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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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
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.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
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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