Chris Cornell, Duff McKagan + More Join Mad Season for Symphonic ‘Sonic Evolution’ Show
They came, they saw and they rocked symphonically! Some of Seattle's finest musicians turned out for an interesting night of music as they teamed with the Seattle Symphony for a memorable performance dubbed 'Sonic Evolution.'
The event began as a salute to the band Mad Season led by the group's surviving members Mike McCready and Barrett Martin, but along the way a number of musicians joined the talent lineup. Soundgarden's Chris Cornell, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron, Guns N' Roses' and Walking Papers' Duff McKagan, Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, Alice in Chains' Sean Kinney, Walking Papers' Jeff Angell and Lazy Susan's Kim Virant all joined in the festivities.
The show took place at Seattle's Benaroya Hall, where director Ludovic Morlot led his symphony, which was flanked by some of Seattle's most recognizable musicians, through a more rocked up set than most were used to. According to Northwest Music Scene, a song called 'Ashes' opened the night. The piece was inspired by Kurt Cobain's "rather burn out than fade away" final letter. That was followed by 'Beyond Much Difference,' a Pearl Jam inspired movement that included a cellist who had played on 'Jeremy' from the band's 'Ten' album. The third symphonic piece, 'Waking the Horizon,' came from McCready.
Eventually, the symphony turned into a backing unit as Mad Season's Mike McCready and Barrett Martin were introduced. Joining them were Chris Cornell and Duff McKagan for the songs 'River of Deceit' (seen above), 'I Don't Know Anything' and 'Long Day Gone.' Eventually, Mad Season transitioned into a bit of Temple of the Dog, with bassist Jeff Ament, guitarist Stone Gossard and drummer Matt Cameron joining Cornell for 'Call Me a Dog' and 'Reach Down.'
Ending the evening, fans got a treat as Alice in Chains drummer Sean Kinney came out to play on 'All Alone,' while Layne Staley's original vocal recording was used for the vocals. Staley was an original member of Mad Season before he passed.
Check out photos and video from the 'Sonic Evolution' show below.
See the 'Sonic Evolution' Performers
Watch Mad Season's 'All Alone'
Watch Temple of the Dog's 'Call Me a Dog'
Watch Mad Season's 'I Don't Know Anything'