Dave Allen performs with The Rewinders as Jeffery Reed conducts Orchestra Kentucky in Beatlemadness at Bowling Green Ballpark. Photo by Pennman 6/17/2011.

So you’ve seen Beatlemadness before, but have you ever seen it outdoors? And maybe you’ve been to Bowling Green Ballpark before, but have you ever seen anything but baseball there? You could have done both at one great event as Orchestra Kentucky and The Rewinders performed this ever-popular show one more time in a totally new setting. It was supposed to be under the stars but there may have been a few too many clouds in the sky for that, but the stage tonight was right between home plate and the pitcher’s mound. Being curious as to how this show would sound outdoors, I just had to check it out for the third time.

There was an ominous rain pouring just 90 minutes before show time, and I bet lots of folks were wondering if the show would go on. But things calmed down shortly after that and the decision to forge ahead was made. I got there a little after 7 for the scheduled 7:30 PM start and found the musicians using towels to dry off the stage. Seems they were being very optimistic as the stage had no covering. I guess they were serious about the”under the stars” thing. I was wondering where the roadies were but I guess that’s a luxury local performers just don’t have. So after multiple wringing out of the towels things were ready about 8:15. That was fine though since the crowd arrived late too due to the weather.

Once things got started everything was golden. For over two hours the audience was treated to hit after hit from the Fab Four, and the sound team did a fine job of getting everything just right despite the rain delay. The concept of doing the show at the ballpark was to commemorate the Beatles historic performances at New York’s old Shea Stadium in the 60s. That stadium was new then and, as time waits for no one, was demolished two years ago. But as history also repeats itself, Paul McCartney has just sold out two shows at the new Yankee Stadium, so baseball and rock and roll seem to go well together. 

What I especially like about Beatlemadness is that the collaboration between The Rewinders and Orchestra Kentucky just begs for the playing of plenty of the rich, George Martin-produced tunes that the Beatles transitioned to in their middle to late period. For example, songs like “All You Need Is Love” and “Eleanor Rigby” come complete with strings and horns where appropriate. It just adds so much more to the experience to be able to hear the depth the orchestra adds, and also make the performances truer to the original recordings. Considering tickets were available for as low as $15 it’s a terrific bargain.

Songs primarily attributed to all four of the Beatles were performed, making the show a tribute to all of them. McCartney’s “Yesterday”, Lennon’s “Fool on the Hill”, Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, and Starr’s “A Little Help from My Friends” (sung by drummer Kevin Lovelace) were prime examples of this sharing of the wealth of talent that were the Beatles. There was something here for everyone, whether you liked the British invasion period, the transitional period of Rubber Soul and Revolver, the psychedelic era of Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Pepper’s, or the later works like Abbey Road and Let It Be.

To insure everyone got the ballpark concert experience there were two cameramen on hand to get everything displayed on the ballpark’s big screen. That was a really nice touch. And, of course, the park’s concession stands were fully staffed so everyone could enjoy classic ballpark food and drink throughout the show. So it was a familiar show in an unfamiliar setting, and it seemed to work very well. The people I spoke to after the show all seemed to have had a really good time.

Orchestra Kentucky has next season’s schedule all planned out, including the shows with The Rewinders, which are known as “The Retro Series”. Check it all out at www.orchestrakentucky.com. You’ll get a really good deal if you go for some of the season subscription packages. I’ve never seen a bad Orchestra Kentucky show, so what have you got to lose? Go see them all. Get a subscription.

Beatlemadness was held at Bowling Green Ballpark on 6/17/2011.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman