Chicago-A-Go-Go
It's been a while since a Chicago band shook things up in the world of pop music. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't Chicago bands trying to turn the focus towards the third coast. Several recent releases prove that, although Chicago may not have considerable representation on top of the charts or on the airwaves, it's not for lack of trying.
Three various artists discs are a good place to start to examine the variety of music emerging from Chicago. Gallery 37 - 37/99: High Notes consists of a number of bands, orchestras and ensembles performing traditional, jazz and classical compositions.
Big Fish Little Fish—Volume 1 ( Sweet Pickle Music ) , subtitled "emerging women in Chicago music," is an impressive compilation that is also an excellent companion-piece to last year's historic two-disc set High Risk by Outlines. The women on the disc are from both the lesbian and straight communities, and the work, a mix of both previously released and unreleased tracks, is all of the highest quality. There are solo performers, with names both familiar and new, such as Ellen Rosner ( "The Perfect Malcontent" ) , Ripley Caine ( "Corvair" ) , Karen Anderson ( "Lost in Lafayette" ) , Joy Eden Harrison ( "Pushing My Luck" ) , Kelly Kessler ( "Well Of Tears" ) and Antje ( "To Please You" ) . Bands such as Dolly Varden ( "Progress Note" ) and The Twigs ( "Hello" ) are also represented on this generous collection. Kudos to Rosner and Antje ( Gehrken ) for assembling material by such a rich and fresh group of musicians, and for having proceeds from the sale of the disc benefit Woman Made Gallery.
This Saturday, July 15, at Double Door, Brigid "Milly" Murphy hosts a CD release part for Big Fish Little Fish. Many of the CD's artists will perform live.
Ellen Rosner, Antje, Alice Peacock, and Beki Hemingway also appear on Home Brewed In The Windy City ( SKU ) , a benefit disc for the Milkwood Foundation, sponsored by Starbucks Coffee. In fact, several Starbucks Coffee shops in Chicago have been the site of weekly live music performances by artists on this CD, as well as many others. Other female performers on the Home Brewed disc include Rose Polenzani ( "Olga's Birthday" ) , Cathy Richardson ( "Fly" ) , and Diane Izzo ( "Venice" ) . Male vocalists are also represented on this disc with tracks by Nicholas Tremulis ( "Disappear" ) , Michael McDermott ( "Hand of the Hunter" ) , Jonny Polonsky ( "See You Around" ) , and Nicholas Markos ( "New Girlfriend" ) , to name a few. Bands, a cottage industry in which Chicago has excelled, are represented in the form of The Slug ( "Margaret" ) , Gaberdine ( "Pendulum" ) , and Ulele! ( "Chance Dance" ) , for example.
Speaking of The Slugs, their song "Margaret" is also the opening track on their refreshing third CD Junior ( Famous Mistakes ) . When I say that this band, which has been in existence since the early '80s, has an exceptionally endearing early '80s indie pop sound, I mean it as the highest compliment. I was living in Boston at that time, and the music that was being made in that city's fertile music scene holds up surprisingly well ( I just recently came across Robert Ellis Orrall's Oral Fixation, and was pleasantly surprised ) . Junior has more in common with music from that time than with any of its contemporaries released so far this year. As the '80s retro-thing just seems to be getting started, this might work in The Slugs' favor. Tracks such as the aforementioned "Margaret," "This Time Summer," "A Little Something," "Heather, I Know," "Leave That One Alone," and "Slipped Away," recall a time, musically, before grunge and the commercially motivated punk revival created chaos in the independent music scene.
I really wanted to like Chronicles, Verbow's 1997 major-label debut disc. I'd been reading and hearing about the band for years and was excited to learn that their album was being produced by openly gay musician and icon Bob Mould. I was, however, unimpressed. Three years later, their new album White Out ( Epic/550 ) , produced by Brad Wood, is another story. Right off the bat, on the album's first two tracks, "Dying Sun" and the single "New History," you can hear that the sound on the new record is more melodic, brighter and a bit lighter. "I'll Never Live My Father's Dream," "Happy To Be Away" still have a punk pluck that won't disappoint longtime fans. The felicitous "Sweet Felicity" is simply gorgeous with an edge. Alison Chesley's cello playing has never sounded better, illuminating each track. Jason Narducy ( who performed with Patricia Barber on her recent live album ) is also doing things with his vocals that we haven't heard before, and is singing with a renewed confidence, as you can hear on "Four Channel Town." Could Verbow be the band to fill the void left by the recently disbanded The Smashing Pumpkins? Could be!
