jubar
29. “I Feel Fine” (1964)
28. “Across the Universe” (1969) Laurence Jubar performed the song solo as an acoustic guitar instrumental. I was impressed with his unbelievably fluent finger-picking style. As he played with the spotlight streaming down on him, there was an ethereal quality that permeated the scene and held me captivated.
27. “Ticket to Ride” (1965) Marky Lennon is a well-respected session singer who has toured with Cher, Phil Collins and also joined Roger Waters on the world tour of “The Wall.” He sang back up for Don Henley and Billy Bob Thornton, among others. He is a cousin to the Lennon Sisters, so it’s no surprise his vocal talent is widely sought after. His genetically inherited talent resonated on “Ticket To Ride,” which he performed with expert tonal quality and an impressive octave range.
26. “Rain” (1966)
25. “Tomorrow Never Knows” (1966)
24. “Get Back” (1969) Songwriter/musician Freebo gave a solid vocal performance accompanied by his acoustic guitar. The entire band rocked this one, with both Delgado and Juber engaging in some fierce solo guitar action.
23. “Nowhere Man” (1965)
22. “The Long and Winding Road” (1970) vocalist Rosemary Butler gave a heartfelt performance which highlighted her warm tone and lovely vibrato. She shared a little story recalling how once when she was singing with Ringo Starr, he pretended that the microphone, which was hanging above them both, was a yellow submarine. Rosemary Butler’s extensive singing career includes singing backup for Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Paul McCartney, Carole King, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and the list goes on. Her four-octave-mezzo-soprano range has been heard at the Super Bowl, President Clinton’s Inauguration as well as the Grammys.
21. “And I Love Her” (1964)
20. “Paperback Writer” (1966)
Laurence Jubar
19. “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) Singer/Songwriter and music teacher Renee’ Collins definitely brought his unique upbeat Reggae style to the song. His charismatic stage presence and infectious smile fit perfectly with his musicality.
18. “I Am the Walrus” (1967) Laurence Jubar graced the virtual audience with another acoustic solo instrumental take on this Beatles song. Jubar’s ability to create so many layers of sound at one time makes it hard to believe he’s the only one playing.
17. “Penny Lane” (1967)
16. “Help” (1965)
15. “Eleanor Rigby” (1966)
14. “Come Together” (1969) Chris Paul Overall returned to the stage and again impressed me with his falsetto and effortless ability to hit all the highs and lows.
13. “She Loves You” (1963)
12. “I Saw Her Standing There” (1963) Renee’ Collins returned to the stage with his groovy reggae, which worked even better on this song. Laurence Jubar added to the groove with his contemporary bluesy guitar riffs. The result was a refreshing new take on this Beatles rock-n-roll classic.
11. “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” (1965) Laurence Jubar broke out the Sitar for this song. He was accompanied by Josh Goldberg on vocals who’s tone blended well with the song’s instrumentation. I tip my hat to Jubar, who played the Sitar fluidly and effortlessly, which is no easy feat.
10. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1963)
9. “Revolution” (1968) Freelance multi-instrumentalist, composer/producer Deepak Ramapriyan a.k.a. DPAK, has a rich resume’. In addition to performing with India. Arie and Rhianna He has appeared on TV’s hit show “Modern Family” and in the films “Bleeding Heart” and “Basmati Blues.” He has landed several national commercials for Cadillac, iPhone, and Vitamin Water and has composed/produced music for several films. DPAK’s performance exemplified his tremendous talent and energy. His vibrant vocals were complemented by some incredible soprano notes he played on the fiddle.
Steven Goddard
8. “Yesterday” (1965), Marky Lennon and DPAK joined forces for this Beatle favorite. Marky sang it wonderfully and hit some beautiful notes. DPAK took the vibe down a couple of notches and handled the song’s string portion with ease.
7. “Something” (1969) Soul/pop-rock singer Carly Smithson sang this George Harrison masterpiece. Carly Smithson, originally from Dublin, Ireland, was the winner of the Meteor Ireland Music Award for Best Irish Female Singer. She also was a finalist on American Idol in 2007. In 2010-2012 she was a lead singer in Cirque Du Soleil’s Viva Elvis’s Las Vegas production. Carly’s strong vocals had a sultry edge which was perfectly fitting for the song.
6. “Strawberry Fields Forever” (1967) Once again, going from stage to screen, uber-talented Marcus Eaton recorded his rendition of this John Lennon jewel. Marcus Eaton is a singer/songwriter who is known for his virtuoso guitar playing. David Crosby coined him as “one of the best young singer-songwriters in America…maybe even the world” He has opened for Bob Dylan, Dave Matthews, Nils Lofgren, Dr. John, and Rodrigo Y Gabriela. He has also released several successful LPs. I was impressed with his fretboard magic on the acoustic guitar and his subtle warm vocals that mirrored the original’s ambiance.
5. “My Guitar Gently Weeps” (1968) Laurence Jubar joined forces with Chris Paul Overall and Rudy Cardenas. Jubar sang the verses, and Cardenas covered the chorus while Overall sang backup.
4. “Here Comes the Sun” (1969) Australian-born Eurasian singer, actress, writer, and model Emily Coupe took the stage for this number. Emily’s youthful charm resonates through her voice. Her tonal quality comes across as genuine and effortless, which fits the song exceptionally well. Emily released her first album Revolution in 2019 and will be releasing her second sometime in 2021. She has been cast in short and full-length films and co-starred on A&Es Cold Case Files and Netflix’s Corrupt Crimes.
3. “In My Life” (1965) Marky Lennon and Alice Howe came together for this sweet Beatles song. Alice sang the lead while Marky harmonized and sang background. Their voices blended wonderfully in a sort of symbiotic blissful ring.
2. “Let It Be” (1970) Sheena Loza returned to the stage and delivered a passionate and heartfelt performance. Sheena’s gorgeous and powerful tone gave the song’s anthem an intensity on par with the original.
I am inserting a sort of disclaimer here. The following is not a type-o; there was a tie for the number 1 Beatles song.
1.a “A Day In the Life” (1967) Laurence Jubar did a stellar job presenting the song as a solo instrumental. He did not play the entire song, but the portion he played was impressively dynamic. Jubar’s acoustic effectively replicated the frenetic climax at the end of the song, showcasing his tremendous talent and expertise.
1.b “Hey Jude” (1968) No surprise here that this song came in first (well tied, actually.) Carly Smithson was back on stage with her feathery sultry tone to begin the song. DPAK accompanied with his violin adding more dynamics. As the song progressed, Marky and Rudy hopped on stage to join in on vocals. Chad Watson’s trombone turned up the dynamics yet another notch. The whole cast came to the front of the stage and joined in for the song’s end and the show’s finale.
The Tribe put on a great concert, packed with verve and dynamism. All of the artists did a great job paying tribute to the Beatles, demonstrating their reverence for the material. In the past, The Tribe has put on several themed shows for various charities and featured many different talented artists and notable celebrities. You can still view the performances from tonight’s show and see other Tribe performances on YouTube or visit The Tribe Band Facebook page.
Carly Smithson
Jen Bacon / BackStage360.com
Chris Carter