You gotta love symphony night. If there's one night that really stands out to me as a Riverbend exclusive to write home about, it's the annual collaboration between a headliner and the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera.
In case it hasn't filtered through the rock you've been hiding under, this year's artists, The Waybacks, Joan Osborne and John Cowan, are performing a "Mystery Rock Revue," essentially, a complete run through of a classic rock album with symphonic backing. Which album they'll be playing has been a tightly kept secret for weeks (maybe months). My cohort Barry Courter is in the know, but he's managed, despite my pestering, to keep it under wraps, the knave.
My money is on "Abbey Road," since the band recently performed it at the Hillside Album Hour at Merlefest. Then again, there's no telling if they'll want to change things up. Certainly, since I found that information on their website's news feed, a repeat show wouldn't make for much of a secret.
If I had my druthers, however, I'd love to hear a full-on symphonic performance of a Pink Floyd album like "The Wall" or "Dark Side of the Moon." Those just scream that they'd fit in with orchestration, but I'm not sure they're as crowd-friendly as The Beatles.
Whatever they choose to play, it's going to be a blast. Of course, the inherent awesome factor of that show presents me with a bit of a situation since The Waybacks and CSO will be taking the stage simultaneously with The Soul Rebels Brass Band up at the Unum Stage. I wrote about the Rebels and their killer hybrid of funk/R&B/hip-hop with the syncopated sound of their native New Orleans and have been jonesing to see them. Fortunately, if, like me, you're torn over who to see, keep in mind that The Rebels will also be performing from 6:45-8 p.m. on the M.L. King Stage tomorrow during the Bessie Smith Strut.
See you down there. Happy bending.