Verbow's pre-major-label work appeared on the independent, Chicago-based Whitehouse Records label. Waterdog Music, a Whitehouse-affiliated label, consistently releases noteworthy albums and Gods And Heroes ( Waterdog ) by Matt Tiegler is no exception. Tiegler's musical influences ( including XTC, The Beatles, Elvis Costello and Peter Mulvey ) are evident on this terrific and varied pop effort by a singer/songwriter worth noting. Co-produced by Tiegler and Chicago musical legend Ralph Covert, the standout tracks on Gods And Heroes include "Ritual Shame," "The Lost Art," "Oval Orbit," "Wallowing," and "The Wrong Way."
Tiegler's labelmate singer/songwriter Al Rose ( whose work comes highly recommended by the aforementioned Ellen Rosner ) released a disc a number of months ago that still deserves to be mentioned. Pigeon's Throat ( Waterdog ) . "Lighter Than A Feather," "Day Of Rest," "Polish My Car," and "Metaphor" are particularly accomplished.
In the realm of Chicago-area male singers and songwriters, recent discs by Vincent Truman ( Live Without It on mp3.com ) and Mark Watson ( Coulda...Shoulda...Woulda on Big Blast ) also deserve a listen.
Miss Ross reigns supreme
review by Gregg Shapiro
Backed by her own band and a symphony orchestra, Diana ( a/k/a Diane ) Ross, and two Supremes from the post-Miss Ross '70s ( Lynda Lawrence, circa '71, and Scherrie Payne, circa '73 ) , returned to an arena full of love for their "Return To Love" tour. The excitement built during the overture, in which we heard snippets of songs from both Miss Ross's days as a Supreme and her solo career. When the curtain came up and the three women, in matching, floor-length mirror-ball gowns, descended the staircase in the center of the stage, the cheering was supremely enthusiastic.
"Reflections," the opening number of the set, was appropriate for a concert in which the past was the main focus. They followed that song with two of their oldest hits, "My World Is Empty Without You" ( from 1965 ) and "Come See About Me" ( from 1964 ) .
Miss Ross welcomed the adoring audience to "Diana Ross & The Supremes 2000—a celebration of music." She introduced Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Payne, the Supremes accompanying her on the tour. They then performed "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart" and "Back In My Arms Again."
The first of the evening's several costume changes occurred and the trio took the stage in pink, sequined jumpsuits that Ross pointed out had "bell-bottoms." For "Where Did Our Love Go," they were joined on-stage by a dance troupe whose choreography was cheesy and amateurish throughout the concert. Much use was made of the video screens above the stage, showing both what was happening on-stage, as well as in the audience. During the next songs—"Baby Love" and "Stop In The Name Of Love," the audience could be seen singing and dancing along.
Miss Ross took a stroll through the audience during "You Can't Hurry Love," and her rapport with her adoring fans was one of the most spectacular moments of the show. It was a sincere love-fest. The song "Love Child" closed that segment of the show.
Ms. Lawrence took the stage to perform one of two Supremes songs; a pleasant rendition of "Up The Ladder To The Roof." Ms. Payne followed her with a gospel-inflected version of "Stoned Love."
Miss Ross's solo segment came next. She made a spectacular top-of-the-staircase entrance wearing a multicolored sequined gown, trailed by a pink and orange train. She performed "I'm Coming Out" and "Upside Down." During "Upside Down" she invited audience members wearing pink feather boas ( there were at least ten ) up on stage to dance with her. She closed her solo portion by performing "Theme From Mahogany ( Do You Know Where You're Going To ) " and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."
The trio emerged from the next costume change in green-sequined and marabou gowns to perform "When The Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes," "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone," and "The Happening." Miss Ross asked for a request, and then gladly performed "I Hear A Symphony." "Money" and "You Keep Me Hanging On" followed.
For the finale, Miss Ross and the Supremes emerged wearing black sequined gowns to perform "Reach Out, I'll Be There." Miss Ross's last solo hit, a remake of "I Will Survive" kicked off the encore.
Aside from some forgotten song lyrics ( even a teleprompter, on which Miss Ross relied heavily, was of no help ) and bad choreography, the concert was the kind of memorable, once-in-a-liftetime performance that will be talked about for years to come.
