Shoe Review-"A Day In The Life"

Classical Mystery Tour

Beatlemania! with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Sunday November 22, 2009
Heinz Hall
Downtown

I, for one, have never been into cover bands. I don't mind seeing someone do an occasional cover but as far as bands that focus on one group and play their music all night to me is cheese central. I thought that this show would fall into that category, and believe me, on some songs it certainly did (Twist & Shout, Yellow Submarine). What set this afternoon apart was the fantastic sound of the orchestra behind it. On most numbers it seemed that it was used sparingly with most of the members not doing anything besides sitting still. On the other hand, there were some tunes that blew me away with the accompaniment that I will never experience again(A Day In The Life, Penny Lane). Well worth venturing into town on a Sunday afternoon.

What did they play you ask?
YESTERDAY\ELEANOR RIGBY\SOMETHING\I AM THE WALRUS\LIVE AND LET DIE\IMAGINE\HEY JUDE\PENNY LANE\A DAY IN THE LIFE\HERE COMES THE SUN\SHE'S LEAVING HOME\ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE\THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD\GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE\GOLDEN SLUMBERS\CARRY THAT WEIGHT\THE END\MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR\SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND\WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS\HARD DAY'S NIGHT
I SAW HER STANDING THERE\TWIST AND SHOUT\YELLOW SUBMARINE\OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA\GOOD NIGHT\COME TOGETHER

What they didn't play in Pittsburgh(bummer)?
STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER\LADY MADONNA\SAVOY TRUFFLE\MARTHA MY DEAR\MAYBE I'M AMAZED\MY LOVE\LET 'EM IN\SILLY LOVE SONGS\YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY\HELLO, GOODBYE

Review - In The Impossible Tension

The new release from Good Night, States is a slight turn in a different direction for the band. First and foremost, it was mainly recorded by Steve Gretz and Joe Tanner as they live out of state and for convenience sake, put together the CD on their own. What struck me at first was the stripped down feel to music, not quite 'demo-ish' but certainly lacking the subdued bombast of the previous stuff, even though there are traces of it during the closing moments on the set's opener 'Arsonist's Blues'. Yes, it's a gentler GNS but that's no reason to shy away. This is great music that is hook laden throughout. I hear a weariness in Steve's voice and words that fits perfectly with the Elliott Smith style arrangement on a few songs, especially 'River In The Dry'. I was wondering how the full band would play this material and was surprised that they all pull it off by utilizing gizmos and gadgets that stay true to the recorded music. I am thrilled that I will be seeing them twice in as many days in a few weeks and even though I have an advanced copy, I will be picking up an extra one for good measure. My absolute favorite song, 'Neighborhood Roofs', closes the disc and leaves me whistling the outro melody long after the music stops.