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The Beatles never performed the songs on their 1968 self-titled album, known as the "White Album," live; the band's tour in 1966 was its last. Beatles fans could only imagine how they might have performed the 30-song, 2-disc hodgepodge live - from the gentle acoustics of "Blackbird," to the hard rocking "Helter Skelter," to the experimental sonic collage that is "Revolution 9."

Enter the Fab Faux, a Beatles cover band that tackled the entire "White Album" from beginning to end at the Michigan Theater on Saturday.

With an obsessive devotion to getting every note, beat, or far-out sound effect exactly right, the Fab Faux re-creates the songs just as they were recorded. From the start of "Back in the U.S.S.R" to their encore of the 2-sided single released along with the "White Album," which featured "Revolution" and "Hey Jude," the music sounded like the original. The difference, a big one, is that audience members got to hear the songs live and bouncing off the acoustically superb walls of the Michigan Theater—always better than an iPod.

Will Lee, Fab Faux member and bassist for David Letterman's CBS Orchestra, spoke with AnnArbor.com before the show. Another late night TV guy, Jimmy Vivino, is Conan O'Brien's musical director. And Rich Pagano, Frank Agnello, and Jack Petruzzelli have all played with big acts and had their own successes.

The 5 members of the Fab Faux accomplished their re-creation of the "White Album" with help from their string section, the Creme Tangerine Strings; a horn section, Hogshead Horns; and featured musicians Jim Boggia and Erin Hill.

In one slightly humorous aspect - but in keeping with the goal of perfect accuracy - instruments would pop up for but a moment and then never return. For instance, during "Glass Onion" a guy plays the recorder for about 2 seconds and then walks it off stage. A wave goodbye as he went got laughs from the crowd.

They musiicans also use sound effects to stay true to the original recording. This was especially the case during the chaotic "Revolution 9," which was heavy on pre-recorded sound effects. Some might wager a guess that "Revolution 9" is un-performable, but they would be wrong.

The first thing you notice at a Fab Faux show is that they do not try to impersonate the members of the Beatles. They do not dress or act like them, although Will Lee's all-white suit with an apple printed on the back was surely reminiscent. (It changed from a whole green apple to a sliced apple after intermission.)

The Fab Faux forgo the gag of impersonation for a more serious musical exploration. As stated in the introduction in the show's program, "The Fab Faux are to Beatles cover bands what the Vienna Philharmonic is to Beethoven cover bands." And the band does approach Beatles music a lot like an orchestra conductor would approach a classical masterpiece. The show was not so much about the band itself as it was about celebrating one of modern popular music's most influential ensembles. Then in addition, it was about the band's ability to pull it off.

During the show's intermission, one of the audience members had a critique. "If I saw a band or any other act, I don't want to hear a manufactured reproduction of the recording. I'd rather hear something that they put their own spin or take on," said Eugene Koziol of Commerce Township.

His friend Rick Grubb added to the thought on a positive note. "When I go see a violin concerto, the conductor or soloist puts their own little spin on the pacing or timing," he said, whereas the Fab Faux do it just like the recording. "But I wasn't alive to see the Beatles, so this, for me, is the most accurate reproduction of the Beatles. My mom tells the story about when she went to the theater to see 'A Hard Days Night,' and girls were screaming through the whole movie. She couldn't even hear the movie. So, it's a way for me to experience something my parents did," he said.

Grubb's favorite Beatles album is the "White Album," and he enjoyed hearing what it sounded like played live in a theater. "I like their reverence for the music. I could hear all the parts that you hear on the album - the sound effects, the strings. It's just like the studio recording. I think they are doing a good job," he said.

For many in the crowd, the show was a throwback to their days growing up with the Beatles. It was obvious from their energy that the 1960's generation was digging it.

"When I was young, the Beatles absorbed my life. As a child, they were all we thought about!" said Carol Rose, who grew up in Ann Arbor coming to the Michigan Theater and now lives up in Hillman, Mich. It was her first time seeing a Beatles cover band and she found it "fun and joyous," she said.

Her favorite song from the first half was "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." A lot of people in the crowd agreed with her - the song got a standing ovation mid-concert. Particularly impressive, Jimmy Vivino's guitar work was some high-level stuff (the original guitarist was Eric Clapton). "It enveloped everybody, I think. It was very soulful and beautifully done," Rose said.