Where it's @
compiled by Gregg Shapiro
Where it's @
compiled by Gregg Shapiro
Where it's @
compiled by Gregg Shapiro
@ The Abbey - 773/478-4408: Kimi Hayes Band 7.13, 7.20, 7.27
@ Arie Crown - 312/791-6000: Dennis Miller 8.19
@ Auditorium Theater - 312/559-1212 ( TM ) : Savage Garden 8.18
@ Beat Kitchen - 773/281-4444: Iggy Yoakam & His Famous Pogo Ponies and The Peterbilts 7.14 / The Slugs 7.28
@ Chicago Motor Speedway - 312/559-1212 ( TM ) : Barenaked Ladies, Veruca Salt, Guster, The Tragically Hip, and others 7.22
@ Chicago Theater - 312/559-1212 ( TM ) : Brian Wilson 7.22 / Lyle Lovett 8.10 / Gipsy Kings 8.31 & 9.1
@ Cubby Bear - 773/327-1662: Bumpus 7.15
@ Davenport's - 773/278-1830: Hollis Resnik 7.17 / 3Girl3 7.12, 19 & 26 / Mark Burnell 7.20 / Anne Pringle 7.13 & 27 / Justin Hayford ( Fridays 7.14 - 28 - 8:00 ) / Greta Clark w/ Jack Short ( Fridays 7.14 - 28 10:30 ) / Joan Curto ( Saturdays 7.15 - 29 - 8:00 ) / Johnny Rogers ( Saturdays 7.15 - 29 - 10:30 ) / Matt Davis ( Sundays 7.16 - 30 ) / Dan Stetzel ( Mondays 7.24 - 8.28 )
@ Double Door - 773/489-3160: Scarlet Life 7.12 / Andrew Bird w/Nora O'Connor 7.14 / *BIG FISH LITTLE FISH* CD Release hosted by Brigid Murphy with Antje, Dolly Varden, Ellen Rosner, Kelly Kessler, Karen Anderson, Anne O'Meara Heaton, Cathy Braaten, Ripley Caine, Patty Ortega, Summer Chance, Alice Peacock and much more 7.15 / Tara MacLean 7.21 / Dandy Warhols 7.26 / Grandaddy 7.27 / Verbow and Diane Izzo 7.29 / O M D 10.7
@ Drink - 312/733-7800: Robert Cornelius 7 7.13 / Bumpus 8.3
@ Empty Bottle - 773/276-3600: Evil Beaver 7.13 / Chamber Strings, Waxwings, and The National Trust ( 9 p.m. ) 7.23 / Gaza Strippers 7.29 / The Lonesome Organist 8.5 / The Kimball Roeser Effect 8.11 / Bobby Conn 8.12 / Fareed Haque 8.16 / Demolition Dollrods 8.24 / The Vandermark Five 8.26 / The Puta-Pons 8.31
@ Fermilab - 630/840-2787: Odetta 8.19
@ Fireside Bowl - 773/486-2700: Har Mar Superstar 7.20
@ FitzGerald's - 708/788-6670: Jimmy Sutton's Four Charms 7.14 / Terrance Simien & the Mallet Playboys 7.21 / Austin Lounge Lizards 7.27 / Split Lip Rayfield and Cowlilly 7.28 / Kathy O'Hara, Diana Laffey & Mary Furlong 8.3 / Lunasa 8.16 / Rosie Flores & Sonny Burgess 8.24
@ Gentry of Chicago ( Halsted ) - Rudy De La Mor 7.12 - 16, 7.19 - 23, 7.26 - 30 / Alexandra Billings & Nan Mason 7.23 / Honey West ( Wednesdays & Fridays )
@ Gentry of Chicago ( State ) - 312/836-0933: Open Mic w/Beckie Menzie ( every Sunday ) / Honey West ( Sundays 6 - 9 )
@ Gunther Murphy's - 773/472-5139: Scarlet Life 7.29 / Karma Sutra 8.19
@ Hideout - 773/227-4433: Nora O'Connor 7.14
@ Hot House - 312/362-9707: Bucky Halker's tribute to Woody Guthrie 7.14 / Mambo Express 7.29 / Tomas Mapfumo 7.15 / 2nd Annual World Music Festival 9.19 - 30
@ House Of Blues - 312/923-2000: The Spitkickers Tour ( Common, De La Soul, Biz Markie and others ) 7.13 & 14 / Les Nubians 7.15 / The Fixx 7.16 / Neve 7.18 / Credence Clearwater Revisited 7.19 / Joan Armatrading 7.20 / Mikel Erenxun 7.22 / Wynnona 7.23 / Billy Idol 7.24 & 25 / Third World with Andrew Tosh 7.26 / The Pat McGee Band and The Samples 7.28 & 29 / All and The Pietasters 7.30 / Kottonmouth Kings 7.31 / The Urge and Lucky Boy's Confusion 8.1 / Wu-Tang Clan ( 7 p.m. And 11:45 p.m. ) 8.2 / The Misfits 8.3 / Peter Frampton 8.6 / Amel Larrieux 8.15 / Wilson Pickett 8.26 / Buzztopia 2000 w/Rob Wasserman's Space Island, Jazz Mandolin Project, and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band 9.1 / Tower of Power 9.2 / Son By Four 9.21 / Smokey Robinson 9.23 / Judybats 9.30 / Burning Spear 10.21
