Baton Rouge River Center, just purchased 10th row center.
Despite rave reviews, I was hesitant about this one. The Black Jacket Symphony, as I understand it, is a group of various musicians from Birmingham, AL, who cover Classic Rock albums in their entirety (no improvising, "note for note" is their claim), plus various other hits from the album's artist. They change up members (especially vocalists) to cover specific albums.
Their album-centric shows include:
Queen's "A Night at the Opera" Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" Eagles' "Hotel California" Journey's "Escape" The Beatles' "Abbey Road" David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" Prince's "Purple Rain" Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Second Helping" Led Zeppelin's "Led Zeppelin II" The Beatles' "Revolver"
That Saturday evening (Jan. 7th) will be two days prior to our 29th Wedding Anniversary (I'm mindful of such dates these days ) and I wanted us to spend the evening in downtown Baton Rouge (might also book a hotel room, if they're not too expensive). It would be nice to park at a hotel and walk the downtown area and then to the arena (not far at all) without worrying about driving until later the next morning.
The bad news is that Baton Rouge is getting... Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon"
Ok, my all-time favorite album (see "Favourite album" thread), so what am I complaining about? Bah! We did the Pink Floyd tribute not so long ago in Houston (although Brit Floyd didn't play the entire DSotM). Pink Floyd and Rush are two of my favorite bands, but not really the best music for celebrating your anniversary (still better than Metallica ).
On a normal night I would have picked any number of albums from that list, but for this particular evening I would have chosen Journey's "Escape" or Prince's "Purple Rain". So I'm a little bummed about that part, but I know we'll have a great time anyway. The ultimate (again, for this particular evening) would have been REO Speedwagon's "Hi Infidelity" plus other REO hits.
Listening to YT videos (which can be deceptive vs. live), I don't think The Black Jacket Symphony can compare to Brit Floyd who had such a freggin' awesome sound! But like I've said numerous times, at least I can still enjoy my favorite "oldies" music live.
We have The Molly Ringwalds on Dec. 30th and Billy Joel (New Orleans) on Feb. 10th so I have plenty of live music coming up to look forward to.
Since these guys are in Alabama, they play Montgomery and Birmingham allot, not *that* far from me, I might make a road trip one day to hear one of the other shows if I like this one enough.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4346100 - 03/22/1704:55 PMRe: Black Jacket Symphony's Dark Side of the Moon cover, Jan. 7th
[Re: MarkG]
I realize this is old, sorry, just wanted to add a couple of pics and give my opinion of the show.
Black Jacket Symphony was...ok. The first half ("Dark Side of the Moon") was a little disappointing, took a while to get the sound right (too low) and, I dunno, after seeing Brit Floyd there was no comparison really. Lots of people around us seemed pleased enough so maybe I'm being too harsh.
The second half saved the show, IMO. Not only did the sound improve, their playing seemed to improve as well, they did better on various hits from misc. albums than the complete Dark Side album, I would have expected the opposite. We'll see them again if they play some of the other albums in my first post, but not another Pink Floyd show, especially after seeing Brit Floyd who were freaking phenomenal.
I noticed ZoSo (Led Zeppelin tribute) is coming back. This is a tough one, because it seems we just did this one but they were so good (that entire evening was awesome, even the starter band was good). It's not like I'm hurting for music dates (also a ballet, jazz and symphony coming up), but man that was a good show. We missed the Ozzy tribute show because some of the roads were iced over that evening (hadn't bought tickets yet so nothing lost), I'm hoping it returns soon.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4346110 - 03/22/1705:18 PMRe: Black Jacket Symphony's Dark Side of the Moon cover, Jan. 7th
[Re: MarkG]
$13.00, and I'm sure we'll have our regular spot, front and center/right side of stage. No contest.
EDIT: First pic was starter band.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4346457 - 03/24/1703:48 AMRe: Black Jacket Symphony's Dark Side of the Moon cover, Jan. 7th
[Re: MarkG]
Joined: Dec 2000 Posts: 5,307WOLF257
Professional Cynic
WOLF257
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,307
Alabama
I saw them do the Dark Side Of The Moon concert in Gadsden, Al recently and the line-up was different from the one in the YT video you posted. I really enjoyed it and they did a great job, I suspect the show you get depends in great part on the particular lineup you see since it appears they change up quite a bit.
#4346507 - 03/24/1701:18 PMRe: Black Jacket Symphony's Dark Side of the Moon cover, Jan. 7th
[Re: MarkG]
Very good, WOLF257. Actually, the lineup we saw was different than the YT video as well, hard to tell with my crappy pics though. The lead guy had a large beard, not sure about the others. I think you're right though, they change up allot.
It really wasn't bad, it's just that Brit Floyd was so incredible for about the same price.
Oh man, I'm so there! I do like the way these guys play an entire album through, take an intermission and then play all the other hits from various albums. Eagles "Hotel California" would be great, and some others on their list!
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
#4346519 - 03/24/1702:11 PMRe: Black Jacket Symphony's Dark Side of the Moon cover, Jan. 7th
[Re: MarkG]
$85.00 - $221.00?! Seriously? $85.00/ticket minimum for Lynyrd Skynyrd, when they have what, maybe two original members left? I was also going to say, and at the "Golden Nugget" in Lake Charles, LA?! Although, wow, this place gets some well known acts...
But, nah. I'd just as well hear "Keep on Loving You" and "Take it on the Run" covers from The Molly Ringwalds for $10.00-$15.00 while standing and swaying with my Mrs. in front of the stage than sitting down, possibly way back, hearing REO Speedwagon play them for $70.00-$195.00 a ticket!
Some of the prices for these washed-up bands are ridiculous, IMO.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
) and I wanted us to spend the evening in downtown Baton Rouge (might also book a hotel room, if they're not too expensive). It would be nice to park at a hotel and walk the downtown area and then to the arena (not far at all) without worrying about driving until later the next morning. 
I do like the way these guys play an entire album through, take an intermission and then play all the other hits from various albums. Eagles "Hotel California" would be great, and some others on their list!