Pink Floyd's classic The Wall re imagined as a bluegrass and country rock opry?
As wildly improbable as it sounds, critics agree that Luther Wright and the Wrongs pull off a feat of brilliant musical alchemy as they deconstruct and then reimagine this seminal album of '80s psychedelia. They'll bring their hillbilly reworking along with some original compositions to MASS MoCA on Saturday, March 22, at 8:00 PM as part of the Alternative Cabaret series in Club B-10.
As The Washington Post says, "Should it work? Of course not, but it does in a delightfully perverse way." Billboard comments, "This well-conceived, twang-infested foray into The Wall is not only a hoot, it's carried off with lick-by-lick reverence and musical aplomb."
The idea for Rebuilding the Wall hit Wright when he heard the original album's title track on the radio in the band's van, started picking, and realized that the melodies were hiding great country riffs. Translating the music wasn't as much of a stretch as it might seem, according to Wright. "Surprisingly, 80 percent of the songs were ready to go. Roger Waters must have written all the songs by himself on an acoustic guitar." He continues, "It's about heartache, loss, and disillusionment - all great themes in country music for a long time."
Rebuilding the Wall has been warmly received by critics as well as by ex-Pink Floyd mastermind Waters. The Cleveland Plain Dealer said, "The down-home makeover is a gut-busting hoot. It's mind-blowingly brilliant too." The album's release is part of a new burst of Bluegrass invention brought to the forefront by the multiple Grammy Awards for the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou? in 2002.
The Kingston, Ontario-based band is led by guitarist/vocalist Luther Wright, with Cam Giroux on drums/vocals, Sean Kelly on bass/vocals, Dan Curtis on lead electric and acoustic guitars, banjo, and mandolin/vocals, and Olesh Maximew rounding things out on the pedal steel. Primarily made up of members of Weeping Tile, the band started out busking on the streets of Kingston. They had already made a name for themselves touring throughout Canada in support of their two original albums (Hurtin' for Certain and Roger's Waltz) before they introduced their country bluegrass special treatment of Pink Floyd.
The Luther Wright and the Wrongs' performance of Rebuilding the Wall is sponsored by Metroland Magazine. The Alternative Cabaret series is sponsored by Barrington Brewery.
Tickets to Luther Wright and the Wrongs are $12 in advance and $14 day of show. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located on Marshall Street in North Adams from 11 A.M. until 5 P.M. every day but Tuesday. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or online at www.massmoca.org at any time. Doors open at 7:00 P.M. for food and full bar before the show.
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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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