@ Joe's - 312/337-3486: The Knack 7.14 / Run DMC 7.19
@ Lincoln Park Zoo - 312/742-2283: "Jammin' At The Zoo" - Steve Earle & The Dukes 7.28
@ Martyrs' - 773/404-9494: Trey Gunn 9.6
@ Metro - 773/549-0203: The Toasters 7.15 / WLUW CD Release Show with Evil Beaver and others 7.21 / Einstruzende Neubauten 7.27 / The Queers 7.30 / My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult 8.4 / Saw Doctors 8.23 / O M D 10.8
@ Mountain Moving Coffeehouse for Womyn & Children - 312/409-0276, women & children only: Alix Dobkin 7.15
@ Navy Pier's Skyline Stage - 312/902-1500 ( TM ) : Natalie Merchant 7.24
@ New World Music Center -708/614-1616: Green Day, Dilate Peoples, Long Beach Dub Allstars, NOFX, Millencolin, Deviates, and others 7.12 / Wang Chung, Flock Of Seagulls, Missing Persons, Gene Loves Jezebel 7.23 / Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots and Fishbone 8.2 / LFO, B*Witched and others 8.3 / 3 Doors Down 8.11 / Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, and Common 8.16 / Duran Duran 8.18 / Santana 8.19 / Neil Young and The Pretenders 9.2
@ No Exit - 773/743-3355, 6870 N. Glenwood: New Music Sundays hosted by Laurie Lee Moses / Tim Hort 7.14 / Ember Swift 7.15
@ Northalsted Market Days - 773/868-3010: Jill Sobule, Joi Cardwell, SONiA, Ellen Rosner, and others 8.5 & 6
@ Old Town School of Folk Music - 773/278-6000: Huun-Huur-Tu: The Throat Singers of Tuva 8.5 / Ali Farka Toure with Affel Bocoum 8.9
@ Park West - 773/929-5959: Zap Mama 7.14
@ Ravinia - 847/266-5100: Nanci Griffith and The Blue Moon Orchestra 7.12 / Misia 7.17 / Willie Nelson 7.18 / Betty Buckley 7.24 / David Broza and Alabina 8.1 / Clint Black 8.2 / The Eternal Feminine with Susanne Mentzer, mezzo-soprano 8.7 / Jethro Tull 8.8 / Celia Cruz and Albita 8.9 / Kathleen Battle, soprano, 8.14 / Audra McDonald 8.16 / Tony Bennett and Diana Krall 8.17 & 18 / Peter, Paul & Mary 8.19 / Anoushka Shankar 8.21 / Bela Fleck & the Flecktones 8.22 / Michael Feinstein and Linda Eder 8.25 / Bruce Cockburn and Janis Ian 8.26 / Ulali 8.31 / The Spinners and The Temptations 9.1 / Harry Belafonte 9.2
@ Riviera Theater - 773/275-6800: Lords Of Acid 8.6
@ Schuba's - 773/525-2508: Thingy 7.12 / Josh Rouse 7.14 / Sally Taylor 7.15 ( 7 p.m. ) / Richard Buckner 7.15 & 16 ( 10 p.m. ) / Mila Drumke 7.20 / Over The Rhine 7.21 / The Silos 7.22 / Dickel Brothers 7.24 / Leona Naess 7.27 / Freakwater 7.28 / Chris Mills, Mr. Rudy Day and Marta Tenae 7.29 / Danny Barnes ( of Bad Livers ) 8.1 / Summer on Southport ( w/Shivaree and others ) 8.5 & 6 / New Orleans Klezmer All Stars 8.11 / Melissa Ferrick 8.20 / Ralph Stanley 11.19
@ Sheffield Garden Walk - 773/929-9255: Little Charlie & The Nightcats 7.23
@ Starbucks - Andersonville: Stone 7.13, Michael McDermott 7.20, Chris Mills 7.27, Steph Turner 8.3, Beki Hemingway 8.10, Diane Izzo 8.24, Ted Ansani 8.31 / Lincoln Park: Ellen Rosner 7.20 & 8.3, Justin Roberts 7.27, Scott Stenton 8.17, Chris Mills 8.24, Mark Fegerighi 8.31
@ Uncommon Ground - 773/929.3680: Al Rose 7.28 & 8.26
@ United Center - 312/559-1212 ( TM ) : Dixie Chicks 7.13 / Sting and Tracy Chapman 7.21 / Christina Aguilera and Destiny's Child 8.19 / Tina Turner and Joe Cocker 10.4
@ The Vic - 312/559-1212 ( TM ) : Dido 8.3 / Face To Face 9.15
