Matt Montgomery & Van Dyke Parks with Bay Area non-profit Awesome Orchestra @ The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in Oakland 1/26/2014

 

 Bay Area non-profit group, Awesome Orchestra teamed up with  music legends Matt Montgomery and Van Dyke Parks and  for a very special show this past Sunday at The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in Oakland.

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

The Sunday funday show, celebrating Montgomery's collaborative efforts off of his latest album Petty Troubles  featured members of the Awesome Orchestra along side the famous artist/composer/producer. The mix of musicians was quite an inspiring sight, but the real treat was the sweet music they created on stage which started just past 4:00. 

 

 

 

 

Starting the afternoon off on a positive note,  Matt Montgomery and an "awesome" string quartette  effortlessly delivered a beautiful rendition of "On It's Way". 

  Melodic, symphonic, orchestral pop songs  seemed to place everyone in attendance under a peaceful spell.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

While the set-list evenly split up leading vocals, Parks' awed on the piano on the tracks that didn't have him behind the microphone. Likewise, Montgomery's guitar talent shined bright on the songs that didn't find him in the singing spotlight. As evening made way to night, the highlight for most had to be when Van Dyke Parks made his way back to the stage and performed The Simpsons theme song with a full Orchestra!

 

 

 

Photo by: Marc Fong

Photo by: Marc Fong

 

It's not everyday two legendary, muti-talented musicians share a stage together let alone with up and comers.
Matt Montgomery, Van Dyke Parks and the Awesome Orchestra completely captivated the Oakland audience.

A show like the one on Sunday was truly humbling and special for everyone involved.

 

 



Photo by: Marc Fong









 

SET LIST:

 

Matt Montgomery with the String Quartette  

 1) "On It's Way"

 

 

Van Dyke Parks (Vocals & Piano) with Awesome Orchestra

&

Founding Conductor David Moschler

 

2) "Jump"

3) "Opportunity for Two"

4) "Come Along"

5) "Cowboy Parks"

6) "Night In The Tropics"

7) "Orange Crate Art"

8) "Sail Away"

 

Matt Montgomery (Vocals & Guitar) with Awesome Orchestra

&

Guest Conductor Brian Adam McCune

 

9) "Top of the World"

10) "Petty Troubles"

11) "Though I Try"

12) "A Thousand Years"

13) Wishing on a Falling Star"