‘Weird Al’ Yankovic’s latest tour puts a symphonic touch on his greatest hits

“Weird Al” Yankovic is a lifelong fan of orchestral music. When he was about five or six years old, his mother took him to his first symphony orchestra concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

“I don’t remember anything about it other than the fact that I was there,” says Yankovic during a recent interview. “I’m sure it left an impression on me and I probably thought ‘maybe one day I’ll be on stage with an orchestra like that.’”

This year Yankovic fulfilled that dream. For his Strings Attached Tour, he and his band will be joined by a symphony orchestra at every stop, including the Ravinia Festival Orchestra for his July 28 concert at Ravinia.

“We’ve been having a wonderful time on the road,” Yankovic says. “The orchestras have been fantastic. They’re all amazing players. It’s quite the feeling to be out on stage and have a 41-piece symphony orchestra backing you.

“It seems a little ironic because you wouldn’t assume that my music and a symphony orchestra would necessarily go together but they work very well,” the 59-year-old musician continues. “It’s great to hear songs like ‘White & Nerdy’ and ‘Amish Paradise’ and ‘Dare to be Stupid’ with a full symphony orchestra. It gives those songs a little more gravitas.”

The tour has provided him the perfect opportunity to step outside his entertainment comfort zone.

“We’ve never done anything like this before so it’s a little outside the wheelhouse,” says Yankovic. “But we’re all enjoying it and [the orchestra members] are all good players. They learned the songs and showed up and rehearse the afternoon of the show and then we do it. It’s great to be able to play with such talented musicians that can just jump right into it.”

Ravinia Festival Orchestra’s conductor Eric Roth is equally excited.

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“The entire production is a reflection of Al’s vision and leadership. It’s inspiring to work with someone who is so on-point and decisive,” says Roth. “Al’s music is so rich and detailed to begin with, it’s actually a pretty seamless, albeit challenging, transition to perform orchestral versions.”

Some of Yankovic’s songs have proven tougher to pull off with an orchestra than others, such as “Jackson Park Express.”

“‘Jackson Park Express’ is a longer song and has a lot of different sections to it. It’s a little bit of a challenge for the band and orchestra that we both stay in synch,” says Yankovic. “But everyone’s been very professional about it and we’re pulling it off every night.”

The sets will feature all his classics, except for his Michael Jackson parodies “Eat It” and “Fat.” Following the release of the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” Yankovic felt it was necessary to omit them — at least for now.

“It felt like the right time,” says Yankovic. He isn’t sure if it’ll be permanent, saying that “things could change.”

Ed Newton Photo

The lavish Strings Attached Tour follows Yankovic’s most scaled-back road trek. His 2018 Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour featured the normally comedic musician and his band ditching the parodies and pop culture-poking songs in favor of original material and deep cuts.

They also stripped the usual high production aspects of a “Weird Al” show (costumes, props and giant video screens) in favor of a more intimate experience.

These recent tours have given Yankovic a chance to mix it up after offering roughly the same show for years.

“I’ve been doing the same kind of show for a long time, for a decade or two, and it was popular, and we enjoyed doing them. But we wanted to present my music in as many different ways as possible,” he says. “We’re trying to think of different ways we can mix it up and make it different, so the fans aren’t always seeing the same kind of show.”

Yankovic has been out of the album cycle since 2014’s “Mandatory Fun,” but he’s far from retired. He’s found different ways to be creative, including the release of new music.

“I fulfilled my record contract and I don’t intend to write any more traditional albums,” he says. “But I intend to keep writing songs. I have projects here and there. I’m keeping busy and I’m certainly not retired. So, I’ll be doing more singles at some point down the road.”

Yankovic also has been reflective of late, especially following the news that Mad Magazine ceased publication.

“In my early teens I would look through used bookstores for back issues of Mad Magazine,” Yankovic recalls. “It really shaped my [comedic] sensibility in a major way. It was one of my earliest influences, even before I got into the ‘Dr. Demento Show.’ Mad Magazine warped my mind and made me into the person that I am today.”

Adds Roth, “There is a rarified tradition of humorous music and Al is at the very top of the list of brilliant creators and performers who have struck that magical balance.”

Yankovic is looking forward to providing many laughs when he visits Chicago.

“I would encourage you to maybe bring an extra pair of underwear,” he says, “in case you get so excited by the music that you soil yourself.”

Joshua Miller is a local freelance writer.